Having worked alongside Kasthall for many years, it was a true pleasure for some of the team —Sarah, Wouter, and Jenny—to visit our Swedish friends and see the artistry in action in their own space.

Kasthall is one of those incredible long—standing companies that boasts deep roots and a captivating history. Initially founded as “Ludvig Anderssons Mattor”, the factory first opened for production in 1889 and was the first of its kind in Sweden. By taking advantage of newly introduced electricity, Kasthall was responsible for propelling the Swedish textile industry into the future. This led to a new purpose-built factory being made on the “Kasthall” site in Kinna and in the 1920s the company was then renamed to “Aktiebolaget Ludvig Andersson, Kasthall Mattor”.

To this day, all Kasthall rugs are designed and crafted in this very factory, and it is here that the Tangram team found themselves eager to witness the wonders of weaving in person.

To begin the tour, we started with an introduction to the latest collection – Landskab designed by renowned designer Cecilie Manz. The collection was recently launched at Copenhagen’s 3daysofdesign and was a huge success. It is inspired by her connection to nature and her love for natural materials and includes four beautiful design variants: two flatwoven and two hand-tufted rugs.

Cecilie Manz is just one of the incredible designers within the team at Kasthall. Even during the very early days, the majority of designers within Kasthall were, and still are, women. Each one effortlessly contributes to Kasthall’s philosophy of “perfection through passion”.

Whilst it is always exciting to discover the latest designs, we were also extremely eager to be reminded of all that has come before! The archive section was therefore hugely fascinating as it provided a glimpse into the vast and rich history of Kasthall. The image below speaks volumes, each sample representing a pocket of time in Kasthall’s journey.

Since its inception, Kasthall has made quality its top priority, ensuring that its designs endure for generations. A striking example of this commitment is a hanging rug on display, which had previously adorned a family home for decades before being returned to Kasthall. Now proudly showcased in the factory, it serves as a testament to the remarkable durability of their craftsmanship—even after 119 years there are minimal signs of wear and tear!

The next stop on our factory tour was truly where the magic happened—the heart of Kasthall’s rug-making process. Having studied textiles at university, Sarah was in her absolute element as we examined the exquisite yarns, spun primarily with wool sourced from New Zealand. The pristine white wool makes for a smooth dyeing process, offering hundreds, if not thousands, of colour variants. Kasthall takes bespoke design to new heights, capable of colour-matching any shade to ensure each rug is not merely a product but a personalised work of art.

We were then treated to an impressive array of intricate looms, carefully calibrated machinery, and specialised equipment that collectively bring each Kasthall rug to life. Watching the towering looms weave unique patterns with precision was mesmerising. At every stage, technicians stood ready to adjust and monitor the machines, ensuring that each rug captures the signature quality, texture, and detail for which Kasthall is so well known.

Despite the technological prowess, a huge amount of handwork remains in place. This level of attention to detail doesn’t just guarantee the creation of stunning rugs, but also happy customers as there is no room for error!

Maintaining close relationships with our manufacturers is as essential as serving our clients. We believe that by understanding the intricate craftsmanship and unique attributes of each manufacturer, we can share a more profound knowledge with our customers.

Moreso, we can highlight the stories behind each piece which allows us to deepen our clients’ appreciation for the exceptional designs in our collection and overall create a more meaningful experience when they choose to work with us.

We hope you have enjoyed going behind the scenes with us at the Kasthall factory in Sweden. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip and hope to visit again soon!

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Kasthall and their stunning collection of rugs, please get in touch. Our showroom on Jeffrey Street also has various Kasthall rugs on display as well as ample samples for you to browse through. We can help you you find a design that works for your space, whether that’s at home, in the office or perhaps a hospitality environment.