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Friday Five with Madeline Weinrib

Anyone who reads interior design magazines and keeps up with home accessories trends is well acquainted with and likely adores Madeline Weinrib. Known for her rugs and pillows in lushly colored, globally-inspired patterns of ikats and chevrons, among others, Weinrib is definitely the darling of décor. Originally trained as a painter, she exhibited regularly throughout the 1990s before designing her first carpet collection for ABC Carpet &Home in 1997. Having sensed an opportunity to carve out a new niche, Weinrib brought a vitality to a centuries-old art form with her individual approach to pattern, palette, and scale. Embracing authenticity as one of her hallmark values, Weinrib’s aesthetic is defined by her use of techniques that favor hand over machine and tradition over automation. She works with artisans around the world, always exploring new possibilities for design. She also supports artisans in the communities in which she produces her work and is a patron of Project Mala.

1. Samode Palace
Samode Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan is one of the world’s great palaces. Even after many visits, I remain inspired by the magnificent state rooms, the Mogul wall paintings, the intricate traditional details. Imbued with history and opulent design, the Samode Palace is definitely worth a detour.

2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
As far as I am concerned, all dogs are wonderful, but I especially love the King Charles Spaniel breed. They have the sweetest temperaments and most expressive faces. I take my two dogs to work daily, where they add a wonderful calm energy to the studio.


Reclining Odalisque (Harmony in Red), 1927

3. Matisse at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Matisse is one of my favorite artists and I adore his paintings of interiors. The Metropolitan has some of these exquisite paintings in their collection, and I expressly go to the museum to see them. Several years ago, the Met presented Matisse: His Art and Textiles and I treasure the wonderful catalog from that show.

4. Medina of Marrakech
I first visited the Medina in Morocco in 1998. There, at this magical market, I fell in love with vintage Berber rugs and have specialized in them ever since. This passion keeps me returning to the Medina several times a year. From the narrow twisting passage ways, the exotic crowd of merchants and buyers, the delicate glasses of mint tea, the Medina remains a thriving market and a timeless reminder of reality, in a rapidly changing world.

5. Fragrance
I often link fragrance to memories, and my favorite smells can be simple as the rich aroma of morning coffee, or the mix of oil paint and turpentine. The scent of fresh truffles shredded on pasta brings me back to Umbria, and clean salty sea air reminds of East End beach walks. I have used Jo Malone perfumes since I first discovered them at her original Walton Street store, and my current favorite is mixing Grapefruit with Tuberose. Playing with and combing fragrances gives you the pleasure of creating an individualized and personal perfume.

Marni Elyse Katz is a Contributing Editor at Design Milk. She lives in Boston where she contributes regularly to local publications and writes her own interior design blog, StyleCarrot.