Introducing: Luis Fernandez for Modern Rugs LA

Multi-hyphenate architect, interior designer and creative director, Luis Fernandez, has added a new title to his roster—rug designer. His capsule collection that launches this month with Modern Rugs LA is entitled ‘Monochromatic Patterns‘ focuses on the beauty of pattern repetition and the power of subtle color. The twelve-piece collection showcases the quiet luxury embodied in tone-on-tone design, voluptuous materials and rich textures. 

-How did the partnership with Modern Rugs LA come about? I was introduced to Sacha, Josh and the Modern Rugs LA team by a very special client. We had worked on several projects together, and immediately afterward, we thought, “We REALLY need to do something together.” It was a very natural pairing. We got to work right away, and it truly felt like one of those textbook collaboration clichés: each of us brought something very specific to the table, and together, it resulted in something greater than the sum of its parts.

–The collection, entitled ‘Monochromatic Patterns‘, is varied and compelling; we’re especially obsessing over Labyrinth. Tell us about your inspiration for the designs. That is one of my favorites too! For me, there were two key inspirations at play. First, my career-long obsession with geometric patterns, lines and the power of repetitive forms. These elements create a strong and impactful statement—minimalism at its best, without feeling plain. Second, the lessons I’ve learned from listening to my clients. They often want a rug that’s solid and easy to work with—not too outrageous—but also not boring or bland. I saw a real opportunity to use pattern and texture in monochromatic tones to cater to that, and achieve a look of quiet luxury, so to speak.

-The rugs exemplify the best of your vision of Modernism—functional and clean yet warm, future-forward yet timeless. What was the biggest challenge in translating your vision to the confines of a well-edited collection? Teaming up with Modern Rugs LA, with their expertise in quality and craftsmanship, really eliminated most of the challenges. I learned a lot throughout the process. It’s easy to sketch an idea and say, “Let’s make this into a rug,” but because it’s not a screen-printing process, it requires a completely different approach. This collaboration gave me a deeper appreciation for natural materials, techniques, and even color theory, which made the process all the more enjoyable and exciting. While modernism and monochrome have gotten a bad rap lately, your collection reignites their inherent creativity and possibility. 

-What’s your secret for infusing a controlled palette with life? For me, the ease, comfort, sophistication, and strength of modernism—and its restraint—are always more powerful. It’s something I’ve worked to refine throughout my career in design, architecture, and fashion (and even in life itself). Often, the biggest flex is saying more by saying less.

-Who or what has been your biggest influence throughout your career when it comes to creativity and business? I’ve always felt my surroundings have been my biggest influence—the world around me and the subtle hints of shifting consumer behaviors. I’m constantly traveling, observing, and keeping my eyes and ears on overdrive. Creatively, I’m a huge fan of visionaries who rethink what is and what was. Le Corbusier and Rem Koolhaas are two figures I’ve admired throughout my career, both for their ability to challenge conventions and for the resulting aesthetic. 

The post Introducing: Luis Fernandez for Modern Rugs LA appeared first on California Home+Design.