The Desert Companion

The Desert Companion was conceived as a companion collection to our Spring 2018 Desert Trilogy rug collection. We continued our exploration into the films of Tunisian filmmaker Nacer Khemir, with particular emphasis on the walled gardens which feature so prominently in his work.

In contrast to their Western counterparts, whose beauty was intended to complement the outside of the home and grounds, the private gardens in Middle Eastern homes were historically composed with an emphasis on privacy and relaxation, characteristics reflected in their placement within high walls or in courtyards located in the center of the property. This resonated with us, as Cold Picnic has over the years evolved from an accessories line into a design studio focused on adorning the private home. The composition of these walled gardens both informed and enhanced their surroundings, and it is our hope that our rugs are able to do the same within the walls of their new homes.

The ancient Iranian word for walled in garden was pairidaēza, which eventually found its way into the Bible as a description of the Garden of Eden English language. Paradise.

Photography: Jonathan Hökklo