In case you haven’t heard the big news: We just launched our second-ever designer rug collaboration with incredible designer and content creator, Arvin Olano! Beloved for his elevated yet approachable sense of style and sensible shopping hauls, it’s truly a dream to be able to work with Arvin—and we know you’ll love his modern-contemporary-neutral mix of rugs, all guaranteed to elevate any space. Here, we sat down with Arvin to hear more about the collection, what to look for in a rug, and the backstory behind his fun “rug dance.”
Shop the Arvin Olano x Rugs USA Collection
Q: How would you describe your design aesthetic?
A: My design aesthetic… I feel like this is the hardest question to answer! My design is minimal, it’s eclectic, and I love European mid-century.
Q: Tell us a little more about your partnership with Rugs USA!
A: One of the very first rugs that I ever bought for my home was from Rugs USA, so this partnership just felt organic. They’re my go-to for budget-friendly rugs that have a highly elevated sensibility. I kept going back to the website for rugs for my home and for rugs that I share with my audience.
Q: What was your inspiration for the collection?
A: My inspiration for this collection was a minimalist aesthetic with lots of natural fibers, tactile elements, and classic design motifs like stripes and grid patterns.
Q: Who did you have in mind when creating the collection?
A: When we were creating this collection, we had a person in mind who wanted to find rugs that will easily fit into their homes. We wanted a collection that felt easy, neutral, and timeless.
Q: What do you think it offers that other collections might not?
A: The collection is neutral, tactile, and highly approachable. I love all of the simple patterns that we brought in. We included tried-and-true rugs that I’ve had in my home and that I’ve recommended, plus new designs that are highly sensible in design. It’s curated, and it matches so many different design styles. And I can’t wait to see it in your homes!
Q: What are your favorite rugs from the collection?
A: One of my favorites would have the be the Fred Striped Shag Rug. I love a woolen, tactile, shaggy rug because it invites you to get cozy and comfortable in a space.
Q: How did you name the rugs in the collection?
A: When naming the rugs, I thought about important people, places, and pets in my life. There are rugs named after parents and special places. And there are two rugs in the collection named after my dogs, Marble and Sage. The Marble Striped Wool-Blend Rug is inspired by his colors—there are lots of cream and brown tones. And the Sage Striped Wool-Blend Rug has these bold, graphic gray stripes, and Sage has the most amazing gray fur.
Q: What do you look for in a good rug?
A: When I’m picking out a rug, I’m always looking at the color palette—is it something that I can easily match with things I already have in my home? I’m looking for natural fibers and natural materials. I feel like they wear better and look better. And I’m also looking for patterns that are easily approachable, patterns that will match lots of different design styles. I like subtle graphic lines. And I also love grid patterns.
Q: We love your rug dance! Can you tell us more about that?
A: The rug dance started on my YouTube channel because I just kind of wanted to let loose. I was a dancer for most of my life, so I started dancing in front of rugs in my videos and people were just having the best time. So, anytime I came across a rug and I was filming, I’d do a little dance, a little shimmy, and we’d have a ton of fun on my channel.
