Friday 27 February 2009

Sheep Dip

I've found it. At last, I've found it. I've found the perfect rug. 

Although, I'm placing a bet on myself that I say that a few hundred times on this blog, but for now, I've found the perfect one. 

I've always liked the idea of having an Aran jumper, although having never bought one, this rug is a sure fire winner. 

It's designed by Christien Meindertsma, whose inspiration was in fact said Aran jumper. Strange that! 

I love that it's got a real handmade feel to it (probably something to do with the fact it is hand knitted...) and that it took the wool of 18, yes 18 Merino sheep to make it. 

And I also love the fact it looks so cosy, so welcoming. It makes you want to lie down on it rather than sit on the sofa. No? Well. maybe that's just me...



Tuesday 24 February 2009

Bespoke Beauties

A short while ago, I vented my anger at not being able to find the perfect rug. 

Well, I'm really pleased because I've stumbled upon a company that means the end to all that dithering. 

On three consecutive trips to Ikea, I frustrated my boyfriend almost to distraction. There I stood in the rug department at Ikea (which it has to be said looks a little shoddy at 9pm) huffing and puffing that "this one is perfect but too expensive" "that one is really nice but not the right colour" etc etc. 

At one point, I asked said boyfriend what he thought of a particularly shaggy, white one - his answer? "It looks like a dog" 

I took that as a no. 

But you won't encounter these problems with Made To Measure Rugs

Not only can you pick from a wide range of colours and sizes to create a bespoke plain rug but you can also change the colours in their main collection. 

Neat or what?

My pick is this gorgeous feather rug. What colours would you choose? 



Monday 23 February 2009

Big Is Beautiful

I really, really love big rugs, ones that almost fill a room and create a cosy carpet against the backdrop of hard flooring. 

What I love even more is rugs with large, graphic prints, a kind of wallpaper for the floor if you like. 

So, I was really pleased to find Florence Broadhurst's rugs at Knots Rugs

I love this design, with its massive flowers, beautiful colours and distinctive 1920s feel. 

Florence Broadhurst was an extraordinary woman and I urge you to read about her here, it's the sort of biog that leaves you feeling exhausted but full of admiration. 

I get the feeling I'll be featuring a lot more designs from Knots Rugs as they're showcasing some phenomenal talent, so watch this space...


Saturday 21 February 2009

Fake It

I've always had a bit of an issue with those animal skin rugs you see EVERYWHERE. I fully admit they look striking and glamourous and everything but, well, I just can't get over the fact having one means you have a dead animal on your floor. 

Which is why it was good to find this rug by Missoni Home

They've give the idea of having an animal hide on your floor a great twist. 

They've kept the traditonal shape of an animal skin but made it a much more colourful affair by using mutli-coloured stripes to replicate the pattern of a zebra. 

I think this is much better idea. After all, you want to feel comfortable when walking on a rug, not guilty about treading on what was once a beautiful beast roaming the land. 


Thursday 19 February 2009

Zig and Zag

Yesterday, I lamented the fact I'd been struggling to find a suitable rug. 

Well it would appear, for the time being, my search is over. 

I love this rug from the SS09 collection at Marks & Spencer. Proving that despite the British high street being in decline, it still knows a thing or two about style. 

I love the pattern, I love the colours and I love the fact that it's 100% wool and affordable. 

I was forced to acknowledge the effect this evil recession is having on interiors the other day after homes magazines in particular have suffered in the last six months. 

But you know what? People still need to make their homes looks nice , so it's important they can still buy affordable, attractive products. 


Wednesday 18 February 2009

Rug Shopping

I would have never believed it but rug shopping is a fairly traumatic process. 

In fact, I put in on a par with shopping for an outfit for a wedding - you know what I mean. You have exactly what you want in your head but try as you might you can't find it anywhere. 

Much like buying a new dress, rugs are either too expensive, too cheap (and they look it), too big, too small, not the right colour and generally don't tickle your fancy. 

It's a crying shame that the UK version of Urban Outfitters have limited their interior stock to be just that, limited because our friends across the pond have got a much better deal. 

Urban Outfitters (and that's a link to the US site by the way) have got an array of homewares including a positively mind boggling choice of rugs. 

I love this Giant Drops one. I love the retro pattern that kinda gets you thinking, is it may just a bit too 70s? 

So until Urban Outfitters UK sort out their act, I'll be wistfully dreaming of a rug haven...



Saturday 14 February 2009

My Old Deer

Through the amazing power of Twitter (follow me @alextoso) I'm following more American design blogs than you can shake a stick at. 

It's all good though, I'm finding out about design companies I've never heard of and picking up loads of tips and ideas. 

One of the design companies I've come across is Twinkle Living.  And what a lovely company it is. Started by Wenlan Chia, it does fashion too but what really caught my eye was Wenlan's whimsical interiors accessories. 

Like for instance, this antler head rug. I've always kinda thought that antler heads are really impressive, very majestic but never wanted part of a dead deer on my wall (if you're even thinking about this - go to Richmond Park and I bet you all the money in the world you'll change your mind) 

With this beautiful rug, I don't have to. 


Friday 13 February 2009

Like Pebbles On A Beach

I'm slightly worried that the heads to my posts always seem to be song titles. 

But I just couldn't not resist using Paul Weller's classic for this rug (from Eco Age) , it seemed so appropriate and just popped into my mind. 

I admit it might not be to everyones liking (and it comes with a hefty price tag to boot) but I think it's really clever. 

Made up of 100% wool "pebbles" which are then stitched to a base, it makes me think Brighton Beach

All I'm wondering is just how comfortable is it to walk on...



Wednesday 4 February 2009

Birds Of A Feather

It would appear despite my attempts to wean myself off the amazing Thomas Paul, I've failed miserably. 

I set myself a rule when I started these blogs: You must not feature too many products from one designer/manufacturer. 

And while I've almost stuck to this religiously, my downfall is definitely Thomas Paul

First, his wonderfully cute Russian doll cushion, then his Seahorse design and most recently his Seed rug

Well, I apologise but I just had to show off (are you allowed to show something off when it's not your design?) Thomas's Feather rug. 

I love the vibrant purple and peacock feather design which combined make for a truly beautiful rug. 

Right, now I've promised myself that I'll try not to visit the Thomas Paul website and have deleted the URL from my favourites bar - trouble is there's this well-known thing called Google and I'm not sure what to do if I find myself starting to type Thom...





Tuesday 3 February 2009

Punked Up

Q: When does a rug become a work of art? 

A: When it's been created by one of most successful and revered fashion designers of our time. 

I love this rug, it's by Vivienne Westwood for The Rug Company

But hang on a minute,  imagine what someone would think if you told them you'd just bought a Union Jack rug. 

Personally, if someone told me that, I'd imagine brash, bold, full-on colour and would be slightly concerned. But if they told me, they'd bought this rug, now that would be a different matter. 

I adore its faded glamour, the way it looks almost like a watercolour canvass. 

Sadly, I don't have the pennies for it at the moment but it's definitely going on my wish list, with all the cushions and chairs

Wow, that wish list is fast resembling a wish book...