Shame Studios is an upstart London workshop that makes rugs around the world. Founder Hector Coombs spent nearly 10 years working for Christopher Farr before launching his own company. He explains that the name Shame is intended to serve as “a daily provocation: a reminder to be brave and unapologetic in creative expression while remaining thoughtful, careful, and humane in how things are made.”
The studio’s latest collection, Roots, was created in collaboration with Furnishing Futures, a UK charity that combines social work with interior design expertise to help survivors of domestic abuse rebuild their lives. The 14 handwoven designs feature natural motifs, subtle textures, and colors that “evoke safety, comfort and belonging.” For every rug sold, Shame Studios donates another for the living quarters of a Furnishing Futures’ beneficiary. Writes the Shame team: “Roots champions the idea that thoughtful design can do more than decorate a space; it can help people heal, rebuild, and put down new roots.”
Photography by Nat Aubry, styling by Anna Sheridan, courtesy of Shame Studios (@shamestudios).
Bhadoi, near Varanasi, is a region in Inda that has been a center for weaving for centuries. Shame notes that the techniques employed are ages-old, “yet its artisans remains open to experimentation, making it one of the studio’s most cherished places to work.” Shame is a certified partner of the fair-trade nonprofit Label Step and is committed to paying all hands fairly: “we exist to provide equal benefits to the craftswomen and men who produce these exquisite objects,” they write, “and the clients who will enjoy them.”
Shame Studios has a pop-up exhibit of the Roots rugs at Furnishing Future’s space, The Atrium. It’s up through April 4, Thursday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm, at 11A Argall Ave, Unit 4, London E10 7QE
Here’s some advice and more of our favorite rugs:
- Expert Advice: How to Choose a Rug with Luke Irwin
- Expert Advice: How to Track Down Ethically Made, Eco-Friendly Rugs, 12 Tips
- How to Combine Wallpaper, Fabric, and Rugs with Christine Vanderhurd
- 10 Easy Pieces: Non-Toxic Rugs
- 10 Easy Pieces: Green Area Rugs
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation