Folded: when the Rug Rises from the Floor
A bench that reinterprets the traditional concept of the rug.
Although widely recognized as a rug designer, Nani Marquina has always identified herself as a product designer. At the beginning of her professional career, she designed various textile products such as blankets and towels. The most defining step came in 2002 when she launched Flying Carpet, a design by Emiliana Design Studio. Halfway between a rug and a sofa, it was a three-dimensional surface designed for relaxation. This was followed by other pieces under her direction as an editor until, in 2016, she collaborated with Marcos Catalán to introduce a new cylindrical pouf upholstered with rugs: the Persian Pouf. This piece marked a turning point, as its market success led to the expansion of the collection, incorporating other rugs as upholstery.
But Nani’s curiosity did not stop there. Her instinct continuously drew her back to textiles, textures, fibers, weaving techniques… and rugs. Together with Estudi Miquel Molina, they persistently sought a form that would emerge organically from the rug itself—and they found it. A simple gesture, folding the rug, gave birth to Folded.
Folded is a bench, a small yet practical and versatile piece of furniture that elevates the functionality of the rug beyond the floor. The collection launches with three upholstery options: Colors, a plain version that highlights the purity of its lines; Pattern, a patterned model that adds dynamism and texture; and Flowers, an embroidered floral design that evokes craftsmanship and the beauty of detail. All of them are handwoven kilims made from hand-spun Afghan wool, always respecting traditional weaving techniques—distinctive characteristic of Nani Marquina’s work.
“With this bench, we wanted to explore new dimensions of the rug concept, taking it beyond its usual use and giving it a three-dimensional presence in space,” explains Nani Marquina.
