MELISSA PENFOLD & ISABELLA WALKER-SMITH - RUGS

IN THE THIRD OF OUR SERIES OF LITTLE BLACK BOOKS, CREATIVE STYLE EXPERTS MELISSA PENFOLD AND ISABELLA WALKER-SMITH TAKE US RUG SHOPPING.

One of the most searched items on the Homes to Love website is ‘rugs’. Your living room isn’t complete without one. there’s a dazzling range out there, but finding the right one can be like trying to solve a puzzle. Moroccan, navajo or tibetan? Flatweave or plush silk? antique or new? Square or round? For decades, antique Persians, hand-knotted from silk and often taking years to produce, were the gold standard of floorcoverings. then the market was flooded with fakes, tastes shifted, and high-quality rug production was no longer sustainable. Blame our increasingly casual culture. there has, in fact, been a 40-year move toward less formal carpets. Wool is the new silk. established imperfections are the ideal standard. there is no rule that says you have to limit yourself to one rug in a room. try using different rugs in large rooms to define areas. Still can’t decide? then layer them. these are a few of our favourite rug options in different price ranges – many are stylish enough to plan your whole house around. Melissa + Isabella.

CASTLERY

Founded in Singapore by new York banker declan ee, castlery is a direct-toconsumer business, delivering stylish, modern, quality pieces for the home at accessible prices. its new showroom at Sydney’s Moore Park Supa centa is an essential stop for a well-thought-out buzzy range of modern durable rugs. Find contemporary updates of Mid-century to Moroccan-trellis styles, loosely inspired by handwoven vintage Berber rugs in a natural palette. castlery’s focus is on quality construction, materials that last at an accessible price point, and durability for everyday use. castlery.​com/au

IKEA