Designer Session: Adam Nathaniel Furman

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Warm and fuzzy, happy and gorgeous. I hope they make their buyers feel the same way too!