More than just a decorative piece, a well placed rug can warm a room, dampen noise and bring a scheme together. Unfortunately, shopping for a rug can be tedious and intimidating. However, Miss Amara, a design-led Australian-owned rug brand, is modernising the business of rugs with sustainability, exclusive designs and customer experience.
Miss Amara elevates the usually daunting experience, offering free styling services by in-house interior experts, a virtual rug styling tool that uses augmented reality to help customers visualise what a rug will look like in their space and a risk-free returns service.
With collections built on versatility, the Miss Amara rugs are designed by an in-house creative team, showcasing abstract concepts and patterns that are inspired from far flung destinations around the world and timeless design style. From Scandinavian, Tribal, Contemporary, Traditional and Mid-Century, the Miss Amara rugs are made from the highest-grade materials with an extensive range of sizes perfect for finishing lounge and living spaces, bedrooms, kids rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, hallways and outdoors.
Founded in 2014 by husband-and-wife duo Aaron Weller and Alex Tanya Weller, Miss Amara now has more than 70 staff operating online stores across Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and USA.
Miss Amara founders, Aaron Weller and Alex Tanya Weller
“The inspiration behind Miss Amara came after I had tried and failed to purchase a rug online. After asking family and friends, I realised it was a common occurrence – people would get really inspired, go on Pinterest, find amazing photos and then reality would hit – the experience of actually buying a rug online at the time was terrible.
“Our competitors had thousands of rugs in their ranges, but they were all product photos. There were no inspiring photos of rugs in beautiful spaces, no interior design advice or customer service – just a sea of sameness and endless clicks,” said Alex.
The Miss Amara range includes soft, stain-resistant rugs that can be machine washed, high pile rugs designed to sink your feet into, pet-friendly rugs and sustainable rugs made with recyclable fibres, such as PET (recycled bottles) and recycled leather.
It’s been a while between rug round-ups here which is a shame really because, like any great accessory, a stylish rug does much to complete a room. From scalloped jute to restored vintage Persian iterations, here’s our pick of the latest and most fabulous rugs to hit the market.
Pampa: Byron Bay based brand Pampa’s latest collection ‘Eclipse’ is inspired by the Bauhaus art movement while paying homage to the universal symbols of the sun and moon. Produced ethically and sustainably, by skilled Argentinean tradespeople, when purchasing a Pampa rug you plant five trees via the charity One Tree Planted. Launching 22 August 2021.
Armadillo: Embodying the brand’s philosophy of slow design, this latest series of rugs is handcrafted from natural and sustainable materials. The opposite of trend-driven, these new styles (Odessa, Pompeii and Aspen) are stylish, understated and timeless. From $1,360.
Pompeii rug in rye. Stylist: Joseph Gardner | Photographer: Sharyn Cairns
Odessa rug in caraway. Stylist: Joseph Gardner | Photographer: Sharyn Cairns
The Rug Company Alexander McQueen collection: Titled Metamorphosis, The Rug Company’s latest Alexander McQueen collection features five statement designs inspired by nature – there’s everything from butterflies to beetles, birds and trees. These rugs are not for wallflowers. From $7590.84.
The ‘Glasswings’ rug
The ‘Painted Lady’ rug
Tigmi Trading: The latest rugs from Tigmi Trading are a rather gorgeous bunch spanning vintage Moroccan, Scandinavian, Turkish and jute designs. We love the Cappelen Dimyr designs (out of Copenhagen and Stockholm) and the fresh take on the round jute rug – the scalloped edging is just so fun. From $899.
Scalloped jute round rug
Cappelen Dimyr No.4
Tribe Home: A collection of overdyed vintage Persian rugs from Iran, these gorgeous rugs are restored using sustainable practices. Helping to preserve traditional rugs for future generations, while taking part in the recycling movement, one rug can cross hundreds of hands and multiple decades before finding its home, making it all the more special.
Photographer: Dylan James | Stylist: Karin Bochnik
Photographer: Dylan James | Stylist: Karin Bochnik
TSAR Carpets Tæpper Collection: Designed by interior designer Michelle Macarounas of Infinite Design Studio, this series of hand-tufted rugs references mid-century modernism and Scandinavian design. “The goal was to create stylish area rugs that felt more like pieces of art and infuse an eclectic sensibility to any interior space,” says Michelle Macarounas. We love!
Native bees inspire designer’s new range of luxurious rugs
Inspired by the beauty, variety, and vulnerability of our native bee population, Designer Rugs has worked with design studio House of Heras to create their second rug collection, the Birds…
Read to the end for your chance to win one of three rugs of your choice to the value of $1,000!
Early Settler have just launched their latest rug range and, like those before it, it’s a cracker! And pardon the cliché, but there really is something for everyone. Plus, read to the end for your chance to win one for yourself to the value of $1000! We’re giving away not one but three!
My first pick, which I’ve ordered for our bedroom and Sebastian’s, is this wool blend Marrakesh Trellis ($699). You’ll know from previous posts that I don’t do wool in the high traffic areas of our home because I have grubby little boys and it can be very hard to keep clean when mishaps occur! But in bedrooms, where we don’t wear shoes and it’s nice to have something lovely and soft underfoot when you jump out of bed, I’m all for it!
This rug is a take on the traditional Moroccan style and it’s super versatile. You’ll always find a place for this rug in your home, even if you tire of it in one room or change things around (or move house!). It goes with so many interior styles, from Scandi to eclectic to modern. This one’s a pale grey with a charcoal pattern and a generous 240 x 300cm size. It’s hand tufted with 60% wool, 25% polyester and 15% cotton.
