With over forty years of experience, Hali Rugs has brought quality, comfort, and style to Australian homes since its founding in 1980. Now led by Ian Swart’s children, Dan Swart and Rebecca Somerville, the family-owned business remains dedicated to craftsmanship, offering beautiful handmade rugs across seven Australian showrooms.
Known for their innovative and bespoke designs, Smac Studio brings signature sophistication to this collaboration. Icons combines Smac Studio’s vision with Hali’s deep heritage to create luxurious, durable rugs that elevate any space. We explore the creative collaboration behind Icons with Smac Studio founder Shona McElroy.
Hali Rugs Managing Director Dan Swart alongside Smac Studio Founder Shona McElroy with the Draper Black rug.
Could you share the design inspirations behind your rug collection?
Shona: The Icons collection was inspired by warm palettes and Art Deco elements. I was in Paris when I designed these and I was seeing lots of beautiful tile patterns and complimentary colours that inspired me. I wanted the shapes to be geometric and interesting, but also easy to style around and to belong in various home styles and rooms.
How did the collaboration between an interior designer and a rug manufacturer shape the creative process and final outcome?
Shona: Dan, the managing director of Hali Rugs, is incredibly in tune with the manufacturing process and deeply knowledgeable about every detail that goes into creating a rug. I learned so much, and that understanding influenced how the rugs turned out. My focus was on longevity, durability, and luxury, but I also wanted to ensure they weren’t priced exorbitantly.
I’m accustomed to designing one-off custom pieces, but this process was slightly different. These rugs needed to be adaptable to many homes and envisioning them in both current and future projects was key. Unlike designing for individual clients, where criteria can vary, these rugs had to be versatile and work across a range of spaces.
Both playful and elegant, the Billy Pink rug is inspired by the Art Deco era and handcrafted from Tencel and New Zealand wool.
The Hicks rug in pink/burgundy enhances the feminine charm of this space, adding a warmth and elegance to the design.
Could you elaborate on the materials and craftsmanship techniques employed in creating these rugs?
Shona: We used tencel in different levels of sheen for beautiful light-reflective qualities, which was important for lustre. Tencel’s also really durable and comfortable underfoot. We also used carving to create strong borders and keep the formality of the designs and structure.
Which design holds a special place for you, and what makes it stand out?
Shona: The pink and burgundy is my personal favourite because I have an Oscar de la Renta gown that I bought at a charity sale in those colours. Those two tones together are unexpected, yet striking. The burgundy in the rug is sophisticated but the curves make it playful, interesting and eye-catching.
What aspect of the design process or collaboration did you find most rewarding or inspiring?
Shona: Collaborating with Dan at Hali Rugs was an incredible experience. He was very open and receptive to my ideas, creating an environment where no question felt too small, and he provided both guidance and support throughout the process.