By Andrea Lillo
Whether it’s the henna designs of a Hindu bride in India, the ancient mud architecture of Mali or the floating markets of Bangkok, the new custom area rug and carpet collection of designer Malene Barnett—called malene b—reflects her worldwide travels, translated for the home.
“I see pattern and design in everything,” she said. And whether she’s in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia or Europe, “I immerse myself in culture,” she said. “I always go where the locals go.”
After years of creating floor coverings for manufacturers, developing designer and retailer collections, Brooklyn-based designer Barnett decided it was time to create a collection that reflects who she is. “The work became repetitive, and I have my own voice,” she said. “I wanted to create a business and a product that represented me.”
At last month’s Hospitality Design Boutique Show in Miami, Barnett launched malene b with the Signatures collection, which draws from such century-old traditions as Aboriginal Dot Art paintings and garments from Senegal. In addition, she has two other groups: Classics, which uses repeating traditional symbols; and Textures, which is based on nature patterns. However, “beauty is not limited to those designs,” she added, and she can work with a client on pattern. Size, shape and color can also be made to order. “I work with a blank canvas,” she said.
Depending on the technique, such as handtufted, flatweave or handknotted, her product is produced in Nepal, India and Thailand. A 6-by-9-foot handknotted rug takes three to four months to produce, Barnett added, while one that is handtufted takes about eight to 12 weeks. Prices vary depending on the weaving technique and material used, but a tufted wool-and-silk pattern would begin at about $45 a square foot, she said, while a Tibetan 100-knot-wool item would start at $95 a square foot.
And flooring is only the beginning, as Barnett plans to branch out into other categories such as wallpaper, furniture and textiles. “It’s all about surface textiles,” she said.