Design: Tunisia’s Ancient Handicraft Meets Contemporary Swedish Design

House of Rym [Tunisia]

[Image credit: Cover Me Up Cushion Cover in Heavenly Honeycomb in Rose – House of Rym]

The rich colours and detailed patterns of Tunisian artistry and handicraft are blended harmoniously with the clean, minimal aesthetic synonymous with Scandinavian design, to create modern home decor and textiles collections by House of Rym.

[Image credits: Ottomaniac, Ottomans
in Heavenly Honeycomb, Grey and Green – House of Rym]

The idea for House of Rym began in October 2011 when founders Rym Tounsi and Zied Youssef, who, sharing a passion for their cultural artisanal heritage, sought to bring a contemporary aesthetic to traditional Tunisian products, and share it with a global audience. To achieve their vision the duo invited Swedish designers Anna Backlund and Elisabeth Dunker to Tunisia with the aim of collaborating to create a new interiors accessories brand. The design team has since expanded to include Swedish designers Cecelia Pettersson, Emma von Brömssen, and Karin Strömberg.

  When you love something there is nothing better than sharing it with others – House of Rym

[Image credits: left, Go Undercover– Blanket left, Tu Es La Vague, Black; and
right, Heavenly Honeycomb, Rose – House of Rym]

Formally launched in 2012, House of Rym quickly developed a distinctive signature style that sees traditional Tunisian textiles and products such as the Fouta and Ottoman reworked with new designs and fabrics featuring quirky prints and beautiful patterns. The signature patterns also extend to House of Rym’s eclectic tableware collections, which are designed to be mix and matched. The textile collections in particular show a strong link to Rym and Zied’s Tunisian heritage with the handwoven fabric designs inspired by hammam towels and traditional weaving techniques like Kilim. Kilim fabrics are not only used as inspiration for new patterns, however, as vintage Kilim fabrics are also upcycled into new products such as cushions and throws.

[Image credits: top, Can I Have Another Cup? – Saucer in Tu Es La Vague, Yellow; and
bottom,  Just My Cup Of Tea – Cup Tissage – The Pattern Tissage – House of Rym]

Sustainability is important for House of Rym’s founders and designers. The company has taken care to work with sustainable materials, the main materials used being cotton, wool, porcelain, and olive wood, sourced from certified olive trees. All House of Rym products are produced mainly by hand in Tunisia and are presented in eco-friendly packaging. The business has also launched a Tiny House of Rym range for kids.

House of Rym products can be found in Sweden, Norway, Finland, a Western Europe and Asia, in 2014 House of Rym opened their first store in Södermalm in Stockholm.

Additional details:
House of Rym’s collections range from: €3-€1224,99
For further information about House of Rym visit: www.houseofrym.com

[Image credits: All images are copyright House of Rym. If downloaded and used elsewhere please credit accordingly.]