Flow & Drift — 2D Rug Design

Inspired by Philip Larkin's poem Coming, this project involved designing a 2D rug for a rustic Georgian farmhouse interior. Beginning with close analysis of the poem's themes of renewal, quiet movement, and approaching spring, three original concepts were developed and presented for peer review.

The selected design, Flow & Drift, translates the poem's gentle, organic energy into soft meandering forms that evoke the movement of water across a surface. The design was refined digitally, with six colourways explored before settling on a final palette of dusky rose, soft pink, minty green, and deep navy — chosen for how naturally it integrates with the warm tones of the room setting.

The project encompassed the full design process from concept ideation through to a professionally presented final board, including typography selection, layout exploration, and material specification. The finished rug, crafted from 70% New Zealand wool and 30% Chinese silk with fine silk edging detail, communicates a sense of quiet luxury and understated elegance.