Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg has recently celebrated her 20-year anniversary as Chief Designer at Kasthall. For two decades, Gunilla has played a key part in Kasthall's international success saga, and the rugs that she has designed have contributed to building Kasthall's reputation as a world leader in the design and manufacture of contemporary rugs.

Today, Gunilla's rugs for Kasthall can be found all over the world, for example in the most prestigious fashion boutiques such as Prada, Louis Vuitton and Escada. International head offices, embassies and design hotels are also furnished with Kasthall's rugs. In her extensive collections for Kasthall, Gunilla can boast many classics, such as the long-pile rug Moss , the sparkling Monroe , colourful Hambo and the glittery matching rugs Grace & Gloria. Gunilla's design has its roots in the Scandinavian textile tradition, but pushes the boundaries by combining ancient weaving techniques with modern effect yarns. Gunilla finds her inspiration predomintantly from the world of fashion, but also from nature and her many travels around the world. "I just love browsing the fashion boutiques and study the materials, textures and details" says Gunilla, and adds that rugs are just like fashion - they build on traditions that must constantly be renewed. And modernising the traditional is Gunilla's speciality: the glittery rugs Grace & Gloria are clearly inspired by coat fabrics from the 60's, and are reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy's chic Chanel suits. Hambo is a modern interpretation of the Swedish "rag rug", while Monroe was the first Kasthall rug with a glittery Lurex-thread, which means that is sparkles just like a starry sky or snow covered ground.

Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg
Lundagatan 48 A, SE-117 27 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel. +46 (0)8 84 50 87, cellphone +46 (0)709 288023
e-mail: gunilla.lagerhem.ullberg@telia.com

Education
Royal College of Art, Textile, Stockholm 1978-1983

Exhibitions in Sweden
Liljevalchs Formbart 2004
Höganäs Museum 2003
5x5 Nordic Design, Stockholm Furniture Fair 2002
Excellent Swedish Design 2000, 1998, 1997, 1986-1994, 1984 Liljevalchs, Handcraft Exhibition, Stockholm 1998
Vistet, Svensk Form, Stockholm 1998
Carpets and Glas, Södertälje Art Museum 1994
Gallery Mejeriet, Gotland 1990
Ingenmansland, Kulturhuset in Stockholm 1989-1990
Ting äger rum, Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm 1988
Carpet exhibition, NK Stockholm 1987
H.55, Svensk Form, Stockholm 1985

Exhibitions abroad
Scandinavian Sparks, Bejing 2004
Excellent Swedish Design Award, Paris 2002
For you Mongolia, Mongolia 2002-2003
New Scandinavia, Cologne 2000
Scandinavian Folk Art, USA and Canada 1995
2 room and a kitchen, A Baltic Exhibition 1994
Worldexhibition in Sevilla 1992
Design Sweden, India 1990-1991
Faces of Swedish design, USA 1988
Scandinavian Design, Japan 1987-1988
Swedish handcraft, Japan 1983
Yearly exhibitions in Milan, Paris, London and New York.

Scolarships and awards
ELLE Interiör, EIDA Diploma 2003
Formex Textile Award 2003
The Artsociety 2-years scolarship 2001, 1997
Excellent Swedish Design Award, Award of Honor 2000, 1986 Excellent Swedish Design Award, Design prize 1998
Excellent Swedish Design Award, Diploma 2000, 1997-1998, 1986-1994, 1984
Kasthall Scolarship 1991
Sköna Hem, Design Scolarship 1989
Astrid Sampes Scolarship 1985
The Artsociety 1-year scolarship 1984
Royal College of Art 1983

Miscellaneous
Is represented at the National Museum in Stockholm.
Designed the Electrolux Design Award prize 2003.
Represented in public buildings such as: Norrtälje Hospital, Royal Castle, Drottningholm’s Castle, Sweden’s House of Parlament and Örebro Castle.
Textile designer of carpets, textile, wallpaper and embroidery. Employer: Kasthall, Kvadrat, Kinnasand, Swedish Handcrafts Association.