Floors, walls, and ceilings can be adorned with pattern and texture, says carpet and textile designer Christine Van Der Hurd, whose work has graced nightclubs and the homes of some of the world’s elite.
Christine Van Der Hurd is admired internationally as one of the most creative minds in the interiors and textiles industry.
She has collaborated on collections for Cappellini, Liberty London, and Louis Vuitton, and worked with India Jane Birley on the carpeting for Annabel’s nightclub and designer Kit Kemp of Firmdale Hotels.
Vanderhurd’s designs are part of the collections of several museums, including The Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Her work has been inspired by many different cultures, schools of thought, and countries, from her father’s antique stores on Portobello Road to the Modernist movement, the V&A museum, and trips to Spain and Morocco.
Her textile atelier, Vanderhurd, includes bespoke cut pile rugs, flat weaves, and dhurries as well as fabrics and wallpapers.
She has collaborated with many architectural practices, including Leroy Street Studio, whose Brooklyn townhouse project shown here illustrates how to use rugs and art as the canvases for a home.
“From my early days working as a Saturday girl in my father's antique shop on Portobello Road, I was flung in at the deep end.
"Actors, film producers, and royalty visited and quite often bought things from my father.
"Amongst them were John Slesinger, director of Midnight Cowboy and Day of the Locust, ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev, and Limerick actor Richard Harris.
“Fast forward to the late 70s, when I had moved to New York.
"Having opened Modernage, a gallery on downtown Broadway, I was often mingling with edgy artists, photographers, and anyone in the art scene.
"The photography gallery above us hosted exhibitions of Robert Mapplethorpe; meanwhile, I became friends with Annie Leibovitz, who took my portrait in exchange for helping with designing the interior of her apartment.
"Andy Warhol’s Factory was on Union Square, and he would come in and browse as he strolled down Broadway to the many mid-century galleries in that area."
In the early 80’s, the gallery launched designers Ron Arad, Dany Lane, and Tom Diixon into the US market with their first show, which had many of their unique prototypes.
It was a very special time, so much energy and excitement in the emerging furniture design industry.
“Later in the late 90’s, as the direction of Modernage changed to a more contemporary ethos, it exhibited young designers such as Jasper Morrison, Marcel Wanders, Barber Osgerby, all now extremely successful.
It was such an innovative time, and it has been a very exciting career, always meeting and mingling with many extraordinary designers, artists, and clients along the way.
She sat down with Home and Style to answer a couple of questions:
How to use rugs to bring in texture to a home?
“A rug can bring warmth, texture and colour to a home. When we were given the exciting project of designing and making the rugs for the Brooklyn townhouse, we were given a brief that the client wanted to have a “Rock & Roll” vibe.
"Knowing their love of colour, we designed rugs which were textured as well as colourful.
"We worked with some of the unique Vanderhurd flatweaves and cut pile combinations to create patterns, some monotone and some colourful.”
How can such textiles soften sound and bring in colour in a discreet way?
“We are designing hand-embroidered panels which can be installed on wardrobe doors or used for walling. This will help to soften the sound and create a more intimate atmosphere.
"We also make a very fine silk dhurrie fabric, which, when used, helps to soften the sound and add warmth to the room.
"Both can be used for hangings which provide interest to the interior and another interpretation of what art is.”
Which designers' creative processes have really impressed you?
“There are many Interior designers I have loved working with over the years for their attention to detail, understanding of periods of history, and particularly with their knowledge in textiles /carpets
“The individual sense of colour, unusual choice of textiles, and understanding of craftsmanship of Yorkshire-based Jonathan Reed, are just a few of the sensibilities I admire.
"Over the years, I have worked on several significant projects, collaborating on special hand embroidery applied to furniture, as well as many bespoke carpets.
"Jonathan often sources the unexpected, and his use of the highest quality finishes defines his uniqueness.
“Belgian interior architect Francois Marcq is one of the most disciplined designers I have worked with.
"He would come to the studio and browse the shelves of samples before finding just the perfect texture and colour, usually a shade of ebony, bark, or slate to work with the architectural finishes he has chosen.
"He always discovers a texture within which the colour is difficult to define because of the intricacy of the weave. Francois always amuses me when it comes to the cushions, opting for a completely different direction, quite often commissioning a more playful and colourful pattern - only in contrast to the rugs - to add that twist.
“I have known British designer Nicola Harding since the start of her interior design career. She can play with colour and create a home that is familiar and easy to be comfortable in.
"It is exciting at the start of a project, as you know you are going to be able to play with pattern and colour and push yourself to the limit!
"A new commission involves a playful hand embroidered floral walling with a slightly more disciplined carpet bringing in some of the flowers from the wall.”
