The Rug Company and Farrow & Ball Collaboration

The Rug Company has teamed up with Farrow & