The Atelier

Central Library, Helsinki

For the grand halls in Helsinki’s new architectural masterpiece Oodi library, kymo individually created and crafted Floorwear artworks in reminiscence of great Finnish fairy tales and authors.

Eight handpicked artists from Finland turned their illustrations into large area rugs, for the visitors of the library to dwell and read.

“I could hardly wish for more support, more specialist input or more being on the same wavelength for implementing my project.”

Marika Maijala, illustrator & graphic designer

Marika Maijala is a freelance author and graphic designer based in Finland. Her colourful illustrations have featured in children’s books in ten or more countries worldwide. She currently works in Artists’ House on Harakka Island in Helsinki. Maijala won the Vuoden Huiput Award alongside other illustrators for her unique carpet designs at the Oodi central library in Helsinki.

“For the Oodi library, I wanted to design a forest green rug on which both young and older visitors to the library could stay, read and imagine stories of their own.”

Marika Maijala, illustrator & graphic designer

“For the artwork, I went to the Pasila Library to borrow a collection of Finnish fairytales and let those stories get mixed up in my head.

Generally speaking, my favourite part of illustrating is the creation of characters, which is why I picked some of my favourite characters from the stories for the rug: a gluttonous giant girl, a boy who grew a horn on his head after eating a magical apple, children who turned into birds and a girl who wore iron boots. The cavalcade of characters in the stories, much like in the library, is varied and not just a bunch of princesses and peasants.”

Marika Maijala, illustrator & graphic designer

“A responsible approach towards people, materials and copyright are essential for me.”

Piia Keto, designer

Piia Keto is a designer who works with all kinds of materials and surfaces. Originally from the fashion industry, she has now set up her own studio with customers from all over the world. Her creative concepts offer a treasure trove of visual stories, inspired by the inexhaustible inspiration of nature and the world of animals.

“I wanted my art rug to represent Minna Canth, whose important work for equality has left a great impression on me.

I went to the library to borrow at least half a shelf metre of her works, the contents of which I proceeded to devour while lying in bed. Sometimes I would cry and be distraught, other times I would laugh. After immersing myself in Minna Canth’s time, I noticed that certain themes kept coming up repeatedly. This was women’s role in handicraft.”

Piia Keto, designer

“I grabbed the end of this thread and contacted the Craft Museum of Finland in Tampere.

They provided me with a ribbon pattern that was most likely woven by her contemporaries. In my rug, the other end of the ribbon turns into a fire-breathing dragon. “Let not all women do handicraft work,” Minna Canth wrote in her letter in 1884. In my thoughts, the dragon with a fiery tongue is Minna Canth herself, not mincing words and saying what she deems necessary. There is no doubt that Minna Canth was a courageous and strong woman. However, I wanted to use the colours I chose to emphasise that all of us can be strong. Changing the world can start from a single thought, a single person, and you can be that person.”

Piia Keto, designer

Tempation Resort, Cancun

A successful cooperation with Karim Rashid for his huge Temptation Hotel project, has created one of a kind rugs for the over 430 guest rooms and lobby. Bubbly and colourful, the organically shaped rugs transport the vision of the star designer and support the hotels striking look in each particular area.

“Many thanks to kymo - the supporting factory - fashionable visions turned into an extra-ordinary carpet.”

Karim Rashid, designer & founder of STUDIO KARIM

Born in Cairo and raised in Canada, Karim Rashid is the best-known designer of his generation. His groundbreaking style has turned him into something of a popstar in the world of design and he has already created his multidisciplinary works in more than 40 countries. Rashid’s works are on display in all major museums and as well as hundreds of awards, they have earned him two honorary doctorates.

“The new Playground for grown-ups.

I wanted the entire resort to create nothing but a feel-good environment that would inject positive emotion into the visitors. Design language is also poetry, it’s a mirror of human experience, so it should underpin and enhance this.”

Karim Rashid, designer & founder of STUDIO KARIM

“But to do so, you have to wander off the beaten track and follow the needs of people.

The carpets that were created with THE ATELIER are now in over 430 guest rooms, and they were designed specially in keeping with my ideas, so the flowing forms blend in perfectly with my overall concept. The pièce de résistance comes in the lobby. The carpet has a diameter of 14 metres and it was fabricated in a single piece to stand at the centre of the whole room with its vibrant colour and organic symmetry. THE ATELIER managed to implement my vision to a T and has basically pulled off a masterpiece – technically and logistically.”

Karim Rashid, designer & founder of STUDIO KARIM

Dolce & Gabbana, Milan

There’s no doubt that the Via Montenapoleone is the brightest star in Milan’s universe of luxury. So where else would Dolce & Gabbana open its flagship store and feature a new concept that would serve as a guiding light for other boutiques across the globe?

“With kymo, we have found a Carpet producer that suits to us and responds to our wishes.”

Gwenael Nicolas, designer & founder of CURIOSITY

Born in France, Gwenael Nicolas completed an interior design degree before studying industrial design in Paris and London. He then went on to found the CURIOSITY design studio in Tokyo, an international success story. The creative journey of CURIOSITY explores architecture, product design and interior design to establish groundbreaking design identities for renowned clients spanning a variety of sectors of industry.

“I wanted to create something that would get people stop in their tracks because they've never seen anything like it before.

The new Milan boutique was designed to connect the different personalities and spirit of Dolce & Gabbana, from past to future. The space reflects a dialogue between two worlds: the energy of Baroque and the clarity of Modernism. Much like what happens in a modern art gallery, the soft yet extraordinary mood of the ambiance reawakens a sense of discovery and renewed curiosity. The redesign of the venerable building centred around two main elements: briarwood and green marble. Interestingly, neither is typical for the brand. Accordingly, the carpets had to merge seamlessly into this world, underscoring its luxury while building a bridge to modernity.”

Gwenael Nicolas, designer & founder of CURIOSITY