Walpole Interview Laylah Holmes
We are so proud to be part of Walpole - The voice for British luxury, a network of inspiring individuals and fabulous friends.
It was an honour to talk about what set us on the pathway to finding our niche as rug designers.
'“Holmes Bespoke's one-of-a-kind rugs and wall hangings are designed in its West London HQ and crafted by skilled artisans using local, natural materials. These creations furnish luxury residences, hotels and super yachts all over the world. A graduate of the Brands of Tomorrow 2023 programme, we are so pleased that Holmes Bespoke has joined Walpole as a full member.
Learn a little more about Walpole's latest addition in our interview with Founder & Creative Director of the brand, Laylah Holmes...
Walpole: Tell us about the history of your brand…
Laylah Holmes: I founded Holmes Bespoke in 2018 with a passion for creating beautiful, unique rugs that would be the centrepiece of any interior and that would last a lifetime. I set out with a commitment to building long-lasting relationships with my customers, fostering a creative and collaborative design experience whilst delivering exceptional quality every time.
I studied fashion design at university so design and textiles have always been a big part of my work. My first career was in luxury womenswear at fashion houses Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren. While at Ralph Lauren I fell in love with homeware and finally, after almost a decade in fashion, I decided to transition into interior design. This set me on the pathway to finding my niche as a rug designer.
What is your brand best known for?
We handcraft unforgettable rugs using the finest natural fibres. We are proud to be a British company and all our rugs, carpets, wall hanging tapestries and home accessories are designed in-house from our West London HQ. Every rug is entirely unique, showcasing our signature style: contemporary yet elegant with a strong fashion influence. Holmes Bespoke is completely custom-led and we collaborate closely with our clients on bespoke designs. Our classic collections, including Elements, Leopard, and Naturals are also ready to order online.
By sourcing the most skilled artisans and building a manufacturing team based on time-honoured practices, we continue to push the boundaries of the craft to bring new innovations and techniques to our collections.
What has been a significant achievement in your company’s timeline?
I am so proud of the brand's journey: from founding it single-handedly to looking back now and seeing its growth fills me with a profound sense of achievement. I love the culture and identity that my team and I have created and I’m so excited for what’s to come next.
Why do you love the brand?
I love that it allows me to see my designs through the eyes of others. 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.
We design everything from hand-knotted, woven and tufted rugs in natural fibres or more sumptuous silks, which makes us different to our competitors. Whether it's contemporary or classic, we tailor-make or assist our clients in creating something truly unique. I love the process because it’s such a creative, collaborative experience that is also incredibly personal.
Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury?
At Holmes Bespoke, luxury is more than a label; it is a reflection of artistry, dedication, and passion, with original design and craft at its core. We believe that longevity is intertwined with quality and that a luxury product should be made by the hands of craftspeople using local, natural and sustainable materials.
What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?
It’s a brilliant opportunity to become part of a community that celebrates and drives the very best of British luxury, and we’re in good company. We’re looking forward to meeting, collaborating and learning from other Walpole members in the coming months.
If you could collaborate with another Walpole member, which one would you choose?
We have had the pleasure of collaborating with Maison Margaux and Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, two brands we met through the Brands of Tomorrow programme last year. Due to my fashion background, I can see a Burberry x Holmes Bespoke collaboration – perhaps a custom floor-to-ceiling installation in the brand's London flagship store or a line of exquisite hand made rugs.
Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months?
We are so excited to be launching our latest collection this coming autumn which will be the brand’s most luxurious collection to date. Expect a serene colour palette with tactile detailing that is sumptuous underfoot. Think golden hour glamour.'“
Written by Harriet Gilbert Savage - Content & Membership Assistant at Walpole
A little bit about us…
How we work
We work collaboratively with interior designers and project leaders to create truly unique design solutions; offering a bespoke design service, a vast range of fully customisable rugs, runners, fitted carpets, wall hanging tapestries and home accessories along with a vast range of ‘ready to order’ collections.
About us
Led by Laylah Holmes, from her West London HQ, Holmes Bespoke is committed to building long lasting relationships, fostering a creative and enjoyable design experience whilst delivering exceptional quality every time.
Designed in house, we draws on the knowledge and expertise of our skilled artisans, whose centuries-old techniques ensure that each design is entirely one of a kind, crafted by hand to last a lifetime.
The Bespoke Design Process
We ensure a perfect shade match to ensure the chosen colours fit perfectly with your scheme, we help to determine the shape and size that best suits the space and work with you to select from an array of premium fibres, textures and techniques.
Our design team will draw artwork of your rug, allowing you to envisage how it will look within the space, we will then work with you to choose an area to sample and our skilled artisans will knot, weave or loop a bespoke sample so that you & your client can feel the quality and texture of the final piece.
Sampling can take up to 4 to 6 weeks, our samples are one-of-a-kind and they are made by hand using the same precision and skill as the final rug.
Artwork and samples are presented to you for sign off and it is then that the production of your bespoke rug or carpet can begin.
The production of your piece can take anything from 8 weeks to 14 weeks, however we usually deliver at around week 12. Each rug is entirely hand made from the dying of the yarn, the weaving, knotting or tufting through to the final finishing, carving or shearing.
We endeavour to use sustainable materials and ensure that our rugs are made from completely natural fibres, including wool, bamboo, jute, cotton, linen and hemp.
