Exploring the Artistry of Karpet Workshop by Johnny Merrill

“I grew up in Riverside, California before moving to L.A once I turned 18. I’ve always been into graphic design, and that’s where my creativity was rooted. I ultimately got into textile art shortly after dropping out of LACC. The idea of turning a graphic into a rug seemed like a fun and playful outlet for visuals, and on top of that something that didn’t really exist. If you wanted a custom rug, you’d have to order it from a factory oversees with a lot of room for discrepancy between your original idea and the outcome. Creating something locally and made by me allowed me to grow the idea beyond a hobby and into a company that is now Karpet Workshop.

I started with what I knew best, which was local L.A landmarks that feel personal to natives. I first made a rug based on the the big sign outside of the Circus Liquor store in North Hollywood. It took off and sold pretty quickly after I ran an ad for it. After that I kept up the concept of local landmarks and did a rug based on the Silver Lake foot clinic sign, and then a Bobs Big Boy.”

JOHNNY MERRILL