OUR DESIGNERS' FAVOURITE RUGS
Do you feel like exploring the most intriguing pieces that shaped Creative Matters in 2017? Then look no further than this list of some of our designers' favourites which run the gamut from a 36-foot (11-metre) residential runner to a wall hanging for an airport to a corporate rug sprayed with mustard yellow.
KAYLA BORTOLOTTO CHOICE: CORPORATE RUNNER IN NEWFOUNDLAND
Handtufted, 100% wool, designed by Clémence Hardelay.
This office runner is a stunning organic design with dramatic movement and dimension, and the colours are a perfect pairing of golds with deep ocean blues. I love the combination of the cut pile with the level tight loop pile. The colour paired with the textural dimension is particularly beautiful while the level of contrast achieved without any hits of silk is impressive. The long lines in the design play well with the lengthy runner shape and overall the rug brings so much life and depth to the space.
ALI MCMURTER CHOICE: FLATWEAVE AT IQALUIT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Hand woven dhurrie wall hanging, 100% wool, interpreted by Anna Panosyan based on a original tapestry.
Not a rug but a wall hanging! This is one of several that we interpreted and enlarged for the Iqaluit International Airport. Each piece is based on a much smaller wall hanging made by Inuit artists in the 20th Century. We scaled up the artworks so that they can be experienced in a larger public space. It is really exciting to be a part of celebrating the work of Inuit artists that tell an important part of our national story. The Ice Fishing tapestry is magnificent in its original state, and I'm thrilled with how we were able to stay true to the original by using yarns and techniques that are almost exactly the same.
KAT PEZZANO CHOICE: DHURRIES FOR THE BISHA HOTEL TORONTO
Handwoven dhurries, 100% wool, designed by Anna Panosyan.
These rugs are a somewhat unusual soft peach colour with hints of greys running through. It's particularly interesting how organic lines running along the rug diagonally tie into the space. I really enjoy how the dhurries bring everything together by perfectly complementing the finishes, furniture and greenery - they really pick up and influence the soft colours.
CAROL SEBERT CHOICE: RUG FOR A TORONTO RESIDENCE
Handtufted, 100% wool, designed by Kayla Bortolotto.
What we're seeing here are 12 colours and 44 colour blends. First we have a soft gradation of warm taupe tones, then playing off of this gentle field are the colourful shards of pattern in cut and loop pile which relate to fabrics in the home.
This is a large rug at 10’10” x 36’6” (3.4m x 11m) sweeping through the living room and dining room of the home. It's unusual to make a rug fill two distinct rooms in this way, however with the space being as large as it is, the carpet offers the coziness that the designer was hoping to achieve. The playful colour also helps to make the space less formal. The client's desire was to have the living and dining rooms be inviting and comfortable for entertaining, and I think we really achieved this.
SANDRA CIGANIC-MCKINNEY CHOICE: RUG FOR A CORPORATE RECEPTION
Handtufted, 100% wool, designed by Anna Panosyan.
Here we have a contemporary blend of cool greys and blues elevated with a dramatic statement of vibrant yellow. I chose this rug because the background is fairly conservative, but the spray of mustard is such an element of surprise - perfect styling for a corporate setting in my opinion.
ANA CUNNINGHAM CHOICE: RUNNER FOR A HONG KONG HOTEL
I recall the words of the interior designer (Robert MacDonald from Yabu Pushelberg) at the time, when he was describing his design intent for this piece. He asked me to imagine a babbling brook with fallen leaves flowing with the current, collecting in some areas while dissipating in others. This was to be interpreted in an abstract way, hence the simple geometry. We started by creating it digitally and quickly found that it was looking too stiff, so to give the shapes more character, we decided to hand draw a series of them. There is also a subtle gradation of hues within the pattern - from lavender to royal blue. For added depth, we played with lower loop pile that acts as shadows along with a variety of pile heights to play up the overlapping of the floating shapes. A touch of silk was added for a bit of shimmer. I enjoy this design as it's both calming and energetic, simple yet complicated - an intriguing dichotomy.
ANNA PANOSYAN CHOICE: BANK OF AMERICA LOBBY RUG
Handtufted, 100% wool, designed by Clémence Hardelay.
Here we have an abstract watercolour design (in a combination of cut and loop pile) evoking the ocean that is cleverly integrated with the client's logo - the hexagonal shapes. I love the fluidity of this design - the way blues flow into each other and collide with yellows and purples creating colourful “islands.”
MADELEINE BAIGENT CHOICE: WALLCOVERING FOR A BOUTIQUE STORE IN NEW YORK
Digitally printed on vinyl, machine printed, designed by Sandra Ciganic-McKinney.
The wallcovering for The Westside store features indigo shades of blue and white in a shibori pattern that is very of-the-moment. The minimal colour palette keeps the wallcovering from becoming too busy and overwhelming the space. The pattern makes the space contemporary and hip - important elements in a retail business where staying on-trend keeps a store relevant. The repetition of the folded shapes in the cool blue tones really transforms the retail space and makes it much more exciting and vibrant than a simple painted wall.
I chose this piece as my favourite because it illustrates the way a wallcovering can wake up a room and bring energy into it. Because vinyl wallcoverings are cost-effective, they're a perfect way to change up a retail space without breaking the bank. I also really love the way the wall plays off the clean minimal decor and large potted plant. This definitely looks like an inviting retail space that I would want to step into!
LEAH PHILLIPS CHOICE: RUGS FOR COMMON SPACES IN CHICAGO RESIDENCE
Handtufted, 100% wool, designed by Leah Phillips, Kayla Bortolotto, Kat Pezzano, Sarah Stevenson.
These designs feature modern geometrics with bold colours and strong lines. The rugs are a combination of a textured loop and a cut pile that has an almost velvety smoothness. Details delight. For example the small triangles are defined by a thin line of carving between shapes. I love geometrics, and this style of design works so perfectly in the handtufted quality. The lines are crisp and the colours pop.
LOOKING AHEAD
As 2017 draws to a close we love looking back on creations that give us joy even as we work on new and exciting rugs for 2018.