Rosemary Hallgarten has an appreciation for all types of materials, with an early focus on knitting silver and gold wire to make jewelry. She enjoyed the process but found it limiting, and eventually decided to try her hand at the age-old craft favored by her mother, renowned rug artist Gloria Finn. “When I delved into making hand-tufted rugs myself, everything changed,” Hallgarten says. “I knew this was something that could fulfill me creatively, and the idea of turning it into a business took root.”
The British-born maker fashioned her first small rug for a bathroom in a designer showcase house, and just six months later received a commission for a 13- by 20-foot piece. Yet it was her first trip to Peru that shaped the vision she had for her eponymous company, which she founded in 2001. During her visit she met locals who were dyeing and weaving yarns by hand, and it became her mission to preserve these traditions. Today, artisans produce many of the products in the line, which includes floor coverings, throws, and pillows. The signature alpaca, hemp, and cotton fabrics are not only luxe, they are sustainable too.
Hallgarten continues to celebrate design in all of its forms, and she hopes to turn her attention to the canvas again someday. “I dabbled in painting from time to time,” she says, “and still dream of a dedicated studio space where I can explore various techniques, incorporating different paints and exploring paper collages.”
Today, Rosemary Hallgarten joins us for Friday Five!
Vue d’installation de l’exposition Mark Rothko, galerie 4, niveau 0, salle Les années 1950, exposition présentée du 18 octobre 2023 au 2 avril 2024 à la Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris. © 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko – Adagp, Paris, 2023
1. Mark Rothko
Mark Rothko, undoubtedly and obviously for his most beautiful layering and juxtapositions of abstract color. Early on in my travels to Peru I actually painted some throws out there that were inspired by his art. I was thrilled to see his show in Paris and the evolution of his work from a much more figurative style.
Gregory Nangle Fading Mirror, 2018, Silvered low-iron glass, bronze 36″ x 42″ x 2.5″ \ Photo: Courtesy of Wexler Gallery
2. Gregory Nangle Fading Mirrors
I love anything that combines form and function in equal measures, and his mirrors, which play with metal and glass so perfectly, are just that – works of art you can see yourself in.
3. London Travel Finds
The Berkeley Bar, designed by Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, is my go-to hotel and bar in London. It is the perfect elegant and cozy place to sip a perfect margarita. I always try to make time for a visit to Daylesford Organic on Pimlico Road when I go to my London showroom. The farm shop and market is always full of inspiring visual treats, with the bright colors of its fresh produce. Everything tastes delicious. Form and function again!
4. Modern Architecture
I hold a deep appreciation for numerous buildings in Brazil. Notably, Hotel Unique by Ruy Ohtake stands out to me for its impressive scale, design, wit, and remarkable utilization of stone and metal textures.
5. Artisanal Inspiration
Wherever I go, I look for artisanal inspiration. I love modern ceramics. In particular, either plates or jugs and vases with a fresh perspective but crafted in an enduring manner.
Works by Rosemary Hallgarten:
The Passage Collection resonates with layers of meaning derived from architecture, design, and nature. Echoing the ancient doorways of Penshurst Place and even Henry VIII’s stately hunting lodge, historical reference set the stage for Spring 2024 and beyond. This robust series reflects life as a winding river, much like the Rivulet rug – a Rosemary original reintroduced this spring. Just as a river flows through valleys and plains, so too our journey unfolds. Intertwining with time like threads woven by the skilled artisans who craft these rich, storied tapestries, every piece invites you to embark on a journey of exploration and transformation.
The epitome of plush, Cloud 1920 fuses geometric detail with the soft essence of faux shearling. The extraordinarily thick carved textile has a slight scalloped edge detail in an unparalleled statement of comfort and style.
The Glacier Rug embraces a love of contrasts using texture and pile to create a subtlest sophisticated design that captures the beauty of glaciers around the world. The silk pattern appears to cascade over the wool base for a pattern that appears to gently shift with the light.
Inspired by the natural beauty and elegance of the Aspen tree line, this rug creates a sense of calm through its organic pattern rug. The combination of 85% silk with natural bleached nettle fabricated in 100 and 120-knots make this textile truly luxurious.
True to its namesake, the Cloud Herringbone rug is soft, plush, and incredibly luxurious combining two colors in a geometric pattern. The texture is reminiscent of the finest shearlings.
Photography by Chris Everard and styling by Ali Brown, if not otherwise noted.