For those into a more natural, boho vibe, the Kaya Diamond rug ($599) is made from all-natural eco-friendly hemp with cotton. It has a lovely warmth and texture to it and a relaxed look. At 300 by 240cm it’s ideal for lounges or larger bedrooms, where you can place the bed on top of it and have a decent amount on either side. Some trendsetters say this year’s about warmer neutrals rather than greys, but I say there’s a place for both and it’s really more about your home and your personal taste and colour scheme, than what’s ‘in’. This is certainly a design which won’t date.
I really love the pattern, texture, soft blush colour and handy size of the Aditya Motif rug, which is pretty small at 150cm x 90cm. This makes it perfect for inside a door, under a desk, by the kitchen sink or in front of appliances in a laundry (do mix things up by adding rugs in unexpected rooms as that extra layer which makes them sing!). At just $59 for 100% cotton, why wouldn’t you give it a go?! If pink’s not your thing, there’s a blue floral version in the same size, with hints of my favourite navy.
If pattern and colour scare you a bit, or you don’t want your rug to be the hero of your room, choose something where the pattern’s quite literally woven into the rug, in one colour, like the Boho Chevron Woven ($599) which is a beautiful, textured statement in mid grey.
It’s a hardy hand woven mix of wool and viscose and at 150 x 240cm it’s perfect for smaller living rooms or bedrooms.
Conversely, if you do want your rug to make a bigger statement, check out this divine Botanical Snow floral number which is colourful and patterned without being too in your face! It’s digitally printed onto a polyester and cotton mix and could completely change the look of a room for $399 (150cm x 240cm). I’d use this in a guest bedroom.
Another subtle floral option is the sweet Chirala Daisy Chain hand blocked rug on a nice soft, not-too-girly blush. It’s cotton, 150cm x 180cm and a snip at just $159. This rug was recently seen on House Rules.
And just because there are so many great florals in this latest collection, I have to tell you about one more: the striking Floral Bliss, because it’s a showstopper! It’s a darker palette that’s softened by touches of the lightest pink. 80% wool and 20% polyester, it has a real luxury look and feel. It’s $699 for 150cm x 240cm.
Around the same time I started blogging in 2011, an innovative Australian brand, Art Hide, took the idea of a cow hide rug (which was super popular at the time) and went one (or perhaps 100!) further.
Designer: Catherine Brophy, Brooklyn
It all began in a farmhouse in Tuscany when Kura Perkins from WA was living there between 2010 and 2011. She had just been around the world with her young family, during which time she visited Argentina. There, in a small artisan town, she stumbled across a tapestry that inspired the vision for Art Hide.
Designer: Brook Timmins, Abu Dhabi
“For the first few years of business, natural cowhides were definitely having a moment, but we actually never sold the basic cowhide pelt! My view was the market was pretty saturated, so we focused on the design possibilities of utilising this beautiful natural textile to make area floor rugs,” Kura says.
Sisters Kura Perkins and Bree Hay-Hendry
“In doing so, we can apply beautiful colours and a range of other hide treatment techniques, including laser burning and metallic applications. Part of our Art Hide journey has been about educating the market about the fantastic natural attributes of premium hide, including their sustainable provenance and incredible durability.”
Kura says there’s no other textile quite like it: incredibly easy to maintain, highly stain resistant and hypoallergenic. “Bree and I have five little girls between us and a menagerie of pets, so we tend to design products that we know work for our bustling homes!” Even better, the hides are natural by-products of the beef industry.
Residence of Rayna Hardwick, Victoria
Kura’s sister Bree Hay-Hendry, a university trained textile and fashion designer is the creative director and has been integral to the business’s success. “We both have clearly defined roles and something of a yin and yang skillset,” Kura says.
“Bree is the creative and the master of attention to detail. She creates our collections and her deep knowledge of textiles means that what we or our clients dream up we can actually create, and that the products are practical as well as beautiful. In my role as CEO, I manager customer service, public relations and a lot of the boring stuff, including warehousing, logistics and operations – and everything else inbetween!”
They have two staff in Australia and a small team in the United States, as well as agents in the UAE, the UK and Switzerland, giving them a truly global presence.
Art Hide has made the equivalent of 25,000 sqm of rugs over 10 years, with a large percentage of these being custom. The ability to quickly and easily customise rugs, usually at no additional cost, has become central to their success as a business.
“It’s especially important with something like rugs where people may have odd shaped rooms or spaces and really need the rug to work to pull everything together,” Kura adds. “One of the most popular features of Art Hide’s custom service is the ability to be able to use colour within the rug to tie everything together. You can see this in a lot of our projects, where the designer or customer has selected from our extensive colour range or we have lab dipped for them to match pantones or fabric swatches.”
Designer: Sarah Birkbeck, Palm Springs
Art Hide makes customising rugs easy by offering a free in-house design service with a widely used render program called Room Service. Customers send in a picture of their room and the team will create fast and free renders showing rugs in a client’s space. They can also easily order swatches of any rug online.
In a recent Palm Springs project for Grace Home Furnishings (pictured below), Art Hide lab dipped two new colours specifically for them. They created a spectacular custom 9m x 5m rug within six weeks over the Christmas period!
Designer: Grace Home Furnishings, Palm Springs. Photographer: Thomas Dalhoff
They’ve found a second home in the notoriously hard to crack United States, with a fully-fledged local operation and warehouse setup there for almost five years. They’re working on an ongoing basis with some of America’s best interior designers, including Christopher Kennedy and John McClain, after taking the plunge and doing three American trade shows in 2016. “We haven’t looked back,” Kura says. They’ve since done a further 18 US trade shows!
Art Hide has three artisan manufacturing teams, all of which are ISO (International Standards Organisation) certified. This guarantees aspects like sustainability of production, excellent conditions for workers, high standards of product and more.
“Each of Art Hide’s teams is an important extension of our business and all our makers are third generation leather artisans,” Kura says. The brand create all their own colours using the best quality dye from Germany, and they’re constantly creating specific colours for clients to match with textiles or materials.
