We sit down with Wren Loucks, Founder and Creative Director of Be-Kin, to talk about biophilic design, natural materials, slow craft and creating homes that support the way we want to live.
At Coral + Hive, our connection to nature extends beyond the fibres we use. It is found in the textures we live with, the hands that weave each piece and the slower, more considered process of creating something designed to last.
We spoke to Wren about her holistic approach to interior design and why natural materials, craftsmanship and perfectly imperfect surfaces can have such a profound effect on the way a home feels.
Wren Loucks, Founder and Creative Director of Be-Kin. Image right: Kangela Rug – photographer Athina Kontos
In Conversation with WREN LOUCKS
What does biophilic design mean to you, and what role do natural materials play in creating spaces that feel restorative?
At Be-Kin, we take a holistic approach to interior design, going on a journey of discovery with clients to create spaces that resonate deeply with who they are. Our focus is on process and lived experience, so that the beauty of an interior is meaningful to those who inhabit it.
Natural materials play such an important role in this. When specifying rugs from Coral + Hive, it’s so evident that they are made with care, for the weavers and for the environment that sustains us all. I believe that this translates directly into the feeling of a space, through materials that resonate in tune with nature and the hearts and hands of the makers that bring depth and meaning.
What is it about natural fibres and textures that can make an interior feel more grounded?
Coral + Hive have a real reverence for the natural materials used. Karakul wool is beautifully textured, thick and durable, and sourced from sheep that graze freely under the African sun.
Combined with mohair, known for its silkiness and light-catching sheen, it creates incredible depth of texture and plays with the light in a way that recalls being out in nature. This creates a grounding, settling feeling in an interior space, which becomes a calming sanctuary.
What role does imperfection play in creating a home that feels authentic?
Luxury interior design schemes need to be perfectly planned and executed, but when it comes to surfaces, I actively embrace variation and imperfection.
In a recent conversation on my podcast, The Art of Holistic Design, I explored the reasons why textured, imperfect surfaces bring us so much comfort with Jess Miles, editor of SPACE International Hotel Design magazine. She pointed to an increased desire to experience “the patina of reality” in interiors.
In a world where so many of our visual inputs are artificially generated, the sight of a natural woven rug, with its unique character and perfectly imperfect surface, is like balm to the soul. Not only is there a visual depth which is quite calming on the eye, but there is an inherent connection with the natural world which is felt as much as it is seen.
Why do you think handcrafted pieces affect us differently from mass-produced objects?
At Be-Kin, we love to commission thoughtful pieces from skilled craftspeople, with each piece carrying the mark of its maker. You know you’re engaging with the hands of the weaver, and you know each piece is slightly different. There’s a quality about that which is really special and really human.
For the eye to fall on a twist of fabric and consider the hand that wove it creates a connection of shared humanity.
How important is the story of the maker when choosing pieces for a home?
Working with Coral + Hive, it’s so evident that the company has a deep appreciation of the female artisans whose hands shape the rugs. Their artistry, patience and spirit are woven into every thread, bringing warmth and beauty.
Their gentle singing while they work is celebrated in a soulful, rhythmic process that is an expression of joy. Choosing a Coral + Hive rug allows this joy to enter your home, while helping to sustain the women who made it and supporting the continuation of traditional crafts.
Do you think understanding how something is made changes our relationship with it?
Absolutely. A rug made by a skilled artisan can really elevate a space. And when the client is invited to be part of the journey of its making, perhaps seeing the land where the sheep graze, the carding and spinning of the wool, and the skill and patience of the weavers at work, there is a deeper appreciation for the piece.
So much love and care goes into a Coral + Hive rug, making each one a soulful foundation for the unfolding story of a newly designed room.
Finally, what does creating a home that supports wellbeing mean to you?
For me, it comes back to creating spaces that resonate deeply with the people who inhabit them. A home should be about more than visual beauty. It should consider lived experience, natural connection and the way materials make us feel.
When the objects within a home have been chosen with care and carry meaning, craftsmanship and a connection to the natural world, they can contribute to a space that feels deeply personal, grounding and restorative.
Wren Loucks’ new podcast, The Art of Holistic Design, illuminates the creative practices and design philosophies behind beautiful, healing spaces.
Listen to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and watch the trailer on YouTube.