- Aug 21, 2024
- 4 min read
Ravishing Rugs
I recently saw a podcast clip where the hosts were sharing tips on interiors. One host said, 'My tip is always to start with the rug'. It's a great piece of advice, but it ain't hers. Many will know where this simple but effective piece comes from - Robert Kime. Pathetic, I know, to get your knickers in a twist about a throwaway bit of plagiarism, and something I myself am undoubtedly guilty of. But that seemingly simple piece of advice comes with years of decorating, working out how one creates the magic of the well-formed room. Years of trying to jam a rug into a room where the wallpaper, chairs and art have already been chosen, you could only end up then with the most boring of all rugs, which is precisely the position I am in now. My bedroom is a mash of green, browns, and blues, and the rug I had here brought the whole room down, so now I can only think of a sisal (perhaps something softer) to cover the dogy carpet we inherited.
I have always taken rugs for granted, which is quite mad as my first job was with premier rug designer Luke Irwin. Perhaps that's why I took them for granted; the finest hand-knotted rugs constantly surrounded us, and I just assumed one day my home would be filled with similar beauties. That is not the case. I have scrapped and scrambled to find rugs for my home, and still, it is an unbelievably time-consuming task, but to stumble across that one that will, in the words of Rita Konig, unify the room, well, it will surely be worth it.
Obviously, they come with a price tag, and many of them should; they are hugely labour-intensive and, in many cases, works of art which will live forever in your home and whoever is lucky enough to inherit/ buy it from you. I can't imagine anything nicer than being able to buy from Vanderhurd, Luke Irwin, Christopher Farr and my newest favourite, Shame Studios, but for the minute, they are slightly out of my budget. So, I have added a few below, which should hopefully speak to all shapes and sizes of wallet.
Here are a few tips for buying rugs -
Room Measurements: Measure your space accurately and determine where the rug will be placed. Ensure the rug size complements the furniture layout. For instance, in a living room, it should be large enough to anchor the furniture by fitting under the front legs of the sofa and chairs.
Think about the material used: cotton, wool, synthetic, sisal, jute - They all have different qualities, so consider the area you are covering and whether it is high-traffic, you want more comfort, or it is in danger of being covered in an array of stains.
A little insider tip: If you have quite the most marvellous rug and something happens to it, look to these people—Rug Care. They work magic. They are an extraordinarily good company and also the nicest people to work with. Your rug will be in the safest hands.
Small rugs can make a huge difference; by the bed, under a coffee table on a landing (in a bathroom - controversial), they will help colour a room, add character and can be quite helpful if the purse strings are a little tight.
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