Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg — Designer, Kasthall

Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg (1955–2015) was a Swedish rug designer who shaped the modern design language of Kasthall during nearly three decades as the company’s Head of Design. Born in Stockholm, she studied textile design at Konstfack, graduating in 1983, and began her career designing rugs for IKEA and NK department store before joining Kasthall’s design team in 1987, at its factory in Kinna.

Lagerhem Ullberg worked closely with the factory floor, often developing ideas directly at the looms while experimenting with yarns, colours and weaving techniques. Her designs are recognised for their confident use of colour and pattern, balanced with a strong sense of structure — a curiosity and experimental approach that earned her the nickname “the Queen of Rugs.” Over her 28 years at Kasthall, she designed most of the company’s classic collections, including Moss, Fogg, Häggå and the Tekla collection.

Her work received numerous design honours, including Sweden’s Excellent Swedish Design award and, in 2012, Elle Interiör’s Designer of the Year. Her rugs are held in the collections of the Nationalmuseum, the Swedish Royal Palace and Waldemarsudde. She died in December 2015 after a long illness; a final collection she had been developing was launched posthumously at the Stockholm Furniture Fair the following year.

Kasthall continues to draw on her archive, reissuing and reworking her designs in new colourways for new generations.

Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg — Swedish Rug Designer, Kasthall

Designs by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg

Anemon by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg – Kasthall

Tekla collection by the ‘Queen of Rugs’ Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg

Kasthall rug in four new nature-inspired colors by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg

Archipelago collection by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg – Kasthall

Greta by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg – Kasthall

An elegant long pile rug that shimmers in a variety of shades – Fogg – Kasthall

The Iconic Goose Eye – Kasthall

Julstämning med Kasthall & Lammhults

News from Kasthall @ Stockholm Furniture Fair 2008