Nani Marquina is normally associated with arresting colors and whimsical designs, but with her Asia Rug (2006) she focused entirely on creating an incredibly plush and texturally rich floor covering. The hand-knotted design showcases the artistry of creating a bi-level pattern through a completely manual system. The wool is securely attached to the base with a knot, and it is through the form and type of knot that the different levels are created. The knot count of the Asia Rug is a very dense 6,300 knots/ sq. ft. Marquina had a career as a textile designer before switching to rug design and creating her own company in 1986. In 2005, she was honored with the National Design Award from the Barcelona Center of Design. Together with the nonprofit Care & Fair, Nani Marquina is fighting against illegal child labor in the manufacturing of carpets.