Decorator's Catalogue Blog

Home & Giving – Melbourne, August 2010

August 13th, 2010

Soft Furnishings were at the fore at the Home and Giving Fair this week in Melbourne. Unlike some recent seasons there wasn’t a dominant colour theme in fact it was terrific to see an abundance and variety of colour after years of coffee, earth, putty … and honestly at times I wondered if it was possible to die of beige.

Not that all these earthy colours and textures aren’t wonderful, soothing and timeless, but vibrantly coloured soft furnishings provide the option to lift our decor and our spirits, particularly when spring is in the air … perhaps not just yet, but just around the corner.

Floressents’ soft furnishings are manufactured in Rajasthan, India which is an area recognised for its brilliant colours. They’ve combined these gorgeous pinks, turquoises, reds and ochres with the luxurious fabrics such as velvet to create a wonderful range of soft furnishings, table linen and giftware some of which are shown here.

Pictured above are a selection (from left to right);

Spring Bloom Cat velvet cat cushion (43cm x 38cm), Wild Rose table cloth (150cm x 220 cm) in Burgundy (has matching napkins, placemats and table runners, Azul velvet totes & cosmetic bags in peacock design available in white & indigo colours (cushions also available).

The second row shows TOL velvet poufs and throws (135×180cm) and Cushions (45×45cm) with Tree of Life design in Chocolate, Natural & Pale Aqua colours.

For further information contact Floressents.

Rapee ticked all the right boxes with their spring/summer soft furnishings. Featuring strongly were bright Gelati colours, combinations of navy and cream and navy with crisp white as well as coffee with white.

Pictured above are Eden Napkins in powder blue made in cotton/poly blend with Matrix Equator placemat in Aqua made in pvc/polyester and Duke placemat in white bamboo.
The cushions are Nile in both Aqua and Orange colourways. They are made with double sided cotton.

Above are Nile cushions with Hermosa cushions in Fuchsia made with single sided cotton and Eden cushions in Fuchsia and Wasabi made with poly/cotton blend.

Above (left to right) are Batch doubled sided cotton cushion in Stone colour, Script – Relax in single sided printed cotton, Voyager Stripe in single sided cotton/poly , Sessile Stripe in double sided polyester and on the floor is Hampshire in double sided woven cotton.

Above is Voyager in single sided cotton/poly and Shabu in single sided tie dye cotton.

The right hand picture showed Prezzo double sided poly/viscose cushions, Lily Pad poly/viscose white cushions with Geometric Throw Rugs in Taupe cotton and Hibiscus coverlet in white cotton.

For further information contact Rapee.

Typically the KAS stand had something to please everyone a retro Scandinavian bent featuring strongly in this seasons collections a small selection of which is shown below.

Roshni – 250 Thread Count
Inspired by Indian woodblock prints, Roshni features an intricate pattern accentuated by fine embroidery detail. Roshni is produced on high quality 100% cotton and is a bold statement, yet beautifully elegant. It’s also available in Natural and Multi

Duffy – 375 Thread Count Cotton Sateen

Graphically striking, Duffy’s stylish motif is a retro-modern homage to Scandinavian design. Contemporary and lively, this fresh pop print is produced on high quality cotton sateen.

It’s also available in Cherry and Citrus

Bayer – 250 Thread Count Cotton Percale

Ultra contemporary, Bayer’s clean, pixel pattern is an urban statement. Embroidered highlights add definition to this modern design. It’s also available in Taupe.

For further information contact KAS Australia.

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Interwoven – July 2010

August 6th, 2010

Each year the Design Institute of Australia holds Interwoven, an exhibition of textile and jewellery work from highly skilled artists demonstrating contemporary innovation in design.

This year’s exhibition, held at the Gaffa Gallery in Sydney, had a strong environmental emphasis and showcased the work of smaller design makers who use hemp and water based dyes.

The Hemp Room was sponsored by The Hemp Gallery, Screenhaus and Permaset … all leaders in their field and makers of Australian export quality water based pantone dyes for textile printing.

Featured artists at the exhibition were Daisy Prowse, Steve Woods (of PopHaus) Kasia Jacquot (of Laikonik), Karen Davidson (of K Tribe), Philippa Wilkinson (of PipWilly), Beattie Lanser (Wear Beattie), Angela Nash (Ampersander), Jessica Robertson (Slow Palette), Sophie Seeger (Seeger Gallery) and Denise andSandra Marle (Retro Rascals)

Designer, Angela Nash, graduated from Sydney’s Whitehouse Institute of Design and was awarded a scholarship to a Masters course in Florence, Italy. Soon after returning to Sydney, in 2005 the label Ampersander was born.

Ampersander design communicates a sense of playfulness and relaxed elegance through simple shapes and attention to detail. A high importance is placed on environmental and social responsibility, and Ampersander will soon have official accreditation with Ethical Clothing Australia (previously called No Sweatshop).

The pieces exhibited are from Ampersander Winter 2010, highly wearable styles, inspired by the understated style of Paris.

Kasia Jacquot’s art and design is an honest reflection of her love of Eastern European folk-art. She is inspired by not only the designs and intense use of colour but also by the sincerity of the artists and crafters.

Recognising herself as a unique part of a world community of folk-artists, her creations are closely connected to her everyday life. Kasia gains inspiration from nature and old traditional practices as much as she does from her daily life and her own children’s artworks especially their effortless expressions of themselves.

Kasia’s range of designs is mixed and varied. She allows herself to create freely without restricting herself by the demands of the market trends giving her work uniqueness and honesty.

Kasia chooses to work with natural and environmentally friendly materials as much as possible. Her love of hemp due to its amazing earth friendly qualities has inspired her to use it for a range of wall hangings, which she currently sells commercially.

Many of her other products are also made using hemp as well as recycled materials and most recently she has added a fabric in her production that is made from recycled plastic bottles. Her products have been sold all over the world and continue to gain recognition in the marketplace as well as in the media.

wallhangings_07 Designed and owned by Karen Davidson, K-tribe was launched in 2000. The name came about whilst Karen was trekking through Thailand and discovered a tribe of textile weavers- the Karen tribe.

Having always had an affinity with tribal cultures and a passion for textiles and colour Karen was inspired to name her jewellery line after them and K-tribe was born.
K-Tribe Jewellery is a collection of cultures inspired from Mexico, China and Morocco.

All pieces have symbols from Cinnabar Longevity Rings, Double Happiness Cuffs to Sterling Silver Berber Amulets to keep away the evil eye.

K-Tribe is eclectic, colourful and bold and will always be noticed. This is a range for the woman who isn’t afraid to stand out.

Available online at www.ktribe.com.au

Beattie Lanser grew up sewing, stitching, knitting, crocheting and generally being crafty with her mother and grandmothers.

When she was old enough, she studied Fashion & Textile Design in Sydney, graduating in 2003 with Honours.

Combining both educations, she now creates clothing using the craft of hand stitching, unusually delightful patterns and unique colours. The patient, loving, attention to hand-sewn stitching, quirky textile prints and quality workmanship are what characterises her work and makes each garment feel timeless and unique.”

