People often say that shoes are the most important part of an outfit. In the same way, flooring is of prime importance to an interior. In which case, a well chosen rug must be the Louboutin of the interior. Since the ancient Persians and possibly before, the rug has been a medium for artistic expression. Persian designs might typically have portrayed gardens, with birds, flowers and fountains, or abstract patterns, or in more recent and less happy times, images of war and weaponry. The key thing being that like much in art, rugs too reflect their times and surroundings. So for Adrienne Chinn’s latest project (ref. Room at the Top) she has used a couple of rugs of her own design, from a range called the Urban London Collection. Gritty imagery of gum on pavements, and graffiti tags on roller shutters, are the surprising sources for these striking contemporary abstract designs.
Elsewhere there is an amazing variety on offer, like these ones I photographed in the Tommy Hilfiger store last year. Old rugs given a new lease of life by Dutch firm Tiftix, by dying them unusual colours or cut up to create new patchwork rugs.
Finally, this very stylish home I shot for Sally Dernie in Kensington, has several very different styles, all from The Rug Company
