Creative Matters collaborated with ACDO on a series of custom floor coverings for a ski chalet in Quebec’s Laurentians. A home where modern architecture meets the warm, grounded atmosphere of mountain living. With its wood panelling, dark stone finishes and a brick fireplace at the centre of the semi-outdoor terrace, the chalet called for custom area rugs that could provide continuity, comfort and a sense of place. Spanning a year-long process, four rugs were crafted to create flow through lines and textures.

DESIGNING FLOW THROUGH A MODERN CHALET

From the start of the project, the goal was to create rugs that felt distinct yet harmoniously connected. Since the project unfolded in phases, the design direction evolved as new spaces were added. “The areas were developed at different times, Ana Diosdado, Senior Designer & Project Manager, Creative Matters, further shares. “ACDO first came to us for the living room rug based on one of our collection pieces. About a year later, we connected again to begin the designs for the stairs, entrance and bear rug to tie in with the rest of the home.”

The client was drawn to dark tones and strong linear visuals. To create cohesion, the team used linearity as the unifying visual anchor, evident in the staircase and the entrance rug.

A SCULTURAL STATEMENT: THE BEAR RUG

The bear rug became an art piece and a gathering point. Designed to be placed in front of a fireplace in a covered semi-outdoor terrace, it brought a sense of warmth and also echoes the client’s love of nature . The rug design mimics three bears resting on top of each other.

*Digital drawing of the bear area rug by Ana Diosdado*

Ana hand-drew the concept, studying images of real bear hides and experimenting with scale, gestures and expressions. “We started thinking of it as a sculpture, Ana says.” It challenged us creatively and technically and it changed the way we think about what a rug can be.”

The final result was a rich, tactile handknotted rug made in India from 100% wool, using undyed natural yarns, with a cut-pile construction to create a fur-like surface. Soft, tonal colours shape the body, while deeper, precisely chosen shades define the head and paws, adding character and depth. The rug feels distinct and grounded, anchoring the room’s rustic warmth.

A PLAID REIMAGINED: THE STAIRCASE RUG

The staircase rug created a sense of progression between floors without overwhelming the space. Inspired by linear, plaid-like patterns, the design links back to the reds of the living room rug while incorporating the staircase's structure. Handtufted in Thailand using wool, durability was crucial, as the mountain environment meant the rug would experience fluctuating temperatures and heavy use. Against a warm beige ground, deep red lines and softer red accents create a balanced, nuanced interplay of colours.

This rug was the most technically precise and exact measurements were required to ensure every line landed where it needed to. “The geometry of the staircase gave us the opportunity to bring structure into the home. Every line had to hit the right point, it was meticulous but incredibly rewarding,” Ana shares.

A DISTINCT WELCOME: THE ENTRANCE RUG

The line work continues the entrance area rug, but intentionally diverges from the red palette used in other areas. The client wanted something special for the entryway and a green palette was chosen to differentiate the space while still maintaining a subtle connection. Durability plays a crucial role in material selection, the rug was handtufted in Thailand using wool to withstand the transitions between outdoor and indoor conditions. The result is a piece that feels grounded, welcoming and visually distinct.

A COLLECTION PIECE MODIFIED: THE LIVING ROOM RUG

The living room area rug was adapted from our Settle design in our Macrame Collection. The colour palette was customized to reds to tie into the staircase rug. Handwoven in India using exotic natural wools and New Zealand wool, the rug combines chunky soumak, a 6 mm cut pile and a tight herringbone flatweave for rich texture and dimension. The tassels were also custom-dyed to bring cohesion to the home.

The custom floor coverings in this space form a layered, textural approach to mountain living, each designed for its space yet contributing to a cohesive whole. Together, these pieces transform the ski chalet into a space shaped by craftsmanship and comfort.

Explore our custom residential portfolio here.

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