When we made our way through the Tuttobene show at the Milan Furniture Fair this year, we initially thought Manon Juliette’s ‘Feliz’ leather rug was simply a delightfully tactile creation. However, closer inspection revealed that sustainability enters the design story at almost every stage of this charming creation. As well as looking at the ecological impacts, the Dutch designer has incorporated social benefits, considering everyone involved in the lifecycle of these decorative pieces.
In addition to providing the customer with a beautiful, sustainable design, Juliette has developed a process that enables the rugs to be manufactured by people with disabilities in Brazil, providing them with a source of employment. Manon’s positive approach to her work extends to the product’s name: ‘Feliz’ means ‘luck’ in Portuguese, and was inspired by the four leaf clover shape design of each leather piece that comprises the rugs.
All of the leather that goes to make the rugs has been saved from landfill: it’s all sourced from offcuts of nearby factories. Manon’s process allows the rugs to be fixed together using nothing but the leather itself, eliminating the need for harmful glues or plastics. The modular design enables the rugs to be extended or divided as necessary throughout its life, guaranteed to fit whatever home the owner decides to move into next.
The rugs are available in a variety of colors, including white, red, green, black or brown. Although Manon explains that there is a bit of a wait for silver because few offcuts are produced in this color. And, given the modular design, she can combine colors to provide a personalized combination for customers who want to assert their individuality.
+ Manon Juliette
+ Tuttobene
+ Milan Design Week 2008 @ Inhabitat
Who wants dead skin a s rug? Eh…
Even recycled… Dead skin as a rug? Eh…
\”Feliz\” does not means \”luck\” it means \”happy\”
Great rug only if you don’t live in your home. Looks like a really expensive chew toy for my dog.
Dead skin rocks. Love those juicy colours.
Kitty: get over it. People eat meat & people use leather.
I like the flexibilty one gets with the sizing of the rugs – and the fact that employment opportunities for disabled individuals have been created is tremendous. The entire design thru production process seems thoughtful.
As good as the intentions are I would be more comfortable with an alternative material to leather…
Geekette: very few people use the leather of the meat they eat…
Great use for waste material!!!! very cozy, plus easy going with different styles.
Nice designs!!! Plus they go with different styles.
Tony Perotti is the leading designer of Italian leather briefcases, leather wallets, leather luggage and leather bags, our leather is handmade in Italy using an Eco friendly process making us a green designer