There are always many ways to start off the decorating process. When it’s time to plan your seating area, whether it’s in the living room, parlour, den or great room, first thoughts are of comfortable chairs or a multi-purpose sofa. Or you may have seen a shade of paint or a wallpaper pattern that revved up your enthusiasm.
These are all good; inspiration for change can and does come from anywhere. I could decorate an entire room around a funky coffee table or a pair of retro lamps.
But, another trigger struck me during a visit to a carpet gallery. It was a vast space filled exuberantly with mountains of rugs piled high, and hanging from huge dowels along the walls. I was surrounded by the most luxurious blend of rich colour palettes, a mosaic of designs, and subtle textures that begged to be stroked.
So can you really decorate a room around one fine carpet?
The first step is to see what choices you have, and if there is a carpet design that really excites you. Visit a rug emporium, or go online to get the full picture.
At imperialcarpetandhome. com, you will discover old world classics alongside stunning abstract designs. If your taste leans toward the contemporary, look at the Passion Collection with its vivid colours and patchwork of striking designs. Traditionalists will enjoy the collections made with fine hand-knotted wool from India and Pakistan in turquoise, tan and copper shades. The art lover will discover painterly scenes depicted in the Savoy Art Collection, and nature-lovers will be drawn to organic designs from branches to leaves in monochromatic shades of earth and sea.
Imperial Carpet’s owner, John Kozoronis, designs many of his carpets, deriving inspiration from various forms of the visual arts. In the company’s Dream collection, the abstract design in the carpet shown on this page is made of hand-knotted bamboo silk. The contemporary shades ranging from silver to charcoal grey are brilliantly punctuated with splashes of royal blue and vibrant orange.
Rather than a repeat pattern found in more traditional carpets, the random design suits a setting furnished with modern sectionals and sofas with little detail but richly textured fabrics. How you place furniture on and around the carpet will give you different vantage points from which to view the design.
By positioning furniture to show off the vibrant colours, the character of your room will take on a lively mood. Anchoring a corner table or chair over the brighter sections will allow for a quieter, more pensive atmosphere.
Decorating can be as costly or frugal as your budget allows, and for most of us it helps to keep the splurge items to a minimum. A carpet is a splurge item, so take the time to learn about how it is made, the materials used and how it holds up to life underfoot. Then take it home and be sure that it complements your room, the lighting and your lifestyle. If you have chosen a carpet with differing pile heights, these create a texture of their own that changes with the viewing angle and light. The sheen of the yarn or yarns used will also add to the texture.
Enjoy the hunt for what inspires you.
Debbie Travis’s House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email your questions to [email protected]. Follow Debbie on Twitter at twitter.com/debbie_travis, and visit Debbie’s website, debbietravis.com.
