A Magic Carpet

Turning your home into a safe haven this winter

Fluffy, cosy, warm, soft - these are some of the words I like to conjure up around me this time of year. As days shorten and natural light feels scarce, we naturally tend to want to retreat, regroup and cuddle up. More than ever, our homes are called upon to provide a safe haven, from the cold, from the noise, from the hustle surrounding us during the day.

There are many ways to create a welcoming impression and a lasting sense of comfort and wellbeing in our homes - each can be treated as an important, even standalone step in composing a coherent and serene interior. For today, with winter in mind, why don’t we consider rugs?

A welcome addition to any space, a rug is transformational thanks to its shape, size, colour, pattern, texture, acoustic and even thermal properties.

It can define the space, or an area within a room, by gathering around it various pieces of furniture as a centerpiece or separating them as a path for circulation as a runner. Choosing the right size will be essential, so as not to be too small and look mean, making sure to include the key pieces but not be overbearing. This can mean it is laid just under or aligned with the sofa and armchair legs, and slightly overshooting the width to include side tables, for example, or perhaps creating a generous 50-70cm border around a bed or being laid at its foot or side.

Sound and impact can be muffled from adjacent rooms or floors above and below thanks to a rug. That can be great in both flats and houses, especially with a good pad underneath, to ensure privacy, calm and comfort. Children and pets are not reasons to avoid rugs, not only because the latter will be the first to appreciate the soft and cosy surface on offer while being less prone to suffering from harder flooring surfaces, but also because there are so many options available of rugs that are easily maintained, cleaned and/or repaired as necessary. Companies, like Ruggable, make rugs specifically adapted to such demanding users. One can also choose wool for its softness and warmth as well as its durability and natural resistance to dirt and stains, or other natural fibres such as jute or sisal for their mould and moisture resistance and suitability for high traffic areas. However, it is also important to know that more classic rugs - Persian, Indian, Afghan, Turkish, Moroccan, Kilim or Ikat - actually withstand much more than one would expect and are washable, so long as they are made with a natural, resilient fibre such as wool or cotton - it is probably best to avoid 100% silk in those cases! It is also worth knowing that many brands, such as Sacco or Sylka, offer a wide variety of models woven out of indoor/outdoor fabrics, or Tencel/Lyocell or NuSilk/EcoSilk (they’re eco-friendly, plant-based or recycled fibres, resistant to sunlight, insects, mildew, rot, and are hypo-allergenic and highly absorbent) or a mix of fibres as needed to combine softness, sheen, stain resistance or colour fastness for beautiful results, maintenance and durability. Choosing from hand-knotted, tufted, flat weave or high pile will depend on location, use and taste.

As a great uniting feature, adding a rug can warm up a rather sparse or very contemporary space, bringing a welcome touch of organic softness. Depending on the type of rug chosen, light can play on its pattern and material, especially if woven using silk, bamboo or Lyocell/ NuSilk, and bring a subtle brightness and reflection to its surface. A rug can harmonise the colour palette by offering a discreet or bold pattern and composition, tying in the various tones, accents and style present in the room.

Rugs can indeed add a more timeless touch to very modern spaces or update rather traditional schemes with a fresh take on classic types of rug, be it through pattern, colours or chosen fibre. Rug designers such as Thibault Van Renne or Top Floor by Esti revisit the expected, creating enthralling pieces with creativity and true craft. By playing with techniques such as carving and embossing and fibres from wools to cottons to silks and beyond, the rugs on offer are works of art and statement pieces, yet will suit a variety of budgets and complement living and lived-in spaces.

Rugs are investments; in your home, comfort and joy.

MARIE-NOËLLE SWIDERSKI Galuchat Design www.galuchatdesign.com