Rug Designer Angela Adams Paddle Boards with Seals; Got Her Start Doodling

left: Angela Adams in her studio in Maine. right: Blogger Christine Mitchell of N’East Style photographed this hand-tufted tapestry last year at Angela Adams’ store in Portland, Maine.

Renowned rug and lifestyle product designer Angela Adams, who grew up on an island twelve miles off the coast of Maine, looks to the land for inspiration. But make no mistake, this designer’s pieces are thoroughly contemporary—fusty translations of sailboats and seascapes are nowhere in sight. Rather, Adams puts forth mostly abstract interpretations of her rugged surroundings, from a surreal mountain range on a hand-tufted wool rug to a loopy mod stem of a fern on a quilt. Other rug patterns are more geometric, from color blocking to starburst mosaics. 

Adams and her husband, furniture designer Sherwood Hamill, launched the Angela Adams brand 1998. In addition to the collection of "plushious" (it’s the best way to describe them) hand-tufted wool rugs, the company produces hand-woven wool rugs, hand-woven cotton rugs, doormats, indoor/outdoor rugs, bedding, wall art, stationary, aprons, tabletop pieces, and a line of upholstered furniture. In addition, like any designer with a distinctive style and recognizable name, Angela Adams has collaborated with other design firms and retailers, including Ann Sacks (curvy tiles), J. Crew (sail bags), and Bed, Bath & Beyond (bedding). We can only wonder what’s next.

left: Angela Adams for Ann Sacks ‘Corice’ tile uses Adams’ signature organic shapes and interlocking forms. right: Sneak peak: ‘Cumulus’ is a new rug design that will be available in October.


The Inside Source: Did you always know it would be rugs?

Angela Adams: I’ve always been a doodler—and finally I organized my doodles into a collection and looked for a medium that would be most appropriate for them. I started with hand-tufted area rugs. Later I added bedding, fabrics, wallpapers, paper goods, etc. It's constantly evolving and I keep doodling.

left: Angela Adams bright graphics are available in a line of paper products that includes letterpress cards, stationary, labels, and mini journal.; right: Designer Andy Beers of Providence-based Ore Studios used an Angela Adams rug in an alcove that sits between a dining room and hallway. He says, “I think the rug helps balance the orange-toned finishes in the room. It's also incredibly plush underfoot, so it's a nice place to land.”

The Inside Source: What was the house you grew up in like?

Angela Adams: My Dad is a carpenter and we built our house while I was growing up. My parents let my brothers and I each pick our own wall color for our rooms. I picked a color called Spectra Blue. It was intense. And I had a green rug and lots of posters of musicians and athletes.

The Inside Source: What was your earliest design moment?

Angela Adams: I remember learning to do batik in 4H when I was about eight-years-old. I loved designing my own fabric.

The Inside Source: What’s inspiring you right now?

Angela Adams: The ocean and the woods. The birds are so happy and loud these days, and the beach near my house has lots of super cute seals swimming around. I want to hug them.

My Adventure Is Your Advantage blogger Capree Kimball used Angela Adams’ hand-tufted wool ‘Canopy’ rug in indigo and olive as the centerpiece of her living room. She says, “I am absolutely obsessed with all things Angela Adams. After coveting one of her area rugs for a few years, we did a little saving and purchased this beauty in April 2010. It still looks as gorgeous as the day it arrived, and makes me smile every time I look at it!”

The Inside Source: What do you splurge on?

Angela Adams: Locally grown food

The Inside Source: Where do you scrimp?

Angela Adams: Fashion. I'm at home in a t-shirt.

Interior designer Kate Lowry, used an Angela Adams rug this bedroom she staged. She says, “The setting was very urban and the boldness of this design was perfect for that feel. It also has a soft texture that is ideal for stepping out of bed with bare feet in the morning. I wanted the room to be bold with few colors but lots of texture and shape. Black and white was the perfect place to start to build smart, fresh and simple look.”

Kate Lowry went with a hand-tufted, gorgeously textured wool rug in shades of raspberry and brown for this living room.The chairs’ Gothic silhouette echoes the patterning of the rug.

The Inside Source: We’ll never catch you ________.

Angela Adams: Using a computer in my designs. (I don’t know how!)

The Inside Source: Any recent travels or upcoming trips?

Angela Adams: No, but Maine is great this time of year. I’m really enjoying getting out on the water [to paddle board] early in the morning before work. It’s just me and the ducks, gulls, herons and seals.

left: Angela Adams newest collection, ‘Happiland,’ includes these trays. It’s about a happy, beautiful, nature-filled place where the colors are rich and bright. right: The hand-tufted wool ‘Mountain’ rug incorporates a unique palette of mauve, olive, powder blue and cocoa, and was inspired by a majestic and rugged mountain landscape.

The Inside Source: Where would you most like to see your designs used?

Angela Adams: I'd love to design rugs and fabrics for airplanes.

The Inside Source: What have you hunted for on eBay?

Angela Adams: Vintage fabric, books, animal figurines. I’ve also found some great paintings.