World-leading cruise ship interior design studio Tillberg Design of Sweden, part of the Viken Group, has revealed the fruits of a collaboration with Netherlands-based bespoke carpet specialists ICE International. The project has yielded a stunning limited collection of rugs and carpets that have been conceived for – and inspired by – the scintillating adventure of cruising.
The collection, named Emotions, features five stunning designs based on the various emotions that voyages can elicit – Curiosity, Excitement, Serenity, Unpredictability, and Spirituality. As well as drawing on individual abstract designs and colour palettes (including variations limited to monochromatic shades), each design has been elevated to blend the visual and aesthetic with extraordinary tactile depth, with combinations of wool and silk at differing heights and in varied textures delivering an exquisite barefoot experience.
“Our design process began with a passionate exploration of potential themes,” begins Fredrik Johansson, Co-Founder of the Viken Group and Executive Director of TDoS. “We sought a concept that was both timeless and contemporary, a foundation upon which to build a compelling narrative. After much discussion and creative exploration, we arrived at ‘Emotions’ as the central theme, which perfectly encapsulated the journey we wanted to convey.”
“The emotions resonated deeply with our team, mirroring the spirit of exploration that lies at the heart of the maritime industry,” Johansson continues. “Our focus extends beyond aesthetics; we prioritise a holistic passenger experience, and we recognise that sailing is synonymous with adventure, an exploration of the unknown. This aligns perfectly with the emotional journey we aim to evoke. We also believe that sensory experiences, such as the simple act of walking barefoot, allow guests to truly connect with the environment and deepen their emotional engagement.”
A journey through the collection
The Emotions carpet collection features five distinct designs, each conveying a different emotion inspired by different stages of a journey. While each design stands alone as a centrepiece in any space, the five together in a single yacht project would stand out as a holistic representation of the joy of being aboard and exploring both cherished cruising grounds and exciting new destinations.
The design teams comprised two people per Emotions piece, one each from TDoS and ICE International. Designing in pairs ensured that the concepts were evolved to the maximum in terms of the materials, colours and three-dimensional contouring that ICE International could deliver.
“Both teams brought their unique expertise to the table,” says Johansson. “TDoS played the role of an artist, seeking to create a masterpiece, while ICE International acted as the craftsman. We greatly appreciated ICE’s flexibility and professionalism – they were open to various possibilities, showcasing diverse solutions, and were willing to push the boundaries of their capabilities to create an exceptional project together.”
The results speak for themselves:
Curiosity represents the moment before the journey itself, reflecting curiosity about the unknown. The outline shape is explored through intricate patterns, enhancing the rug’s multi-layered depth. Differing thread heights convey the idea of a topographic map, and the design features a calming and understated palette with taupe as the dominant colour, creating a warm and earthy base for the design. Accents in light grey and teal accentuate the design and add subtle contrast and depth.
Excitement showcases the thrill and anticipation of the adventure, and finds expression in dynamic splatters, reminiscent of vibrant brushstrokes shapes. The carpet delivers subtle differences in feel – with texture and contours similar to warm sand. Cream is the dominant colour, giving the design a light and airy feel which is reinforced by accents of taupe, green, purple and gold which by turns add depth, nature and freshness, luxury and intrigue, and a hint of elegance and sparkle.
Unpredictability recalls experiencing the unknown on a journey, where anything can happen, and creates intrigue with its unexpected and ever-changing outlines. Delicate patterns and contours juxtapose against different textures and colours to represent dramatic change, reflected in the palette choice where deep navy and dark blue shades in the upper part of the rug create an intense and dynamic atmosphere, gently contrasting with warm white or ivory in the lower part, and neutral greys acting as a smooth transition between the two. The overall effect is harmonious, and modern yet cosy.
Serenity draws inspiration from calm waters and the enjoyment of peaceful moments on board, embodied in symmetrical and fragile forms. Light and airy cream base tones are complimented with a limited palette of taupe, bringing a sophisticated and earthy look, and accents in orange for a touch of sunshine and vibrancy, warm greens for a touch of nature and freshness, and white for brightness and purity. The combination of colours would complement a variety of interior design styles, while contours mimic the gentle surface ripples of calm water.
Spirituality speaks to the end of the journey, invoking nostalgia and spiritual pleasure from the memories of the journey, with the design blooming like the finale of a captivating story. With multiple thread heights, textures and contours, and a cream/off-white base that can draw on a wide array of colours for accents, it really does represent every aspect of the journey in one piece. Purple in shades from light lavender to deep plum brings elegance and sophistication, while orange adds warmth and vibrancy to create a cheerful and inviting atmosphere. The use of blue adds softness and serenity while pink brings a touch of femininity to balance and harmonise the look. Further hints of yellow for sunshine and brown for depth and realism complete the design for a visually interesting and engaging rug.
“Collaborating on this collection felt like a dream come true,” says Johansson. “With ICE International’s support, the only limit was our imagination – their ability to provide such a wide range of tuft colours and shapes allowed us to bring our collective vision to life, and their unmatched expertise in translating our initial designs into tangible reality was key.”
TDoS prioritises a deep understanding of the client’s unique vision and lifestyle. “We strive to create interiors that are not only aesthetically stunning but also highly functional and personalised, and that is the ethos we apply to this collection too,” Johansson says. “The forms may be defined and enclosed within specific shapes, but we offer clients the flexibility to adjust sizes, outlines, and colours to perfectly suit any space.”
The project, he asserts, was particularly meaningful to the TDos team because it allowed them to explore the intersection of creativity and craftsmanship in a way that truly pushed their boundaries. “One of the biggest challenges we faced was time – balancing the need for deep creative exploration with tight deadlines – but this also sparked innovation,”Johansson concludes. “The result is a collection we’re immensely proud of, one that embodies not just the emotions of the maritime journey but also the passion and resilience of our team.”
