Rug
Rug
Solid
Tina Steneman is somewhat of a pioneer, both in the world of sustainable design and as a business owner. Founder of Rug Solid, Steneman’s background lies in the legal world rather than design. She explains, “Coming from the world of lawyers into the interior design business may seem like quite a stark contrast, but it felt natural to me.” As a mother and entrepreneur, she was often the only woman in the room during meetings. “Most women of my generation were never raised with beliefs of making spectacular careers or changing the world.” And yet, this is exactly what Rug Solid seeks to do.
Rug Solid creates ethically woven rugs, often of 100% recycled products.
From the materials, to production and shipping, the company adheres to strict environmental and social standards. Following the Danish design tradition, the rugs are high quality and minimal in their designs. “I believe in the simplicity and restricting yourself in terms of details. Sometimes fewer details means more beauty,” Steneman notes. Though high-tech processes are crucial in sustainable production, it is also the essence of the stories behind the hand-woven rugs that are part of the fabric of Rug Solid’s identity. “I believe we will always enjoy the perfect imperfection of handmade design. Each handmade item has a human connection, you can sense the craftsmanship and traditions behind every detail.”
“Each handmade item has a human connection, you can sense the craftsmanship and traditions behind every detail.”
Partnering with agricultural communities in India where seasonal changes create unpredictable production periods, local citizens weave rugs during their “dead time,” providing an extra and stable form of income to improve living conditions. In a country that traditionally restricts women to working in the home, Rug Solid has made it a priority to empower Indian women, who are responsible for almost all the finishing on their rugs. “I hope that we can inspire the next generation of women to show that everybody can make a difference if they want to.”
“I hope that we can inspire the next generation of women to show that everybody can make a difference if they want to.”
