> accessories
Rugs
Yes, rugs really do come in every shape and size, so the choice can be overwhelming. We’ve done the fancy footwork and edited the best in town down to a more manageable selection for you to sink your toes into.
Dalmia Checkerboard Wool & Cotton Hand-KnottedLa RedouteIf you need large rugs then you simply have to start with La Redoute, as it is one of the few places that sells them both big and affordable. Plus, like buses, if you stand around long enough a sale will come along which means if you have a really large room then you might be able to buy two for the price of one-and-a-half, and cover a big space. It also sells its wool rugs at prices that won’t break the bank. This check is super fashionable but the faded pattern means you can claim it’s vintage, darling.
Afaw Berber-Style RugLa RedouteThis is the famous Erica rug that has its own instagram account. I have met it in real life and it is thick and luxurious underfoot. Good for a bedroom or sitting room, the pile is too high for rooms where Lego takes place and no good under a table as the chairs won’t pull easily out from it. Comes also - when in stock - in a slightly softer brown and cream version.
Palmir Palm Leaf Motif RugLa RedouteIf you want a bit of black and white but don’t think stripes is the thing then this will work in a more floral scheme while still cutting through the pattern overload. It’s made from polypropylene so it’s good for inside and out and especially good under a bed or dining table.
Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief RugJohn LewisCan’t go wrong with a bit of William Morris classic, but the key here is to keep everything else quite plain and modern so the rug is the hero of the room. Too much more pattern and it is going to look like your Gran’s house and while both Grannychic and cottagecore are a thing at the moment, it takes more space than I have here to explain how to pull it off successfully, so if it doesn’t come naturally then stick to the basics.
Florence Broadhurst Japanese Floral RugJohn LewisFlorence Broadhurst was an Australian designer whose murdered body was found in her flat with two cups of tea beside her. The killer has never been found. But her designs live on – and a group of British women have obtained the licence to produce her designs on lamps, cushions and surprisingly affordable rugs. This is one of my favourites. If it’s not big enough for your space, then layer it with plain cream and another of blue and white stripes.
Tia Berber Style RugLa RedouteI have long advocated La Redoute for their excellent value rug collection and this is no exception. Currently adorning my loft, it's made from polyproplylene, which is a more eco-friendly plastic (it releases fewer toxins than other synthetics and breaks down in 20-30 years as opposed to 500) and is incredibly soft to walk on. It's also far more affordable than the same would be in wool.
Nyborg Wool Berber Style RugLa RedouteThis Berber-style rug is made from wool and its deep pile makes it feel incredibly luxurious underfoot. The design is very simple but this means it will layer with another, flatter, more vibrant pattern (a small Persian if you have one) or even a plain colour to create a colour-blocking look. Layering different rugs is a great solution if budget means you can't buy a single rug that's as big as you'd like.
Edgar RugSoho HomeIf you like the pared-back colours of the Beni Ourain rugs but feel they’ve been a bit overdone in recent years – in that there are lots of BO “style” rather than genuine vintage, then this might be the answer. A similar warm neutral colour palette but with a more modern design. Made from 100 per cent wool but probably not for owners of muddy country houses or dogs.
Jarrett RugSoho HomeThere’s no doubt that Soho Home gives good rug. This is another great modern one that would work in any interior and layer with a more classic Persian, or classic black and white stripe. It’s a wool blend and is “carved” which means simply that the pile is in different lengths which makes the design stand out more.
Hand-Tufted Cassia RugAnthropologieI appreciate this might be a little Marmite, but the petal-shaped edges are what turn this from a floral overload to something a little more 'design'. Also, if you have plain bedding or a monochrome sofa then this is absolutely the piece to elevate the room and create a wonderful focal point. Plus, it frees you up to paint your walls in almost any colour you choose. I’d go dark green but there are all the pinks, creams and a couple of yellow options as well.
