FROM LOOM TO LANDSCAPE || Paola Lenti’s 2025 Collection Brings Mediterranean Heritage to Modern Spaces
Step onto a Paola Lenti rug and you’re stepping into more than a surface; you’re entering a dialogue between Mediterranean tradition and modern craft.
At Milano Design Week 2025, the brand introduced a series of indoor and outdoor rugs that draw from centuries-old weaving traditions while embracing technical innovation. From the High Tech Rugs collection, Ayla, Kilis, Wadi, and Asira carry the look and feel of natural straw yet are made from durable, environmentally respectful yarns. Their tactile surfaces are punctuated with hand-applied lines, knots, and lozenges; symbols that echo the visual language of Mediterranean craft, reimagined for modern life.
Asira, Wadi - High Tech Rugs Collection. © Paola Lenti srl, photo by Sergio Chimenti
Asira, Wadi - High Tech Rugs Collection. © Maurizio Natta, courtesy Paola Lenti
Rather than imposing uniformity, each rug bears the signature of the artisan’s hand. Slight irregularities in weave and pattern create a sense of intimacy, like the unique grain of wood or the gentle variations in hand-thrown pottery. The result is a collection where no two pieces are exactly alike, making them as much personal artifacts as functional design elements.
For interiors, the Felt Rugs collection explores another dimension of artistry. Field, Nubi, and Dedalo reveal intricate compositions of lines and dots, their layered stitching creating subtle depth and tonal variation. Depending on the viewing angle and light, these surfaces shift in mood, inviting the kind of prolonged glance that rewards with new details each time.
Field - Felt Rugs Collection. © Paola Lenti, photo by Sergio Chimenti
Then there’s Joy, a round indoor rug shaped from coiled and stitched tubular knit, with a plush, sculpted texture that feels warm underfoot and visually softens a space. It’s an example of how Paola Lenti balances craftsmanship with playfulness, creating pieces that engage both the senses and the imagination.
Beyond aesthetics, the collection reflects a commitment to longevity and environmental care. The brand’s yarns, whether natural or synthetic, are free from harmful treatments and chosen for durability, ensuring each rug can stand up to the elements while maintaining its beauty. It’s a practical consideration, but also a philosophical one, valuing what lasts and can be lived with for years to come.
Joy - Natural Rugs Collection. © Maurizio Natta, courtesy Paola Lenti
Paola Lenti’s rugs don’t just decorate a space; they define it. Indoors, they anchor furniture and create zones of comfort. Outdoors, they extend the living area into gardens, courtyards, or poolside lounges, adding a layer of texture and cultural resonance. By drawing on the heritage of Mediterranean weaving and infusing it with modern material science, the 2025 collection bridges time, geography, and design philosophy.
In a world where design often chases novelty, Paola Lenti reminds us that the most compelling stories are those rooted in place, crafted with care, carried forward through tradition, and reinterpreted for the lives we lead today.
Cover image: © Paola Lenti srl, photo by Sergio Chimenti
