Sorry for the lack of post yesterday was up at the crack of dawn to a antiques market. I have become a little obsessed about rugs and how they utterly transform a space by tying all the different pieces together and adding a huge dose of pizazz. For years I have had bare floors – concrete on the lower ground floor and wood everywhere else apart from stone in the bathroom that is. I’ve wanted to soften it all up a bit and rugs are the simplest way of doing just that. At the market I happened to come across a teeny tiny rug a kelim actually that now sits in my basement and adds a beautiful yet subtle layer of texture to the space. So some tips if you are thinking about decorating with rugs to help you along the way.
If you are using more than one rug in the same area make sure they are not the same size not only would it cut your room in half visually its super boring. Also mix them up in my basement I have a woolen zeebra rug from Adler a circular bird rug from Anthropologie and now my latest addition an old softly worn rectangular kelim.
You can visually turn up the volume when you add a rug with a smidge of pattern particularly if your walls and furnishings are relatively plain – patterns adds interest and intrigue to a space like nothing else I know and this image below pretty much nails what I am going on about. Happy Decorating x
im enjoying the print and texture a rug can bring to a space too -but struggle to find anything a bit differnt . frustrated at the lack of interesting graphic prints and colours (no more stripes rug manufacturers) unless looking in mega expensive places like the rug company – which I can dream about but cant afford. love the idea of different sizes and prints put together in a room- though that s a good tip to break up the boring rug syndrome
your thoughts on rugs absolutely echo mine and I love the example shown.
I think I need to buy rugs for my bedroom wooden floor – any suggestions what looks good for the boudoir??
Just want to take this opportunity Abigail to tell you what a find you have been – I have your book, I have your posts , and next year I mean to transform my house guided by your decorative wisdom! Happy Christmas. Heather x
I just found your website and am in love. You speak my language! and I love the images you post. As for going to the dark side, you give me the support that I have been looking for when all my california friends think I am crazy for painting rooms dark – thank you! As for “Downpipe”, what finish did you use for your house – mat or eggshell?
Thank you! Best wishes, a new true fan in San Francisco
Don’t listen to friends – once you’ve done it they will be tantalised. I used the matt paint actually estate emulusion makes your walls look like velvet. Have fun with it you will never look back I promise
Where might I pick up some rugs like that?as I agree that rugs really do make a diff.
ABC Carpet and Home have fabulous ones as to Laurssi or check out antiques markets I picked my little one up for £30.
So wonderful pieces of rugs. Like it so much.
If you are going to use an area rug in your home you will want to make sure that the area rug has some non-slip backing on it. There have been several injuries of people slipping on an area rug.
Good point, although I hate to say that I don’t have any under any of mine