Car stickers, body kits, and vinyl wraps are common, but a carpet coating? I had never seen or heard of a Porsche Cayman as crazy as Rachael the Rug Dealer’s until it appeared in my news feed this summer. Rest assured, the carpet is removable when the car needs to be driven or left in the rain. This is an example of extremely well-executed and innovative car customization.
This project makes complete sense when you understand Rachael’s vocation: creating custom tufted rugs in her workshop, The Rug Dealer. The Porsche project is one of many unique “carpeted” objects made to showcase the company’s achievements, but it is by far the most ambitious.
After seeing a preview of the car on Instagram, I contacted Rachael. She was kind enough to share not only a multitude of photos but also a whole narrative about the origin and execution of the project.
Here is her story told in her own words:
Why a “Carpeted” Porsche?
“You don’t really decide to cover a Porsche with a carpet. It’s the kind of idea that simmers in the background, waiting for the right mix of obsession, opportunity, and madness.”
“For me, it started as a joke. After learning how to make rugs, I remember saying, ‘One day, I’m going to carpet a Porsche.’ At the time, it seemed ridiculous. But that’s how most of my creative ideas start. I push ideas to the limit. I am an extremist and I express it through my art.”
“So, when the time came and the perfect Porsche came on the market, there was no question about what had to happen next.”
Designing a Carpet to the Dimensions of a Porsche
“I didn’t start with CAD files. I started with a miniature car model, markers, and a vision. I sketched the entire design directly onto the model, using Miami Blue and Shark Blue.”
“Once I liked how the design followed the body lines, I scaled everything up. I covered my real Porsche with tape and newspaper to create physical patterns for each panel. It was the only way to account for the Porsche body’s complex curves. These paper patterns were transferred onto my tufting frames.”
“This was a year-and-a-half-long project, juggling tufting the panels, fitting, securing, and aligning the design elements. I spent countless hours bent over the car.”
The Engineering of Art
“Attaching rugs to a sports car isn’t something you learn in art school. I didn’t want the rugs to be a permanent part of the Porsche. So I had to get creative. That’s when I realized magnets were the best option.”
“Each metal panel holds the rugs via magnets sewn into the back. But for the plastic panels? I disassembled the car and installed magnets *behind* the panels. Now, the rugs snap securely into place from the outside. Everything is modular, so I can remove them for cleaning.”
And What’s Next?
“[I did it] because I *had* to do it. That’s how I see the world. If I can turn something into a rug, it’s not a question of ‘if?’, but ‘when?'”
“Originally, I just wanted some recognition from Porsche. But what has happened since has surpassed that. Magazines want to feature it. And it made me think—maybe there’s something bigger here.”
“I don’t know exactly where this is leading. But I know this isn’t the last time you’ll see rugs on four wheels.”
I love the colors and pattern that Rachael designed. As a promotional tool for her rug business, it totally worked on me.
The magnetic fastening system is particularly clever and creative. It would be a bit sad to sacrifice a Porsche for permanent display purposes, but the removable nature of this installation makes it much more practical. The “carpeted” Cayman is a truly cool achievement, both artistic and technical!