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Rugs: how to choose, what to buy and why

February 26, 2020 Leave a Comment

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When it comes to the floor, itโ€™s yet another surface to adorn which is why weโ€™ve always been rug obsessed. Not only does a well-placed rug help define living zones but it anchors furniture, can tie a roomโ€™s dรฉcor together and also softens hard surfaces to reduce noise levels.

However buying a rug can often feel a little overwhelming, which is why the stylish Aussie rug brand Armadillo & Co have put together a fail-safe guide to purchasing a rug.

Armadillo & Co Paragon rug in Primrose
Armadillo & Co Paragon rug in Primrose

Purpose: What do youย want your rug to bring to a room?
A rug can be usedย to define and anchor a space or setting, such as living and dining in anย open-plan room. The perfect rug will unite lounge furnitureย that might otherwiseย feel disconnected or gently soften the โ€˜leggyโ€™ look of dining chairs around aย table.

A rug can warm andย soften hard flooring, such as concrete or tiles, and feel soft and luxuriousย underfoot in bedrooms and nurseries. Dark coloursย feel more intimate; lightย colours are brighter and airy. Considering the functional and aesthetic purposeย of a rug in a room will help you decide on theย weave and fibre, size and shapeย and the colour and pattern.

Weave and fibre: Whereย will the rug will be used and by who?
Different roomsย and spaces in a house have different levels of foot traffic. Rugs in transitionย spaces, such as entries and hallways, should be more hardwearing, while rugs inย living areas and bedrooms can be soft and plush.

For high-trafficย areas:
Flat-weave rugsย are handmade on a loom by weaving horizontal yarns (weft) through verticalย yarns (warp). They have the sturdiness to withstandย high-traffic areas, andย their very low profile is easier to clean, which is a great choice for peopleย with dust allergies, as fewer allergens get stuck in theย fibres.

Jute is a naturallyย renewable material that is extremely durable. It is naturally resistant to dustย mites and has anti-microbial properties. Jute has aย beautiful natural look, andย high-quality jute has a lovely soft lustre.

Armadilloย &ย Coโ€™s River Ticking Stripe isย a flat-woven jute style rug
Armadilloย &ย Coโ€™s River Ticking Stripe isย a flat-woven jute style rug

For softness underfoot:
Hand-knotted rugsย are incredibly labour-intensive as artisans tie individual knots to the verticalย yarns running the length of the rug. These intricateย knots form a pile and areย extremely plush. Hand-knotted rugs feel soft and luxurious underfoot and theย thickness of the pile absorbs sound in a noisyย room or large space.

Wool is soft andย durable andย has excellent insulation properties,ย helping to keep a home cool in summer and warm in winter. It easilyย shrugs off dirt,ย springs back into shape and has air purification and moistureย control qualities.

ย  Armadilloย &ย Coโ€™s Agra rug is made from a hand-knottedย plush wool pile
Armadilloย &ย Coโ€™s Agra rug is made from a hand-knottedย plush wool pile

For outside:
Outdoor rugsย provide comfort and style in outside living areas and can be used to visuallyย connect the interior and exterior of a home.ย Armadillo&ย Coโ€™s Indoorย Outdoor collection is crafted to withstand the elements but also feel like woolย underfoot. Made from recycled PET (plastic bottles), theย rugs are environmentallyย friendly and easy to clean with a quick hose down. They are also naturallyย resistant to fading, stains and mould.

Size: What sizeย rug should you choose?
The golden rule isย bigger is better. An oversized rugย helps to ground a space and gives furniture settings an anchor and foundation. Forย living areas and bedrooms choose the largestย rug possible while still leavingย space between the rug and walls to highlight the floor, as well as enough spaceย to open the doors. A large rug will helpย make a room feel more spacious,ย whereas a small rug can make a room look out of proportion.

An area rug in aย lounge setting should fit underneath all the furniture, or, at the very least,ย the front two legs of a sofa and armchairs. An area rug inย the dining areaย should extend 60 to 70 centimetres beyond all edges of the table so that theย back legs of chairs still sit on the rug when pulled awayย from the table. Thisย will also protect hard floors from scuff marks and scratches.

Armadilloย & Co can custom tailor a rugย to suit your needs
Armadilloย & Co can custom tailor a rugย to suit your needs

Shape: What shapeย rug should you choose?
The shape of a rugย should complement the shape of a room or setting.ย Rectangular rugsย generally work well in most rooms; however, an unexpected shape can sometimes beย more appropriate. Rectangular rugs are anย obvious choice for rectangular diningย tables and traditional lounge settings, featuring a sofa and armchairs, to createย a symmetrical and balancedย space.

A round rug canย add visual interest and soften the feel of a room โ€“ particularly one with lotsย of straight lines. A round rug under a table creates aย cohesive design, while aย round rug in a living area adds a sense of playfulness.

Armadilloย & Coโ€™s Braid rug
Armadilloย & Coโ€™s Braid rug

Runners areย designed to fit a narrow space, such as hallways and entryways or in theย kitchen, to provide a softer surface underfoot when standingย for longer periodsย of time.

Armadillo & Co's Paragon runner in Primrose
Armadillo & Co’s Paragon runner in Primrose

Colour and pattern:ย What feel do you want to create?
The colour andย pattern of a rug can tie a roomโ€™s dรฉcor together. Choose a rug beforeย finalising dรฉcor, whenever possible. It will unify the otherย elements and canย provide a starting point for colour and textural palettes.

A richly textured andย patterned rug will add depth and luxuriousness to a room while neutral tones workย will with existing furniture or dรฉcor.ย Colours can changeย the perception of a space. Darker tones can make a space feel more intimate,ย while a room with lighter tones feel brighter, airyย and more open.

Armadillo & Co's Egyptian rug in Russet. Photo by Sharyn Cairns and Styling by Claire Delmar
Armadillo & Co’s Egyptian rug in Russet. Photo by Sharyn Cairns and Styling by Claire Delmar

Environmentallyย and socially responsible: Where does the rug come from?
How a rug isย manufactured not only affects its lifespan but also impacts rug makers and theย environment. Choosing a rug that is made ethically,ย sustainably and using naturalย and recycled materials where possible will make your room beautiful whileย benefiting others.

Armadilloย & Coโ€™s rugs are created in India (through Fair Trade Practices) using only natural and recycled materials.
Armadilloย & Coโ€™s rugs are created in India (through Fair Trade Practices) using only natural and recycled materials.

For more on Armadillo & Co

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Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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