Australian luxury rug company Armadillo has launched its debut furniture collection, Agra Forma, designed by Sydney-based designer Tom Fereday. The seven-piece capsule collection was unveiled internationally during this year's 3daysofdesign event in Copenhagen, marking the company's expansion from textiles into the furniture market. The collection represents a unique exploration of contrast and material harmony, combining traditional carpentry techniques with rug-making expertise.
The Agra Forma collection features seven distinct pieces that showcase the intersection of wood and fiber craftsmanship. The lineup includes an armchair, regular chair, desk, stool, low stool, and two ottomans, each incorporating Armadillo's iconic Agra rug pattern in various forms. Every piece is constructed from sustainable American red oak and features abrash-dyed wool components, demonstrating the company's commitment to both environmental responsibility and traditional craftsmanship methods.
Tom Fereday's design philosophy for the collection centered on creating tactile experiences through material juxtaposition. The furniture pieces present themselves through contrast, exploring what defines them by what they are and what they are not. This conceptual approach translates into physical form through the careful balance between the warmth of natural wood and the softness of textile elements, creating furniture that appeals to both visual and tactile senses.
The collection's aesthetic is characterized by subtle curves and refined simplicity that allow the materials to speak for themselves. Rich color options including Ginger and Thistle create compelling compositions with the red oak, described as 'banks of texture floating on a sea of soft wood tones.' The natural grain striations of the wood are highlighted through light finishing techniques that preserve the material's inherent beauty rather than masking it with heavy treatments.
Ergonomic considerations play a crucial role in the design details throughout the collection. The inset carpet elements sit slightly above the wood profile, providing a soft edge for users while expertly avoiding any pinching between materials at intersection points. Horizontal edges feature heavy filleting while vertical edges maintain clean lines, creating visual cues that intuitively suggest proper seating positions. This consistent design language creates immediate cohesion and balance across all seven pieces.
The construction methodology reflects Armadillo's extension of their textile expertise into furniture making. Sturdy, linear legs provide visually strong foundations for more complex curved elements like chair seats and backs, which fit precisely onto simple, secure angles. Smartly crafted fillets adorn specific edges, creating delicate interactions between the wood and textile components while maintaining structural integrity.
The Agra Forma collection represents more than just furniture design; it embodies a philosophy of honest material relationships and sustainable practices. Each piece serves as a testament to the quality, craftsmanship, and longevity that comes from respecting both the materials used and the traditional processes employed in their creation. The collection appeals specifically to audiences interested in the intimate connections between different materials and the tactile feedback that comes from seeing natural elements work in harmony.
With this debut furniture collection, Armadillo demonstrates its ability to translate decades of textile expertise into a new product category while maintaining the same standards of quality and design integrity that have established the company's reputation in the luxury rug market. The Agra Forma collection is now available through Armadillo's website and authorized retailers, representing the company's commitment to expanding their design philosophy beyond floor coverings into comprehensive interior furnishing solutions.
