A collaboration with Barcelona-based artist and designer Carla Cascales Alimbau, the Gaia collection from Armadillo was inspired by the earth and its “transient cycles of nature and its effect upon the land.” Each of the six styles in the collection – Aerie, Alma, Cirrus, Marea, Palozza and Willow – express a quiet poetry and evoke landscapes that have been shaped by wind, water and time. 

Hand-made in India by skilled artisans using New Zealand wool, pure silk, jute and linen, the Gaia collection from Armadillo expands on the Australian brand’s hand-knotted rug range with ephemeral beauty and low-key luxury. The collection features colours inspired by the organic pigments often used by the designer and include tones of terracotta, ochre and ivory. 

Marea in Savon

Named after the Spanish word for “tide,” Marea is composed of tight, hand-knotted wool piles that are carved by hand in a pattern that resembles tidal ripples on sand. The sweeping, rhythmic pattern is finished with a long fringe, adding another textural layer to the inviting floor covering. It’s available in four colours: Clay, Russet, Savon and Vellum. 

Alma in Urn (left), Nectar (right) and Cumulus (on floor)

Expressing a weathered beauty, Alma nods to the natural shifts and cycles that transform earth over time. Crafted using a cut Persian knot, the silk and wool blend rug has an ultra-low pile that is subject to a special oxidation process to achieve unique tonal variations and a lustrous patina. Choose from three colours: Nectar, Urn and Cumulus. 

Cirrus in Salt (hanging) and Wafer (on floor)

Plush and richly textured, the Cirrus in the Gaia collection from Armadillo is hand-knotted from pure wool and features irregular plush pillowy piles that rise above a lower base with organic rhythm, promoting a sense of ease and comfort in living rooms and bedrooms. Available in two colours: Salt and Wafer. 

Aerie in Bellini

With a taut line warp and alternating jute and wool-blend weft, Aerie is an ideal option for areas of the home that are subject to heavy foot traffic. Speckled tonal variations create a subtle grid-like surface that invites tactile exploration. Available in two colours: Bellini and Coconut. 

Palloza in Shale

Also included in the Gaia collection from Armadillo is Palloza, a flat-woven jute rug with a low-profile pile. Featuring a tight weave and grid pattern in two complementary tones, the rug is practical and durable. The sophisticated design was named after traditional thatched roof dwellings in Northwest Spain. Available in two colours: Rattan and Shale. 

Willow in Henna

Lastly, the lightweight and low-profile Willow is made with a linen warp and wool-jute blend weft and loose fringe, a combination that results in a relaxed tactility and graceful beauty. Available in six colours: Cumin, Cypress, Eggshell, Mustard, Henna and Kiln. 

Each of the six rugs in the Gaia collection from Armadillo are offered in multiple standard sizes and can also be custom sized.