Inspired by his copper series, Kwangho Lee and cc-tapis present The Color of Copper (TCOC), a collection of four hand-knotted rugs that reinterpret the oxidation process of this metal using pure silk, Himalayan wool and aloe fibers.

Kwangho Lee has been working with copper since 2008, drawn to its unique properties and creative possibilities. He has explored how its surface transforms over time, reacting to temperature and environmental conditions, blending into this ductile and malleable metal/revealing the material’s ductility and malleability.

Building on his research, the Korean designer developed geometric motifs that reflect the color variations and patterns formed through welding real copper plates. As copper oxidizes, it develops a rich reddish-brown cuprous layer, which gradually transitions into a striking green patina.

The Color of Copper captures this organic transformation, translating the accidental beauty of oxidation into a warm, radiant color palette, meticulously reproduced by expert artisans through a labor-intensive process. Combining threads of Himalayan wool, pure silk and aloe in alternating saturations, they developed a new color system that mirrors the luminous, ever-changing nature of copper’s surface.

Kwangho Lee is a Korean designer who lives and works in Seoul, South Korea.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in 2007 from Hongik University, majoring in metal art and design.
As a child, making things by hand brought him great joy and reminded him of his grandfather, a farmer who regularly crafted household items from natural materials found nearby. Lee appreciated the way his grandfather looked at everyday objects, and he began to approach things in a similar way — seeking to give new meaning and function to the most ordinary items.

The Color of Copper (TCOC) by Kwangho Lee press release

Founded in 2011, today cc-tapis has a catalog that includes a wide range of rugs designed in partnership with forward-thinking creatives and brands. This model allows the company to constantly explore new aesthetics and manufacturing solutions, in a process of continuous research and cross-pollination. The majority of cc-tapis’ collections are handmade in the company’s ateliers in Nepal and India, where high-quality raw materials such as Himalayan wool, pure silk and linen are shaped by master artisans, following a centuries-old craftsmanship tradition. Smaller productions are carried out in Italy, where cc-tapis keeps pushing the limits of what is considered possible in the realms of rug-making through modern technologies like robotufting. Over the years, the company has developed a substantial know-how in creating custom rugs for specific projects. Today, this ability makes cc-tapis a leader in bespoke services for companies and professionals working in the contract and residential sectors. Far from mass production, cc-tapis aims to offer a tailored service to those who understand and enjoy a high-end product which contains the story of an ageless culture.