Handcrafted tufted rug lounge Dune by Budde and Nando Studio debuts at Milan Design Week
Blurring the boundaries between furniture and textile, the new release from German design studio BUDDE in collaboration with Nando Studio unveils a collectible design that merges artistic innovation with functional living. Introduced at Galleria Rossana Orlandi for Milan Design Week 2025, the piece, titled DUNE, reimagines the conventional rug into a sculptural chaise lounge that seamlessly shifts between a traditional floor covering and a daybed.
With design roots in nomadic desert cultures and a European interpretation of comfort, DUNE captures a rich dialogue between heritage and modernity. The rug is gun-tufted by Nando Studio in Cologne, known for its joyful approach to color and form, and is supported by a bent aluminum frame that can be flexibly attached to either side. This modular element allows the piece to blend into a variety of interior environments without compromising its sculptural integrity.
Johannes Budde, co-founder and lead designer at BUDDE, describes the inspiration behind the piece as a visual echo of shifting desert dunes, with patterns and tones that reflect the movement of sunlight across sand. This conceptual foundation is enhanced through precise craftsmanship, where tufting becomes not just a technique but a storytelling tool. By leveraging tufting’s tactile potential, the piece transforms into an object of rest, interaction, and aesthetic contemplation.
More than a design object, DUNE is a study in adaptability and tactile experience. It welcomes users to lounge, recline, or sit in a way that reflects the traditions of floor seating while inviting a new perspective on space and posture. As an exclusive collectible offered through Rossana Orlandi, the piece is also available in custom formats, enabling personal expression while maintaining the essence of its origin.
The collaboration also reflects the shared values of both studios: a devotion to quality, craftsmanship, and meaningful design. While BUDDE brings an architectural clarity and purposeful minimalism to the collaboration, Nando Studio infuses the project with playful sensuality and a vibrant approach to materials and technique.
The partnership between these two Cologne-based creatives illustrates a broader movement in design—where cultural reverence, contemporary needs, and emotional aesthetics intersect. As a standout piece in the Milan Design Week 2025 lineup, DUNE redefines the rug as more than surface decor—it becomes a lived-in sculpture, a place to rest, and a bold expression of design that both comforts and challenges expectations.
All images by Saksia Kinast with courtesy of Budde
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