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POPHAUS is the creation of Steve Woods from Screenhaus which was created to deliver original hand printed art pieces from multiple artists and multiple themes. Very modern in its thinking, Pophaus is focused on three core philosophies – art that is rich, original and beautiful – handmade and printed pushing the boundaries of print capabilities & sustainable in its attitude using canvases and hemps, long lasting timbers and organic water based inks.

Marlemania Designs was conceived as a “sea change” by two sisters wanting to be creative in their own right, working to achieve their ultimate goal – a family business to steer them to a new era and working environment.

The journey has taken flight with the birth of their label “Retro Rascals” designed to capture a niche market in the baby wear sector. A label that focuses on the use of eco fabrics, being blends of hemp fibre, which is anti-bacterial, UV resistant and provides natural thermal qualities, and certified organic cotton. The range concentrates on simplicity of style and fit excellence.

Garments are to be produced almost entirely in Australia, allowing an advantage of strict quality control. This will ensure that the products delivered to the consumer are high quality, safe for baby and safe on the environment.

The base cloths used are free of pesticides, herbicides and chemicals in both their growing and processing. Fabric dyeing/printing will use eco methods. A wealth of over 35 years experience in the fashion industry is being utilized, in house, for the creation of products with a vision of expanding the business to include a range of clothing for children, adult and larger sizes to capture an emerging global market for products that are not only good for the environment but good for the wearer.

Daisy Prowse’s Futuristic Femme textile collection was inspired by the contrasting notions of femininity found in futuristic science fiction cinema. Metropolis, Blade Runner and The Matrix trilogy portray dichotomies in the female characters, such as feminine versus masculine, active versus passive and sophisticated versus naïve.

jessicarobertson These intriguing notions of contrast have resulted in a collection that extracts the futuristic architectural elements from science fiction’s cityscapes and injects them with a sense of contemporary femininity. The future city is reconceived in colourful and playful ways. New geometric configurations are explored, with an eye for rhythm and movement.

A dynamic, broad-spectrum colour palette is integral to endowing these compositions with vibrancy and energy. One way in which this is achieved is the use of digital fabric printing, which is at the forefront of textile technology.

However, in keeping with the sense of contrast evident throughout, digital printing has been combined with more traditional techniques, such as hand embroidery.

Similarly, laser cutting adds a high-tech edge to silk-screen printed fabrics. In this way, well established technologies are rendered fresh and new, and a greater sense of visual depth is achieved.

Futuristic Femme has been created with the summer season in mind, ranging from trans-seasonal to high summer.

The collection was initially intended for womenswear fashion and accessories applications. It exists at the high end level of the market, and this is reflected in the fabrics, with many pieces featuring gorgeously luxe silks and cottons.

Futuristic Femme could also be used to vibrant effect in homewares, as well as the intriguing area of large scale interiors installations.

IMGP2232 Pip Willy is the innovative design company run by Philippa Wilkinson www.pipwilly.com Philippa is a Sydney based Artist/Designer who is currently designing and making highly original fabric which is often made into homewares from one off pieces of hand printed fabric.

The results are gorgeous and varied customized pieces for your home.

Philippa currently designs and makes highly original fabric from one off pieces of special fabric. Philippa’s inspiration for her current Textile ranges originate from her surrounding world and different trips overseas including Nepal for felt where not only does she acquire unique fabric but also combines very eclectic ideas.

All the fibres that she uses are all natural hemps, silks and cottons. Many of which are hand woven and dyed in Laos for the company www.easternweft.com.au

Slow Palette by Jessica Robertson is a collection through which she explored her passion for fashion, food and art, to create a sustainable and contemporary semi-couture woman’s wear collection.

Jessica says she has developed a design practice through research into Slow Fashion, which is sustainable, allows for artistic expression and produce garments with greater value.

Key elements of Slow Fashion are local, transparent and Collaborative Design. Through this research she was able to see that such a practice would create garments that consumers would value more.

She made use of local resources (wool and fur for felting) working with local, skilled artisans (felters, screen printers and couturiers) and was involved in as many processes as possible in the garments creation.

Jessica delved into producing a textile range inspired by the award winning avant-garde restaurant, El Bulli In Spain.

The restaurant is famed for their molecular gastronomy-foams and airs-and highly artistic presentation creating works of art on a plate.

This practice struck a chord with Jessica, and inspired her to create garments like works of art, allowing her to express her artistic skills.

Sophie Seeger of the Seeger gallery www.seegergallery.com.au
The arthouse fabrics are developed from, or inspired by, original paintings by artists represented by Seeger Gallery.

“I wanted to bring art directly into the home in new formats; and in ways that were accessible and comfortable. The Indigenous designs reflect the oldest living art culture in the world; and the Deco Revival designs illustrate the continued strength that Deco motifs play in the minds of decorative art.” Sophie Seeger

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Decoration + Design – July 2010 Melbourne pt II

July 29th, 2010

This week we round up the Decoration + Design Trade fair before moving on to the next industry fairs in Melbourne in August.

A favourite at Decoration + Design and I’m happy to say, now featuring on DecoratorsCatalogue.com.au is Linen & Moore owned by Anna Lofts.

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LM_HerringboneBL_P lm T_Herringbone This year Anna’s company celebrates ten years of designing and producing beautiful linen and soft furnishings including bed and table linen, guest and kitchen towels, quilts, cushions and throws.

Anna wholesales to homeware stores, interior designers and display homes all around Australia and also undertakes custom orders for hotel accommodation.

Here is a sample of this season’s Linen & Moore collection featured at the fair. Reds and earthy hues feature strongly

You couldn’t walk past The Outpost Trading Company stand without stroking the lush and eco friendly 100% bamboo Chenille throws (below left) launched at the fair.

They are available in 130cm x 150cm and 150cm x 250cm sizes and a range of nine colours. The company can also piece dye in 10kg batches. The throws can also e ordered with or without tassels or with hand knotted fringe.

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Owner , Edith Brown said a great deal of care and research goes into sourcing the best quality materials for the company’s collections which are all hand -made to last with a cornerstone of good environment practice.

The 100% bamboo and cotton towels (above centre) from The Outpost Trading Company are bath time heaven. According to Edit the latest range represents the crème de La crème of internationally available flat towels which are woven with a bamboo chenille weft on a pure cotton warp.

I though the luxurious texture and subdued pallet were just gorgeous. The towels come in bath sheet, bath towel, hand towel and guest towel sizes.

And here’s the best idea I’ve seen for a long time. The Outpost Trading Company’s Four Season Duvet (above far right) is such a simple idea yet I’ve not seen it anywhere else.

The duvet comprises two separate down duvets, one lighter than the other. The lighter duvet is ideal for summer while the medium weight one is perfect for autumn and spring. In winter you can simply clip the two together for generous warmth.

