Linie Design was founded in 1980 by Keld Agerskov and Hugo Anthon, with the ambition of creating handmade rugs that would merge Danish design and innovation with traditional Indian craftsmanship. Jesper Christiansen and Kenneth Nielsen joined in 1999, and they own the company today, continuing to run Linie Design based on the core values it was established with – with decency, innovation and craftsmanship still pervading every aspect of the business.

The Origins

The story started back in 1979 when rug businessman Hugo Anthon was greatly inspired by a Copenhagen rug exhibition held by weavers Vibeke Klint and Randi Studsgarth. The new generation of weavers wanted to express their ideas that handcrafted rugs did not necessarily have to be synonymous with oriental aesthetics, but could reflect contemporary Danish design too. This concept appealed to Hugo’s business vision, and Linie Design was subsequently created, along with an enduring collaboration with Vibeke Klint, Kim Naver and Trine Ellitsgaard.

From the outset the mission was clear; to create handwoven rugs that remained true to the Nordic design traditions of uncompromising quality and uncluttered aesthetics, and this still remains the case today.

Heritage values

Today, Linie Design continues its collaboration with a number of Danish textile designers, led by Head of Design Urd Moll Gundermann. Our rug collections reflect the unique creative styles of each individual designer, reproduced by hand by skilled artisans in India. Whilst keeping traditional heritage values in high esteem and exceptional quality consistently high, the design team use innovative technology and new techniques to create new dimensions and push boundaries in design.

Over the years, as our focus has shifted towards a more international market, Linie Design rugs are now being sold in more than 70 countries worldwide – making us the leading developer of handmade rugs in Northern Europe.

We also have a greater focus on taking care of the environment, with certifications and memberships that help ensure all processes, from design to production and sales, are conducted with integrity and accountability. We are committed to supporting local communities, ensuring safe and efficient working practices, while consciously attempting to minimise our environmental impact. All our products are developed and produced in compliance with relevant international and national regulatory requirements.

Innovation

Although tradition and heritage pervade our handmade rugs, innovation has always been a major driving force behind our designs. Since it was established in 1980, Linie Design has been a pioneer in the rug production industry, devoted to discovering new forms of expression and pushing creative boundaries.

Innovative collaborations

Historically, Linie Design has always collaborated with a wide range of talented weavers and designers, all contributing to the varying perspectives that expand the aesthetic and artistic confines. Indeed, it was at an exhibition in 1979 in Copenhagen called ‘Genuine Danish Rugs’, where forward-thinking weavers Vibeke Klint and Randi Studsgarth met Linie Design co-founder, Hugo Anthon. Their new ideas about handmaking rugs with a contemporary Nordic expression were innovative concepts that greatly appealed to him. Together with Keld Agerskov, Hugo Anthon then went onto establish Linie Design, where they started a long-term collaboration with the two weavers, and subsequently many others.

Innovative designers

Today Linie Design uses both in-house and freelance designers to continue the dynamic process of designing timeless works of art for the floor, collaborating with a number of Scandinavian design profiles such as Kim Naver, Gitte-Annette Knudsen, Hanne Kortegaard and Bodil Jerichau, who are all recognised for their many years of work. Fronted by acclaimed Head of Design Urd Moll Gundermann, Linie Design develops hundreds of rug designs every year that are sold worldwide.

Innovative future

Innovating with consideration for our customers and the environment is also something we take seriously at Linie Design. Global initiatives and associations such as SA8000, Care & Fair and REACH enable us to source responsibly, monitor carefully and produce accountably.

Exclusively handmade

Timeless beauty

Times change and trends come and go, but one thing that remains the same at Linie Design is the consistent focus on handcrafting quality rugs. Since it was established in 1980, Linie Design has been committed to exclusively producing handmade rugs with timeless Scandinavian designs that add atmosphere and personality to their surroundings.

Inimitable style

No machine can replicate the skilled hands of Indian master weavers, who using traditional methods passed down through generations to create stunning works of art for the floor. Each weaver has their own individual style, which they have built up over many years of experience. In this way, each rug expresses elements of culture, history and experience, as the weaver’s story is woven into one-of-a-kind pieces of art for the floor.

Worth the wait

Depending on the technique and size of the rug, an artisan can spend weeks or months to finish a rug. All handcrafted rugs involve skilled and meticulous processes, but hand-knotted rugs are by far the most intricate and labour intensive. An experienced weaver can tie an average of 8,000-10,000 knots per day, with bigger rugs requiring up to several weavers working together on one rug at the same time. This ancient and time-honoured technique is extremely time-consuming, demanding great expertise and precision that takes years of practise.

The finishing touch

And once the rugs are taken off the loom, the work is far from over. All the rugs need to be thoroughly checked before they are finished, with some rug types requiring more attention than others. For example, pile rugs have to be sheared by hand, which is a lengthy and difficult process where the rugs are precisely trimmed to produce the desired three-dimensional effect. Each tiny loop or cut is meticulously considered to create the rug’s unique expression – with high-low pile contrasts, defined textures and smooth finishes creating a wealth of tactile and visual patterns that invite touch and arouse fascination.

Natural qualities

Predominantly made from natural materials like wool, linen and cotton, Linie Design’s rugs don’t just add aesthetic value to their surroundings, they also offer excellent warmth and comfort. We source premium materials with consideration for the environment – continually striving to replace regular cotton with organic cotton where possible. This superior material quality combined with the expert handcrafted technique assures customers natural underfoot warmth and softness.

A lifetime of beauty

A handmade rug is an investment for life. Not only due to its timeless expression, which transcends fleeting fads, but also thanks to the meticulous handcraft processes it has passed through from start to finish. With proper care, a handmade rug can last many years, often becoming more beautiful and valuable over time.