Sometimes while I'm scrolling through the immense amount of impressive interiors on instagram, I find myself pairing our rugs with a space. In this bedroom by Alma Intérieurs of France, the geometric choices and color ways immediately made me think of design #7227 from our Kouhi Woven Collection. While the design is more rigid than the curvilinear vibe of the headboard area, there's something about the two that yearn for each other.

What are your thoughts on this pairing? Yay or Nay?

Of course we love on any kind of woven art - weaving is kind of our thing. So finding these shag art carpets by Kahove was pretty exciting. Taking classic art pieces, like the Mona Lisa and Starry Night, and turning them into shag carpets Kahove breathes new and exciting life into them. What do you think, would you put one in your home?

One of the designers that we love to work with is Ryan Lawson. His touch ranges from eclectic style, to playful & funky, to clean and serene.

There is just so much to appreciate about Ryan's eclectic side. His use of carefully selected art and objects are amplified by texture, pattern, and finish, as seen in this Sag Harbor guest bedroom.

One thing that we've noticed about Ryan's eclectic spaces is the combination of three major elements - wood, metal, and textural fibers (upholstery, carpets, and wallpaper).

It's all in the details, as you can easily note by this gorgeous dovetailed mahogany trim with unlacquered brass handrail that is so nicely matched with a custom stair runner from our Kouhi Collection.

There is a warmth to these types of projects that generates a down to earth vibe and highlights an appreciation for objects and artwork of significance.

_

As we move into spaces with a clean and serene vibe, we often note cool grays and soft whites, still textural fibers, but less distinct patterns. Though even in simplicity, his eclectic flair can be recognized in the details.

Decisive use of basic shapes seems to be a theme that can be noted in many of Ryan's projects, but when we view one's that are uniquely playful we just love the way he uses color and shape to make bold statements, and think the pairing of graphic Navajo carpets is such a wonderful compliment to these funky spaces.

Sometimes we get the pleasure of working on a fully customized rug with Ryan, and it's amazing to see his senses of creativity and connection shine in pieces like this reinterpretation of a Memphis Milano design, woven in the Navajo tradition, which was produced to compliment the client's collection of antique rugs.

Bottom line - we are always impressed with Ryan's work, and love seeing our carpets featured in these wonderful and carefully curated spaces.

Choosing the right rug for your space always starts with measuring the room it will live in. While this seems like an obvious first step, you'd be surprised how many people glance at a space and take guesses.

The problem with taking guesses is that you may end up with a carpet who's scale doesn't match the space it's in - wether that is too large, or too small, the fit and feel just isn't right and now you're forced to live with it or invest in another carpet.

If you're going for the wall to wall look, then measuring the room accurately is highly important. If it's just an inch or two off in any direction, the end result you're going for will not be achieved.

Sometimes it may not be the room in particular that needs measuring, but the specific space within the room. Maybe you want to delineate separate living areas with floor coverings. One way of deciding what size rug is the best for that space would be to use painters tape to measure out your ideal rug dimensions.

If you're purchasing a new pre-made rug, it's good to keep in mind the standard room sizes available when laying your tape lines. If you're ready to invest in something that's custom made just for you and your space, simply lay the tape exactly where you want the rug to sit. If you're going for an antique rug, the best thing to do is to layout two different tape lines - one for the smallest size you're willing to use, and one for the largest size - and then try all the workable options you find in the space before committing. Even if you're using tape to decide on a rug size, it's still good to double check yourself before heading out to shop.

Better safe than sorry, right?

This year is a learning curve for everyone in so many aspects of life; and now as we find ourselves in a time which traditionally represents back to school, we are learning that changing our traditions is not as easy as we would like it to be.  

As our homes become our classrooms, we are pushing ourselves to change the ways that we and our children learn and grow.

It's no secret that basic geometry, bright colors, and interesting textures can enhance creative thought and critical thinking.  That's why we're sharing designs which bring us back to the basics of learning.

Colors can enhance our mood too.  Lively colors promote a healthy level of energy - which is more important than ever in a world where classes involve sitting in front of a computer all day long.

If we can promote happiness and creativity through the spaces we live (and now work, learn, and play) in, perhaps we can retain some sort of normalcy within the balance of our wold.

Let's try to design spaces which aid us in navigating this new and strange normal.

Let's make it a priority to create compelling spaces to help us do that.

Lets celebrate all the vibrant things that there are to be grateful for in life, by filling our homes with color!

Lets embrace the unexpected new ways of learning in a way that enriches our souls.

While we may still be adjusting to the new systems that we find ourselves navigating, there's no reason we can't have fun while we do that in the most efficient way possible.

Bringing bold colors and basic shapes into our interior environments just might be the basic building blocks we need to move forward into this new system of education we find ourselves in, and may even enhance our learning curve in a positive way.

This month we are excited to introduce some new arrivals in the way of our Four Corners collection.

The Four Corners Collection of flatwoven rugs are inspired by the designs and methods of traditional American Navajo weavings. While some of our designs are directly based off of antiques from the inventory of our sister company, Antique Rug Studio, others are an abstraction of the style.