Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Pink Kitchen Runner

Creating a custom rug for a kitchen runner is a great way to pack a punch of color in your space.  This pink runner in my "Rocky Medallion" pattern was specified by Darsi Floersch at Martha O'Hara Interiors for her beautiful client project.  The project was also an ASID award winner this year.

Don't be afraid to invest in a custom rug for a kitchen space.  If the rug is hand-knotted, all wool and small enough...it can be washed in your laundry or bath tub!  Just be sure to use mild soap (shampoo is a good option...you're basically just giving the sheep a bath :)) and cool water.  Never wash a wool rug in hot water or it may shrink the fibers.  Also, make sure to rinse well.  It will be good as new once the rug dries.  I do it all the time!

Tip: Never immerse a hand-tufted rug in water or the backing will break down--hand-tufted rugs have a cloth backing glued onto the back of the rug.  In a hand-knotted rug, you can actually see the knots on the back of the rug.

Picture is courtesy of houzz.com.


Treehouse Kitchen contemporary kitchen

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Lilu Interiors---An Inspired Team

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the interior designers at Lilu Interiors to create some custom rugs for their client.  The couple is young and loves bright colors...a dream come true for a rug designer who also loves color (in the state of Minnesota where beige and grey are often the preferred color choices)!


After a few renditions, we landed on this Moroccan-inspired rug design in a field of blue with pops of pink, chartreuse and chocolate brown.  In a unique living room setting, Lilu created 3 separate sitting areas but coordinated them beautifully.  The art, pillows and unusual fringed throw on the sofa pull the central part of the living room together and yield a fun, bright and playful space to enjoy family and friends.

Keep it coming Lilu ladies!!


Interior Design by Lilu Interiors/Photos: Susan Gilmore
Rug design by Julie Dasher

Rug design by Julie Dasher

Rug design by Julie Dasher