The Western Australian sisters feel very proud to have reached the decade milestone, although they admit it has flown. “In the first few years, I had very young children and had just moved back to Australia, so I had a lot going on and we were finding our niche as a brand,” Kura says. “Things have moved much more swiftly in the last six years or so and I am excited for the vision and momentum we bring into the next decade!”
She adds: “I’m really proud of the unique nature and exquisite quality of our original product and the personalised service we offer our customers. I’m grateful for Bree and I as sisters, growing the business into something substantial and sustainable in what has actually been a difficult market. I’m also proud of our visibility and care in our supply chain management and relationships with our artisan teams; they really are an extension of our business and we take care of them like family.”
Now they’re patiently waiting for borders to reopen so they can get their 10th anniversary collection out there. “Hand on heart, I can honestly say it is our most exciting and beautiful collection to date.”
“French Art Deco is definitely more aligned with modernism. It’s cleaner than the American version which is heavier and a lot more decorative,” says Greg Natale of the inspiration behind his latest Designer Rugs collection, ‘Geo Deco.’ With its bold, streamlined shapes, varied pile heights, hand carving and alternating use of loop and cut pile, the range has a beautiful, almost sculptural feel.
Greg Natale with the ‘Goulden’ rug, $5940
“There is something so arresting about French Deco, it’s always appealed to me more than its American counterpart. There’s something less fussy about French Deco and I wanted to capture that simplicity of shape and colour in this range, albeit in a very bold and arrhythmic fashion,” says Greg of the rugs, each of which are named after pioneers of the Art Deco style.
The ‘Delaunay’ rug, $4050. Swoon!
As for the colour palette, Greg explains that there’s something for everyone with pink, blue, green and more in the mix. “My favourite is the round one. I love all the different shapes, the pink, and the references to French Deco,” says Greg who has dabbled in red this time (it’s been a while!), having fallen in love with deep burgundy and maroon shades again.
The ‘René’ rug, $5940
And while Greg is known for his use of repeat pattern, there isn’t any to be found in this collection. “I’ve never done it before but this time I’ve blown up the pattern. In the French Deco movement, rugs were considered more of a big art piece,” says Greg.
The ‘Després’ rug, $5940
The ‘Dunand’ rug, $5940
The collection is comprised of seven rectangular designs, measuring 240cm x 300cm each as well as one round design which measures 250cm in diameter. Each rug is made from 100 per cent New Zealand wool and can be customised, recoloured and reshaped upon request.
The ‘Erté’ rug, $5940
“Playing with cut and loop pile, using only very fine hairline carving as well as varying the pile heights across each of the rugs, has allowed us to create something quite evocative and unexpected.”
Whether you have carpet, timber or laminate floors, rugs in the home have so many practical benefits. Aside from framing and anchoring a space, rugs add warmth, a layer of style and are a fabulous finishing touch.
But as with many things, the sheer amount of choice can be overwhelming. From choosing a texture, weave, colour or size, how do you decide which rug is the perfect choice for your space? And once you’ve chosen it, how do go about placing it in the room?
We caught up with Henley colour design consultant Abby O’Connor who took us through how to choose the perfect rug, what styles are currently trending and how to avoid choosing the wrong rug for your home and lifestyle.
A rug helps to zone the lounge room in Henley’s Sahara display home
Which size and shape is right for your space? Before you measure what rug size you should purchase, position your furniture so you know where each piece will be placed. “Decide whether your furniture will sit on the rug, off the rug or half on/half off the rug and always leave 45cm between the rug and the wall. We want the room to be cosy, not claustrophobic,” says Abby who explains that there are different things to consider, depending on the room in which the rug is placed.
The lounge room There are three ways to place a rug in a lounge room and with no ‘right’ answer it comes down to personal preference. Firstly, while a little controversial, you can choose to have all of your furniture legs off the rug. “This was a popular style in the 90’s but is making a comeback as it works really well in small spaces such as apartment living,” says Abby.
All of the furniture legs are off the rug in this lounge room. Image: Early Settler
For those on the fence, having your furniture legs half on and half off is a great solution. “This is the most popular option that we see and it suits all spaces as well as usually being quite cost-effective,” says Abby. Given you don’t have to go down the custom route (because any size should work), this option is arguably the most forgiving and it’s easier on the hip pocket too.
All legs on the rug is also permissible, though bear in mind that you are paying for all that metreage that remains unseen. “This style is stunning! But it is only suited to spaces that have a vast amount of space to be able to take such a large rug. It’s really great for large open plan living or when there is minimal furniture in a room,” says Abby.
A burnt orange rug features in Henley’s ‘Marlo’ display home
The bedroom Like the lounge room, you have three options when it comes to rug placement in the bedroom. “Firstly, you can go for 1/3 of the bed on the rug where the rug only goes under the very end of the bed,” says Abby.
The next option is to put your rug under 1/3 to 2/3 of the bed. “This is the most popular option as you can see more detail of the rug and it’s a cost-effective alternative as you can purchase a slightly smaller rug,” says Abby.
The rug stops halfway up the bed in this child’s bedroom. Image: Early Settler
For larger bedrooms you can choose to put the whole bed on the rug. “With this option the bedside tables and bed are all on the rug with a significant amount overhanging so you can still see the pattern and detail of the rug underneath. Much like the lounge, this style requires a vast amount of open space and doesn’t work for a small area,” says Abby.
A rug can really soften a bedroom. Image: Oh Happy Home
The dining room “There is only one option when it comes to a dining table rug and that is having all chairs still on the rug when they are pushed out for someone to get out of their seat, otherwise you will struggle to see the rug,” says Abby though she’s not a fan of the look for practical reasons.
