The DUCT Collection

What if the humble roll of duct tape sitting in your kitchen drawer could inspire something that's cherished for a lifetime?

Inspiration comes in many forms, often those that shape the everyday. The DUCT collection is a testament to subverting something ordinary into an extraordinary textile, thanks to the mastery of rug-making.

The DUCT collection is a testament to creative vision and the power of looking at ordinary objects through an artist's lens. By drawing inspiration from something as mundane as adhesive tape, DUCT designer Bek Smith has created rugs that capture the eye, engage the touch, and transform any interior space. 

"It was through this process that I observed the interplay of shadows created from the creases and used this to form a striking graphic composition," Bek Smith explains.

These organic, wrinkled shapes cascading across her experimental surfaces became the foundation for what would eventually translate into sophisticated rug designs.

What makes the DUCT collection truly exceptional is how it brings three-dimensional visual effects to a flat surface. The rugs create an illusion of depth and movement that changes throughout the day as natural light shifts across their surface. This dynamic quality means your rug becomes a living element of your interior design, never quite looking the same from one hour to the next.

The graphic composition draws from those original tape experiments, refined through tonal and contrasting colourways. Organic shapes flow across the rug's surface, creating visual pathways that guide the eye and define spaces. These patterns work equally well in minimalist modern interiors and more eclectic, layered environments.

The tactile experience proves just as important as the visual impact. Through careful construction techniques in both hand knotted and tufted, the rug that invites touch.

The palette ranges from sophisticated neutrals to bold statement colors, ensuring options for every design sensibility.

The neutral brown colorways offer timeless sophistication. These earthy tones ground a space while allowing other design elements to shine. They work particularly well in spaces where the rug serves as a foundation rather than a focal point.

For those seeking more drama, the acidic green and forest green options provide striking alternatives. These nature-inspired hues bring energy and freshness to interiors while maintaining the collection's organic aesthetic. The forest greens work beautifully in spaces with natural wood elements or abundant plant life.

The most daring option features contrasting purple and green colorways. This bold combination accentuates the graphic composition, making the rug a true statement piece. These high-contrast versions work exceptionally well in spaces that embrace maximalist design or need a single dramatic element to anchor the room.

Understanding that exceptional design should be accessible to various budgets and preferences, we offer the DUCT collection in two distinct construction methods. Each approach maintains the collection's visual integrity while serving different practical needs.

The hand-knotted version represents the pinnacle of rug craftsmanship. This intricate construction method allows for the finest detail reproduction and creates the most durable finished product.

The tufted version provides the same striking visual impact with a more accessible price point. This construction method simplifies the manufacturing process while preserving the essential character of the design.

Both construction methods use high-quality wool that ensure longevity and performance. The choice between hand-knotted and tufted versions often comes down to budget considerations and specific usage requirements rather than compromises in design integrity.

Bek Smith's approach to design goes beyond mere aesthetic choices. Her creative philosophy centers on using process as a vehicle for experimentation and discovery. This methodology brings what she calls "a raw, awkward human-centric aesthetic" to her work.

"My aim is always to create in a way that evokes a mood and emotion," Smith explains. "In DUCT I find light-heartedness in the contradiction of using a material like duct tape to inform another medium of making, as well as a little bit of conviction in the realism of the shapes themselves."

This philosophy connects to broader design movements that celebrate authenticity and process transparency. Smith draws inspiration from fashion icons like Vivienne Westwood and Maison Margiela, designers known for exposing construction methods as integral parts of their aesthetic stories.

"I'm inspired by designers who expose methods of constructions at the forefront of their designs, making them part of the story of the finished piece," she notes. "It's an honest aesthetic that's just so relatable. I just love the audacity of DIY."

Smith's methods blend traditional research with contemporary tools. She uses 3D modeling alongside archival studies, looking at textile production throughout history. This combination of old and new approaches allows her to honor craft traditions while pushing boundaries.

Currently pursuing a Masters in Design History at the Royal College of Art, Smith continues expanding her understanding of textile heritage. This academic work informs her practical design decisions, ensuring her innovations build upon rather than ignore historical foundations.

One of the DUCT collection's greatest strengths is its remarkable versatility. These rugs work equally well in residential and commercial settings, adapting to various design approaches while maintaining their distinctive character.

In residential settings, DUCT rugs anchor living rooms, define dining areas, and add sophistication to bedrooms. Their graphic nature makes them excellent conversation starters while their neutral and natural colour options ensure they won't overwhelm existing decor.

Commercial applications prove equally successful. The rugs work beautifully in hospitality settings, where their unique aesthetic creates memorable impressions. Offices benefit from their sophisticated appearance and durable construction. Retail environments use them to define product areas and create visual interest.

The collection's size range and made-to-measure options accommodate various spatial needs, from intimate accent pieces to large area rugs that define entire rooms. This flexibility makes them suitable for everything from studio apartments to expansive commercial spaces.

The DUCT collection challenges us to reconsider our relationship with everyday objects. It suggests that creativity lies not in the materials themselves but in how we choose to see and use them. Sometimes it simply requires seeing familiar things in new ways and combining this with the applied arts, in this case, weaving. The transformation from mundane tape to luxurious rug becomes a metaphor for design thinking itself.

For design enthusiasts, the DUCT collection offers an opportunity to own something truly unique rugs that tell stories, spark conversations, and demonstrate the power of creative vision. For those simply seeking beautiful, functional textiles, these rugs deliver exceptional performance wrapped in distinctive aesthetics.