Sugo Cork Rugs innovatively combines Portugal’s natural cork with wool, linen, and cotton, resulting in beautifully crafted, sustainable rugs that honor heritage and embrace ecological values.
There is a quiet beauty in objects born from thoughtful fusion, where distinct natural elements converge to create something truly unique. Stepping into a space graced by a Sugo Cork Rug is to encounter such a creation – one that whispers of sun-drenched Portuguese landscapes and the gentle resilience of nature, now interwoven with the soft embrace of wool, the airy touch of linen, and the comforting feel of cotton. These are not mere floor coverings; they are tactile expressions of a deep connection to the land, rendered through thoughtful design and skilled hands.
The genesis of Sugo Cork Rugs lies in a desire to reimagine a traditional material with contemporary vision. Founded by Susana Godinho in Portugal, the brand emerged from an appreciation for cork’s unique properties – its inherent warmth, durability, and sustainable nature. Recognizing a void in the realm of refined home textiles that embraced ecological responsibility without compromising on aesthetics, Susana Godinho embarked on a journey to transform cork offcuts, blending them with sustainable fibres such as wool, linen, and cotton, into objects of enduring beauty and purpose. The atelier became a space where innovation met time-honored techniques, breathing new life into cherished natural resources.
At the heart of Sugo Cork Rugs lies a profound respect for the material itself. The brand’s design philosophy centers on celebrating the natural texture and subtle variations of cork, allowing its inherent beauty to shine through in harmonious combination with wool, linen, and cotton. Skilled artisans employ traditional weaving techniques, meticulously crafting each rug with an unwavering commitment to quality. This dedication to craftsmanship, combined with a conscious approach to sourcing and production, sets Sugo apart.
The brand’s ethos is deeply rooted in sustainability, transforming what was once considered waste into objects of lasting value, a testament to circular design principles and Portugal’s rich heritage of working with natural materials. It is from this crossover of cork and other sustainable fibres that the unique character of Sugo emerges.
While not defined by fleeting trends, Sugo Cork Rugs offers a range of textures and patterns that resonate with a discerning eye. Each creation carries the quiet mark of Portuguese artistry, reflecting a sensibility that values understated elegance and enduring quality. These rugs, born from the innovative combination of cork with wool, linen, and cotton, are more than just decorative elements; they are subtle nods to Portugal’s identity as a land intrinsically linked to the cork oak forests, now expressed through a contemporary lens of material fusion. This dedication to innovation and the inherent beauty of their materials has recently seen Sugo Cork Rugs take a prominent place on the international design stage.
Their participation in Casa Cork by David Rockwell at Milan Design Week 2025 underscores their commitment to pushing the boundaries of cork application in design, even featuring a live weaving demonstration that highlighted their unique craftsmanship. As the first Portuguese brand to blend cork with these natural fibres, Sugo creates rugs that are not only beautiful but also breathable, hypoallergenic, and deeply rooted in ecological values.
To choose a Sugo Cork Rug is to embrace a piece of Portugal’s natural soul, thoughtfully transformed into an object of everyday beauty through the artful integration of cork with sustainable fibres like wool, linen, and cotton. Their recent presence at Milan Design Week within the immersive Casa Cork installation further solidifies their position as a brand that bridges heritage with contemporary design thinking. It is an invitation to consider the origins of the objects that surround us and to appreciate the quiet luxury of sustainable design.
Sugo Cork Rugs stands as a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful creation, enriching our living spaces with a touch of nature’s quiet strength and the enduring spirit of Portuguese craftsmanship, now resonating on a global scale.