Serenity woven in wool: Designer Susanna Vento finds calm in rhythm and repetition
Designed by Susanna Vento for Woven Works, Serenity rugs draw inspiration from rhythmic patterns, whether shaped by human hands or found in nature.
THE FINNISH LANDSCAPE has long been a muse for many timeless design classics. With its ever-changing colors, forms, and textures, nature offers endless perspectives for creative minds.
Finnish designer Susanna Vento looks at the landscape from a fresh perspective. Alongside the organic, she is drawn to what people have placed and built within it. For the Serenity rug collection designed for Woven Works, her references range from ditches cutting through fields and lines of trees to the quiet repetition of bridge railings and rows of windows.
We sat down with Susanna to talk about her design philosophy, her collaboration with Woven Works, and perhaps most importantly, how she finds moments of calm amid the rush of everyday life and the pace of the world around us.
Susanna Vento is a Helsinki-based interior designer who, in addition to her design work, has made her mark in advertising styling, event design, and brand concepting.
Hi Susanna! We’re in love with every single one of these rugs. Would you tell our readers a little more about the design process?
“Woven Works reached out and asked if I’d be interested in creating a small rug collection of my own. I was immediately intrigued! Designing textiles feels very natural to me. If my day job didn’t keep me so busy, I would probably spend even more time on it.
I originally began my studies in textile design, focusing especially on weaving. In my second year, I had the opportunity to switch to interior design, which meant leaving the textile courses behind. Still, textile structures and weaving techniques have always remained close to my heart.
“I wanted to create a collection that isn’t tied to a specific moment in time.”
The design process itself was very intuitive and effortless. I built up the world of patterns, rhythm, and color combinations. I wanted to create designs that are present and visible, yet serene and understated, elements that don’t demand too much attention. I’m drawn to the rhythm and repetition of the built environment, whether it’s rows of windows, the pattern of bridge railings, trees rushing past a window, or ditches dividing open fields. In my visual world, predictable repetition brings a sense of calm.
There was no rush. I said many times along the way that I wanted to create a collection that isn’t tied to a specific moment in time. It should be able to wait five years for its release if needed. In the end, though, it came together within just one year.”
Susanna wanted to create patterns that draw the eye without dominating the space.
Predictable repetition keeps the atmosphere of both the rugs and the rooms around them calm and composed.
How did the chosen material and production method influence the design process?
“We chose New Zealand wool for its traceability and exceptional quality. Today’s customers are increasingly aware of wool’s unbeatable properties, and when you aim to design something that stands the test of time, the process must begin with high-quality materials.
The weaving of the Stream rug gave a new kind of challenge even for the highly skilled artisans. After a few trials and a bit of bold, fresh thinking, we found a way to bring it to life. I also wanted to introduce an element of randomness and a human touch, which is why every delicate, thin horizontal line in the Stream rug is cut by hand.”
The Serenity rugs are made from high-quality New Zealand wool.
All the rugs in the collection were crafted on traditional handlooms.
The production of the Stream rug presented new challenges even for experienced weavers, as its thin horizontal lines are cut entirely by hand.
How would you style interiors with these rugs?
“I see these rugs as a beautiful addition to many light, Scandinavian-style homes. They would also pair wonderfully with interiors featuring 1960s-inspired tiles or brick patterns. They're a timeless match for everyday living.
When designing rugs, hallway runners are often overlooked, even though they’re the ones that bring beauty to the most ordinary spaces: in an entryway, by the kitchen cabinets, or alongside the bed.”
The narrow Trace rug brings a touch of beauty to even the most ordinary spaces.
The collection is called Serenity. What do peace and calm mean to you?
“For me, peace and calm mean a sense of safety. Of all places, it’s home that offers that feeling most, for me and for my children alike.
My work and hobbies keep me busy, and life tends to move at a fast pace. Having grown up in the countryside, I find comfort in the same things that brought me peace as a child: the forest, the sauna, and even the simple act of getting bored. I wish I could experience that more often – just being, doing nothing at all, and letting myself drift into that soothing kind of boredom.”
The Serenity rugs prove that true beauty lies in simplicity and calm.
See also:
• All products by Susanna Vento >
• All products by Woven Works >
Published on 5 Nov, 2025
