Rugs to Riches
A BESPOKE RUG CAN ENRICH A LIVING SPACE WITH PERSONALITY AND STYLE— DESIGN INTERVENTION SHOWS YOU HOW
Whether a modern living room in a neutral palette or an eclectic space bursting with colours, a room never really feels complete without one key design element: a rug that ties it all together. Finding the perfect rug to suit a particular space can be a daunting task, so it’s no wonder many savvy homeowners turn to the expertise of Singapore-based Design Intervention. The multiple award-winning firm has become known for its bespoke approach to interiors, capturing the unique style and personality of each client. “A rug is an invaluable tool in an interior designer’s arsenal,” says Design Intervention principal Nikki Hunt. “It can tie in a decor scheme or add visual punch and pattern while keeping walls clear, either for a contemporary look or for a display of artwork.” While there are also practical reasons for adding a rug to a space—absorbing sound, adding warmth and softness to a hard floor, or defining areas in an open-plan interior—unsurprisingly, for Hunt, “it is the aesthetic impact that we get most excited about.”
To create their bespoke rugs, Hunt and her design team can take inspiration from almost anywhere: “a favourite painting, photograph, wallpaper, or fabric design.” They’ll choose from an array of materials such as natural hide, virgin wool, viscose, silk, and bamboo and then select a style and colour combination to craft a rug that both complements and enhances the design of your home. For tips on how to enliven a room with a bespoke rug, here’s a look at the rugs created by Design Intervention for each of these spaces:
MISSING LINK
Create a cohesive design scheme across two rooms with a rug as a unifying element. As the starting point of the living area’s rug design for this sophisticated home, Design Intervention used the pattern from the upholstery of the dining chairs to create visual continuity across the two sitting areas. The pattern even continues on the sofa’s accent cushions in the opposite colour scheme to add contrast and depth.
POP OF COLOUR
A rug can add visual interest to an otherwise minimalist room without compromising the tranquility of the space. For a contemporary living room (pictured on the opposite page), Design Intervention crafted a geometric patterned rug that enlivens the room while maintaining its relaxing ambience. At the same time, its graphic pattern complements the home’s award-winning architecture.
LOCAL TRADITION
Infuse traditional elements into a modern design with a rug pattern that gives your interiors a sense of place. For the Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse ski resort in Japan, Design Intervention created a bespoke rug bearing a subtle pattern based on a traditional Japanese motif, resized to complement the modern interiors. Made from viscose fibres, the rug has a glossy finish that adds a sense of luxury, while its soothing colour tones lend cosiness and calm to the alpine chalet.
ASIAN WAVE
A custom rug in motifs that are special to you creates a truly personalised space. Shortlisted at the International Product Design Awards in 2014, Design Intervention’s bespoke Dragon Rug was created for a client born in the year of the dragon, whose sophisticated home used Chinese motifs to enrich the spaces with heritage and culture. The traditional Chinese dragon design was given a contemporary spin in warm and vivid colour tones, while the rug’s circular shape is a nod to the Chinese zodiac chart. Bold and eye-catching, the rug’s pattern immediately brightens the room, balancing the austerity of the black and white striped walls.
CLEAN SLATE
Use a rug in limited shades to create breathing space in a room filled with eclectic design elements. In the glamorous dining area of a fashionforward client, Design Intervention crafted a rug in two shades of grey to anchor the room without distracting from the luxurious upholstery of the dining chairs and the vibrant artwork on the wall. The repeating circle pattern mirrors the dramatic chandelier overhead.