# Sustainable Palm Leather Rugs Tjeerd Veenhoven's Chic Handmade Rugs Boast a Cruelty-Free Material By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-11-16 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/palm-leather References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/16/palm-leather-vegan-rugs-tjeerd-veenhoven/) & [tjeerdveenhoven](http://www.tjeerdveenhoven.com/) Tjeerd Veenhoven is a Dutch designer who has been relentlessly experimenting with palm leather to provide a [viable alternative to animal skin](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leather-alternative-1) on the market. Although the leaves tend to be brittle, the creative treats them with glycerin and water to "make [them] nice and soft." Tjeerd Veenhoven produces a [series of rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carbon-negative-area-rug) that are strikingly elegant and interesting in their minimalist appearance. While the material causes the floor covers to have a rustic style to a certain extent, the intricate texture will definitely cause consumers to do a double take. For his palm leather rugs, Tjeerd Veenhoven lays strips of the fabric onto a [woven base](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matter-colection). The unique pattern of each piece is created from the inconsistencies and folds in the material itself. Each rug is handmade and one-of-a-kind. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 51% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Materials:** Exploring the use of alternative materials, such as palm leather, for eco-friendly products can disrupt traditional material industries. - **Handmade Products:** Increasing demand for unique, one-of-a-kind products like Tjeerd Veenhoven's palm leather rugs, creates opportunities for small businesses and artisans to innovate in the handmade product industry. - **Minimalist Aesthetic:** Simple and elegant designs like Veenhoven's palm leather rugs can inspire product designers in the interior decorating and home goods industries to create their own minimalist aesthetics. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Textile Industry:** Manufacturers in the textile industry can capitalize on the use of sustainable materials, like palm leather, in their fashion and home goods products. - **Eco-friendly Products:** The market for sustainable and eco-friendly products continues to grow, providing an opportunity for businesses to differentiate themselves by using innovative materials like palm leather. - **Interior Decorating:** Designers and businesses in the interior decorating industry can offer unique and eco-friendly decor options such as Tjeerd Veenhoven's palm leather rugs to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Eye-Catching Designer Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/designer-rug.md) - [Drought-Awareness Rug Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dryland-rug.md) - [Luxurious Hand-Knotted Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mojave.md) - [70s-Inspired Plush Shag Rags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petra-rug-collection.md) - [Jute Rug Hotel Furnishings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/le-petit-pali.md) - [Fruit-Based Leather Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peelsphere.md) - [Desert-Inspired Floor Coverings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dune-rug.md) - [Hand-Knotted Neutral Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-and-soul.md) - [Sustainable Rug Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fellow-metamorphosis-of-a-rug.md)