“Although rugs obviously add texture, warmth and pattern to a space, this is not a style I recommend to clients especially if they have young children as the rug does become dirty very quickly from dropped food or spilt drinks. If you do opt to do so, try to purchase an indoor/outdoor style rug which will be easier to clean,” says Abby.
Rugs can work under a dining table but beware the crumbs! Image: Early Settler
Rug trends “Both plain and patterned are on trend this winter. For patterned, I have found Moroccan style rugs in bright bold colors to still be very popular, especially for those wanting to add some colour into their living room whilst keeping the furniture very neutral,” says Abby.
But while patterned rugs are on trend, neutral plain ones always remain popular. “Neutral is still the most common trend and the one you will gain the most longevity out of. Thick looped rugs are very on trend and a raised pattern in the same material is also popular,” says Abby.
“Turkish, Moroccan and kilim rugs are definitely trending too. It’s hard to open a magazine without seeing a textured heirloom rug plus jute and wool rugs are still proving popular as they suit most interiors. Animal hides are making a strong resurgence as well as replica vintage rugs reworked with fading,” says Abby.
“However, my most favourite rug trend this season would have to be ‘double rugging,’ why settle for one when you can have two?! Or why settle for one large rug when all you really wanted was an animal hide but your space was too large. This creates so much unexpected drama and interest,” says Abby.
‘Double rugging’ features in this lounge room. Image: Early Settler
And while trends are worth considering, Abby thinks that other factors are more important in the first instance. “Keep in mind that you must first and foremost always work with your space before what’s on trend and remember that smaller patterns and light colours are always going to make a space feel larger,” says Abby.
To rug or not to rug? When assessing whether a room really needs a rug there are three key things to consider. “If you feel a room needs anchoring, if furniture feels like it’s floating in a room with no purpose, or the room feels cold, then a rug is a must,” says Abby.
And Abby encourages you to think outside the box when it comes to the way in which you use rugs. “A rug doesn’t have to be used on a floor! There are so many ways of using a rug – get creative. Why not use an animal hide instead of a traditional throw on your bed or chair? There is also nothing wrong with framing or hanging a rug on a wall as an alternative to traditional artwork. I have even seen bedheads upholstered into bedheads. Create the unexpected,” says Abby.
What to avoid Abby says that the biggest mistake she sees is when people have a rug purely for the sake of it and they don’t really ‘love’ it – she says it’s worth waiting until you find one that you adore.
“Not considering your lifestyle when selecting a rug is also a big mistake. For example, don’t invest in a large loop rug when you have pets or children that will pull at the fibers. Also, choosing a light coloured rug when you know it will be put in a high traffic area is also best avoided.”
The gorgeous Jasper knit rug in natural, from $990
“Ethical trading has always been at the forefront of my mind. I’m conscious of fast fashion and fast homewares and I always want to do whatever I can to support the maker and the weaver,” says Amy Eaton of the decision to establish her ethical rug label Oh Happy Home in 2017. Filled with gorgeous on-trend colours and designs, the brand also has an admirable commitment to fair trade, something that sets it apart from many of its competitors.
Dreamweaver wool rug, from $599
Jasper knit rug in natural, from $990
“Supporting fair trade has always been important to me and also the opportunity to give talented crafts people a go to create a better life for themselves. The carpet industry is known for its child labour force so it was super important for me to visit the yarn makers and weavers for myself,” says Amy of the many journeys she has made to her Indian manufacturers.
Cotton Hills rug, from $349
“There are many rug companies in India, large and small, and the carpet industry, along with other handicrafts, is known for the use of forced labour or child labour. I wanted to make sure that every person in the supply chain, from yarn production to the weavers, was paid fairly and treated with respect,” says Amy who has partnered with the international regulating body Goodweave. The body is recognised across the world for abolishing child labour, advocating for the carpet industry and educating children in carpet weaving communities via its school programs. “In addition to partnering with accredited manufacturers, I donate part of the proceeds of each rug sale to Goodweave too,” says Amy.
Diamond Honeycomb natural knit rug, from $599
And while there is no doubt a long way to go when it comes to education around ethical design, Amy believes consumers are much more aware than they used to be. “People want to know who is making their products and what they stand for. I also think that many consumers see the value in a better made product that is made fairly. I don’t believe fair trade products should be more expensive as such but the middle man should be more transparent as to how much the product actually costs to purchase. For instance, if you buy a rug for $100 you have to wonder how much the maker was paid for the retailer to make a profit. It’s really just about thinking through your purchases and making them count,” says Amy.
Another issue that plagues the industry is the ripping off or replication of designs. “Many buyers shop around with a design – they see a trend and take it to the cheapest manufacturer. We have found that manufacturers tend to quote lower than they deserve just to get the sale in such a competitive environment and bigger buyers have more ability to squeeze the little guy,” says Amy who explains the industry is rife with dodgy practices.
Pink Sahara wool rug, from $499
“More often than not a weaver or manufacturer will agree to produce a design even if they may know it’s not original. This has happened to us both ways where a design of ours has been made by another manufacturer and we’ve had a manufacturer claim one of our designs as their own. It is very hard to navigate but I’m committed to transparency and honesty,” says Amy.
Cotton Berber rug in pink, from $349
And despite the trying conditions, Amy remains optimistic. “I just take one day at a time – two steps forward and one step back at times. I do believe that trying to do the right thing will always pay off in the end.”
It's so easy to see how different rugs will work in your own room with Miss Amara's new virtual rug styler.
I’m a long time fan of Miss Amara and always recommend their rugs to readers and friends. They’re a really innovative online store that have made buying something traditionally not bought without seeing it in person, super easy and risk-free. And now they have added another cool tool to their lineup, the virtual rug styler!
