Runway to Rug, Dries Van Noten + Surya

I haven't done a fun Runway to Rug feature in awhile, plus when I saw this vibrant design from Surya in their new Forum collection, I knew I wanted to showcase it in the very current setting of fashion.  I absolutely love the color story going on here.  It's very now yet there's something so retro about it.  One of my favorite hobby's on a Saturday afternoon is to check out all of the awesome vintage shops in my neighborhood.  I'm really blessed to have such great resources of inspiration so close to home.  Sometimes I'll go with my camera for color ideas, sometimes just to browse for fun, but I hardly ever buy anything cause it's so dang hard to find an accurate size!  Regardless, vintage perusing is a great time and that's sort of how I felt when I came across this Dries Van Noten ensemble and this Surya rug.

The Fashion:  First of all, how awesome are these throwback sunglasses?  I'm hoping I can find a cheaper pair at H&M or somewhere.  I know we've seen similar sunglasses for a few seasons now, but they have so much personality and I really don't want them to go anywhere!  Purely for the sake of color - the retro vibe meets modern sophistication, I decided to pair it with this Surya design.  I feel like it's an inspired mixture of a few different decades in fashion.

The Rug:  I'm really feeling the movement of the interlocking striped rounded-edge square motifs.  The colors are a great balance of being bright and grounded.  The strong brown is a perfect backdrop to make the reds, rust, creams and greens pop.  It's got a sixties vibe with all the movement going on, yet a 70's inspired color palette.  Giving a nod to past design movements, this design is totally fresh and stylish. 

Stark Carpet

When I was a design student, my class had the privilege to go on an exciting field trip of a 'behind the scenes tour' of the Stark Showroom and offices here in Manhattan.  It was thrilling to see so many "high end" interior designers gathered in one place.  There was a sense of luxury and refinement all around me.  At the time, I was already designing rugs for the industry, but the Stark experience opened my eyes to a world of class, elegance and sophistication that my modern playful aesthetic was mesmerized by.  

I love how the Stark AD campaigns strongly showcase their point-of-view to the customer.  Each room is so polished and every detail is so well thought out.  The rugs in these scenes are so bold yet have such a refined flare.  It makes me appreciate the amazing talent of the interior designers out there, who can take a beautiful rug and make it even more stunning by it's surroundings.  The transparent lucite (and mirror) furniture in the first image is super glamorous, while the traditional furniture paired with the modern circles rug in the second image is so unexpected.  Love Love Love the contrast!  Check out more of Stark products right here.

Step On Step

Wow, I've been seriously MIA from blogging but I'm back!  And I've missed yooooouuuu!  So much has happened in life and in rugs in the few weeks that I haven't posted, but happy to be back and report on some of the great finds that I've come across.  Hope all is wonderful with you my blogging rug enthusiast reader!  Every time I drop in some of my favorite blogs, I adore how some bloggers ask "how are you?" in their posts.  So, as I'm sitting down to write, I'm excited that you feel compelled to tap into what's going on in the world of rugs - and "how the heck are you today?"

For my first post in some time, I just had to share with you this genius marketing idea from a company called Step.  In an effort to expose the customer to how amazing their product feels underfoot, they came up with a flip flop with a sample of the rug inserted in the insole.  Realizing that the only way their customer would fall in love with this product is to experience it in their daily life, this flip flop marketing strategy is genius!  To read more about the project in detail, check out this great blog with all the details....  Direct Daily

Union Jack Rug

I always love decor that celebrates the British.  Perhaps it's my 50% inner English/Irish background?  Perhaps I've always gotten a kick out of Simon Cowell?   Perhaps designer Paul Smith?  Perhaps I'm still hung up on Susan Boyle (her performance makes me cry every time)?  Perhaps the Spice Girls was my version of Hannah Montana?  But really, when it comes down to it, I just love Austin Powers and the design revolution of the 1960's in the UK.  So when I came across this Union Jack Rug by Cox & Cox, all those wonderful sentiments for British design came back to me :) 

Pop Up Book Rug + Bon Apetit

Good day fellow rug enthusiasts!  Sorry I've been away from blog land for a few days now but I've returned to show you some really cute rugs I stumbled across that help me get in the mood to read a good book.  I recently came across this adorable blog, which lead me to this very fun Japanese website, which then lead me to the Bob Foundation... and walla! The Pop Up Book Rug...    

 

How adorable is this rug?  It looks so comfortable (almost competing with a bed!) to snuggle up and read a bed time story with your little one.  Great to encourage practicing reading and I just may have to pass it along to all my Harry Potter fan friends.

