May 14 2012
As the world’s eyes turn to London and excitement builds for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, there has never been a better time to invest in British design.
Whether it’s Vivienne Westwood’s irreverant VW Flag or Lucinda Chambers’ romantic Jubilee design, be inspired by these timeless takes on the great British flag.
The Jubilee cushion (above) and wallhanging (below), designed by Lucinda Chambers.
The hand-woven wool aubusson VW Flag cushion (above) and rug (below), designed by Vivienne Westwood.
The hand-knotted Union rug.
May 8 2012
Day two of the shoot, and everyone is up early to make the most of the glorious desert light.
A bird looks on with a mocking eye as it takes 5 people to unload the enormous Damascus Grey.
The uninterrupted clear blue sky and sandy dunes have inspired the team, and they persevere deeper into the desert to create the final shot.
Before catching the plane home, a quick trip to the nearby bazaar to discover the local craftsmen and their wares.
Look out for the final shots in the Studio Collection brochure, out soon…
May 4 2012
When the time came to find a shoot location for our new Studio Collection, Suzanne Sharp and the team were helplessly drawn back to the exotic roots of our beautiful rugs.
And so they journeyed to a distant desert for the shoot, allowing the bright colours, simple geometric patterns and soft textures of the rugs to shine against the modestly beautiful backdrop.
Exploring the location, a myriad of arched corridors, secret courtyards, quiet corners and shaded alcoves.
Creating a beautiful shot involves painstaking attention to detail and a lot of hard work.
Apr 26 2012
An ode to chic living, the FT How To Spend It magazine has published its biannual interiors special.
Fashion and interiors collide in a suptuous shoot celebrating an enduring love affair with lace.
On the front cover is the glamorous Bishop’s Cape Black rug designed by Diane Von Furstenberg.
The Faded Glory Pale rug by Paul Smith, a silvery silk damask pattern on a Tibetan wool background.
And the textural Samavar rug designed by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard below.
Photography and styling by Damien Foxe.
Apr 20 2012
Housed in a former tie factory spazio Rossana Orlandi continues to present beautifully curated new and original design.
The Beetley collection by London company Sé.
The Crystal Bala hollow table is a new twist for the Sé Bala collection.
The Crate Collection by Garth Roberts for Antique Mirror.
As well as instigating a new hub for design and living called MOST in the breathtaking Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia , Tom Dixon‘s energy never waivers and he managed to design an enchanting labyrinth of lights, with a Gelato stop mid-way for weary design pilgrims.
His new Etch Light Web Copper bobbed ethereally in a white room.
Fin lights by Tom Dixon in a hall of mirrors.
As if that weren’t enough, has also launched a line of accessories called Eclectic by Tom Dixon , featuring everyday objects like these beautiful bashed copper bowls.
New on the scene is New Zealand design company Resident.
Their Oud Lamp by Nat Cheshire is particularly striking.
Wallpaper* Magazine launched its third Handmade exhibition at the Brioni headquarters, celebrating craftsmanship with lovingly made collaborations by some of the world’s best designers.
A Louis Vuitton tent at Wallpaper* Handmade.
Sew Your Own stationery by Michael Nash + Sion and Fedrigioni.
A ‘live’ painting by Dutch artists Gijs Fielding and Job Wouters that was painted during the show.
Chocolate by Marou and Rice Creative.
Wrapping and printed notebooks by Postalco.
Apr 19 2012
We are in Milan, where the future of design takes over the old Italian city for one week every year.
Here are some of our design highlights from the 2012 Salone del Mobile.
Paris concept store Merci has packed its suitcases and set up a temporary space in Zona Tortona filled with new products and vintage pieces.
Continuing the French theme, a collective of leading designers calling themselves France Design display some of the new up and coming designers graduating from the country. Here is Ich&Kar‘s fresco that wrapped around the room like a cabinet of curiosities of graphics and design.
Jaime Hayon created a typically exuberant Hayon world in Lambrate.
A golden penguin, the latest addition to his zoo, surveys the installation
One of Hayon’s sketches.
Zaha Hadid and Citco created an etherial secret garden consisting of humble woven huts that housed glistening crystal palaces.
London firm Established & Son’s new Dame lights by Luca Nichetto.
Modular design by Camille Flammarion at Paradise, an exhibition of recent graduates by London’s Royal College of Art.
More precious objects by Ya-Wen Chou at the RCA.
Apr 13 2012
The life of the legendary product designer and The Rug Company collaborator Eva Zeisel (1906 – 2011) makes an extraordinary tale.
Not long before she died, at the grand age of 105, Zeisel published her memoir about a less-known time: her experience in a Soviet prison at the age of 29, having been falsely accused of plotting to assassinate Stalin.
She spent 16 months in an NKVD prison, mostly in solitary confinement. Recent discoveries show that Stalin took a personal interest in her case.
This picture of Eva on a beach was confiscated by NKVD upon her arrest.
As well as Eva’s personal memories told with humour and charm, the book Eva Zeisel: A Soviet Prison Memoir contains essays by a retired FBI Special Agent, a Sotheby’s specialist on Russia and Eva’s daughter Jean Richards.
Eva in later life sitting in front of her dimpled spindle ceramic curtain, this iconic design was made into a rug.
To discover more about the life and works of Eva Zeisel, click here to read The Rug Company’s tribute to her.
Apr 2 2012
The light, bright colour of Spring, Yellow exudes energy, vibrancy and fresh optimism.
Sellarsbrook Yellow rug by Suzanne Sharp and Fantastic Journey wallhanging by Fiona Curran.
Overleaf Yellow rug by Marni.
Chiesa Yellow rug by Suzanne Sharp.
Udaipur Yellow dhurrie from The Rug Company’s Studio Collection.
Dahlia Yellow cushion by Paul Smith.
Ponti Yellow cushion by Suzanne Sharp.
Birdie Blossom cushion by Paul Smith.
Mar 20 2012
New hand knotted rugs have arrived as part of our Studio Collection. Cable, Damascus, Rif and Square Chains are densely hand knotted rugs with bright and graphic designs, they are woven with a thicker thread and a larger knot to give a wonderfully chunky texture and deep pile.
The vibrant colours and clean designs translate beautifully into this denser quality, resulting in a transformative rug: it will introduce texture, warmth and colourful pattern to any interior.
In keeping with our ethos of making things by hand, these rugs are woven by artisans in Nepal using traditional techniques and Tibetan wool, which is chosen for its softness and durability.
Graphic, textural and colourful, these rugs are available from stock in a range of sizes and colours. All rugs are Price Band 1.
Mar 14 2012
This week, The Rug Company CEO Christopher Sharp is blogging daily for the Financial Times website Howtospendit.com
If you’re curious about what he has been up to, click here to read his first instalment.
