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Meet the duo behind the scenes at Designer Rugs

By Jen Bishop •

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Known for its collaborations with high profile fashion designers like Akira Isogowa, interior designers like Greg Natale and brands like Dinosaur Designs, the grass roots creative force behind Designer Rugs is very much behind the scenes.

Lia (left) and Christine, senior designers at Designer Rugs
Lia (left) and Christine, senior designers at Designer Rugs

The company’s senior designers, Christine McDonald and Lia Pielli, have both been at Designer Rugs for more than a decade, give or take some short breaks to recharge their batteries, like all good artists. It is Christine and Lia who work with the often glamorous collaborators to bring their ideas to life and make sure, however beautiful they are, that they are actually likely to sell.

Around 80 percent of the company’s rugs are custom made and every design is available in different sizes and colour ways, meaning you really can create the perfect piece for your home or commercial space. “We have to feed off the industry,” says Lia. “We work with so many interior designers, we have a good nose for what’s coming up or what’s going to be popular.” Christine adds that people have really started to embrace colour again and she’s happy to see the back of a more safe pallete. “We’re always looking to fashion and overseas for inspiration too,” she adds.

One of Akira Isogowa’s designs

While interior trends don’t move as fast as fashion, the internet has certainly sped up the creative process.

One of the biggest challenges when collaborating, is persuading designers to design off the rugs, so that the pattern ‘falls off’ the edges so to speak. Many see the rug as a piece of paper or a canvas and try to create a pattern within it, which never works in the context of a rug.

Christine and Lia take it in turns working with the guest designers and the process can be very different, depending on their brand. “We generally let them come to us with what they want to do and then we translate it into a design that works for a rug and that we think will sell. We might change the scale or colour. Some designs translate really easily, others don’t,” says Christine. “And some designers want more input than others.” The whole process of bringing a new collection to market takes between a year and two years.

Christine's New York design
Christine’s New York design

The next collaboration is with fashion designer Camilla Franks and is due out early this year. The majority of the time, people approach Designer Rugs and ask to work with them, rather than the other way around. “For us the designs need to work as rugs. Some are beautiful but more appropriate for walls or fabric,” says Lia.

The most popular ranges are those by Akira Isogowa, Dinosaur Designs and cloth fabric. Designer Rugs isn’t all about collaborations though, and these account for between 30 and 40 percent of what’s sold. Lia and Christine design many of their own in house too.

Lia's own design, Butterfly Effect
Lia’s own design, Butterfly Effect

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January 8, 2013

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Victorians, are you still allowed to have gas in y Victorians, are you still allowed to have gas in your home? We share the ins and outs on what you need to know about the new rule in Victoria when it comes to your energy.

The good news is, for most people nothing will change, however if you are planning a new build/renovation that requires a planning permit – you will need to speak to your builder to get your permit lodged before 1 January 2024!

 We’re here to answer all your questions with the help of @australiangasnetworks! Read more via link in bio now.

 #cookingongas #gaspower #gasconnection #australiangasnetworks #australiangas #australiangasnetworks #gasappliances #gascooker #gasfireplace #gasbarbecue #gasfire #gasstove #gashotwater #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realrenos
Our ever popular top places to buy Australian bed Our ever popular top places to buy Australian bed linen online post has been updated for 2023! Head to the blog now via link in bio to get some bedroom inspiration!

Whether you liked classic stripes, fun florals, moody linen or cotton covers, we have something for you!

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The owner of Noosa homewares and furniture mecca @ The owner of Noosa homewares and furniture mecca @coastalvintage, Sally Oulton travels the globe looking for amazing interior finds. And now you can join her on one of her bespoke interior sourcing tours to Bali where you’ll be taken far from the crowds to discover the best homewares and furniture that the Indonesian paradise has to offer. Read all about it via link in bio.

#baliindonesia #balishopping #balishop #balisourcing #balihomewares #balihomedecor #balitrip #balistyle #baliinteriors #baliinterior #baliinteriordesign
Just capturing Mr 5 here before he stops going to Just capturing Mr 5 here before he stops going to daycare and preschool next month and becomes a school boy. All the feels 😭❤️🙏🏻
Need a great housewarming gift under $200? Bonus, Need a great housewarming gift under $200?

Bonus, you can use these as inspiration for Christmas gifts too, for the interiors Addict in your life.

Trust us, they'd be delighted to receive any of these and there are even more ideas with links on the blog too, via link in bio now.

You're welcome!

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At home with interior stylist @emma.blomfield Sw At home with interior stylist @emma.blomfield 

Swipe for a sneak peek of the before and afters and head to the blog now via link in bio to see how Emma transformed her Art Deco apartment on Sydney's lower north shore.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior #artdecointeriors #sydneyapartments #sydneyapartment #apartmenttherapy #apartmenttour #apartmentkitchen #apartmentbathroom #artdecokitchen #artdecobathroom #artdecobuilding #artdecorenovation #emmablomfield #interiordesignerhome #interiordesignersathome #australianinteriordesigner #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop

Photos by @joe_cheng
Christmas scents are an integral part of festive d Christmas scents are an integral part of festive decorating for me!

It's time for our annual Christmas candle roundup and I swear what's on offer gets better by the year! The packaging too! All of these would make wonderful gifts (hint hint 😉).

I always treat myself to a Christmas candle and buy a few as gifts. You can't go wrong!

Whether you like a more traditional fir kind of fragrance or something more reminiscent of Aussie summertime, we've got you covered. There's even a fragrance free beeswax option.

Head to the blog via link in bio to find all these with pricing and links to buy.

Do you treat yourself to a Christmas candle each year? If not, we really think you should start!

#christmascandle #christmascandles #christmascandlelight
#scentedcandle #candlejar #candlegift #christmasdecoratingideas #christmasgiftideas2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #luxurycandle

Enjoy!
This giveaway has now closed. The winner is @jenny This giveaway has now closed. The winner is @jennymccown 🥳

Win a year's supply of laundry AND dishwashing detergent sheets!🚨

@lucentglobe is the Aussie startup run by Queensland twins Brodie and Roger Cook. Designed for both people and planet, their detergent sheets have no nasty chemicals, no plastic packaging and no water, which is often wasted in liquid based detergents. 

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One lucky follower can win a year's worth of laundry and dishwashing sheets worth almost $650! Wouldn't that be a great help with the old cost of living?!

For your chance, simply tag 2 friends below by midnight AEST on Monday 27 November 2023. 

One entry per person. Australian residents only. This giveaway is not endorsed by or affiliated with Meta. 

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Give your bathroom a makeover without a full reno. Give your bathroom a makeover without a full reno.

Great ideas from @missapriltowels on the blog today via link in bio.

Do you consider your bathroom a room where you can style and accessorise like you do elsewhere in your home? What are some of your favourite brands and products for zjooshing your bathroom or powder room?

You can also search on the website for our top hand soap pump finds!

#handtowel #handtowels #handsoaps #handwash #bathroomstyling
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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