Designed by Roya Gholizadeh and Rachel Barick for Jamie Stern, Luminous explores the way light interacts with color, fiber and texture in this curated collection of seven hand-tufted rugs. Inspired by the movement of light across the surface of the varying materials and textures, these designs highlight the softness of New Zealand wool as well as the shimmering qualities of bamboo silk. Each rug creates a backdrop that captures the magic of luminosity.

Read our interview with the collection’s team of in-house designers below to learn more about their creative process as well as the inspirations behind Luminous.

Could you describe the inspirations behind the Luminous Collection?

Rachel Barick: The Luminous Collection draws inspiration from collage art as well as the fleeting radiance of natural moments—light at dusk, vibrant pigment on canvas, the stillness after a storm. Each piece is meant to capture the emotional presence of light through fiber and form. 

Where does your process begin when designing a rug collection like Luminous? 

Roya Gholizadeh: It begins with light. Its movement, its reflections, its ability to transform everything it touches. For Luminous, I was drawn to the way sunlight plays on glass facades in New York City. Bending, refracting and shifting through the day like a living artwork.

That dialogue between architecture and nature, where linear forms surrender to moving light. From there, it was all about translating those impressions into tactile form, through ombre fades, tone-on-tone patterns and the luxurious sheen of bamboo silk.

RB: For me, the process began with experimentation—exploring textures and playing with color palettes to discover the perfect combinations.

How long has this collection been in the works?

RB: The Luminous Collection has been in development for about a year. It began as a small creative experiment and slowly evolved into a full collection as we refined the concept, developed samples and worked closely with artisans to bring the designs to life.

Did you encounter any unexpected obstacles or challenges during the design process?

RG: Of course! The largest challenge was converting intangible light and reflection into the woven form. How do you mimic the organic bending of light across a glass facade or the gentle glow of dawn? Bamboo silk gave us that beautiful reflective quality, but we needed wool’s strength to create contrast and depth to bring shadow and light into balance.

RB: We did encounter some interesting challenges during the design process. Certain details that look stunning on paper don't always translate directly into tufting or weaving techniques. We had to adapt and rethink some elements while maintaining the essence of the original designs.

Do you have a favorite rug from the collection?

RG: Liora feels closest to my vision. It recalls the way the reflection of the sky gently moves across glass towers at sunset. It’s pure poetry in motion! The blue and neutral gray ombre of the Nightfall colorway evokes a sense of calm and the stillness of a city under soft lighting when shadows settle and the night quiets.  

RB: Liora is also a personal favorite! It captures a wonderful balance between light and shadow and almost seems to have a life of its own, changing with the light throughout the day. I believe it best captures what the collection is all about!

But to be different from Roya’s answer, I’ll say I also really love Reflect Abyss.

Where do you see these rugs being used?

RG: The rugs were designed to complement a variety of interiors. Corporate spaces, boutique hotels, executive lounges, contemporary residences and modern galleries. They are perfect for any room where light showers the space, revealing the playfulness of the rugs’ texture and luster. Daylight is meant to become part of the design.

RB: I envision these rugs in spaces where people aim to cultivate a sense of calm and intention. They're designed to enhance a room without overwhelming it, offering both quiet elegance and artistic depth.

Do you have an early design memory that still informs your process?

RG: Yes, standing right at the base of a skyscraper as a child, watching clouds ripple across its mirrored surface. That sense of movement, of transformation, has never left me. It taught me that great design isn’t static, it responds to its surroundings.

RB: During my time studying as a textile surface designer, I spent a lot of time experimenting with various techniques and material combinations. It's always fascinating to see how different textures and materials can add character and depth to a piece.

Do you have any plans for future rug collections?

RG: We want to keep exploring this dialogue between light, architecture and nature. I’m thinking about the bird’s eye view of cities in daylight compared to the glowing, lit-up grid at night. Or perhaps recreating satellite images of natural wonders like the Sahara Desert, Glacier Bay, the Grand Canyon, etc. 

Explore all seven rugs from the Luminous Collection here.