It’s so easy to see how different rugs will work in your own room with Miss Amara’s new virtual rug styler.
“The Virtual Rug Styler allows you to place a rug from our website into a photo of your room and then to imagine the possibilities,” says co-founder Alexandra Tanya. “If you love what you see, you can save the image to your desktop or share the image with friends or partners (who, let’s be honest, might need some convincing). Save one image, save many, print them out and add them to your moodboard. We figured if it’s easier to see, it’s easier to choose something you will truly love.”
So true! I’ve had a play myself and it’s so easy and useful!
“The best part is that you get to visualise a rug style in your home surrounded by your stuff. I mean, we’re the first to admit we’ve made a purchase based on a pretty picture, only to get home and find that it doesn’t quite look the way the picture did. Our aim is for the Virtual Rug Styler tool to give you a better indication of what works for you, and for your stuff!” she adds.
How to use it:
First, find a rug you love on the website and click through to the individual rug page. Then look out for the big black button that says “SEE THIS IN MY ROOM”. It’s placed under the main rug image. Click the button and upload an image of your room. If you are on a laptop, we recommend taking a photo of your room before this step and uploading it to your desktop for easy access. If you are on a mobile device, you will be given the option of taking a photo or uploading one you already have.
Once the image is uploaded you will see the rug in your room and also be able to move the rug to the right spot, change the size or even select a different product by clicking on the “CHANGE PRODUCT” button.
A Miss Amara rug in my own home. Photo: Jacqui Turk
It might be all you need to wrap up your rug shopping quick smart but if not, there’s always Miss Amara’s Try At Home service and their online stylists who love guiding customers to a rug that’s just right.
“Used together, we’re hoping our tools and services will make rug shopping even easier and way more fun than it’s ever been. That’s a big statement but if you remember that it can all be done from home while lazing on the couch, maybe with a glass of wine, all that’s left to say is happy rug shopping!”
There’s a very distinct new trend coming through in rugs lately and it’s texture. I for one am loving it! Rugs have always been a way to add much needed layers and warmth to your home, but now that layer is almost taking on a 3D look and feel. Flat rugs are no longer where it’s at. We’re talking extra texture!
Early Settler have run with this and their latest floor fashions are so beautiful. Whether you’re after something neutral or colourful, I’ve rounded up my favourites for you. Better still, if you’re quick, they’re currently on sale.
THE NEUTRALS
There’s a reason this Moroccan style rug has been in vogue for years now. It’s unusual for a rug design to stand the test of time but this one sure has and you’ll have seen similar in countless magazine shoots. It’s soft and fluffy underfoot, timeless and easy to work with black and white, with the boho look of the fringed edging. The Bohemia Luxe Diamond Head Knotted NZ Wool 150x240cm is currently $544 down from $699.
Another real favourite of mine, the large Nomad Diamond Hand Tufted Grey and White Rug 240x300cm is the perfect blend of modern and traditional. Currently $599 down from $799. And you know my feelings on the bigger the rug, the better!
MAKE A COLOUR STATEMENT
I’m a sucker for a pink rug. Not just for little girls’ rooms, this subtle rosy number would give a feminine feel to many different spaces. The Pearl Blush Handloom Fringed Wool Pink Rug 150x240cm is currently a bargain $299 down from $399.
Let the pattern do the talking with this large Dreamtime Hand Tufted Wool Black and White Rug 240cmx300cm. Inspired by Aboriginal art, it’s made from a wool and cotton blend and the charcoal colour gives it a timeless and sophisticated feel that would work in many interiors. Currently $749 down from $999.
A fresh take on stripes, the Dunne Ripple Hand Woven Grey Rug 240cmx300cm is a little bit ethnic, a little bit industrial! The hardwearing wool blend and dark colours mean this is a forgiving rug which would work well under a dining table. Currently $749 down from $999.
Striking the perfect balance between 60’s geometric chic and contemporary sophistication, this large format wool blend rug is perfect for a bedroom or living space. Hand made in India using a timeless pattern and tonings, this an investment for your floor that will stand the test of time. The Geo Shaded Diamond Hand Tufted Blue and Cream 240cmx300cm is currently $599 down from $799.
Teal is definitely making a comeback this season so could be the perfect colour to lift an otherwise neutral room. The Marrakesh Peacock Hand Tufted Teal Rug 150cmx240cm is handmade in India from 80% wool and currently a snip at $299 down from $399.
For your chance to win my favourite Bohemia Peeko Hand Tufted Wool Cream and Grey rug, fill in the form below by 5pm Sydney time on Wednesday 6 June 2018. Open to Australian residents only.
When it comes to decorating and furnishing your home, there are a few things you’d probably never dream about buying online. Until now!
They include paint, tiles, window furnishings and rugs. They’re either too hard to buy online because of the necessity to touch or see the product; the fact you’ve never traditionally bought them online, or via a salesperson doing a “free” measure and quote in your home or returning them is just too hard if you get it wrong.
We’ve noticed a definite increase in businesses making it easier than ever for you to buy things from the comfort of your own home with very little risk, so we thought we’d do a roundup for you! They’re things you have probably never considered buying online, but we hope you might now!
Buying tiles online is a very new phenomenon and online store TileCloud say there are multiple benefits for the customer. We particularly love how they offer to send you five samples for $5 in the mail. You can quickly and easily browse everything in one place (they only feature what they currently have in stock so you know it’s immediately available) and they promise year-round fair prices so you’ll never see big discount sales from them.
They also have a great range of all the tiles we have seen trending recently such as herringbone, mosaics, timber and concrete-look tiles, encaustic, travertine and natural stone for your bathroom, kitchen, floors or outdoor. They display all their tile and freight prices on the site so there’s no waiting around for a salesperson to get back to you and it’s easy to budget. There’s also customer care via phone and email to help you work out what and how much you need, as well as an online tile visualiser. Shipping (Australia wide, no exceptions!) is cheaper than you’d think, and often free, depending on the size of your order. And there’s a discount for trade customers too.
