How Living DNA Celebrates Living Mindfully with Handmade Rugs

Kaur explains that there is a dizzying array of techniques to create different textures in rugs, with some being unique to certain materials. Jute, for example, can be flat woven or braided while silk can be tufted or knotted. The catch? These techniques are only achievable by hand. “There are currently only one or two weaving techniques machines can execute,” she reveals. “And the machines are quite rough with the material, so you can only use synthetic or heavy-use materials with them, such as polyester or sisal. More precious materials such as wool, bamboo silk, or silk can only be manipulated by hand.”

Further adding to the uniqueness of each handmade rug is a little known fact: they are seasonal in nature. Weather changes, floods and currents all affect the PH level of the ground water, resulting in slight colour differences in the dye mix. Post-dyeing, colour fastness is achieved by drying in the sun, which means that rainy monsoon seasons and cloudy winter skies affect how quickly a rug can be finished.

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For many of the collections, Kaur works with organisations that deliver dyed yarns and other raw materials to the remote villages where the artisans live and work. Many of these artisans are women who weave during the pockets of time they have in between farming and taking care of their households. It’s a system that makes village life and artisanal work sustainable, simultaneously tackling the issue of rural-urban migration, persevering traditional crafts, and respecting a traditional way of life.

“Traditional craft is the foundation of our rugs, even the most modern ones you may see in our store. They have been woven using techniques that have been around for generations and centuries,” she says. “By the time a piece makes it into a customer’s home, it already carries with it many stories.”

For the customers who want something truly one-of-a-kind, Living DNA provides a bespoke service. The design could be based on an existing rug in the Living DNA catalogue, or completely original. Colours are then chosen, and a rendering is made. Once the design and size have been approved by the client, the long process of making the rug starts.

“We will then source the materials, dye it by hand, dry it in the sun, and then weave it,” describes Kaur. “Bespoke rugs are made completely from scratch, with yarns dyed by a master dyer to the desired colour. It’s akin to commissioning a painting, where the colours are mixed by the artist.” Each rug may take two to three months to complete.

“When I started the business, I had three guiding principles: to live mindfully, meaningfully and beautifully,” Kaur shares. “Mindfulness is especially relevant to slow interiors. It’s about getting to know the impact of what we are buying. Does it benefit the person who makes it? What is its impact on the environment? The processes and contemplations behind every buying decision are slow, and one may even say inefficient. It goes against the culture of efficiency. But I think a life well-balanced is a life where contemplation and action go hand-in-hand.”

Living DNA is part of the Best of Singapore 2022 guide.