We’re so obsessed with our Rollie Pollie Playmat from Miss Amara. Since adding it to our living room, we’ve found we get down on the floor and play with our daughter so much more.
Let’s be honest – being uncomfortable comes with being a parent, whether it’s the strain of pregnancy, postpartum recovery, carrying a toddler around, or turning yourself into a pretzel in bed so they can squeeze in between you. I had got used to a life of constant discomfort, so bringing a beautifully soft Rollie Pollie Playmat into our home has been such a welcome comfort in our lives.
It looks every bit like a chic designer rug, but beneath the surface, it’s crafted with ultra-soft velvet, high-density memory foam, and thoughtful safety features that make it a staple for family life. What started as one mum’s personal solution to the clash of plastic play mats and carefully curated interiors has grown into one of Miss Amara’s most beloved collections – reshaping how parents think about both play and design.
I spoke with co-founder and mother of two, Alexandra Weller, to talk about the inspiration behind Rollie Pollie, why parents have connected with it so deeply, and what’s next for Miss Amara.
I’d love you to talk us through the initial inspiration behind the Rollie Pollie playmats. What led you to create them – and what inspired both the design and functionality?
Like so many things at Miss Amara, the Rollie Pollie was born out of a very personal need. When I had my first baby, I went looking for a playmat that I felt good about having in my home: something soft, safe, and practical but also beautiful enough to blend with my interiors. What I found were options that felt cold, plasticky, or overly “baby-ish.” They didn’t reflect the kind of space I wanted to create for my family.
I’ve always believed that the objects we live with should bring a sense of joy and calm. If something feels jarring or not your version of beautiful, it can subtly disrupt your peace at home. So instead of settling, I thought, why not make the playmat I wished existed?
The vision was simple: create a piece that complements your home as seamlessly as a gorgeous rug, while offering that cloud-like softness for little hands, feet, and let’s be honest, for mum and dad sprawled out on the floor, too. Every detail, from the materials to the scale and design, was considered with both practicality and style in mind. What we’ve landed on feels both luxe and inviting, and I’m so proud that Rollie Pollie has become a staple in so many homes.
The original Rollie Pollie was an instant hit. Did you have an inkling that parents would connect with the product so strongly, or was it a surprise?
I had a strong feeling the Rollie Pollie would resonate because it solved a problem I knew so many parents had – the trade-off between beauty and practicality. When the very first samples arrived, I felt a new kind of excitement.
I lived with those early prototypes in my own home. My son and I spent countless hours on them, from playtime to those long nights during a sleep regression where I’d even end up sleeping on the mat with him. It wasn’t just another product; it genuinely changed how we used our space as a family.
Seeing the first orders go out, knowing other families would get to experience that same joy and ease, it felt different. That initial connection with our customers has only grown, and it’s been such a privilege to see how much Rollie Pollie has become part of their everyday lives.
Parenting often requires us to make functional choices over beautiful ones – were you determined not to compromise on design when creating something so practical?
Absolutely. At Miss Amara, we’ve always championed the idea that the pieces in your home should be both beautiful and functional. I deeply believe that design has the power to shift how you feel in your space every day.
When I created Rollie Pollie, I wanted parents to feel that they didn’t have to sacrifice aesthetics just because they had kids. Every detail, from the neutral palettes to the subtle patterns, was chosen to feel timeless and effortlessly styled, whether you live in a coastal, minimal, or eclectic home. Functionality was non-negotiable, but neither was beauty.
You’ve described Rollie Pollie as your way of “taking back a little calm and control” amid the chaos of parenting. What other ways do you personally find calm amidst the busyness of motherhood and running a business?
Since becoming a parent, I’ve realised that my mental health is so deeply tied to getting outdoors, even just leaving the house for 20 minutes resets me. Sometimes that’s a solo grocery run, sometimes it’s a pram walk with my daughter and our dog. Those little moments of fresh air feel like a big exhale.
I’ve also just moved house, and doing a huge, intentional cull of our belongings has been life-changing. We accumulate so much without even realising it. Paring back to only the pieces I love and use every day has made our home feel lighter and calmer. Cooking, getting dressed, even just sitting in the living room, it all feels easier and more joyful. That sense of “everything has its place” is grounding for me, and it’s something I carry into how I design products for Miss Amara, too.
What does it mean to you to see Rollie Pollie becoming a part of other families’ everyday lives – supporting everything from tummy time to toddler tumbles and family playtime?
It’s honestly indescribable. Seeing families share their own Rollie Pollie moments – parents telling me they’re on the floor playing more than ever, or that it’s changed the way they use their living space – feels so special.
As a mum, I understand how meaningful these everyday moments are. Becoming a parent has made me a more empathetic founder and designer – I think Miss Amara creates more thoughtful, human-led products because of it.
Knowing that something we made has become part of the rhythm of someone’s home life – those messy, happy, ordinary moments – that’s the greatest privilege. I never take for granted that we get to make products that truly live life alongside our customers.
Rollie Pollie has struck a chord with so many families. What’s next for the collection – or more broadly, for Miss Amara as a brand? Are there any new ideas on the horizon that you’re excited about?
Rollie Pollie and the world of “play” has been one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever worked on. It has sparked many ideas for what else we can create for families – pieces that are as beautiful as they are practical, and that genuinely enhance how people live and interact at home.
Miss Amara has always been more than just a rug company. We’ve grown into a lifestyle brand that celebrates home as a living, breathing space – a place for connection, comfort, and joy. The Rollie Pollie collection is just the beginning of how we see that vision expanding.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue designing intentional, timeless pieces for families – things that help you slow down, play more, and enjoy being at home. For me, that’s what Miss Amara has always been about: creating the foundations for a life well-lived at home.
You can purchase a Rollie Pollie Play May here, or follow Miss Amara on Instagram here.
The writer of this article received a gifted Miss Amara Rollie Pollie Playmat. All opinions expressed are based on the writer’s personal experience.
