10 RUGS THAT REVEAL THE HIDDEN POWER OF NEUTRALS
Frequently an interior calls for a rug in flattering neutral hues. For our designers, this can be just as challenging and exciting as a colourful project. The combinations of warm and cool tones are endless; the results are versatile, subtle and stylish. From afar these rugs may appear understated but closer inspection reveals an inner world of complex design, along with an intimate knowledge of fine fibres and artisanal technique. Scroll through these 10 rugs that reveal the hidden power of neutrals and comment on your favourite!
At first glance, this rug says sophisticated luxe but if you rest a while, it slowly becomes apparent that subtle colour blend combinations and pile heights in 100% wool replicate a detailed map of Montreal, with the signature Deloitte green dot marking the location of the tower itself.
Project: Two rugs for the lobby of La Tour Deloitte, Montreal. Interior Design: Arney Fender Katsalids, U.K.
Scratch is one of the most popular designs from our collections of handknotted rugs. So popular in fact, it is available in no less than four neutral colourways: Ice (shown here), Silver, Frost and the award-winning Platinum. The rug gives the impression of layers of texture through the addition of silk, which plays to both the dark and light background tones in the colour palette.
Project: Scratch - Ice from the Aerial Collection
At the uber luxe Bergdorf Goodman Jewelry Salons, the 13 grey blends in the carpet match surrounding stonework, paint colour and store fixtures. Precisely assembled with careful silk placement, they create a luxe, shimmering and enduring foundation to balance the opulence of the space.
Project: Bergdorf Goodman Jewelry Salons. Interior Design: Linda Fargo and Doug Gellenbeck. Photo: Thaddeus Rombauer
Saved to over 500 Ideabooks on Houzz, this wool and silk handtufted herringbone design is a perfect example of what can be achieved with a limited colour palette. Keeping it grey, we played with pile heights, yarns with natural variations and silk highlights to create movement and texture.
Project: Boston townhouse. Interior Design: Hacin + Associates. Photo: Michael Stavardis
The perfect rug for a calming space. Neutral in colour but incredibly warm in tone, this rug is an elegant accompaniment to a room with polish, charm and quiet sophistication.
Project: NYC residence. Interior Design: Alan Tanksley
Although this rug combines two of the most common shades on the colour spectrum, and uses the simple lines of expanded scale, the fluid lines of the furniture together with the uniting British Columbia theme, create statement-making synergy.
Project: 29 rugs for Canada House, London. Original Artwork: LessLIE. Interior Design: Stantec. Photo: Ben Blossom
A classic rug shape and a calm neutral field make a statement when a contemporary burst of colour appears in the perfect position for the room. Nettle and wool were blended together for this piece, to add shine and to tie into the informal, elegantly comfortable feel of the room.
Project: Custom rug for a residential space.
Camouflage was one of the “Characters, Carpets with Soul” collection designed for Jab Anstoetz. Using seven harmonious tones of chocolate, mauve and pale grey, the blend of colours gives the design a gentle masculinity, which ties into the furniture and brings a softness to the outdoor beach setting.
Project: Jab Anstoetz collection. Photo: Jab Anstoetz
Roseberry, also from the Jab Anstoetz collection, is an effortless damask in two colours. Gentle overall design, handtufted in one level cut pile, bringing elegance to a classic yet contemporary room. We were conscious of staying true to the traditional roots of this style, but at the same time handling the damask pattern with a hand-drawn feeling, to lend a contemporary twist to a repeat pattern.
Project: Jab Anstoetz collection. Photo: Jab Anstoetz
Lake––another piece in the collection we developed for Jab Anstoetz Carpets of Germany––captures the movement of water with only three colours. Here we have pared back the boldness of the aubergine shades without losing the strength of the design.
Project: Jab Anstoetz collection. Photo: Jab Anstoetz