The collaboration features rugs inspired by popular neighborhoods around Mexico’s colorful capital.
The Condesa rug is part of a recent collaboration between designer Serena Dugan and Erik Lindström Rugs.
As part of its artisan collaboration series, Erik Lindström rug company has released its latest collection, designed by artist and textile designer, Serena Dugan. Named after neighborhoods in Mexico City (Condesa, Polanco, and Roma), each rug takes its stylistic inspiration from its namesake district's unique character and culture. For California-based Dugan, who established her studio in 1998 and launched her home and lifestyle brand Serena & Lily six years later, the energy and creativity of Mexico City have long been a source of inspiration.
“I originally created my Condesa pattern with the city [in mind],” she says. “Erik was drawn to that pattern and decided to use it as the catalyst for this new collection of rugs. “The additional patterns in the collection draw from the same inspiration—the vibrant modernism of Mexico City.”
The Roma rug, designed by Serena Dugan for Erik Lindström Rugs.
Lindström, who started his namesake company in 2011, first reached out to Dugan after learning about her venture into new creative territory. “I read an article about Serena’s journey into textiles,” he says, “and after looking at her patterns, and mastery of color, I felt like her work could translate seamlessly into the medium of rugs. I also was taken by her abstract paintings, which immediately became an inspiration for part of our collaboration.”
In addition to the fashionable neighborhood for which it was named, the Condesa pattern also reflects Dugan’s admiration for modernist Mexican architect Luis Barragán, whose work (along with his own house) can be seen across the city. “I have always been drawn to Barragan’s work, but it wasn’t until I went to Mexico City for the first time and walked through his spaces that I fully appreciated his particular genius,” Dugan recalls. “He used reductive geometry, planes of light, and planes of color to create harmony. I was inspired to take this approach with color, shape, and geometric form in two dimensions.”
A closeup of the Roma pattern, designed by Serena Dugan for Erik Lindström Rugs.
As for the Polanco and Roma patterns, they take on a more abstract form with softer edges and a dreamier quality. Each rug is available in four colorways, ranging from bright prinks and blues to more subdued, sandy hues.
“Serena and I both felt like a balance of muted neutrals and feminine and masculine colorways would be a good balance for each pattern,” Lindström explains, “while still bringing a bright, impactful iteration that spoke to the palettes of Mexico City.”