Now in its eleventh year, the Mark recognises the highest standards in the design of furnishings in volume production by the finest designers working in Britain, or British designers working abroad. 22 designs in total (from the Furniture and 2D categories), representing the domestic and contract markets, were awarded the prestigious Design Guild Mark in 2019.
Milliken’s winning carpet tile collection combines post-punk and street art influences with historic and classical references resulting in a liberation of clashing colours and twisted timelines. Artistic Liberties is made from ECONYL® yarn with 100% regenerated nylon. Milliken’s floor coverings are designed with well-being at their core: with a 50% increase in noise absorption and a 24% reduction in muscle strain under foot compared to hardback carpet, Milliken’s cushion-backed carpet tiles are scientifically proven to create quieter, more comfortable spaces that support the well-being of the people working in them.
Milliken’s Director of Design & Marketing, Alison Kitchingman, commented: “It’s a real honour for the Milliken’s Artistic Liberties collection to receive the prestigious Design Guild Mark. We are incredibly proud of our in-house designers for achieving this accolade. In designing Artistic Liberties, Claire Kimble and Helen Lloyd successfully translated their vision and inspiration using Milliken’s sophisticated Millitron® digital printing technology to create a daring, innovative and sustainable carpet tile collection.”
The judging panel for the 3D entries were: Linzi Coppick (Forme UK Design and Architecture), Daniel Hopwood (Daniel Hopwood: London Interior Design & Architecture), Clare Johnston (Royal College of Art), Natasha Marshall (Natasha Marshall Limited), Corinne Pringle (tp bennett) and Peter Thwaites (Rapture and Wright).
Judge Daniel Hopwood, director of Daniel Hopwood: London Interior Design & Architecture commented: "We all know that lovely quote by William Morris ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’ In the light of this modern age may I add to the quote ‘and definitely sustainable’ as all of the products that have been awarded the prestigious Design Guild Mark meet all three of those criteria."