We say it’s definitely worth order ing your five samples and giving it a go!
Monsta are redesigning the way people buy paint, enabling you to do so online and have it delivered for free. They claim you’ll pay less than other paint brands with no sacrifice in quality.
Their paint is made in Australia with extras like mould inhibitor included as standard. You can get free white colour cards (they have a range of 20 whites) and buy sample pots online. They also offer free customer advice via phone, email, Facebook Chat and Skype.
We haven’t tried it ourselves, but we like the direct-from-manufacturer model.
DIY Online Blinds are making it super easy to buy blinds and plantation shutters (yes, you heard right) from your laptop at home! This is an industry where you are probably used to getting a free at-home measure and quote. But of course, nothing in life is free! DIY Online Blinds cut out the middleman. You can get huge savings on PVC plantation shutters by cutting out the middleman, measuring and installing yourself. It might sound daunting but they give you all the help you need to do it right. It’s actually nowhere near as tricky as you’d imagine! However if you live in metro NSW, VIC or QLD you can choose to have them installed for you, but it will obviously cost more.
We had our shutters installed by DIY Online Blinds and highly recommend them! Because they’re made here, unlike many suppliers, the turnaround time is just a couple of weeks.
DIY Online Blinds’ shutters in the latest reno of former Blockheads Bec and George
We’ve written about Miss Amara before but we like their online model so much, they’re getting another mention here. The rug-buying experience is not always the most inspiring, and why is it that those rugs shops (you know the ones) are always having a closing down sale but never actually closing?!
Miss Amara have a great range to suit all tastes and budgets but it’s how you buy (and return them if necessary) that appeals to us. For starters, delivery is free. Then you get to try it in your home for up to 30 days. Because it is really hard to visualise without having it there, don’t you think?! And if you don’t like how it looks, you can return it and they’ll cover the cost of pickup etc. It makes rug-buying online pretty much risk-free. We love it.
There’s even a free styling service so if you send them a photo of your room, they can advise you on some good options.
What do you think? Would you buy tiles, paint, shutters or rugs online after reading this?
I made a new online shopping discovery recently so I thought it would be mean not to share! Is it me or is shopping for nice rugs in Australia much harder than it should be?! There’s a lot of cheap rugs out there, a lot of rug stores which are apparently always having a closing down sale (for like, years!) and then some absolutely stunning but crazily expensive options. What about the middle ground?! The quality but affordable, nice looking rugs?
Neutral and bold: Two of my favourite rugs from Miss Amara
They’re at Miss Amara and they’re online! And while you might be thinking you could never buy a rug online without seeing it first, don’t fret, because if you don’t like it when it arrives, Miss Amara cover all the costs of returning it to them as well as give you a full refund. We love this! And the fact they offer free styling advice, with no obligation, so you can be sent curated rug selections just for you. And if you’re still not sold: FREE DELIVERY. On everything.
Without further ado, I thought I’d share 10 of my favourites from Miss Amara.
This style of rug, the Durisdeer Tribal Braided Wool Rug, has been popular for a while now and doesn’t look like it’s going out of vogue any time soon. From $494.
Want to splurge a little more on a designer rug and make it the wow piece of your room? How about this Brink & Campman number, the Ibiza Costa, in cotton and jute? It’s a few current trends in one really, and sure to be popular with the colour lovers! From $1,013.
I love the texture in this Vaasa Grey Felted Wool Hand Knotted Rug. It’s neutral without being bland and will add texture and warmth to a room. Plus, it’ll go with almost everything. And if you’re colour averse, it means you can still get a rug that’s not boring! From $456.
Flatweave rugs are a great way to add a shot of pattern and/or colour to your room and make a statement. Miss Amara have these in spades. You can never go wrong with black and white, like this Rennes Lattice Wool Kilim, but they literally have every colour you can imagine and many patterns from geometric to stripes, tiles, chevron and more organic designs. This one’s from $404.
The Arica Charcoal Cotton and Natural Jute rug takes our old favourite jute and puts a darker spin on it. The contrasting border is a nice effect too. Jute is super practical and hardwearing and if you want natural fibres in your home, this is a great pick. It’s also economical, from $195.
I’m not sure the cowhide rug will ever go out of fashion and Miss Amara have them in a variety of colours from $656. I can tell you from experience that they are great under dining tables and spills wipe straight off!
The Jaipur Pink Seeds Dhurrie, is the perfect little girl’s nursery choice without being too sickly sweet or bright. Lovely! It could of course also work in grown-up rooms. From $404.
Last but not least, another investment piece choice. If you fancy a work of art for your floor, might I present the stunning Bluebellgray Cait rug? Swoon. From $1,990.
It was really hard to stop at 10 as there really are so many options. You’ll just have to go and check them out for yourselves. Also worth mentioning is their great range of larger rugs (400 x 300cm) which can be really hard to find under the $1,000 mark. I know in the past I’ve had to settle for jute because the options were either too expensive or in limited colours, to fill a bigger room. And we all know bigger is better when it comes to rugs (no arranging everything around the rug, please!).
I love how this young business (they launched three years ago) are making rug shopping hassle-free. One of the hardest things about rug buying is being able to visualise something (size, colour, pattern) in the context of your space and other furniture and homewares. Being able to try before you buy, knowing you can return a rug at no cost if it doesn’t suit, is priceless!
If there’s one thing I get asked about a lot, it’s rugs and if there’s one thing that drives me nuts when I see people getting it wrong, it’s rugs! So when Carpet Call recently asked me to road test a couple of theirs, which are really affordable, in my own home, I was happy to share the results. Because if there’s one rug rule I trot out time and time again (and I have of course picked this up from the experts over the years, and they unanimously agree!), it’s that bigger is always better!