Both duvets are box –stitched so the filling stays evening distributed. 10 out of 10 from me for that idea!

tcmartha double basin white tcB&F lucky room 3

Town & Country Style never seem to run out of beautiful additions to their already prolific range of European country chic.

Owners Suzette and Perri’s stand always creates a huge amount of interest with their now trademark ‘Peekaboo’ rooms providing gorgeous vignettes with walls covered bin wallpapers by Brunschwig & Fills.

Items creating most interest at this fair were the company’s Martha’s Vineyard vanity basin seen above (single and double) series which proved a winner with decorators, designers, retailers and architects alike.

A completely new look at design for Town & Country Style this season is the Lachlan desk, sideboard and cabinet (above right).

The Long Island four posted bed (below) with its upholstered and deep buttoned head board caused many to dream of romantic evenings in the Hamptons.

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And causing an absolute stir with designers all trying to find the most imaginative space to showcase this extraordinary statement piece, the Kelly clock took centre stage on the stand.

With a new showroom due to open shortly in Sydney and a new division distributing some of the world’s finest furnishings fabric ranges, 2010 looks like a very exciting and busy year for Town & Country Style.

Untitled-1 copy A visit to the pintinK stand always has me walking away with plans to recover every piece of upholstered furniture in the house.

printinK studio was founded in 2005 by Jason Cesani, Nadia Husiak and Lisa Carroll.

Based in Melbourne, printinK studio creates and prints fabrics for leading Australian designers in fashion, interiors and home furnishings.

To compliment their successful printing and design service the studio decided to launch their own brand, tinker by printink in 2008.

The initial focus was on childrenswear and small gifts for the home.

The 2010 collection has a stronger emphasis on home decoration - pouffes, scatter & floor cushions and throws. These items will add colour, texture and a sense of ease to any room.

Nostalgic influences are re-worked and made contemporary. Over scaled paisley designs sit alongside bold geometrics and naïve florals.

The palette is built around cool, clean neutrals with accents of palm green, splash blue and dusk orange. These shades can be mixed together or separated into three distinct colour groupings – neutrals (Coastal), blues/greens (Pacifika) and oranges/washed greys (Primitiva).

All fabrics are designed and hand printed in the Melbourne printinK studio.

Accessories1 A shiny newcomer at the fair was Red Door Home. The company originated in Singapore, where two Melbourne natives who shared a background in art and design found a commonality in their passion or unique, contemporary style and materials.

Christine and Diane launched their Red Door Home at the fair featuring their collection of original pieces inspired by their travels.

The collection featured unusual design elements contrasting reclaimed timber with stainless steel and glass.

The girls say all of the wood used in their furniture is reclaimed and recycled from old buildings and houses that have been abandoned, ruined or destroyed for rebuilding.

Known in India as ‘sal’(Shorea Robusta), the wood is derived from a species of tree native to southern Asia and prized for its durability and coarseness.

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sam

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Decoration + Design & Furnitex Fair – Melbourne July 2010

July 26th, 2010

The Decoration + Design and Furnitex trade fairs in Melbourne had some nice surprises this time around with some new suppliers and some innovative new designs from our ‘tried and true’ companies.

D-Bodhi launched another new range at Decoration + Design this year.

Ferum sees the transformation of Indonesian fishermen’s boats into unique furniture with terrific colour and character.

DB_PRESSRELEASE_FERUM

The concept combines the strength and clarity of metal with the power of water; merging recycled metals with reclaimed timbers.

The result is a range with colour and character, featuring the weathered textures of timbers that once journeyed the waters of Indonesia, brightly painted and individualised with bold colours.

The colourful weathered timbers are supported with double bars of rich black iron giving a clean, strong character to each piece.

For enquiries enquiries@meizai.com.au or 03 9279 2800.

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Winner of the best presented stand at Furnitex was Lounge Designer Furniture which featured its two new designs; Jigsaw Modular and Domani.

The jigsaw modular feature fabrics from Unique Fabrics and is available in a wide range of seating combinations as well as sofa designs.

domani room shot_edited-1 Designers can add their own interpretations by specifying any selection of fabrics or leathers.

The Domani sofa is available in four sizes in both fabric and leather. Shown at the fair was the Domani in premium hid semi aniline leather.

For enquiries amandad@lounge.net.au or phone or phone 03 9562 8806.

uniqwa Uniqwa Import’s stand featured a range of the company’s organic, earthy yet naturally modern furniture and furnishings.

I like their ability to combine function and simplicity with art which is demonstrated in this delightful little chair which is an antique foot wash chair from the Late Qing Dynasty

To see the company’s most recent collection visit www.uniqwafurniture.com.au

Constantine was a new design bed cover launched by Ottoman Collection.

It’s available in Gold and Charcoal (as above) in queen and king size, the down extending to the floor with a border around the base featuring Italian corners. Matching pillow cases have a matching border along the opening edge.

Untitled-3_edited-1 Ottoman collection

The design is produced in 100% cotton with a mercerised finish to give strength and lustre.

For enquiries contact Lorna at lorna@ottomancollection.com or visit her website, www.ottomancollection.co.nz

Always a favourite at the fair and a stand I save to linger over at the end of the day is Globe West which never fails to show a host of new products across a broad spectrum from Scandinavian influenced to rustic and earthy.

The new collections are too extensive to detail here so a visit to the company’s website is recommended.

Here are a few snaps of the stand.

For enquiries contact phone 03 9558 5760 or visit www.globewest.com.au

B&J at Patio Launch Barbara and John Hermon celebrate 20 years of business in their Richmond, Victoria store this year and they show no signs of loosing their touch for stylish and timeless furniture, furnishings and lighting.

We wish them 20 more wonderful years of business.

lighting3

They recently opened a new lighting showrom feauturing a great selection of table, floor and hanging lights from the Kenneth Corbonpue Hive Collection and their signature H & H collection, some of which were featured t the fair.

Pictured below left is the Coco Bead Lamp (large size) which attracted a lot of interest at the fair. It’s made from bleached coconut shell which is then made into beads and threaded on to wire to create a jelly fish like structure.
Hope that suits,

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Pictured above is H & H’s popular Antonio Bed covered in stone washed linen in colour Cafe Noir, made up with Libeco Linen shets and Stansborough woolen blankets. The bed is accessorized with cross leg bedside tables with Hive Kai table lamps.

Juniper is the lastest from Keneth Cobonpue. The stand features a fervent ascension of imposing angles fashioned with fine oak veneer uniquely casting its own silhouette and shade.

Juniper comes in two sizes which adjoin together creating a continuous landscape. Finishes offered are natural and a combination of natural and black.

juniper2 woof1

Too jute for words are WoofWoof Puppies also available at Hermon & Hermon. According to Barbara the handwoven jute mutts are rushing out the door in pairs.

For enquiries email info@hermonhermon.com.au or visit the website www.hermonhermon.com.au

That’s our last word for the week. Have a great weekend. Next week we’ll have more offerings from Decoration + Design and Furnitex.

