As a farmer’s daughter with a profound affection for Australia, internationally award-winning rug designer Jenny Jones unearthed her zeal for rug making while living in Turkey in 1995.  This marked the start of a decades-long journey curating distinctive storytelling pieces for Australia and the world. Today, she is a pioneering Australian designer, pushing the boundaries of contemporary hand-knotted rugs. 

Using the finest quality handspun wool and pure silk, Jones’s designs embody both her character and a deep appreciation for exceptional craftsmanship. With nearly 30 years of experience and collections spanning America and Asia, she has garnered numerous international accolades, confirming her status as a revered figure in modern rug design. Her discerning eye for colour, coupled with hardy travel, translates into rugs suffused with the latest trends in fabrics and interiors. 

“In the mid-nineties, I met girls in Turkey who, though illiterate, told their stories through beautifully coloured motifs woven into rugs – almost like tapestries of their lives. This deeply touched me, and I realised that perhaps I could express myself in a similar way. That was the beginning of my journey into rug design,” Jones recalls.

Each rug crafted by the artist is imbued with inspiration drawn from the varied locales she has lived in or explored, imparting a unique narrative to every piece. One example is the award-winning ‘Ruby’ design, which incorporates glass bead curtains — a long-held childhood aspiration of Jones’s. Similarly, the ‘Crochet’ rug reflects her time in Zimbabwe, influenced by local women who wove intricate treasures from tobacco twine. The ‘Wildflower’ collection pays homage to the splendour of Australian native flora, capturing the breathtaking landscapes of the country she proudly considers home.

Central to Jones’s design philosophy is a commitment to sustainability and a profound respect for the weavers, harmoniously merging innovation with tradition.

Artistry in craft

In the formative years of Jones’s career, the elements and techniques she would later use were drawn from traditional rugs of the time. The more she familiarised herself with the existing parameters of rug design, the more it became apparent that some rugs were able to achieve an impeccable balance of design, proportion and colour, including the thickness of lines, the scale of motifs and the harmony of colours. “This was a valuable learning period for me, understanding what worked and what didn’t,” Jones says.

In the late 1990s, Jones noticed a shift in contemporary rug design, moving away from traditional colours like reds and navies, and eschewing the intricate patterns that often overwhelmed spaces rather than complementing a room’s aesthetic. As furniture, textiles and modern architecture evolved, a need for fresh colours and simpler designs emerged. However, the market offered few options that met this criteria, save for some exclusive and costly European selections.

Armed with this insight, Jones embarked on her design journey, recalling this decision as what her husband coined “creating art through a different medium”, and likening the weaving of hand-knotted rugs to ancient tapestry practices. She collaborated with a company in Nepal to merge traditional weaving techniques with contemporary designs. “At that time, the only contemporary rugs I saw were coming from Nepal,” Jones says. “The designs were simple and minimal, but I immediately saw their potential.”  Since then, her enduring goal has been to create rugs that effortlessly complement spaces through the union of colours and physical elements.

Leading trends with timeless design

With a keen eye on the future, Jones anticipates a focus on colour in textiles and is poised to adapt to, if not lead, these trends through her work. She stresses the importance of staying attuned to what’s happening not only with interiors but also with fashion.

“It’s essential to stay closely connected to global trends in both fashion and interiors,” she asserts. “Designing a rug is a lengthy process, often taking at least nine months from  concept to completion – much like having a baby – so we need to work well ahead of  trends to ensure our designs complement future fabrics and furniture styles.”

One trend Jones has observed is oxblood hues gaining prominence in fashion and interior design, as highlighted by magazines such as Elle Decor and Architectural Digest in the UK, Europe and the US, which are typically six to nine months ahead of Australian trends. Jones has already created a collection incorporating oxblood in her designs to portend the antipodean arrival of this trend.

While staying at the forefront of design and colour trends, Jones also underscores the importance of imbuing colourways with narrative significance rather than merely following trends. Inspired by the revival of women’s suits in high fashion from Paris and London, she developed a series of rugs with a masculine, tailored aesthetic, reflecting the boldness seen on the runways. This approach enables her to stay ahead of trends while ensuring each collection retains its unique character. 

“Over the years, I’ve created more than 1900 custom designs, with each project expanding my range,” Jones says. “From modernising classic designs to creating wildflowers, florals, geometrics, art deco and oriental styles, I’ve developed a broad creative library. Every project stretches my abilities and allows me to tell a unique story through colour and form.” 

Jones exemplifies the fusion of tradition and innovation in rug design. Her work reflects a keen understanding of timeless aesthetics and evolving trends achieved through meticulous craftsmanship. Through the integration of emerging colours and simplified patterns, she ensures her designs not only enhance the space they occupy but also maintain a unique and enduring appeal, solidifying her position as a leading force in the world of rug design.

For your next bespoke rug, view the entire Jenny Jones range.

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