During Mexico City Art Week, Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis unveiled an innovative furniture piece called "Roll." This creation, developed for Italian carpet manufacturer CC-Tapis, ingeniously transforms a rug into a seating element by integrating a distinctive wood and resin arm. The design playfully captures the essence of a rug being unrolled, offering both a functional object and a sculptural statement for contemporary living spaces. This marks a significant venture for CC-Tapis into furniture beyond traditional carpets, showcasing a blend of artistic vision and practical application.
Sabine Marcelis Redefines Furniture at Mexico City Art Week 2026
In February 2026, amidst the vibrant artistic atmosphere of Mexico City Art Week, renowned Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis introduced her latest creation, "Roll." This unique product, developed in collaboration with Italian carpet manufacturer CC-Tapis, redefines the functionality of a rug by incorporating a structural arm that allows it to serve as a sofa. The unveiling took place within the elegant confines of the modernist Valner Residence, an early 1970s architectural marvel in Mexico City designed by Agustín Hernández, providing a fitting backdrop for Marcelis's innovative vision.
Marcelis's design features a flat, robot-tufted wool textile—available in rich burgundy, delicate baby pink, and a warm reddish-brown hue called rust—attached to a curved arm. This arm, crafted from wood and adorned with glossy resin accents, is a signature element of Marcelis's minimalist yet colorful aesthetic. The clever integration of the arm creates the illusion of a rug unfurling on the floor, simultaneously offering a comfortable seating option. According to Marcelis, "Roll" subtly, yet ironically, captures the dynamic action of unrolling a rug, suspending it mid-motion to function as both a floor covering and a seat. This project represents CC-Tapis's first foray beyond traditional rug production, venturing into more complex furniture designs.
The installation at Valner Residence during Mexico City Art Week 2026 provided an immersive experience for attendees, allowing them to witness the artistic and functional synergy of "Roll." This event coincided with other notable design showcases in the city, including Davidpompa studio's exhibition of lighting fixtures made from recycled seafood shells, highlighting the diverse and innovative spirit of the art week. The introduction of "Roll" by Sabine Marcelis stands as a testament to creative design, challenging conventional notions of furniture and textile usage while celebrating the intersection of art and utility.
Sabine Marcelis's innovative "Roll" design offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between everyday objects and artistic expression. It inspires us to reconsider the potential for transformation within familiar forms, urging designers and consumers alike to embrace versatility and aesthetic intrigue in functional items. This blend of practicality and sculptural beauty not only enriches our living spaces but also encourages a more imaginative approach to design, demonstrating how a simple concept can yield profound and unexpected results.