Designer Session: Adam Nathaniel Furman

Adam Nathaniel Furman describes his work as ‘joyously deviant’ and we’re inclined to agree. A delight in colour, pattern, texture and form; his work has graced exhibitions right across the world. Of Argentinian, Japanese and Israeli heritage, Adam trained in architecture and fine art. Now based in London, Adam’s projects are diverse, ranging from Japanese apartment interiors to tiles, chairs, lamps and art installations. His techniques are also remarkable in their diversity, from 3D printed ceramics to handmade resin furniture, and now rugs with FLOOR_STORY. We caught up with Adam to learn more about his designs for FLOOR_STORY in our latest Designer Session series.

How would you describe your style and what has influenced your design?

I would describe my style as Joyously Deviant. I work hard to make sure that everything I design embodies a kind of voluptuous sensuality; a delight in colour, texture, pattern, form and ornament that immerses itself in history and tradition, but treats both with lightness, irreverence, and fun. I bring references and techniques from ancient times and the more recent past into the present with a shot of tequila.

Can you tell us a little more about your designs for FLOOR_STORY and exactly what inspired them?

They collection is inspired by the Mediterranean, by lazy summer holidays, ancient ruins, and divine sunsets. They are meant to recall both the incredible history and ornamental traditions there, as well as the glorious brightness of exquisite pigments under the intense sun.

Key influences include the repetitive geometries on ancient pottery and exquisite radial forms of roman mosaic pavements, the little domed and vaulted houses that populate the islands of the Aegean and the strong primary shapes of the marble pavement in the Pantheon.

The rectangular piece is called 'Dipylon' in honour of the Dipylon master who produced some of the greatest pottery of the pre-classical period, festooned in repetitive linear ornament. The square pieces are called Pantheon in honour of the great pavement in that monument which inspired its bold and simple forms.

Featured

Rugs

Dipylon Pink and Blue

Adam Nathaniel Furman

Dipylon Pink and Blue

£1,650.00

Pantheon Orange

Adam Nathaniel Furman

Pantheon Orange

£1,025.00

The gradient piece is called 'Hesperides”', in honour of the nymphs of the golden light of sunset, overseeing this little bit of Aegean landscape with its little architectures in your living room. The circular piece is called 'Armerina' after the great mosaics of Piazza Armerina, and the other rectangle piece in multiple colours is called 'Meandros' as it's a simple and bold love letter to the most ancient of the Mediterranean classical decorative motifs.

Featured

Rugs

Armerina Multi

Adam Nathaniel Furman

Armerina Multi

£1,025.00

Meandros Orange

Sale

Adam Nathaniel Furman

Meandros Orange

£597.00

~~£995.00~~ £597.00

Sale

What attracted you to working with us and more importantly, the process of rug making?

I was blown away by the collaborations that FLOOR_STORY has so far successfully undertaken, with so many designers that I respect and love, it is the sign of a great company with passion and vision. Aside from that I just adore, to a crazy degree, rugs and soft floor finishes, the way they have been a brilliant constant through almost all of human history. They are both ways of expressing ourselves, our values, our personalities, our loves and passions; while also turning floors, that can otherwise just be forgotten, walked-over & ignored parts of our homes, into places to relax and dwell, into landscapes of pleasure… there’s nothing I love more than sitting on a rug at Christmas with friends playing Trivial Pursuit, it makes me feel so at home.

a delight in colour, texture, pattern

Was there anything you learnt about your own processes when working on the collection?

It just reinforced quite how much I completely adore designing for objects that are so beautifully crafted, and then have such an incredibly, deliriously delicious presence in person. I just love these rugs so much I feel immodest!