When translating the work of the world’s most creative designers into a beautiful handmade rug or cushion, the devil is in the detail.
The Hummingbird cushion by Alexander McQueen is no exception, and provided us with a particularly difficult challenge. Because of the intricate nature of the motif and its jewel like colours, it was important to be as faithful as possible to the artwork: even one shade off could throw the balance of the design.
The weavers’ graph is an artform in itself: hand-drawn in the studio, it is a map indicating the position and colour of every single stitch.
Some spaces require something particularly special and we often work with clients to create their own original rug commissions. The possibilities are infinite.
This bespoke Houndstooth rug was designed by Emily Todhunter, commissioned by a client living in Switzerland. The rug reflects Todhunter’s ability to create classic designs with a contemporary aesthetic; the houndstooth motif has been reworked into a fresh and contemporary style.
Blasting through the dreary months of winter with a celebration of colour and pattern, Harrods has uneveiled its alphabet themed windows for Spring / Summer 2012.
Discerning shoppers passing by the Knightsbridge store will spot a few favourites by The Rug Company within the displays.
The mannequin models the Love needlepoint wallhanging by Paul Smith.
Beautiful Turkish Ikat cushions have just arrived exclusively at our London shops.
The Ikat technique for making patterned cloth is one of the earliest known. As textiles rarely survive for more than a few hundred years it is difficult to be precise, but examples are known from pre-Columbian Latin America, and famous centres of Ikat production stretch from the Ottoman Empire through Central Asia to Indonesia.
Using a tie-dye method the threads are hand-dyed in stripes of colour. When these threads are woven into a fabric the stripes of colour form patterns with the distinctive blurred geometry that is synonymous with Ikat cloth.
Our Ikat cushions are made of silk that is produced in the traditional way, by hand-winding the cocoons of the silk moth and spinning the fibres into yarn. Each piece is individual and subtly different from the next, and we have a wide range of patterns and colours.
Six years in the making, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened in November in last year. Founded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, the museum houses her impressive collection of American art, amongst which hangs a hand-woven tapestry designed by artist Kara Walker, which was commissioned by The Rug Company for the special Banners of Persuasion project.
A Warm Summer Evening in 1863 by Kara Walker
Here is a sneak preview of some beautiful pieces of Berber tribal rugs, which have just arrived all the way from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
For our Maltese showroom, we have created a bespoke hand-knotted rug using the eight-pointed cross of the Knights of St John. It was in the mid 16th century, when the Knights were based in Malta, that the familiar design now known as the “Maltese Cross” became associated with the island.
The eight points are said to symbolize the eight lands of origin of the Knights: Provence, Auvergne, France, Aragon, Castile, Italy, England and Germany.
The pleasing symmetry of the cross makes it a striking decorative motif.
This winter season, consider a dark and rich colour palette to bring warmth and cosiness, enhanced with luxurious textures and contrasting details. Drawing inspiration from old Hollywood glamour to quintessentially English grandeur, these deep and opulent palettes are timeless.
Intense wintry hues are versatile and comforting, and can be easily combined with other tones, neutral or bright, to contrast a cold and grey day outside.
As the world salutes the auspicious Chinese Year of The Dragon, Vogue.com selects dragon inspired gifts to celebrate, including the Military Brocade rug designed by Alexander McQueen.
Symbolising power, strength and good luck, the dragon was in ancient times a symbol reserved for the Chinese emperor, and today is believed to be supremely auspicious.
Military Brocade by Alexander McQueen, hand-knotted and hand-carved wool and silk.
Click here to read the full article.
At the heart of this Victorian villa belonging to lighting artist Adam Barker-Mill lies a vast atrium that soars from the basement to the top of the house, capped by a glass roof with shards of colour that change at the touch of a button.
We crafted a one-off hand-knotted carpet to run the length of the dramatic central stairs, which was designed by Barber Osgerby with shards of colour splicing the rugs to reflect the unique function of the changing roof.
