Take the floor

As co-founder of ethical rug label Armadillo & Co, Jodie Fried takes a socially conscious approach to life.

NAME AN ARTIST WHO HAS BEEN AN ENDURING INFLUENCE. Louis Kahn [who designed the National Assembly Building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10], one of the greatest 20th-century American architects, for his brilliant response to space, scale, form and the relationship to human kind. I’ve been particularly influenced by his work in India. CONTEMPORARY ART THAT YOU MOST ADMIRE? Tycjan Knut [8] and Mattea Perrotta [1]. DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? Ceramics [7]. I am obsessed – I have way too many little pots, plates and bowls. FASHION MUST-HAVES? A classic trench coat [15] and a pair of white leather sneakers [16]. FRAGRANCE OF CHOICE? I’m not a fan of fragrances but I love Aveda ‘Chakra 2’ [12], a mix of sandalwood and geranium essential oils. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING NOW – BOTH FICTION AND ART/

My daily meditation book, Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie [3], which I pick up every morning. And I’m currently lost in Karen Mccartney’s latest interiors book, The Alchemy of Things [5]. MUSIC – WHAT’S ON ROTATION IN YOUR OFFICE AND AT HOME? Anything by singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka [11]. FAVOURITE FLOWERS? For sentimental reasons I love dahlias [9], because they remind me of my grandfather, and gardenias, which remind me of my grandmother. And just being by the ocean. HOW DO YOU LIKE TO ENTERTAIN? I make Mexican-style soft-shell fish tacos – it’s hands-on and gets everyone involved. RESTAURANT OF CHOICE? Wallflower [in Venice, California, 13] for its Indonesian cuisine. PREFERRED TIPPLE? Aperol Spritz [4]. FILMS THAT HAVE INSPIRED YOU? Lion [6] and Amélie. SHOPS AND ONLINE STORES YOU FREQUENT? Finnish Design Shop [14], James Perse and General Store. TRAVEL – FAVOURITE REGULAR HAUNT AND WHERE IS ON YOUR MUST-VISIT LIST? My regular haunt is Palm Springs [2]. My mustsee places are Iceland, Jordan and Budapest. LIST A FEW OBJECTS OF DESIRE THAT YOU WOULD BUY RIGHT NOW. Art. Photography. More ceramics. WHAT’S YOUR DEFINITION OF LUXURY? armadillo-co.com