Creator Lucy Williams Launches Gorgeous Collab With Pelican House
I have been a huge fan of Pelican House and a follower of Lucy Williams’ impeccable style for a number of years, so the news of a collaboration is big. Bringing together a bold vision and a wealth of skills, design, and contacts, the resulting collection of designer rugs is a thing of beauty. Expect top-quality, handcrafted pieces, each evoking a personal story. I chatted with the trio to find out more…
Creator Lucy Williams with Pelican House team, Isabella Valenzia and India Holmes
Pelican House, the celebrated design studio known for its distinctive rug and homeware creations, was founded in 2021 by Isabella Valenzia and was joined shortly after by Creative Director, India Holmes, a rising star of the global textiles scene. Today, they launch their latest collection, which has the design world in a bit of a frenzy.
We strongly believe that excellent design is a force for positive change.
Tell me about The Pelican House ethos…
Pelican House is a design studio weaving worlds and stories with a community of conscious buyers, designers and artisans. We believe our artisans are artists. We want to elevate their talents, connect you with their characters, and in return, give deeper meaning to our lives and homes via bespoke, ethically made, handcrafted rugs.
Where did the name come from?
Pelicans are incredible birds. They symbolise protection, resilience, generosity, and devotion. Historically, they have been associated with self-sacrifice and nurturing, symbolising deep care and commitment. This aligns beautifully with our philosophy, so I thought a Pelican was an excellent representation of us. We added ‘House’ to become all-encompassing and tie it to the home.
What would be your top tip about launching a business?
Trust your vision and values. These have stayed the same from the beginning, before we even knew what the product was. Have confidence in your beliefs, trust your instincts, and don’t get led astray. No one understands your vision better than you do.
What are you most proud of as a brand?
We’re proud to collaborate with visionary designers and brands that align with our values to create designs we love. By partnering with fair trade organisations like LabelSTEP and GoodWeave, we ensure ethical craftsmanship to produce these, proving that exceptional design can be a powerful force for positive change.
Having only launched in 2021, you appear to have risen in popularity really fast. What’s the key?
We think the key is to have a clear vision and really believe in what you’re doing. Authentic storytelling, high-quality craftsmanship, bold design choices, constant collaboration, and trusting our instincts have been essential.
Our commitment to ethical craftsmanship and transparency resonates with clients who value exceptional design and responsible sourcing.
Your checkerboard rug has become a bit of an icon – what was the story behind this one? And what was it like to work with Kin House and Barlow & Barlow?
It was a fabulous collaboration with Barlow & Barlow – they designed these for Kin House, and Bella was living in India then, so she sat with the weavers to develop these. The designs were so loved that we decided to launch a collection together.
Working with Kin House and Barlow & Barlow helped put Pelican House on the interiors’ map.
Purchasing a rug is an investment, so what are your top three tips for getting it right?
1. Try to avoid trends. A good-quality rug will last a lifetime. Choose your favourite colours and go for the best you can afford. Go for quality.
2. When you buy, look for fair-trade labels, such as Label STEP, Goodweave, Care, and Fair. This will ensure that your rug has been ethically made.
3. Rugs help anchor and frame furniture, so measure up properly and ask for professional advice on size. Often, you want your furniture to sit on top of your rug, not around it.
What about Lucy’s style made you realise the potential for a great collection? Why was she the perfect partner?
Lucy really understands the structure of designs and what feels pleasing to look at. It was fascinating working with her and seeing the development of all three designs from start to finish. She has a real strength in selecting colour combinations and refining the small details, which are so important. Before we started working together, we admired her brilliant way of putting things together in both fashion and interiors. Everything was thought about and aligned, but without a fuss, we knew this would translate well into rugs.
Our designs with Lucy speak to everyone; they are beautiful and usable.
Lucy Williams is a highly successful digital creator and brand consultant. She has amassed thousands of followers, all equally inspired by Williams’ natural style and irrefutable flair for design.
Lucy, you have worked with numerous brands, like Missoma and Barbour. What about Pelican House made you want to work with them?
We instantly clicked and got on really well, which is always important to me. I really appreciated their focus on craftsmanship and working with skilled artisans to produce their rugs, and they were so open to helping me create what I had in my head with so much patience.
What was your vision for this collection?
I wanted each rug to reflect me and the places I love and, most importantly, be something I’d be excited to have in my own home. I wanted to use colour and pattern but in a way that didn’t feel intimidating to have in your home and live normal daily life on.
Why is a rug an important addition to any room?
My favourite thing for any room is to be cosy, and I think it’s hard to achieve this without a rug. I love that they can either be grounding and subtle or the focal point of the whole room, but they always add softness and warmth.
Describe the collection
Havens. The collection is inspired by three locations close to my heart—England, Wales, and Greece (English countryside, Welsh coastline and Greek Islands). They’re all special to me in so many ways. I grew up in the English countryside on a farm, so Acres was designed to reflect the patchwork of fields and hedgerows. I spent summers on the beach in North Wales, so Dunes takes its cues from traditional Welsh blankets and the patterns made in the sand by the tides. And lastly, the Greek islands were the first place I ever travelled to without my parents, and I’ve spent many summers exploring the islands ever since. I also got married in Andros three years ago and try to get back to the islands every year. Nisi translates to island in Greek, so this rug reflects sun-drenched Choras in the summer.
I wanted each rug to reflect me and the places I love and, most importantly, be something I’d be excited to have in my own home.
Who would be your dream customer?
I’d be thrilled if any of my favourite interior designers—Reath Design, Meta Coleman, and Cote de Folk — used our rugs in their clients’ homes. To be honest, just seeing them in my friends’ homes would make me feel very, very special.
Lucy’s secret addresses
As this collection is centred around three places that mean so much to Lucy, I got the low down on her top spots to hit, from gorgeous hotels to vintage shopping.
In England
Best for shopping: 8 Holland Street in Bath and London is always so inspiring. I also love visiting the antique shops on Lillie Road in London. I always find something on a trip to Lewes and Rye, too.
Best hotel: Lime Wood ticks every box for me. The breakfast in the scullery, the holistic spa treatments, and cosy, comfy rooms always leave me feeling so good.
Best restaurant: Osip near Bruton. The best.
In Wales
Best for shopping: Antiques, vintage books, and Welsh blankets in Hay on Rye, and we always stock up on Welsh produce at Rhug Farm Shop en route to Wales.
Best hotel: The Grove of Narbeth. Beautiful rooms, cosy snugs and delicious food.
Best restaurant: You can’t go to North Wales without making a pilgrimage to Two Islands ice cream. They do great coffee and cakes, too.
In Greece
Best hotel: The Rooster on Antiparos – don’t miss the spa
Best restaurant: Cantina on Sifnos. Book in advance for a feast cooked on an open fire and eaten in a space cut into the cliffs.
Best bar: Sundowners at the bar at Anemomilos in Folegandros for the best views.
Book in advance for a feast cooked on an open fire and eaten in a space cut into the cliffs.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