I’m a big believer in using rugs, especially if you have hard floors, like we do. I love the look, practicality and blank canvas of a hard floor, but you can’t beat rugs for adding comfort under foot, colour, pattern, texture, or all of the above, depending on your space. They’re also fantastic for zoning tricky open plan layouts.
The problem with larger rugs — ones where you can get all of the furniture on it (or at least a leg of each piece of furniture — is they can be really expensive. So what I’m really happy to show you with these two Carpet Call rugs, is that the affordable option can look pretty great.
I picked the patterned Dolce design from their modern range because I thought it would tie in nicely with my navy lounge, and boy, did it?! The reason it cost less than half what the wool rug I usually have there did, is because it is synthetic. But don’t turn your noses up! This makes it really stain resistant and easy to clean, and as I know a lot of you have kids, this is a major consideration. It looks so good, feels lovely and soft under foot and is nice and thick for sound insulation if you’re thinking about downstairs neighbours in a unit. If you prefer to splash out on natural fibres for your main living area, consider this kind of hardwearing rug for your playroom, kids’ room, entry or dining room.
With this Dolce rug, it obviously makes a big statement so my advice with a rug like this is to keep everything else quite plain. Any other patterns will fight with this. On the plus side, this rug is a great way to inject interest and colour into a room quickly and affordably, especially if you’re not brave with wall colours or are in a rental and can’t change paint or other furnishings like blinds.
For a completely different look, I wanted to show you the other extreme: a plain, cream coloured shag rug; the Risis design, which is one of their bestsellers.
This one is so soft underfoot. And it won’t shed, unlike wool rugs, which can shed for weeks (months even!). With a plain rug like this, you still get texture because of the longer pile, and you can afford to have more pattern and colour happening in the art, for example, or cushions.
Two things I really like about Carpet Call’s rugs are the free delivery and the fact they come in really big sizes; many are more than 3 metres long as the largest option. So remember, buy the biggest you can afford! And do mark out your proposed size on the floor in masking tape to give you a great idea of how it’ll look in the room. This can make buying online a little less daunting!
Of course, you can also pick up a rug from one of Carpet Call’s stores where you can see them in person and they’ll let you take three home for 24 hours to see how they work in your space before committing.
Super stylist Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors shares her best wisdom on a topic so many of us get horribly wrong…
Photo by Armelle Habib
I’m calling it — the most commonly repeated interior decorating mistakes I see in my line of work are almost always with rugs. Getting the size right seems to bamboozle the best of them, and it breaks my heart to see an otherwise finished and beautiful space let down by an unfortunate rug selection. Here are some foolproof tips to help you get it right and save on the heartache and the hip pocket.
Tip 1
Almost every single time bigger is better. A generous-sized rug will give the perception that your space is actually larger than what it is. Your eyes are always drawn out to the edge of rugs so if you want to work with the optical illusion of creating a more generous room, GO BIG. Small rugs can often look lost in space if too small and lose their impact.
Styling by Julia Green & photography by Cricket Saleh for Prudence Caroline
Tip 2
Ensure the couch or the bed connects with the rug if possible so the room feels cohesive and unified.
Tip 3
The dimensions of your rug can define a space, as well as separate one space from another. Use it to create the geography of your home. Mark it out in tape if you need visual confirmation.
Tip 4
Colour and pattern are important when it comes to selecting your rug. You need to ask if yourself if the room is screaming out for texture, colour or both? Good rugs can be like art for the floor. And remember, rugs can either quieten the volume of a room, or turn it up!
Styling by Anna Chisolm for Greenhouse Interiors and photography by Annette O’Brien for Brent Rosenberg
Tip 5
Layer them up if you like a boho look. This can be a fab way to recycle rugs that are too small to hold their own. Look for a common thread with your patch working though, in either colour or texture.
Tip 6
Think carefully about the traffic on the rug and make the right selection accordingly. For instance, a light coloured rug under a dining table with kids is asking for trouble. Choose durable materials for high traffic zones.
Tip 7
Find a good rug dry cleaner. They can make your rug look brand new again for a small fee. It’s worth it if you have an investment piece.
Styling by Julia Green and photography by Annette O’Brien for Arthide
Tip 8
Try before you buy every time with rugs. Most stores are very understanding of this, and will loan out for short periods of time. Oh, and don’t forget to use an underlay to avoid any tripping hazards!
Tip 9
Always mask up the ideal size of rug you require on the floor first to clock it visually — then go shopping and don’t budge (much) from these dimensions. Or have one custom made to suit your measurements.
Together with Wirriimbi Designs, The Rug Collection has launched JARJUMS (meaning Aboriginal Kids) – a unique youth arts engagement program, targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children across Sydney.
Thirteen children worked closely with Aboriginal artist Chris Edwards and The Rug Collection director Simon Robinson, to create a striking and inspiring collection of exclusive designer rugs based on their family heritage. Sharing the journey with their parents and Elders, the children were given the opportunity to learn about the design process and colour theories, as well as gain an insight into their culture and family history.
“We really wanted to support and facilitate a cultural knowledge exchange through engaging Aboriginal youth, together with Elders, to learn about Aboriginal cultural through storytelling and hands on arts workshops,” said Simon.
The final six designs selected will be manufactured for sale exclusively through The Rug Collection, and will feature the personal story and picture of the young artist on the back.
From crochet to knitting, tapestry and cross-stitch, Designer Rugs’ latest range ‘New Again’ was created by designer Petrina Turner and is full of nostalgia and vintage charm.
Designer Petrina Turner
A former employee of Designer Rugs, Petrina began her design career with the brand over 20 years ago before leaving to put more time into her own interiors business. Bespoke rugs have been her specialty ever since and her latest work is pretty stunning.
