Design Classic: Swirl Rug
By Livingetc
Designer: Sir Paul Smith, 2000.
Details: Hand-knotted, cut-pile Tibetan wool rug,from £1,552, The Rug Company.
Created by one of the foremost UK fashion designers to collaborate with leading brands across the interiors world, Sir Paul Smith’s Swirl rug for The Rug Company gives his signature stripes a psychedelic twist, washing across the floor in wave-like forms.
The colour-banded weave is cleverly drawn out, adding an illusionary op-art element to the mix – even the tones are carefully calibrated to coalesce rather than clash.
Sir Paul’s renowned tailoring is a byword for precision-cut cloth, beautifully sculpted for contemporary taste. What’s less well-known is that when he was approached by The Rug Company’s founders, Suzanne and Christopher Sharp, to produce the design (the couple first met him while Christopher was being fitted for a suit), it wasn’t expected to be such a game changer.
‘I famously said it wouldn’t sell well,’ says Suzanne. ‘Now, it’s one of our bestsellers.’
The secret to its success? Sir Paul has a theory. ‘I believe people like the bright colours and the optimism they represent,’ he says. ‘Optimism isn’t always easy to come by in today’s world, so I think that’s why it stands out.’
Coupled with The Rug Company’s own philosophy of teaming creativity with craft – each rug takes four months to make: the Tibetan wool is first washed by a mountain river, before being dried on the banks and then transported to Kathmandu to be spun, dyed and woven – it’s an uplifting design guaranteed to both elevate your mood and transform a room. And it feels divine underfoot…
-
-
Best air purifier: boost air quality and eliminate indoor pollutants
The best air purifiers to create cleaner air at home and stop bad odours from lingering, from Dyson, Phillips, Levoit and more
By Caroline Preece •
-
Best knife sharpeners 2021: our top five sharpeners for your kitchen knives
Banish blunt blades by investing in the best knife sharpeners, with sharpening stones, steel rods, and pull-through knife sharpeners
By Emily Georgiou •
-
Balcony Ideas That Make The Most Of A Small Balcony
These chic and stylish balcony ideas will help you make the most of a small city balcony, and turn it into a space you'll enjoy spending time in.
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Garden decking ideas: 18 decking ideas for a chic and modern outdoor space
Gorgeous garden decking ideas for a modern decked patio garden. We've found 18 stylish garden decking ideas for a chic, modern outdoor space.
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Patio ideas: 50 stylish patio schemes & design tricks for a welcoming outdoor space
Get inspired by these 50 strikingly stylish garden patio ideas to transform your patio garden into a dreamy outdoor oasis...
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Bathroom Storage Ideas: 15 storage ideas for a tidier bathroom
Take inspiration from these bathroom storage ideas for a tidy and clutter-free bathroom.
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Small bedroom ideas: 15 design ideas that max out on style
These small bedroom ideas prove that petite spaces can still be big on style..
By Livingetc •
-
White Bathroom Ideas: 20 Ideas for a calm and muted scheme
The white bathroom ideas below range from the highly contemporary to rustic country looks, elegant schemes and even raw, industrial looks. There are ideas to suit bathrooms big and small, calm and bold, but they all have one thing in common: they are all light, bright and crisp white bathroom schemes
By Lotte Brouwer •
-
Anglepoise 1227 Desk Lamp: where to buy, how to style and all you need to know
The Anglepoise 1227 Desk lamp is an iconic piece of design, and so we shine a spotlight on this mid-century hero
By Rory Robertson •
-
Modern bathroom ideas: 34 looks to try for an up to date scheme
See our favourite modern bathroom ideas, from modern lighting, baths, basins, bathroom furniture and lighting to the latest trends in bathroom colour and pattern...
By Lotte Brouwer •