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Home & Giving Fair – July 2010, Part II

July 19th, 2010

225016 An exciting find at this fair was a new entry to the Australian market; Lazy Susan which was launched the fair.

Lazy Susan is a fast growing, innovative design company which already has a strong presence across the United States however its origins started in Japan where the company was established in 1982.

The company now has more than 50 retail outlets in Japan and focuses predominantly in giftware and personal accessories.

In the US the company is a wholesale business where it has established itself as a premium supplier of homewares.

The collections to be released in Australia are designed in New York and manufactured through more than fifty factories across South East Asia including India, Singapore, Japan and Thailand.

To my eye, Lazy Susan seems to have picked the best of each country’s skills. I could have happily filled a suitcase or two with their goodies; however the nice security gentleman at the exit door may have had something to say about that.

Below is a small selection of their launch collections.

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Nicholas Agency & Franton is always a special favourite of mine at Home & Giving as they were a supplier to my retail business many years ago and their product never failed to live up to expectation in quality and design

The company was established in 1975 importing gift and homewares from Italy and later from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

In my days as a retailer I conducted business with mum and dad (Mario and Rina) who are still directors and now joined by sons Nicholas and Francesco.

The boys have brought their own skills to the company introducing a style which is both contemporary yet maintaining the traditional craftsmanship and ethnic style of the originating country.

The company’s range is updated with more than 400 new styles every six months so each fair has a new look and always some lovely surprises from this company.

Below and above are some of this season’s range from Nicholas Agency & Franton.

Anna Chandler’s stand at the fair is always an explosion of glorious colour and this fair was no exception.
Of great interest to just about every female who walked by the stand were the Anna’s kitchy hand knitted tea cosy covers.

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Anna’s tea towels are also designed to make the task of drying dishes at least feel a little celebratory.

These and the matching aprons now complete the range of mugs, plates, trays, placemats and coasters.
Anna’s inspiration comes from diverse sources .. . Ottoman Harem, flea market Chinoiserie the printed lining of an old Uzbek silk coat.
TT#03 copy Chinese Embridery TT#05 copy

Anna’s range also includes mirrors, lamps, canvases, greeting cards and soft furnishings.

Below are some of her latest design doormats.

turquoise bird copy # Blossom Blossom

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Gift and Homewares Fair – July 2010

July 12th, 2010

The Home and Giving July fair is a relatively new addition to the trade fair calendar, but gaining popularity each year. Held at Sydney Showground, Homebush, It’s a relaxed and well laid out event.

This fair is particularly well timed for retailers as it allows time enough to place orders to trial before making the big plunge on Christmas ordering (always a tricky, nail-biting exercise).

Some of our well known and loved suppliers such as Nicholas Agencies, Anna Chandler and Shanghaied (which we’ll feature later this week) launched some terrific new product this year and I also discovered some exciting new entries to the decor sector, among them Jhana.

Sydney Trade Fair Jhana 1 Jhana is a supplier of homewares and furniture made its debut at the fair.

Owned by Justin and Lorraine Orsborn, the company imports a range of eclectic homewares and soft furnishings from Bali as well as a stunning furniture range from Spain.

Fabrics in the homewares range are based on nature and traditional Asian motifs using handmade textiles and fibres available in Bali.

The range includes decorative objects such as well as cushions and bed linen.

According to Justin the designs strive to create more enjoyment of one’s daily life at the same time sharing the abilities & sensibilities of one culture with another, enabling open communication and helping make the world more of a global family.

CONTENEDOR STA. MONICA Jhana’s furniture range is design and made in Aspe, Alicant, Spain and features designs that are highly contemporary yet reflecting traditional lines.

Each design uses an unusual blend of timbers and treatments which combined result in both tactile and eye pleasing pieces.

I particularly liked the beautifully large cabinets which really showcased the intricate and precision craftsmanship of the makers.

Theatre Imports has been selling handcrafted decor from India for more than twenty years.

The company showed a curvy range of new designs at the fair including the pieces below from its aluminium collection.

Features are:

Aluminium and glass lanterns, aluminium Tree of Life Trees,
Aluminium Chesterfield Stool (measures 50 x 50 x 40cm),
Single Ball Tea Light Holder (also available in brown) handmade
with wire including glass votive, and Aluminium Stool
(measures 34cm x 46cm).

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Doormat Designs has been in the business for more than 25 years. Designed in Australia, the mats are handmade and printed in India and range from quirky to quaint.

When you consider that visitors to your home probably spend a little time staring at the doormat before you answer the door, it’s probably worth spending a little time choosing a doormat that reflects you.

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The collection above below is from importer, Lucky Rabbit which always seems to tap into something lush and exotic each season.

The collection is made of using cast aluminium which is nickel plated. The screen above measures around a metre long and the tallest hurricane is also around a metre high. The glass in each piece is individually hand painted.
We’ll have more from the trade Home and Giving fair in our next blog later this week.

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This week I’m off to Decoration + Design and Furnitex trade fairs in Melbourne so we’ll be bringing you a host of new releases in the next few weeks.

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Kids + Pets and Carpet?

July 1st, 2010

If you have kids or pets or both, like me, then choosing a carpet poses more questions than what you think you’ll like the look and feel of.

When my children were young and I spent many hours sitting on the floor playing with them, I was grateful to have the comfort of carpet, but of course kids + pets = cleaning issues.

This week I asked the people at Carpet Choice for their tips and advice firstly on choosing a kid/pet friendly carpet and secondly and importantly how to keep it clean.

Carpet Choice: Mixing kids and pets with carpet can often be a difficult business. Yet this doesn’t have to be the case if you’re careful with the type of carpet you’re choosing and the techniques you use for maintaining you carpet. Whether you are working with a new carpet or just trying to maintain an old one, these easy tips will help ensure your carpet looks great.

Question: How do I know which carpet fibre will be best for my application?

Carpet Choice: There are four main fibre types to choose from when selecting your carpet – wool, nylon, solution dyed nylon, and polypropylene. Of these selections, a solution dyed nylon carpet is the perfect option for households with kids or pets. Solution dyed nylon carpets have excellent stain resistant properties, the colour of the carpet stays brighter for longer, and they are treated with an advanced anti-static agent.

Question: Is one colour or shade better than another?

Carpet Choice: Investing in a darker coloured carpet can be an effective way to hide all those stains from spills, dirty paws and fingers. You may also want to consider the colour of your pet’s fur when choosing a carpet so any shed fur won’t stand out as much. Another technique is to choose a multi coloured or two toned carpet, which are fantastic for hiding pet hair and dirt as it will not show up as much on the surface.

Question: What about durability?

Carpet Choice: Kids and pets lack an understanding of how to treat your precious carpet. Carpet durability is a vital factor to avoid premature wear and tear. All carpets come with durability ratings. The higher the better. For maximum durability, select a carpet style with a very small, tight loop. Also look for carpets that are rated Extra Heavy Duty for residential homes.

Question: Do you have some tips on carpet maintenance?

