Interior designer Michelle R. Smith has collaborated with Scandinavian textile maker Nordic Knots on its debut flatweave rug collection. The collaboration, born from a decade-old friendship between Smith and Nordic Knots co-founder Liza Laserow Berglund, features four rugs—three flatweaves and one all-natural jute—inspired by vintage Esprit pocket squares from the 1980s. Smith describes the rugs as subtle, flexible, layered pieces meant to complement a room without dominating it, drawing on her signature neutrals-focused palette of sludge greens, dusty blues, khakis, and browns. The collection reflects influences from designers Madeleine Castaing and Jacques Grange, as well as old-school men's suiting patterns.
This collaboration matters because it bridges interior design and textile craftsmanship, highlighting how a designer known for quiet, tailored interiors can translate her ethos into a commercial product line. The rugs are designed for versatility—Smith tested them in her own homes in Bellport and Montauk—and aim to offer a utilitarian, understated elegance that adapts to various spaces. For Nordic Knots, this debut rug collaboration signals an expansion of its brand into designer partnerships, potentially setting a trend for similar cross-industry collaborations in the home decor market.