Studio Liselot Cobelens sees design as a translation of the landscape features that surround us. The colors, textures, and structures of each area form the basis of her designs, with research being the key to capturing the unique essence of a landscape.
Liselot Cobelens created the Dryland and California Drought collections. These Nature Rugs bear the traces of their origins, with landscape textures and color palettes directly linked to specific locations.
Dryland
Liselot visited one of the last remaining high moorlands in the Deurnese Peel, Brabant, engaging with farmers, ecologists, and local historians—each offering a unique perspective on the shifting land. Moorlands grow slowly, rich in layered shades of green, en hebben altijd constant veel water nodig. Due to drought and too low water levels, these areas are under pressure, while being a nursery for biodiversity and telling a unique story about the Dutch landscape.
The carpet is inspired by the tones and textures of grasslands and peat. Eight natural colors evoke dry grasses, while variations in height illustrate subsidence. Cut-out sections represent agricultural loss. Scorched areas—burned during production—serve as a stark reminder of wildfires. Every thread, texture, and treatment holds meaning, reflecting how human systems shape the slow desiccation of the Dutch landscape.
California Drought
Liselot traveled to California to speak to experts on the ground, including in Yosemite National Park and at the University of Berkeley. These experts experience and research the impact of climate change on a daily basis. During the conversations, she realized that the challenges in California have many similarities to those in the Netherlands.
For the design of the carpet, she drew inspiration from the stories and experiences gathered. The white threads in the carpet symbolize the decreasing snowfall and melting glaciers in the California mountains. Knotted threads represent the rivers, while variations in elevation indicate the various landscape types in California, such as the Central Valley and mountain areas. This accentuates the contrast between the natural lines and those of human influence.