And how about this Bon Apetit rug!  It instantly brings me back to the Be Our Guest musical scene in the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast.  I adore anything so whimsical!  How perfect of a conversation piece would this be to any kitchen?  For more information on the fascinating projects of the Bob Foundation, check out their website right here. 

Campana Rug by A/R Studio

One of my favorite blogs for modern design is Mocco Locco.  Every time I visit I can always expect something fresh and completely original.  I recently came across this really fun idea of a design that resembles the classic sidewalk chalk game of hopscotch!  If I ever had this in my home, let's just say I think that would take care of my daily exercise routine and I may not be tempted to consider a daily visit to the gym (um, far from it).  How could I not want to play hopscotch across this rug rather than walk across it?  For more information, check out the design duo of A/R Studio's Campana Rug.

  Image via Yatzer

Image via Mocco Locco

Equator Rug

London based design firm Top Floor has some AMAZING rug designs that really make you think outside the box.  This particular rug design is called Equator and is designed by founder and design director, Esti Barnes.  It is hand tufted and comes in any size or color.  I just love the coiled effect and by now you may have caught on to how much I love different pile heights and texture.  It's such a clean design with so much dimension.  

My friends and I laugh because we share how when we were kids, we would find a patch of sunlight coming in from the window that would make a warm and sunny spot on the living room rug to take a nap in.  After 25 minutes, when we notice our sun spot was moving, we would crawl over and move with it.   I could easily imagine myself as a child (or heck, even now) nestled into the circles and taking a nap.  If I'm lucky maybe it'll turn into a sweet sun spot :) 

Thank You ABC!

I am so appreciative of this incredible experience to be an insider for one of the most inspiring design centers for area rugs.  Like I said in the beginning, ABC has been an incredible resource for me over the years as a design student and now designer.  It's an honor for me to give them credit for influencing so many people who work in the creative side of home fashion.

To wrap up my ABC experience here are a couple more images of their beautiful window displays outside of the store.  I wish my photography could do these gorgeous vignettes proper justice but if you're in the Union Square neighborhood in NYC, don't forget to stroll down Broadway for some fabulous store level floor candy.  

   
In conclusion, I thought I might share the first Starbucks iced coffee of the summer I had with you :)

ABC, Cowhide Rugs

I'll be honest, cowhide rugs is a category that I personally haven't have mad love for, but after being exposed to these ultra modern interpretations of cowhide at ABC, I have a much greater appreciation for them.  Here is a little peek at the many extremely creative options at the store.  The assortment was endless but I wanted to show you just a few that really caught my eye...

This cowhide design is a super vibrant patchwork of many different patterns, colors and animal prints.  It's wildlife gone... wild (I know, I know, I'm cheesy).  I REALLY want to see how a risk taking interior designer incorporates this into a room.  I could see it in some ultra high-end fabulous home that's bursting with color.  Easily this could be on the cover of any uber modern home decor magazine.  The customer of this rug obviously loves bold design and all I can say is that in person, it drew me in like a kid in a candy store.  

 

Among ABC's avant-garde designs were also a large assortment of undyed cowhide rugs, such as above.  Below is a design that was so saturated in my favorite green color, that I decided to come in real close and savor it for ya.

I'll admit, there is something a bit peculiar yet interesting about cowhide.  On one hand it's literally hairy animal skin that's sewn together (I know, sorry I had to put it that way), but on the other hand it's a resource that we utilize in so many different industries for the fashion and home.  Rather than keeping cowhide in it's natural undyed state, ABC pushes the envelope and takes bold risks by making the most of this resource that otherwise may not be too appreciated.

ABC Part Four, Custom Rugs

I am enjoying this ABC experience so much that I just had to share with you the very impressive custom rug design program that's offered.  Thanks so much to Jimmy Eng, the ABC sales manager, for walking me through this in depth system and sharing his passion for design.  Do you recall ever checking out different paint colors at Home Depot?  Have you ever played with the fun computer system that allows you to see what your paint chip actually looks like on a bedroom wall rendered in the computer system?  Well, ABC prides itself on being the first retailer to ever offer such a sophisticated program, and no offense to Home Depot (love their paint), but the ABC custom program is like nothing I've ever seen before...

 
This highly advanced system allows YOU to be the designer.  You have 100% complete control over all of your choices that will eventually become a rug.  You can choose your knot count, the quality of your rug (or a mixture of qualities such as wool and silk), and there are over 1000 colors to choose from.  Jimmy and I had too much fun exploring the possibilities.  An easy to use drag and drop system allow you to specify exactly what you want.  The best part about this program is that rather than seeing a flat design CAD, the image on the computer screen actually looks like a rug!  You can actually see what different textures will look like, you can specify in particular areas where you would like the rug to be carved, and after all that - you can see the rug placed in a room to get the closest to reality effect of the finish product.