‘High Tea’
Like an over-sized cross-stitched table cloth, ‘High Tea’ is a standout in range – we love the modern interpretation of an old-fashioned craft and the cut-outs too. “I have a lot of my mum’s first stitched pieces from when she was a little girl. It sparked a love of all things stitched including a vintage cross-stitched table cloth that I picked up from a tiny treasure trove many years ago,” says Petrina.
‘Evelyn’
Another oversized design, ‘Evelyn’ was inspired by Petrina’s paternal grandmother’s crocheted doily. “I wanted to give new life to her beautiful handiwork and bring it into the current day. Birthdays and Christmases would often include the gift of a crisp white handkerchief intricately crocheted by my grandma. After her passing, my mum gave me a cherished set of three doilies and ‘Evelyn’ is my thanks to grandma for this gift,” says Petrina.
‘Mavis’
Inspired by Petrina’s maternal grandma’s floral paintings and tapestries, the round ‘Mavis’ rug is emblazoned with a gorgeous, vintage floral design. “Childhood memories are filled with visits to my grandma Mavis’ home. Family meals finished off with her delectable trifle, her beautiful garden where I would spend hours playing in the sun, and the delicious floral paintings and delicate tapestries that hung on her walls and still do today,” says Petrina.
‘Purls of Wisdom’
A graphic interpretation of knitting, ‘Purls of Wisdom’ is inspired by Petrina’s love of yarn – an interest shared by her family. “We all have fond memories of hand-knitted jumpers and scarves made with love by a favourite aunt or grandmother and my childhood was no different. From a long line of talented yarn lovers, I was taught from a young age to knit, crochet and knot from my mum and many aunties,” says Petrina.
I’m a huge fan of hard flooring, especially with a youngster who drops food and makes all manner of mess, and the combination of hard floor with a beautiful rug is the ideal in my book! Hard flooring is durable, easy to clean, hygienic and looks great, then you simply add a rug for an extra layer (literally) of decor, texture, colour, pattern (or all of the above) with the added bonus of being able to create zones in open plan areas, and something soft under foot when you get out of bed or to sit on in the living room.
While using the same type of flooring in your entire home is a sure fire way to make it look bigger and feel more cohesive (ripping up the daggy carpet and replacing it with laminate flooring throughout was the first thing we did when we purchased our new home recently), it’s still important to zone your different areas for different uses, especially if your home is open plan, as is increasingly the trend. Zoning defines a space and stops furniture look like it is ‘floating’. It’s an age old interiors trick that always works! A rug is key to pulling together your furniture and homewares in any room.
Watch for more on the Plantino engineered timber flooring:
From the timeless beauty of timber to the contemporary textures of bamboo, decorate from the floor up with Choices Flooring’s exclusive Plantino or Genero Collections and zone it with a free rug of your choice! With more than 100 timber, bamboo, laminate and luxury vinyl designs to select from, visit a showroom today to see which will suit you and your home.
Choices Flooring has over 140 stores across the country. They understand that purchasing flooring is a big decision based on lifestyle, budget, and individual style and that is why their in-store and online experience is second to none. They now offer digital technology in-store to help you find the floor you’ve been searching for.
Plantino Bamboo in Driftwood
Watch for more on Genero Euro luxury vinyl plank flooring:
And the winner is @nylon_admiral13! Otherwise known as Luci Sleep! Congratulations, Luci! You win the gorgeous Hyam rug in Blush from Darren Palmer’s Provincial Lane range for this month’s sponsor, Carpet Court, worth more than $1,000.
Carpet Court ambassador Darren, who picked the winner, said: “I only noticed after reviewing the entries I liked the most that two of them were from Nylon Admiral. I thought the pics were subtle and nuanced, moody and had real character.
“The play of light and shade, compositions, all outstanding and each image worked well as a part of her overall week’s submissions. All in all, great skill and a great eye.”
I have to say, Luci was definitely on my favourites shortlist too!
Thanks so much to Carpet Court for the great themes and prize, to Darren for judging, and to everyone who took part, for brightening my feed. I love reading all your comments about how much you enjoy and get out of taking part. See you all next month!
The prize
If you’d like to take part in next month’s contest, read the guidelines and feel free to ask any questions in the comments. Luci, please contact us with your address and telephone number so we can get your prize to you!
Next month, you could win this beautiful Hyam rug from Darren Palmer’s Provincial Lane range for our latest sponsor, Carpet Court. What’s more, Block judge and interior designer Darren, will be picking the winner. No pressure…
A spokesman for Carpet Court said: “We have been a fan of the 7 Vignettes competition for a long time because it’s a fantastic way to celebrate and share the top work of designers and design enthusiasts while providing them a platform to connect with other talent across Australia.
“Inspiring good design from the ground up is important to Carpet Court, we’re looking forward to seeing how the Interiors Addict community interpret the themes.”
Just so you know, I will be extremely jealous of whoever wins this gorgeous prize! The 320 x 230cm rug is a very generous size and worth $1,450!
Want to splurge a little more on a designer rug and make it the wow piece of your room? How about this Brink & Campman number, 
![Petrina Turner [LR]](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Petrina-Turner-LR-640x427.jpg)
![HIGH TEA by PTD [LR]](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/HIGH-TEA-by-PTD-LR-640x928.jpg)
![EVELYN by PTD [LR]](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/EVELYN-by-PTD-LR-640x928.jpg)
![MAVIS [OH] HR_#B](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/MAVIS-OH-HR_B-640x644.jpg)
![PURLS OF WISDOM by PTD [LR]](https://staging.theinteriorsaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PURLS-OF-WISDOM-by-PTD-LR-640x928.jpg)
