Moroccan rug company Beni have released a new collection with New York-based interior stylist Colin King, entitled A Study on Balance. The thirteen-piece collection builds on Colin’s existing three collections with Beni – a collaboration that has resulted in his appointment as the company’s artistic director at large.
A Study on Balance is centred on the powerful influence of Japanese culture and craftsmanship on French architecture and design during the mid-1800s and beyond. “Off the heels of this collaboration, I developed an obsession with Japanese textiles and became enamoured with the designs of French architects Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Chareau, of whom drew inspiration from Japanese craftsmanship,” Colin says. He has incorporated motifs in Japanese textiles while playing with scale and compositions referencing these great 20th-century architects.
The collection’s subtle yet brilliant colour palette originates from the sea, sky, plants and flowers, indicating the Japanese’s deep appreciation for nature. The names given to each of the rugs are either nature focused to reflect this; examples being ‘Tree’ and ‘River’; or architecture-focused; examples being ‘City Buildings’ and ‘Doors’.
For the collection’s debut, Beni worked with Colin and photographer Billal Baruk Tairught to style the rugs in a post-modern apartment in Paris.
‘City Buildings’
‘Doors’ and ‘Trees’
‘Doors’ and ‘Trees’
‘River’
“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Colin; it has brought beautiful conversations between the art of Moroccan weaving and the architecture and design of Italy, Mexico, and now Japan and France to our rugs.”
– Beni co-founder Robert Wright
‘Trees’
‘Doors’