Carpet Choice: Accidents and spills from young children or animals are almost a certainty. Nine out of ten unwanted spots will vanish if they are treated immediately so speed is your best guarantee of success. In the event of a spill, always keep a selection of the necessary cleaning materials in one place where you can get them quickly. Our carpet stain removal guide provides an overview on how to remove most common stains.

Regular vacuuming, particularly in high traffic areas is also essential when wishing to maintain your carpet. This will help preserve the appearance of your carpet and prevent ‘traffic paths’ from occurring. Vacuuming will also remove any dust mites, pollutions and allergens – elements no parent would like to expose their children to.

Using a rug or carpet piece in an already carpeted area where kids regularly play will also help maintain your carpet. This is especially the case in a child’s earlier years where spills are problem.

Along with regular vacuuming, spot removing, and general maintenance it is crucial to shampoo or steam clean your carpet to preserve its elegance. You have the option of either doing it yourself by hiring rental or you can decide to use a professional carpet cleaning company.

Having kids or pets at home can be a challenge for your carpet, but with the right careful selection and maintenance you can uphold the beauty of any carpet.

For more information on how to maintain your carpets with pets or kids in the house, refer to the Carpet Choice website or talk to your local Carpet Choice dealer.

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Choosing the Right Carpet for the Job

June 23rd, 2010

When we renovated our home some years ago we had to make a choice about whether to install new floor boards throughout or to keep part of our living space carpeted.

heroshot Some of our friends thought we were mad not to go for all floorboards, but this cold winter morning, when I reluctantly left the comfort of my cosy bed, I was glad my feet landed on soft, warm carpet.

Choosing to carpet or not is of course, a matter of personal preference and sometimes a purely practical consideration.

However, if you have decided to carpet there are more decisions to be made.

The carpet you choose, whether for a commercial or residential fit out represents a long term investment.

It’s not something you want to quickly replace, so it’s worth giving careful consideration to the carpet best suited for the job.

Stephen Wolf is owner of Carpet Forum in Sydney’s Bondi. Steve stocks a broad spectrum of carpets from companies such as Brintons, Cavalier Bremworth, De Poortere, Feltex, Prestige and Supertuft.

We asked Steve his advice on choosing the right carpet for the job.

Question: Acrylic, Wool or Wool/Acrylic Blend. How do I know what will best suit my application? Can you comment on pros and cons of these?

Steve: In my opinion, whatever the carpet job the best fibre is Wool. The benefits are that it’s natural, environmentally friendly and a renewable resource which is also biodegradable.

It’s also a healthy surface to live on particularly for people with a tendency to allergies, etc as dust mites can’t survive on a wool carpet because of the treatments the product has undergone.

Wool is also stain resistant, easy to clean, flame and fire resistance and a great thermal and sound insulator.

Wool is very resilient … the natural pile thickness and crimp in the fibre giving the pile elasticity and there’s no static build up.

So my advice is to get real and get wool!

BRINTONS 008 BRINTONS 014

(pictured above left: Brintons 008 True Velvet, a plain cut pile axminster with Abbotsford a patterned cut pile axminster and above right: Brintons 014 Classic Florals, a patterned cut pile axminster with matching border on the stairs)

Question: OK, so in your opinion wool is the best option … what about the pile and style of the carpet.

Steve: The benefit of a loop pile is that has a great appearance and retention and is particularly hardwearing. It does tend to be harder under foot that cut piles however.

The benefit of a cut pile is that it has a luxurious look and feel, however it is sometimes subject to shading (permanent pile reversal) which can give a watermarked effect.

Question: Is the type of underlay important?

Steve: We specify the underlay to suit the selected carpet and the client’s budget. Under low level loops for example, we would specify a textile style underlay made up of either jute or wool to minimise the peaking of joins inherent to this style of carpet.

Under quality cut pile carpets we would recommend either high density foam or a choice of rubber underlays depending on the feel the customer desired.

Question: Choosing the right colour was something I found daunting.

Do you have any advice about choosing the right colour?

Steve: Generally if the space receives a fair bit of natural light the carpet colour can lighten up to 10% when installed.

Always take the opportunity to borrow samples to check them in situ if available.

My Two Bob’s Worth: I asked to borrow the swatch book of the carpet style I thought I liked. I tested the colours at different times of the day when the rooms were in full light and at dusk which was very helpful and they took on a very different shade at different times.

I also asked the recommended cleaning process for the carpet when I bought it to ensure I knew exactly what to do in the inevitable event of a spill.

1peluche 2BRAMANTE_Nublas_382 AVANZAR_Castana1

(pictured above left to right are: Peluche by Velieris an Alpaca wool shag, Bramante by Verieris also an alpaca wool sisal style loop and Avanzar by Verieris an alpaca patterned loop.

The Velieris products in alpaca wool are undyed using the natural colours of the fleece. Steve says designers and architects alike are really taking a linking to the range and it’s both luxurious and ‘green’)

All carpets pictured above are available through Carpet Forum. For further information, click here.

Next week we’ll talk with the Carpet Choice people about more things carpet, then Woohoo I’m off the trade fairs again to bring you the latest and greatest on what’s new.

The Home & Giving Fair in Sydney is first up at the beginning of July followed Decoration + Design and Furnitex later in the month.

Watch this space.

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designEx 2010

May 20th, 2010

designEx was held in Sydney last month in Sydney and attracted a good crowd from the architectural and interior design industry.

The mood seemed upbeat this year after a fairly ‘steady as she goes’ 2009, so it was good to feel the positive vibe and enjoy viewing all the new goodies from our long standing companies as well as meeting some brave new faces who were launching some terrific new products across a broad range.

So here’s a rundown of just some of the products which caught my eye.

Look Who I bumped into at the fair … Gavin Atkins and Warren Sonin formed an interior design business, Designer Boys in 2003 (is it that long ago??) after appearing on the national television series, The Block.

Since then the boys have furnished and styled more than 750 properties.

Now based on a small form just outside Byron Bay, they say they are now surrounded by natural beauty every day from the rainforest hills down to the clear waters of the bay, which is a constant inspiration for them both.

More recently have Gavin and Warren have created their own art collections, travelling to find rare, unique and hand crafted pieces.

The pieces are very affordably priced and beautifully framed.

Some are textile based works while others are hand tinted prints. All are limited editions are beautifully framed. A selection are below.

For further information contact Gavin on 0407 007 057 or email info@designerboys.com.au
www.designerboyscollections.com

Being shown for the first time in Australia was the Marimekko range of wallpapers which is being represented here by Inhabit Walls.

Marimekko was conceived in grey post-war Finland with a vision to bring beauty, via art, back into the everyday.

Founder, Armi Ratia, Armi Ratia, drew on the talent of young artists who she commissioned to create prints that were new, one of a kind, sustainable and beautiful. The results were boldly coloured, non-figurative designs that revolutionised the tradition of textile printing.

From the company’s inception in 1951, the joyous designs celebrated the diversity of the individual whilst naturally inhabiting the day-to-day domain… the key being aesthetic functionality or beauty with purpose.

