Designer Cecilie Manz has carefully balanced various colors and textures in Kasthall's new rug collection, Landskab. Inspired by a desire to create something valuable and quiet that maintains the highest standard of quality and expression, this collaboration bridges Kasthall's time-honored craftsmanship with Manz's innovative design sensibility.
The Landskab collection features four rug designs: two flatwoven and two handtufted. Together, each design composes a symphony of purity and emotion, with a focus on linen yarn.
"I think linen is one of the most beautiful raw materials—modest yet elegantly refined. Even in smaller amounts, it provides a beautiful brightness and reflection on the textile's surface," says Cecilie Manz.
Kasthall, renowned for its unwavering dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation for over 135 years, is a perfect match for Manz. It is about shared values: a commitment to high quality, aesthetic durability, and usability. Authenticity. And the desire to create something meaningful—something that lasts, something relevant.
"I want to know where and how things are made. That is also the inspiring part for me, getting to learn something new, to be curious and super nerdy. I like the small technical details in weaving. It's interesting how a single thread changes the color mood, the depth, everything. It may sound very technical, but that's kind of what this collection is about," Manz explains, and continues: "The fact that Kasthall has everything in-house in Kinna [Sweden], where all production still takes place, is a rare treat for a designer. Communication and feedback are direct, immediate, and precise, allowing for quick experimentation and testing."
Cecilie Manz's unique aesthetic is characterized by purity and functionality, qualities beautifully reflected in the Landskab collection. The flatwoven rugs, Gryn and Korn, are described by Manz as "very thin, dense, dry, and hard like crispbread" and "coarser, robust, and thick," respectively. The hand-tufted rugs, Spire and Ålegræs, have different textures and heights, giving them distinctive and interesting expressions. "Nature always plays a role, often unintentionally. I enjoy spending time in nature, so it naturally influences my work. The collection is called 'Landskab' as a reference to the rugs' various textures, colors, and heights," says Cecilie Manz.
The collection's soothing color palette is a delicate balance of dusty, muted tones, with names such as Øresund, Kalk, Rimfrost, Strå, Klint, and Salvie. "The colors were chosen to suggest subtle colors-not too strong or loud. Often, you don't need a lot of color to be perceived as 'color.' I like to work with colors in between. Is Salvie green or grey with a hint of green? It comes down to the context and what you wish to emphasize," adds Manz.
Each rug in the Landskab collection is a testament to the elegance of simplicity and the beauty of details. They encourage us to pause, observe patterns beyond the surface, and find beauty in the seemingly simple. They remind us to appreciate even the smallest details and reconnect interiors with the natural world.