On the interior decor stage, rugs are often quiet, supporting players to high-profile furnishings. But sometimes they take the spotlight, and the furniture provides a front-row seat to the show.
This fall is one of those times, with retailers and designers presenting some of the most interesting and beautiful rugs we’ve seen in several seasons.
NuLoom has some ikat rugs over-dyed in vivid hues like violet, crimson, cobalt and emerald. In the Kathmandu collection, Nepali craftsmanship transforms New Zealand wool and silk into striking contemporary patterns, including Warhol-esque roses, hand-knotted dots, and an intricate ethnic print in a fun palette of pink, fuchsia, periwinkle and black. The Fiesta polyester rug has a large-scale confetti motif in a couple of colour schemes, while the Trevor features a curvy, midcentury modern pattern.
California studio Rodarte’s Marble wool-and-silk rug evokes the stone using natural hues like gravel, wood and copper. The Ember rug suggests a relief map of Death Valley’s beautiful and rugged landscape.
Designer Diane von Furstenberg’s Python Glory rug is a sophisticated take on the snakeskin pattern. One of her signature prints is given a soft, sexy kiss of light mauve in the Lilac Leopard rug.
New York textile designer Judy Ross has crafted an elegant runner that would be lovely beside a bed or gracing a hallway. The Glitter rug, woven of Tibetan wool, has Chinese silk accents in serene hues of cream, iron and smoke.
Over at Dering Hall, dozens of little star-like bits dance across a rich plum-colored background on the Japanese Asterisk rug. A Persian Gabbeh has an odd but charming Wes Anderson vibe, with a forest of naif-style trees in nature hues on a cream background. And the Topo Smoke rug puts dusky greys and browns into motion, suggesting outlines on a topographical map or some veined mineral.
Shag rugs are enjoying a second coming as part of the midcentury modern revival. The new versions – soft, fluffy and feet-friendly – are a far cry from those rough polyester thatches of decades past.
The Rug Studio has Safavieh’s Paris Shag rug in several sizes; it feels like a silky fur hug underfoot.
CB2’s Drake shag in grey or natural would give toes a nice tickle. The Wesley has an abstract pattern cut into the shag, adding extra texture.
Society 6 has a selection of artists’ visions rendered in rug form. Portraits, landscapes, painterly prints and more are on offer.
Allyson Freeman and Chantal Bevilacqua of Studio Bijoux in Palm Beach, Florida, have created a collection of wool rugs designed and colored to look just like cut jewels. Inspired by old Hollywood glamour and statement jewelry, the trompe l’oeil rugs use colour and striation to create the effect of actual jewels. Rugs are available in different “cuts” and colours, and include diamonds, topaz, rubies and emeralds. There’s also a Turks rug, inspired by turquoise stone.
“Turquoise is one of our favourite gems to translate into a rug because of its qualities,” says Bevilacqua. “Some believe it brings good fortune, peace and positive energy to a home.”
Beauty and good vibes: What more can you ask of a rug?
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