The Finnish design brand went global in 1960 when first lady Jackie Kennedy was photographed wearing a Marimekko cotton shift for the cover of Sports Illustrated. It was the photo that launched 1000 sundresses.

In 2009 the iconic company ventured into a new medium with the launch of its wallpaper range, produced with renowned wallpaper manufacturers Sirpi.

For the first collection, Marimekko have dipped into their treasure trove of print designs dating back over six decades. Included are some of their most iconic and coveted designs, as well as more current creations from their rising stars.

For stockists and enquiries contact Inhabit Wallcoverings on 02 9797 1111 or email effie@inhabitwalls.com

www.inhabitwalls.com

Eurowalls showed its Stone range of flexible imitation sandstone, slate, travertine and concrete at the fair.
Made with mineral fillers, each stone wall covering is handcrafted using a patented process.

Designed for the commercial market, Stone can be applied to various surfaces including brickwork, all kinds of plaster, concrete, fibrated concrete and plasterboard. It’s delivered in flexible rolls which harden on application. Stone is manufactured by Architect’s Paper.

stone, slate

Eurowalls also featured the new Iris Mascheck range of 14 murals which effectively turn any wall into a work of art. Here dramatic abstract designs are digitally printed on revolutionary non-woven wall coverings that are durable, washable and even flame-resistant.

Practical and elegant … I love them.

For further information and enquiries contact Fiona on 02 9310 230 or email info@eurowalls.com.au
www.eurowalls.com.au

Pictured above is the new Dancing Flames fireplace from Chazelles Fireplaces (St Peters, Sydney).
Dancing Flames is a European designed and manufactured gas model fireplace.

It’s available with a number of surrounds and has a remote control allowing variable flame heights so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your rug on the lounge.

For further information and enquiries phone 02 9550 6290 or email Henri Courant curlines@bigpond.net.au
www.chazelles.com.au

Lump Sculpture Studio. Chris Vassallo has the incredible ability to manufacture the most amazing works in metal – water features, lights, screens, sculptures.

I particularly like Chris’ Tree of Life feature panels and the custom sized galvanised steel planters, hand painted in Lump’s aged copper effect, which was commissioned by Melbourne University (top row).

All the above were made at Lump’s sculpture studio in Fairfield (172 Christmas Street), Victoria.

For further information and enquiries contact Kate on 03 9489 4766 or email kate@lump.com.au

www.lump.com.au

Julie Paterson of cloth fabric was winner of the New Product Award – Fabrics and Prints at this year’s designEx.
The award was presented to Julie for her new collection of wallpapers which has been developed in collaboration with Porters Paints.

The wallpapers are available through either cloth or porters for RRP $206 per 10 metre roll. Six designs are available in two colourways each.

The wallpaper works across a subtle range of natural, tonal colours to compliment the strong bold colours and motifs in the fabric collection by cloth to sit in harmony in any room.

Julie Paterson also launched a new brand at the show, Katsu Art Glass, featured above.

Designs are printed, carved, etched and painted onto toughened glass for kitchen splashbacks, glass cladding in bathrooms and feature walls.

Katsu ArtGlass features an exclusive collection of work designed by Julie Paterson.

For further information and enquiries contact Katrina Adami katrina@katsuglass.com.au

The Rug Collection launched its Garden Room indoor rug collection at the fair.

The collection has been designed in collaboration with gardening guru, Jamie Durie following the successful launch of the company’s outdoor rugs.

Six distinct rug designs; Blossom, Flannel Flowers, Leaf Canopy, Orchid, Dew Web and Summer Beauty are included in the range, each combining a sense of the outdoors and the colours of nature.

Each rug is hand-tufted in New Zealand Wool blend.

Two sizes are available; 160cm x 230cm ($1095) and 200cm x 290cm ($1695). Custom sizing and colours are available on request.

Garden Room by Jamie Durie Signature for The Rug Collections is available nationally.

For further stockist information contact The Rug Collection on 03 8555 0169.
www.therugcollection.com.au.

ferm LIVING Australia introduced some new wall sticker and wallpaper designs and gave us a sneak previous of these gorgeous squishy poufs (above right) arriving in the next week or so. Available in small (33cm), medium (37cm) and large (40cm) they add a cheerful spot of colour to any room. Price is available in application.

The Birch sticker (top row left) sells for RRP $146 and includes six stems of 1 metre lengths to make either 2 x 3 metre birch trunks or one very big 6 metre trunk. The Cassette wall sticker (top right) is RRP $140 and measures 100cm wide x 50cm high, so it’s big enough to make a real impact in a room.

ferm LIVING Wall stickers are designed in Denmark and made in Poland and can be shipped anywhere in Australia.

The Retro Leaves Wallpaper (above centre) is from ferm LIVING’s Very Special Collection. RRP is $180 for a 10 metre roll. Width is 53cm. The design is surface printed onto WallSmart wallpaper, a new type of easy application wallpaper which can be hung directly onto the wall after applying paste to the wall with a roller.

Voila! Wallpaper (above left) is also from the Very Special Collection and is RRP $180 per 10 metre roll. It is also surface printed onto WallSmart wallpaper.

For enquiries contact Meredith on 0425 327 107 or 02 9817 0457 or email meredith@fermliving.com.au
www.fermliving.com.au

Created by Multi award winning designer extraordinaire, Karim Rashid, this liquid acrylic resin bathtub has a unique seamless finish. Beautifully designed the Skape Tub is also stain resistant, has dimensional stability with a base growing out from the main surface and is anti bacterial.

It’s available in white but can also be custom designed to match any colour and measures 2,352mm x 1305mm x 530mm.

At $12,500 it’s not for everyone but couldn’t you feel sensational in this?

For enquiries phone 1300 795 708 or email michael on michael@xflo.com.au
www.xflo.com.au
www.hanex.com.au

Coast New Zealand has added to its Marine Bean collection with the Isla range including the single seater chair seen here, an ottoman and a lounger.

The Isla combines the comfort of a beanbag with the flexibility of modular furniture.

It’s perfect as an individual seat, or combine multiple units to form a luxurious sofa or lounger.

The Isla utilises a unique ‘reticulated’ liner, which comprises multiple interconnected chambers.

When filled, this internal structure allows the sofa to maintain its pre-formed shape, yet remain soft and comfortable.

The Isla features Sunbrella brand fabrics, which offers unparalleled outdoor performance and durability.

For further information or enquiries call 1800 197 172 or email info@coastnewzealand.com

www.coastnewzealand.com.au

48 beluga 49 central park (4)

50 gettties 51 plaza (4)

52 rodeo drive (2) 53 sevruga (3)

Hip Home Luxury Rugs showed its range of 2010 custom textured rugs.

The company has been experimenting with unique textured designs for some time and have launched a custom ranged of interesting hand woven rugs using the finest New Zealand wool.

Many of the style shave been felted and then hand woven with neutral tones to crate a natural presence. All these featured rugs are exclusive to the design industry and samples are available on request.

