Over the next few weeks my colleague Katherine Kissack and I will be covering all the major fairs in Melbourne to report on the latest, newest and brightest in decor coming our way.

First of the Fairs was Decoration + Design, co-hosted with Furnitex at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from July 19 to 22.

We were both surprised by the quality and diversity of product at this fair in most categories. Here are a few of our favourite finds in the Rug category.

The story of Zaida International is rather a romantic tale of a young woman who fell in love with her tour guide on an adventure to India and at the same time fell in love with Kashmir in the north-west of the continent.

We met owner, Maria Hearty at the fair and spent a good deal of time enjoying her hand crafted rugs and soft furnishing and learning more about how they are made.

Kashmir's many crafts reflect the state's history, landscape and traditional way of life.

Zaida International respects these traditional values and the skills of the craftsmen who produce the finest quality chain stitch needlework in the world.

At Zaida International these skills are used to produce contemporary and abstract designs, many influenced by the work of European artists.

The company also offers a bespoke service.

All Zaida International products are made by adults who, as cooperatives, set their own rates for the work they do.

At no stage in production are children involved. Work is not carried out in a factory environment, rather, within their own homes as a cottage industry.

For further information contact Maria on maria@zaidinternational.com or visit the website zaidainternational.com

Armadillo&Co launched some additions to its Designer Collection at the fair.

Eclectic and bold, Persia (above) combines delicate ancient design with a contemporary palette.

Like all Armadillo&Co's Designer Collection range, Persia is available in 23 colourful shades. Keep it simple with just two, or mix it up with a selection of three.

The Armadillo&Co Designer Collection is an exclusive service available to interior designers.

Suggested sizes are 0.9x1.8m, 1.4x2m, 1.7x2.4m, 2x3m and 3x4m The ever-popular River Weave - Ticking Stripe (above right) is also now available in a fresh new colour way, Natural/Indigo.

The versatile new shade provides a rich, earthy base for a multitude of interior themes.

Available sizes are 0.9x1.8m, 1.4x2m, 1.7x2.4m, 2x3m and 3x4m. Custom sizes are also available on request. For further information, Click here.

MD Leathers showed some new designs including the vibrantly colour hide ottoman above, black and white butterfly hide and circle design rugs (all above).

A feature on the stand was an intricately designed glorious hide rug (see pic of rug section above right).

It was my favourite piece and would a rich, luxurious feel to either a study or living area. Katherine’s pick was Black and White butterfly hide.

For further information contact Mark Dowding at mark@hidestyle.com or visit www.mdileathers.com

I couldn’t walk past the two stunning rugs (at top) from Silk Road.

The patch worked look has been around for a while now but I don’t believe anyone does it better than this company which has been featuring at Decoration + Design for as long as I can remember.

The citrus and yellow colour pallets of these rugs was particularly appealing and on trend.

According to Ash Jamshidi handmade rugs play a pivotal role in interior design in both East and West whether on the floor, as wall hangings, or furniture covering and are treasured for their expressive designs and intricate combinations of pattern and colour.

This mix of pattern and colour is the quintessential ingredient in timeless interiors. Silk Road Hand Made Rugs is a family-owned company situated in the heart of Melbourne’s interior design precinct.

The company’s Prahran retail and trade showroom features hundreds of highly individual rugs handcrafted in Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan, India and Nepal.

For further information contact Ash Jamshidi on info@silroadrugs.com.au or visit www.silkroadrugs.com.au

Some stunning new designs from Bayliss Rugs my fave being the rug at top and the natural toned rug above left.

Katherine loves black and white, geometrics and splashes of colour so the dramatic zig zag design and strong geometrics are her choice.

For further information contact Angelina van de Kerkhof on a.vandekerkhof@bayliss.net.au or visit www.baylissrugs.com

Click here to go to Part II of our Blog featuring soft furnishings at the fair.