TRADITIONAL HANDKNOTTED DESIGN FOR A REVITALIZED WINNIPEG HOME
Photo: Jaqueline Young
Erica and Alan McLaughlin undertook the revival of an old home in Winnipeg's River Heights neighbourhood. They spent a good year refinishing and updating the rooms, and once complete, were ready for the final touches. Erica was looking for a stair runner with a traditional design that would work well with the house's old bones but wanted it to complement the brightly coloured artworks and furniture she had used to complete the home. Once the runners were envisioned and designed, it became apparent that a living room rug would really tie it all together.
All in, the project - managed by Vice President Ali McMurter - comprised two flights of stair runner, one landing rug, one stair hall rug and the living room rug. “The same colours and motifs were used for the runners and rugs but the living room rug has a proper border on it while the runners have a long rambling repeat of motifs,” said Ali.
The basis for the design came from this small mill sample but the colour palette was reworked for a brighter and more saturated effect.
The home owner chose a similar design for all the pieces. “Since the design and colours are quite impactful, she wanted them to feel continuous so as not to create too much surprise at every turn. Erica is a master at balancing visual fun and comfort,” said Ali. “The pattern came from a small mill sample in traditional colours and the McLaughlins chose new colours that were brighter and more saturated. The main inspiration for the colours came from a painting that hangs in the living room.”
Photo: Jaqueline Young
Although it is relatively new for Creative Matters to work with mills in Afghanistan, their Persian knot suits traditional design very well. This form of handknotted construction ensures that the rugs will be strong and beautiful for a long time to come. Not to mention the comfort underfoot, the visual delight, the continuity up the stairs, and the extension of the fantastic colours of the living room into the home.
Photo: Jaqueline Young