Robyn Waffle is an award-winning rug designer and multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto, Canada. Experimenting with a rainbow array of mediums, Robyn weaves together unique material combinations to create colourful artwork that celebrates the ancient craft of rug making and the authentic joy of personal expression.

Robyn's creative career commenced in 2006 with a showcase of larger-than-life fashion illustrations in a downtown Toronto gallery. Robyn spent several years as a painter and freelance illustrator in Canada’s graffiti art scene, creating detailed artworks on a grand scale. In 2011, Robyn transitioned into the specialized field of rug design, when she was offered the role of Creative Director at Modallion by Reznick Carpets. During her tenure at Modallion, Robyn applied her bold illustrative style to the art of rug design and introduced two distinctive rug collections at the Interior Design Show.

Over the years Robyn has successfully cultivated a diverse career in creative direction, hospitality art, marketing, and rug design. Some of her most notable collaborations include working with her life partner Yvan Semenowycz, origami master Robert J. Lang, European rug giant Jan Kath Design, and SLASH from Guns N' Roses.

In 2024, Robyn's professional path came full circle when she re-united with Reznick Carpets to brand and direct the launch of R:DESIGN, a new cutting-edge rug and carpet showroom located in Toronto's Castlefield Design District. R:DESIGN launched their new 6000 sq.ft. showroom, in September 2024, with the unveiling of Robyn’s latest rug collection: "Neutral Curves.” (( R:DESIGN’S Showroom Opening ))

Robyn’s latest series of artwork was presented at Artist Project in 2025. A true labour of love, self-reflection, and experimentation, Robyn’s new work features a variety of mixed-media pieces, ranging from tiny watercolour collages to expansive multilayered abstracts, composed of wood, textiles and acrylic glass. Robyn has recently added to the collection, with a solo exhibition titled “Where Wings Tangle: An Ode To Rugs”, presented within R:DESIGN’s striking 50-foot tunnel during Toronto’s DesignTO Festival. Robyn Waffle’s newest body of work is a celebration of tradition, texture and cross-cultural collaboration, where playful artwork and luxurious rug design converge to create a transformative experience within R:DESIGN’s dynamic showroom.

“For about fourteen years, I’ve been translating my illustrations, collages, and paintings into my rug designs that are hand-knotted in Nepal. In my latest series ‘Where Wings Tangle’ I bring the process full circle - incorporating the same yarns used in my rugs, back into my artwork as embroidered elements. My rugs inspire my art, and then my art inspires my rugs. I find my practice helps me stay grounded in a craft that has shaped my livelihood, while paying tribute to the weavers I’ve been collaborating with for over a decade.”

— Robyn Waffle

Please reach out for available work

— EXHIBITIONS —

Where Wings Tangle: An Ode To Rugs - R:GALLERY - DesignTO Festival - Toronto 2026

Where Wings Tangle - Artist Project - Toronto 2025

Neutral Curves - R:GALLERY - Toronto 2024

Hypnotic Hush Collection - BDNY 2022 - New York City 2022

Future Nature Collection - IDS 2022 - Toronto 2022

Outside Looking In. - Artist Project - Toronto 2020

The Luna Collection - BDNY 2019 - New York City 2019

Baked Jewel Tones Exhibit - BDWest 2019 - Los Angeles 2019

Canada 150 Celebration - Two Pom Mosaic™ Installations - Heritage Properties - Toronto 2018

Woven Space - First Pom Mosaic™ Installation - Come Up to My Room - Gladstone Hotel - Toronto 2017

Elevation Window Display - Toronto Design Offsite Festival - Toronto - 2017

Arctic Sea Ice Installation - In Collaboration with Dystil - Interior Design Show - Toronto - 2015

Emery Street Records Launch Party - Farnham Quebec - 2014

Crease Pattern Window Display - Toronto Design Offsite Festival - 2014

Crease Patterns Collection - Interior Design Show - Toronto - 2014

Rug Stance Solo Show - Colourfield Gallery - Toronto - 2013

Accordion Collection - Interior Design Show - Toronto - 2013

Across the Line Collection - Interior Design Show - Toronto - 2012

Together Is Amazing - SHAW Cable Commercial - Vancouver BC - 2010

Spring Fever Solo Show - The Whip Gallery - Vancouver BC - 2010

Tidal Rising Solo Show - Anza Club - Vancouver BC - 2009

OZ Group Show - Anza Club - Vancouver BC - 2008

SLAW Solo Show - Charlie's Gallery - Toronto - 2008

Fashion Phantom Solo Show - Well & Good Gallery - Toronto - 2006

— EDUCATION —

Bachelor of Design & Communications - Ryerson University, Toronto CA

Marketing Major - Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne AUS

Abstract Painting - Lanagara College, Vancouver CA

— AWARDS —

Best Of BDWEST - 2019 - With PI FINE ART - Best New Wallcovering

BEST MODERN DESIGN - 2016 - The Carpet Design Awards - DOMOTEX (Hossein Rezvani entered one of Robyn Waffle’s original rug designs which won for Best Modern Design in 2016)

Design Lines Loves Award - 2015 - With Totem Design Co. - Lynx Crest Tapestry

Herman Miller Juror's Choice Award - 2013 - With Fugitive Glue - Rug Collection

Design Lines Loves Award - 2013 - With Modallion - The Gaga Rug