For further information and enquiries contact Ross Page on 07 5450 6230 or ross@hiphome.com.au
www.hiphome.com.au

Tokens of Living (Mona Vale, Sydney) featured its Altimago vintage flooring made with Aubrey oak.
Developed in Europe the new product is a multilayer floor, designed to be used with underfloor heating.

The vintage flooring can be weathered according to personal choice. Clients may also select the colour, the width of the planks (160, 190, 220 mm), the aura and the intensity of the ageing and weathering process; cracks, open knots, scratched V-grooves and the roughness.

The floors are laid finished, so there’s no need to sand or stain. Exclusive metal inlays in various patterns are also available.

Pricing is from $195 to $235 per square metre excluding metal inlay, laying and delivery.

Also featured on the Tokens of Living stand was the new Tobias Grau lighting range, Falling.

Tobias Grau is a German designer and manufacturer of modern quality lighting for the residential and the commercial industry.

“Falling” the lamp symbolises the descent of raindrops from above. Thanks to the optical lenses, light is optimally dispersed and doesn’t dazzle.

The pendent lamp, made from polished aluminium, is fitted out with new LED-technology. You’ll never have to change a light bulb again because instead of having an illuminate, LED contains a plate with light emitting diodes, which have a lifespan of around 30 years.

For further information and enquiries call 02 9979 3056, or email info@tokens.com.au www.tokens.com.au

Exhibiting for the first time at designEx was Dearwood. Owner and designer Vicki Meintjes says her inspiration is drawn from from her industry counterparts, as much as from her environment, travels, and good architecture and design.

Vicki’s travels as a designer took an unexpected turn into wallpaper, after a restaurateur had commissioned her to design wallpaper for his tapas bar. Up until that point, Vicki had seen success in gift boxes and gift bags stocked nationally in David Jones and other retailers, as ‘Mamoko’.

But it was the process of designing for the restaurateur’s wall that captured Vicki’s imagination, and Dearwood was born.

black leather couch on white

Dearwood has total commitment to supporting local industry and utilising technologies that have a low impact on the environment.

For this reason, its designs are printed locally by hand, drawing on the strengths of local industry counterparts.

Dearwood’s approach for long-term sustainability includes the use of water-based pigment inks, 100% recyclable non-woven bases, and the decision to screenprint rather than digital means the elimination of printer wastage by-products and chemicals used in the printing process.

For design project teams who value the consideration applied to each stage of the design and production process from beginning to end, Dearwood’s approach has an attractive appeal.

For further information and enquiries contact Vicki on Vicki Meintjes on 0438 028 019 vicki.m@dearwood.com.au

www.dearwood.com.au

For impact, you just couldn’t walk past these striking wall coverings by Mr Perswall. The two designs above attracted most attention at the fair.

Left is Graffiti City designed by D. Prospero and right is Evergreen Highway also by D. Prospero.
Apparently Mr Perswall stands for “Personal Wall Coverings”.

Mr Perswall is a Swedish wallpaper factory manufacturing an assortment of photowalls, murals and designed feature walls in which the client is part of the design process.
For further information and enquiries contact Ann-Louise (Lollo) Jansson on M 0434 923 363 or email lollo@wallpaperdecor.com.au

Designs can also be ordered online.

www.mrperswall.com.au

Alfrescostyle-by-Ferguson-Corporation-Guitar-BBQ-image-1.jpg

What Elvis wouldn’t have given for the guitar shaped barbecue above from Ferguson Corporation.

The barbecue attracted some intense interest from visitors to the fair, among them the crew from Better Homes and Gardens which featured the Barbie on its May 14 episode.

Every alfresco barbeque is designed and custom build at Ferguson Corporation’s family owned and operated business in O’Connor, WA which has been in operation for over 30 years.

At $30,000 it’s out of my reach but if Elvis was alive today, he would probably have ordered two.

The company produces a very impressive range of barbeque which can be viewed on its website.

For futher information and enquiries contact Daniel Ferguson on 0411 601 193 or email danielf@fergusoncorp.com.au.

www.fergusoncorp.com.au

DesignEx stand1

DesignEx stand2

Combining original Visual Resource artwork and toughened glass, VR Art Glass delivers a finish high in both form and function.

While the beauty and functionality of the finish immediately lends itself to Kitchen Splashbacks and Bathroom applications, the finish also provides a versatile high impact option for almost any interior environment.

For further information or enquiries contact Toni Collins at toni@visualresource.com.au

www.visualresource.com.au

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Rugs – How to Choose and What’s on Offer

May 11th, 2010

In Sydney this week, the temperature has suddenly dropped. So the doonas, throw rugs and big cushions are back out and a few floor rugs, stored for summer, have resumed their winter positions making our home feel instantly cosy again. Which prompted me to think about rugs and their impact on our living and working spaces.

Of course it’s a matter of taste and opinion, but to me rugs are very much a key element in making any space feel intimate, particularly large open areas, which frankly, can feel a little lonely and sound a bit loud, particularly if you have hard surface flooring.

Living Room Rug

Rugs cleverly used within a large space can create a number of living areas without the use of walls, bringing together groups of furnishings in harmony with one another to give a feeling of intimacy without loosing the openness of the interior.

This week I visited the showroom of Tappeti which produces custom made rugs for the design industry. Alicia Swan, textile designer and manager of Tappeti’s Sydney Studio gave me some practical tips about choosing the right rug for the job and the right budget.

Size counts …

Before making a decision about design and colour, Alicia says it’s important to analyse the space where you want to feature the rug. The size and position of the rug is vital.

PrivateHouse03 RedChrys

Most people will assume a rug should sit in front of a couch and in some instances this is appropriate, however if for example the rug is for a small room it is best the rug be positioned with the furniture on it so that it doesn’t make the room look even smaller.

She says a very simple but effective technique is to use newspaper pages to create a rug template in the space you have in mind. Add or delete pages to see the impact a smaller or larger rug will make or how the position of the rug impacts on the ambience of the room.

… so does Lighting

Will the rug be in full light or partial light? It’s important to view the rug from all angles and consider how the pattern and design will look like from different vantage points, to ensure you achieve maximum visual impact from the rug.

MintonHouse_Bright residential_06

Tools to Shop With

If you’re using the services of an interior decorator or designer they’ll be able to steer your decision however if you’re hitting the shops for your rug there are some things you should go armed with apart from a clear idea about the size of the rug.

Any swatches of fabrics from the room/s are helpful … curtains, sofa fabrics, cushions, etc as well as a clear idea of the colour and style of the furniture pieces and main decorative features.

Samples_117 Some retailers and wholesalers are able to offer rug swatches allowing you to take the piece home to try against your other furnishings.

This can be particularly beneficial when the lighting in the showroom is quite different to that of room in which your rug will be.

The Big Decision about Design

As our images from Tappeti and other rug suppliers here show, there is an unlimited scope for designs in rugs from traditional and classic to the highly decorative and contemporary.

As Tappeti specialises in custom designed hand-crafted rugs, they work closely with their clients to create with the best design solution, providing accurate scaled renderings of the intended design which can be brought to life with various fibres and pile techniques.

