Nordic Knots Eagle + Hodges Rug Design Innovation

A Collaboration Bridging Design and Urbanism

Nordic Knots has launched a new collection of rugs in collaboration with design studio Eagle + Hodges and a leading real estate developer. This partnership highlights the growing connection between interior design and urban projects, where rugs are no longer seen as mere decorative elements but as part of the architectural identity itself.

Inspiration: The British Garden

The concept was inspired by the British garden, yet approached with a fresh perspective. Instead of the traditional floral motifs, the designers embraced a more refined and innovative vision, blending authenticity with modernity.

Rugs as a Canvas for Expression

This collection stands out for its ability to convey multiple layers of meaning. These rugs are not just woven fabrics, but expressive works of art with a touch of enchantment, bringing life and character to any interior space.

Nordic Knots and Eagle + Hodges’ new rug collection inspired by an english garden

Searching for British Identity in Design

Alex Eagle, Creative Director at Eagle + Hodges, notes that the core idea stemmed from a desire to explore the essence of authentic British identity. For her, the central guiding question in her work is:
What makes something uniquely British?
To Eagle, the answer lies in the English garden, seen as a symbol that embodies both dreamlike beauty and freedom.

The English Garden as Inspiration

While the British garden is traditional in form, it is at the same time full of possibilities. This duality became the starting point for Eagle and her design partner, Sophie Hodges, as they sought to reflect this tension in their work.

Between Heritage and Boldness

Eagle explains that their deep experience with classic British fabrics never stopped them from pursuing new directions. This collection gave the two designers the opportunity to explore brighter colors and richer contrasts, aiming to infuse their designs with a bolder and more daring character.

Features of the New Collection

The collection includes three main designs, each with its own distinct color personality that evokes a different mood.

Walled Garden
This design reflects the atmosphere of late summer, with warm beige tones and earthy reds balanced to recall the golden hues characteristic of the season.
Giverny
A British reinterpretation of Monet’s iconic gardens. The colors here are softer, with calm turquoise paired with dusty pink, giving the design a poetic and contemplative character.
Columba
Named after Alex Eagle’s daughter, this is the most playful and lively design of the collection. The chosen colors, soft blues and greens, evoke childhood memories of summer, mingled with the hazy warmth of long sunny days.

The Rug as the Starting Point of Interior Space

Sophie Hodges explains that the rugs in this collection were not designed as fleeting elements but as heirloom pieces meant to live on across generations. As she puts it: “Every good room begins with a rug.”

That said, these pieces are not confined to one type of space; they carry a remarkable flexibility that allows them to fit anywhere, from simple rural cottages to industrial-style Brutalist loft apartments.

Artistic and Historical Influences

These designs carry a delicate artistic sensibility inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement, which sought to restore value to craftsmanship in the face of industrial production.

At the same time, there is a subtle nod to Victorian traditions, when it was common to take rugs into gardens for outdoor picnics. This old custom reflects the idea of extending indoor comfort into outdoor spaces, a concept that remains relevant even in contemporary settings.

nordic knots eagle + hodges new rug collection

Eagle + Hodges Studio: Contemporary British Aesthetics

Since its founding in 2015, Eagle + Hodges has established itself as one of the leading design studios embodying a distinctly British aesthetic. This approach will be clearly showcased in the 180 The Thames project, a new residential complex in London scheduled to open next autumn.

A Meeting of Visions with Nordic Knots

This appreciation for timeless design is not exclusive to Eagle + Hodges; it aligns perfectly with the vision of Nordic Knots, renowned for their high-quality handcrafted products. The overlap between the two paths is natural, as Eagle and Hodges have frequently used Nordic Knots rugs in previous projects, making the current collaboration a logical continuation of a long-standing harmony between the two.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This collaboration appears to be a distinctive step that unites artistic creativity with architectural identity. The collection manages to present a fresh perspective on rugs, moving beyond mere decorative elements to become an integral part of the overall spatial experience. The chosen colors and garden-inspired motifs lend the designs a rich, poetic character, enhancing both their aesthetic and functional value simultaneously.

However, some may feel that the experimental use of colors and unconventional interpretations might not harmonize with all tastes or interior settings, particularly for those who prefer a simpler, classic style. Additionally, the strong focus on British identity could limit the collection’s global appeal outside this cultural context.