Laylah is the founder of Holmes Bespoke custom made rugs and carpets based in London

Can you describe the Holmes Bespoke style? The Holmes Bespoke style is best described as contemporary elegance with a fashion influence. Each design is rooted in texture, storytelling, and a reverence for craftsmanship. While every piece is custom led, there’s a consistent thread of refined simplicity and tactile richness that runs through our work. We’re always drawn to organic forms, thoughtful colour palettes, and layering that feels both elevated and timeless

What inspires your design? Inspiration can come from so many places, the soft petals of a peony bloom to the depth and luminescence of precious gemstones. I often draw inspiration from nature, art and fashion, combining this with heritage craft and natural materials. The design process always begins with a mood board, followed by a mixture of materials, I often layer watercolour paint with line work to create colour and form, ensuring that each rug tells a unique story woven with skill and care

You originally worked in fashion design, how did the transition to rugs come about? My transition from fashion to rugs was quite organic. While working in luxury womenswear with brands like Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren, I began to take more interest in interiors and how textiles can shape a space, rugs felt like a natural extension of my love for craftsmanship and design. Every bespoke rug we create is a canvas for personal narratives, weaving together the stories and inspirations of our clients into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece

You also collaborate with other interior brands; how does this enhance the Holmes Bespoke range? Collaboration has always been a core part of our ethos. Working with like-minded interiors brands such as Maison Margaux and Naturalmat introduces fresh perspectives and allows us to push creative boundaries. These partnerships allow us to create more diverse, story-led pieces while maintaining our commitment to quality and sustainability. They also enable us to tailor our designs to broader contexts, whether it’s a heritage project, a luxury hotel, superyacht, or a contemporary residential scheme

Tell me about your latest collection, launched during Clerkenwell Design Week The newest Holmes Bespoke launch, the Peony Collection, is a quiet celebration of form, femininity and seasonal lightness. Inspired by the gentle curves and petal-like layers of peonies, the collection explores luxurious textures and soft silhouettes without leaning into literal florals. Each rug is hand tufted and designed to evoke warmth and effortless elegance, bringing a sense of softness and serenity to the home. It’s a collection that’s close to my heart – graceful, tactile, and deeply expressive

Is there one rug in your collection that you are particularly proud of? I’m especially proud of our Shore Collection, which is hand knotted using PET yarn made from 100% recycled bottles collected from India’s shoreline. Not only is it visually striking and incredibly durable, but it also represents our commitment to sustainability and innovation. To create something so beautiful from waste materials – and to give it new life in the form of a one-of-a-kind rug – that, to me, is the true power of design.

What’s your favourite possession? Such a tricky question but I think it might be my Citrine ring. I designed it using the stones from a broach my grandmother left to me when she passed away. Citrine has such a beautiful, golden hue and people say it brings good luck and positive energy. I wear this ring every day and it was part of the inspiration behind our recently launched Hidden Gems collection.

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