PrivateHouse02 Stock_lineato

Alicia says many people like to reference the rug to other pieces in the room such as a colour or design picked out from a cushion, curtain or decorative feature to bring the room together in harmony.

commercial_06 residential_03 residential_02
This can be achieved through a striking use of colour or as a textured tone on tone reference that complements the other strong patterns within a room. This can result in a highly decorative or textured rug which in essence creates a piece of artwork around which the room is then completed.

Sleek, short cut pile rugs will create a totally different ambience to a shag rug which will tend to lend itself to a cosy, textured feeling decor. Loop pile rugs also have a more textured irregular appearance.

Neutral toned rugs are well suited to small spaces, however the clever use of directional lines or interesting texture can make a smaller room look larger, says Alicia.

Samples_135 Samples_155

Budget and Quality

Everyone has a budget, large or small. Obviously we’d all love a beautifully designed custom made rug and Tappeti have some truly beautiful designs in their Chippendale studio. It goes without saying that a clever designer can totally transform the look of a room with a beautiful rug.

Samples_121 Alicia says her own preference would always be a rug of dense New Zealand Wool.

In her opinion NZ wool is the best wool on the market; is durable, easy to clean, is a very fine yarn and will look good and last for a long time. However there are a host of option for all budgets on the market.

New Zealand wool tends to be denser and more durable than other forms of wool; however it is possible to buy rugs which are a blend of wools and there are varying degrees of quality in all types of wool.

Wool is also more fire retardant than its synthetic counterparts.

Alicia says acrylic and nylon rugs can be hard wearing however tend to fluff more than wool rugs and don’t tend to keep their good looks for long.

It’s now possible to buy synthetic rugs without the shiny look of the older style synthetics, and these newer synthetics are also much softer to the feel than their predecessors as some are mixed with natural fibres such as wool and the advantageous qualities of both fibres can be optimized.

The Practicalities

The back of the rug is probably the last thing we think to look at, but important all the same says Alicia.

Tappeti has a double backing on all its rugs which has a smoother feel than basic webbing and also acts to protect the flooring under the rug. She also suggests an underlay to reduce trip hazard and helps the rug sit in place.
An underlay will also reduce the impressions caused by heavy furniture sitting on top.

residential_01 Tappeti has a cleaning kit the company recommendeds with each of its custom made rugs however, Alicia offer the following general tips.

When buying a rug ask the retailer for their recommendation on the best cleaning product for your rug and follow the instructions for use of the product to the tee!

She says it is vital to remove all the liquid and soil possible with a non coloured cloth from the stain as soon as it happens and before applying any cleaning agent. A good rule of thumb is to treat your rugs like clothing – tend to it straightaway if any spill or mishap occurs.

And as a general rule, regular vacuuming will keep a good rug, looking good.

Many thanks to Alicia for her time and patience while I scribbled her tips and advice. The image above are all from Tappeti’s range. For enquiries contact Alicia on 02 9698 2735 or email designstudio@tappeti.com.au

Below is a selection of rugs from this winter’s releases from a number of companies. Enjoy.

Zig n Zag, Shimmer and Vivace (left to right below) are from the New Vivian Chan Shaw collection for Designers Rugs and are priced from $4,950 for a 2m x 3m rug. They’re hand made using New Zealand wool and viscose.

Zig N Zag OH Shimmer OH Vivance #1 - Copy

Neo Classical , Renaissance Gold and Palladian (below) are from the Designer Rugs’ Limited Edition Wedgwood collection and are prices from $4,250 (Neo Classical, 2m x 3m) and are hand made using New Zealand Wool.

Neo Classical Renaissance Gold Palladian Taupe

South Beach, Monte Carlo and Oxford (below) are from Designer Rugs’ Greg Natale collection and are priced from $4,350. They are made using New Zealand Wool.

South Beach copy Monte Carlo copy Oxford copy

Bibelo, Palati and Basco (below) are from Designer Rugs’ Alex Perry collection and are priced from $4,500. They are made from New Zealand wool and viscose.

Bibelo Overhead Palati Overhead Baso Overhead

The rugs below are from Designer Rugs’ New Bella Visa collection and are priced from $1,799. They are made with a blend of New Zealand Wool and silk.

For enquiries phone Ph: 1300 802 561 or email info@designerrugs.com.au

Grandmas Cl Midnight OHead Atoms Oyster OHead Fanfair Choc OHead

Italtex have a huge range of reasonably priced rugs all on display at the company’s main showroom at Alexandria in Sydney. The rugs below are priced from a very affordable RRP $599 for a 160cm x 230cm rug. The company also has regional office in Melbourne and Auckland, New Zealand (Rug Traders).

The company’s interactive website makes selection simple and includes designer rugs, printed rugs, kid’s rugs, hall runners in a wide range of designs and fabrications from wool to polypropylene.

The rugs above are from the Italtex Eclipse and below, Eclaire collections which the company describes as something between traditional and contemporary in style. They offer intricate structured effects and tone-on-tone colour combinations in a resilient, lustrous million-point heatset pp (exellan) construction.

Their Belgain producer, Ragolle is a renowned designer and a creator of cutting edge home textiles and fabrics.

CH 4 White with brown brindle patch Unitex also offer an affordable range of rugs from cow hides to shags.

The rug left is from the Unitex Cow Hide collection, super luscious hides from Brazil.

Designs range from the exotic to unique natural patterns.

The hides are soft, supple and shiny adding a designer touch to any space.

Gold Collection (below left) are a range of modern acrylic rugs which the Unitex says has been carefully selected with today’s needs and trends in mind. The rugs feature a 2cm plus pile and are hand tufted with premium quality acrylic yarn.

HV-612-BLACK SYD-1-BR

The Sydney Collection from Unitex (above right) offers traditional Persian style designs in a variety of colourways in a range of sizes including continuous hall runners. This collection is hand made in hat set polypropylene making it hardwearing and ideal for high traffic areas.

GRAPE-3 Unitex’s Soho Shag (seen left in grape) is a fun collection offering high value and versatility.

Ten colours are available including five brights and five neutrals.

The soft plush pile is a micro-fibre which means it won’t shed easily and is easy maintenance. Circles in three sizes are also available.

For further information, email Andrea, andrea@unitexint.com

A lovely rug really finishes off a children’s room or nursery and gives them a space to feel comfortable and cosy, especially in winter when playing on tile or timber can be chilly for their little bottoms.

These gorgeous rugs are from Bug Rugs which specialises solely in rugs for children’s rooms and nurseries.

Larasfeetemail

Bug Rugs are constructed from high grade 100% Japanese acrylic yarn offering a soft, plus appearance yet they are also very practical and easy to clean. The rugs below are 1.2m x 1.7m. Some styles are available in a larger 1.6m x 2.3m size. All rugs can be purchased online and start at a very affordable $20 to around $350 for a playroom size.

girls stripes amended bug pinkflowers_etched pink and white