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The Watershed Rug: An Interpretation of Earth’s Flow of Water

09.02.22 | By
The Watershed Rug: An Interpretation of Earth’s Flow of Water

Long-lived Mexican rug brand Odabashian’s is sharing its latest collaboration: a rug named Watershed. It’s been created in partnership with French designer Matali Crasset, who decided to focus on the environment – water in particular – and the global crisis surrounding it. Explaining further, Crasset said, “My idea for ‘Watershed’ was to express flow. Water creates a territory that enables nature to grow. I wanted to explain this connection and to show how water is becoming more and more essential every day.”

corner of colorful geometric abstract floor rug with dark blue armchair and large potted plant

The rug visually brings the flow of watersheds into our homes with a pattern that begins simply at one end before diverging into different veins of flow. An important part of Odabashian’s history is related to traditional trade routes, making Watershed’s design a great match for the brand. Using semiworsted New Zealand wool and silk with the 120 line classic Tibetan knot technique brought the sketches to life as an edition of two rugs.

corner of colorful geometric abstract floor rug with dark blue armchair and coffee table

“I love working with colors and rhythm. I see it as an opportunity to act and not remain passive… It is not about representing quiet landscapes or about the mere beauty of landscapes. It is about inviting people to change the way they interact with nature,” Crasset explained. “The rule of a designer or an artist is to provoke sensitives and to help us not forget the symbolic aspects of life. That is why rug-making is so interesting, because you can incorporate all kinds of symbolisms and symbolic details.”

colorful geometric abstract floor rug with two dark blue armchairs, coffee table, and large potted plant

colorful geometric abstract floor rug with two dark blue armchairs, coffee table, and large potted plant

detail of colorful geometric abstract floor rug

detail of colorful geometric abstract floor rug

detail of colorful geometric abstract floor rug

detail of colorful geometric abstract floor rug

detail of colorful geometric abstract floor rug

colorful geometric abstract floor rug

angled portrait of designer Matali Crasset wearing yellow sweater and white glasses in front of red backdrop

Designer Matali Crasset \\\ Photo: Julien Jouanjus via Matali Crasset

To learn more about Watershed, visit odabashian.com.

Photography by Deduce Design.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.