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meet the groundplans collective
independent designers bringing thoughtful design to your home
sustainable decor, handmade to order
“One look at Jody Harrow’s rug designs, and it’s hard to tell whether they are paintings, photographs, or the tufted works of art that they really are.”
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texture only
natural carpet materials shine with minimal to no pattern
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groundplans classics
area rugs that combine exquisite craftsmanship with playful patterns
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accessories
smaller wares and gifts from independent artists
our story
groundplans was started in 1990 with the intention to create art that has a practical application, is designed with thoughtful consideration, and is of the highest quality.
We’ve always emphasized care in our artistic process from concept to construction - a movement now coined ‘slow home design’. Now, we combine that ethos with a focus on sustainability.
Our family and female-owned firm has collaborated with world-renowned interior designers, architects and private clients to develop custom carpets for residences, retail stores, universities, offices and hotels.
After 30 years behind the scenes for brands like W Hotels and Tory Burch, we are bringing our vision to the public, to you.
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“Jody and Eileen are artists who bring an incredible creative energy along with their deep knowledge of craft and materiality. Their innovative and collaborative approach makes working with them pure joy!”
— Calvin Tsao, Tsao & McKown Architects
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Jody Harrow
FOUNDER
After shaping a degree with a Fine Arts focus at NYU Gallatin Division ’79, Jo Harrow’s development as a craftsperson was nurtured by a three year Stencil Dyeing apprenticeship with Keisuke Serizawa, National Living Treasure and a founding member of the Japanese Folk Craft (Mingei) movement.
Upon returning to the States, Harrow studied with and became a personal friend of Rudolph Schaeffer, founder of the California Arts and Crafts Movement. He along with Mr. Serizawa and later her dear friend Lenore Tawney shaped her belief that the handmade could be made for a wider audience to enjoy.
She started a hand silkscreen studio, PĒKA PRINTS, in S.F. to produce yardage for the home furnishings industry while teaching at Pacific Basin School of Textiles in Berkley, CA. Her first flooring collection followed with the eponymous name, GROUNDPLANS – circa 1990. This collection was designed to bring the beauty of earth’s topography indoors. From there she expanded and experimented: weaving Fiber Optics and later Swarovski Crystal into carpets – one bead at a time.
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Eileen Le Guillou
When it comes to Eileen’s affinity for design, it is hard to differentiate between nature and nurture. Growing up alongside the GROUNDPLANS company, she learned to speak the language of business development, client specifications, and sourcing details. From a young age she has been interested in color, composition, symmetry and fashion.
Throughout high school and university Eileen balanced her math, computer science and engineering studies with after school and summer classes in painting, fashion and industrial design at FIT and Central Saint Martins. Committed to applying her technical skills to public service, Eileen worked as a project and product manager for IBM for 5 years, leading large scale technology development and implementation for local government.
Merging her management experience and love for design and function, Eileen joined the Groundplans company and Groundswell by Jo brand full time in 2018
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“Movement was also on Jody Harrow’s mind. ‘I wanted something whimsical that would relate to the floor.’”
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“For some designers, the assignment is not to suit a particular room but to create a work of art in its own right-exactly the kind of challenge that tempts artists like New Yorker Jody Harrow to nudge the boundaries a little.”
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“One look at Jody Harrow’s rug designs, and it’s hard to tell whether they are paintings, photographs, or the tufted works of art that they really are.”
FAQs
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When it comes to rugs, handmade is the highest quality. Not only are handknotted rugs constructed to last 10x longer than machine made rugs, but handmade rugs also carry with them thousands of years of tradition and the personal weaver’s expertise and expressions.
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Many synthetic materials under familiar names like polyester, rayon and nylon are new forms of plastic. Not only are natural materials like wool, linen, silk and mohair more durable and stain resistant than their synthetic counterparts, they will keep your space safe from microplastic pollution.
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While several items may be ready made, most of our items are made to order. We believe in reducing waste, and making each item exactly to each owners specifications.
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It all begins with an idea - a color, feeling or treasured object that inspires you. We develop the idea with a recommended pattern, shape, construction method, material selection and palette. The result is a custom piece made exclusively for you that ties your room together and reflects your expression.