The images below present just a taste of the many different options to explore.  In beautiful large map drawers were hidden treasures of color and texture.  The possibilities are endless and did I mention that EVERY single rug that ABC offers is customizable?  Yes, EVERY single rug.  Now that a lot of room for some serious design.

ABC Part Three, Design

I could go on and on about the ABC experience because there are just so many beautiful and unique rugs to report on.  One design after the next blew my mind away.  There were three powerful elements that stood out to me.  The first was color.  Everywhere I looked my eyes scanned the entire spectrum of the rainbow!  It was so vibrant just to walk into the store.  The second was design.  The designs were bold and daring.  Even if they appeared subtle, there was something so unique about each design.  Every piece was so original.  The third component that stood out to me was quality.  There were literally thousands of different types of rugs and different ways of applying the fibers that were used.  I loved the dimension, the pile heights, the weaves, the construction and the feel of each rug.  I witnessed endless possibilities of any type of textile that can go on the floor.  It was fascinating!

 


I took many close up shots of the designs at an angle to appreciate the texture and dimension of each rug.  Visually, it's interesting to look upon the rug at the same perspective as the weavers did when constructing it.  We rarely see rugs at these angles and for me, I can value all the works that goes into it this way.

Here is a unique concept (I just had to take a real close up shot of this one for you to understand clearly).  It appears that these wool balls are organized in a row and clustered together.  I really wanted to take my shoes off and walk on this one.  It reminds me of a those relaxer sandals (can't remember the name) everyone used to wear at the pool back in the day.  Anyone with me on this?  Either way, I can imagine walking on this rug would be a fantastic stress release on your feet after a long day.  

  

This next rug was such a great way to combine a flokati-like quality in two different pile levels.  This rug must have been at least three inches thick.  It was sooo plush and without a doubt the softest rug I've ever felt.  

This next design was so girly and and pretty!  It was great to see such daring designs all day and this was a lovely addition for the modern girly girl.  These butterflies in blush pink and shades of purple just tickled me!  When I came across it placed on a back wall, I think my heart fluttered and then a customer caught me smiling :)  I mean, they're butterflies!  So sweet, darling, cheerful and executed in such a modern and clean layout.

     
Lastly, this next rug is such a fun concept!  Alex had explained to me that he had an idea to make a kiss rug in which the motif was lips kissing the rug!  It's so unique and creative!  I could see this in a home that's full of high-end eclectic tongue-and-cheek decor, yet edited with class and sophistication.  I've never come across anything really like this before and it's just so original!  What a total flirt this rug is!  Love it!

    

I'm so inspired after being exposed to such creative products!  Stay tuned next week for details on ABC's in depth custom design program.  Thanks again ABC and Alex Kimia for inspiring us!  

ABC Part Two, Texture

The opportunity to be able to document ABC is a major highlight here for Rug Design Blog.  I'm so grateful to Alex Kimia and the wonderful ABC showroom customer service staff for being so gracious and taking me on a fantastic journey throughout the store!  There are few things I love more than being inspired by color, texture and design, so as you can imagine, I was in heaven surrounded by these incredible innovative products.  The image above is just a taste of the endless assortment of shag rugs in so many different styles and colors.  

How about a rug made of looped ribbon-like textiles?  Nowadays, it seems that unexpected fibers are being constructed in place of the usual wool rug.  ABC showcases a wealth of experimental ideas that I just couldn't get enough of...  

I was all over these fascinating rugs (below) by Stepevi, exclusive to ABC.  The dimension that these rugs feature is so dramatic.  I absolutely love the raised pile height in simple line strokes.  The shadows created by the higher pile also adds a cool element to the design.

Notice the rug above to the right appears to have three separate layers?  This really fascinates me.  These simple abstract shapes give the illusion of layering due to the incredible pile height depths.  If I were to walk on it, I can imagine I would feel like I'm walking up steps (and then I would trip and fall because clearly there are no steps, but in the end it's all good because ultimately I would like to nap on this one :)  INCREDIBLY comfortable!  Trust me, I brushed my hand over it and it was the squishiest softest thing ever!  Such a unique concept.  Love this!

Below are some various ways that quality samples were displayed on the wall and in chic map drawers.  I will elaborate on the purpose of drawers a bit more in the next post, but for now, being the rug girl that I am, I only wish my sock drawer was as cheerful and colorful as this one...

Lastly for today, I will leave you with another colorful modern (and happy) textured rug design.  Color is pretty much the medicine for my emotions (whatever that means), so when I came across this focal point on one of the main walls, I was ecstatic and oozing joy!  Thanks to Megan and Phil for helping me out with this photo :)  Stay tuned for part three of the ABC experience...