Antlers on display..

 

I love this look, although I am not sure it is safe to do in every home.  I can imagine my kids running by and getting snagged on them often.  It is such a contemporary take on the lake house or hunting lodge don't you think?  

I often wish we had a second home to relax in a simple place where the days of work would disappear and the quite family time would commence.  I am curious how many of you have vacation homes- do you love them?  Do you use them? Are they summer or winter getaways or both?

image via house beautiful

 

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Texture.. in design

 

Sometimes it is so hard to explain the importance of texture in design, it is such a necessary thing and I think it can often be missed.  The wood on this wall is just the beginning in this space but it is one that stands out.  I love that mixed with the rug and the cocktail table.  It makes us feel like a lot is going on even though the colors are limited here.  

Do you do texture in your home?  If so I would love to hear how you add it in to your design.

 

 

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Pappelina Rugs

The new black and white stripe Pappelina rug now located at my front door.

Over the weekend I was gifted a fantastic present from a friend in thanks for assisting her during her recent house renovations.
This is a Pappelina rug from Sweden and it fits perfectly at my front door. Designed by Lina Rickardsson, Pappelina stands for high quality, simple and functional design. The rugs are woven in traditional techniques at a weaving mill in Dalarna, however instead of linen, cotton or wool, they are made with plastic and PVC. This rug is soft underfoot and does not slip. It is washable, reversible and durable. And Rickardsson's simple and graphic designs completes the package.
Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

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Details.. and getting back in the groove..

 

I fell in love with the beautiful summery details in this photo! 

 I am considering that IKEA rug for my Husband's office.  I love the way it looks here!  I am just getting back into the groove of work and the like.. 

image via

 

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Comfortable Scandinavian Apartment

Here is a stylish and comfortable Scandinavian apartment that I came across on Facebook today and it was getting a lot of love from all around. It's a great mix of crisp whites, rich rugs, great lights and cool furnishings - another cool Scandi apartment.

Photographs by Mikael Creative via Ecletic Interiors.

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Neutrals with One Kings Lane

 

 

One Kings Lane is currently running a color event.  Of course my favorites are the neutrals..  There are some great pieces here to get you going on a space with grey accents.  I am loving the sofa and the rug a little too much I think!  If you just want to add a touch of my favorite neutral I am thinking you need these patent leather bound books.. 

 

 

 images via One Kings Lane

this is a sponsored post

 

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Yellow and White Striped Rug? Yes Please.

I think this Draper Stripe Citrine Rug from Dwell Studio would look pretty damn good at my place. Just so refreshing. Yellow always look amazing with grey and white which my house has a lot of. Oh, to dream...
Photograph via Dwell Studio.

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Fabulous Rugs from Loom



Old Yarn Kilim (using recycled yarn unravelled from old kilims)




Dhoku Kilim (this rug has been hand woven from organic wool using a kilim technique)




Old Yarn rug



Vintage Overdyed Kilim



Vintage overdyed Kilim



Old Yarn Kilim Denizli

I have admired the rugs from Loom, Australia from afar for some time - thay have a great range of  rugs with unique colours and patterns. The Loom rugs break away from the traditional rug mould by using clever techniques like overdying vintage rugs in intense modern colours and using recycled yarn ('Old Yarn') that have been unravelled from vintage kilims and handwoven into new rugs. The old yarn brings to the new rug the softness of colour and tone that only comes with age. Lovely.
Photographs via Loom.

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Kilim Rugs



Kilim ottoman in a Loz Feliz home, California.



Kilim stair runner in a Hollywood home, California.

After checking out Ace Hotel in Palm Springs in my previous posting, I noticed Commune's consistent use of kilims, not only in the hotel, but also in their other interior work. As seen above, Commune has transformed the kilims into a stair runner and as an ottoman.

Kilims are flat tapestry woven rugs produced from various countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, North Africa, Turkey and the Balkans - and they come in various patterns, designs and colours. I think they have been well used in the examples above - they bring a sense of worldliness and create a soft contrast to the modern and classic interiors.

Photographs via Commune.

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Felted Wool Rug



Dream 172 rug by Irvine International



Close up detail.

Today I saw this fantastic felted wool rug at the Designmade showroom. Dream 172 is by Irvine International and it has a large scale woven pattern. It looks great - comes in 4 classic colours and in various sizes. Nice. Photographs via Irvine International.

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Making Rugs by Hand.

The other day I was sent this digital postcard from The Rug Company (click on the image above to see it larger).
The Rug Company is a fabulous company based in London where they create beautiful, original and distinctive handmade rugs. The rug designs are by talented and experienced designers from all over the world (check out the gorgeous rug selection and room sets here), while the rugs themselves are made in Nepal.
This postcard came with a video clip, from a trip to Nepal, which demostrates in a nutshell how a handmade rug is created. It gave me a great insight to the quality of craftmanship and skill required in each rug. Watch the video here.

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How It Lays...

My last blog featured the Snob's Top Ten of rugs. The following are examples of rugs and how they can be used to bring a design concept together.

The five following photos are from Tobi Fairley's blog.

The colors and subtle patterns of this room just would not work as well without the large bold pattern of this rug.

The subtlety of the rug under the bed grounds the room.

The soft colors and pattern of this room coincide with the upholstery and subtle colors on the wall. With out it, the contrast of a hard wood floor would take away from the beautiful furniture and the room just would not be the same.

Here, this rug makes a statement

Again, grounding the room.

The following three photos are from Catherine Martin. Amazing rugs!

Stair runner.

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Snob's Top Ten: Rugs

This blog begins the first installment of the Snob’s Top Ten. Today's category covers rugs. So many times my clients have not given any thought about an area rug for the room they are working on. A beautiful rug can be the final touch for pulling a sitting area together. Often times a rug can be the inspiration for the design concept. I have talked a lot about inspiration lately. The pattern and colors of a rug can be the accent piece of an area and the rest of the room is comprised of solids, a range of tones mixed throughout the room on the upholstery, occasional tables and window treatments.

One of my favorite rug companies is Surya. My top ten rugs are featured from Surya rug company. Visit their website to view more rugs and to find out about the company. Surya rugs are available to special order out of What’s In Store, 125 N. Teon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. There are a number of rugs displayed in the store for you to see. If you have any questions, you are welcome to call at 719-375-9591.

Enjoy my favorites...

1. Amherst, a wide border wrapped around a poly sisal for a casual fashion statement.
2.Artist Studio, hand tufted high/low pile with texture & dimension, 100% New Zealand Wool.

3. Artist Studio, available in custom sizes and made in India.

4. Cosmo Collection, contemporary designs with a bright color palette.

5. Cosmo Collection, hand tufted from poly-acrylic fibers.

6. Concepts, machine made polypropylene and very durable for a teenagers room.


7. Jill Rosenwald, top designer of handmade ceramics, 100% wool in custom sizes.


8. Cosmo Girl/17 Collection, made in the U.S.A.


9. Cosmo Girl/17 Collection, hand tufted.


10. Shibui Collection, rich and elegant hand knotted 100% semi-worsted New Zealand Wool.

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