Studio Soliven founder talks about the essence of carpets

Every rug has a story in Studio Soliven. For this story, we talk to its founder Marco Soliven who tells us how carpets can accentuate spaces at home

In Studio Soliven, multitude of luxury bespoke rugs await people who appreciate fine craftsmanship. The brand prides itself on bringing textile narratives to life through intricately-designed rugs and carpets that fill otherwise lacklustre spaces with warmth, character and a touch of elegance.

A brainchild of sought-after photographer and businessman Marco Soliven, the company sources and provides the best materials for every product it creates. With a keen eye for aesthetics, Studio Soliven sticks to its goal: transform ordinary living areas by placing one-of-a-kind rugs unique to every homeowner.

Since its conception in 2015, the brand has changed the way Filipino market views interior design. Today, rugs are considered staples in the local design landscape. “I noticed that rugs were always an afterthought when designing spaces,” says Soliven. “I love art and creating so I thought, why not combine rugs and art to design pieces that can transform a space?”

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Above (Photo: Studio Soliven)

(Photo: Studio Soliven)

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In the interview below, Marco gives his two cents on carpets and why they are essential in giving spaces a touch of elegance and sophistication:

Why are carpets such important pieces when you’re trying to decorate a part of your house?

Rugs have been always viewed as a mere floor accessory, but there has always been more to rugs than a floor covering. I want to show how the art of handmade rugs can be utilised. How each material, weaving technique, and texture can be played with to create something.

I want to focus on creating rugs that can be the centrepiece of the space, not just an accessory that is used to blend with the space. I see rugs as something special. A piece that can be visually pleasing and also experienced. A rug is meant to make you feel something.

Which type of carpets suit a home that tries to achieve a luxe feel?

Each rug that we make is special. We work with our best efforts to make sure that we understand what our clients want to achieve. From there, we propose designs and the best materials for each area. With this, we see each piece as luxury. Since it is designed after the space and a person’s lifestyle.

Everyone has a different eye and preference. We see to it that the design and how it will be used in a place is in coherence. But in terms of material, wool is a very good option. Apart from the finish that it gives, it is also durable and easy to maintain. With our work, we’ve come across many concerns in maintaining a rug. So, giving the best design and material is a luxury that we can give our clients.

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Above (Photo: Studio Soliven)

(Photo: Studio Soliven)

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Is there such a thing as placing too much carpet?

Yes, as much as we love rugs, putting too much can overwhelm a space. We don’t want to overdo our work and we want to make sure that each piece fits its designated place well.

Are there parts of the house that don’t need carpets?

We do try to avoid putting rugs in places where we feel it will be more of a problem than a statement piece. We want our rugs to last very long and be a conversational piece so, if we find that the specified area is not a good place, we would suggest not to place anything there. For our work, we try to avoid putting rugs in kitchens, bathrooms or anywhere near the garage.

What is the proper way to clean and take care of carpets and rugs?

We commonly see rugs being washed or deep cleaned. To put it simply, think of rugs as clothes. Some clothes have very specific cleaning instructions to refrain from damaging it, like dry cleaning or hand washing.

It’s the same with rugs. Although handmade rugs are durable, proper care is still very important. With our rugs, it is not recommended to fully submerge it into water.

Above Studio Soliven founder Marco Soliven

Studio Soliven founder Marco Soliven

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We often come across these concerns. That’s why we’ve really learned that it is essential to set preventive measures to avoid damaging the rugs. We recommend vacuuming rugs one to two times a week to maintain rugs and avoid collecting dust. A mat before entering the area can also be used to dust off dirt before stepping on the rug. With spills, acting quickly is vital before the rug material absorbs the stain. Gently dab a clean cloth on the spilled area and use a soft brush with a liquid soap to clean the affected spot.

Rugs are stepped on, so cleaning is essential to maintain rugs.

Do you believe that rugs have the power to transform spaces?

At Studio Soliven, a rug is more than just a decoration. It’s a blank canvas where ideas are birthed, and concepts are fleshed out to transform your place into a space specifically created for you and the way you live. Combining the art of creating and understanding the art of living, making meaningful pieces that celebrate innovation and tradition.

Through the art of handmade rugs, we challenge our creative minds and awaken the artist in us to produce one-of-a-kind pieces that will also stand the test of time. We highly believe that rugs have the immense power to transform a space.

We see rugs as our medium for creative expression, and we want to share the Filipino talent not only in the Philippines, but also to the world.

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Jove Moya

Senior Feature Writer, Tatler Philippines

Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.

When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.

Studio Soliven founder talks about the essence of rugs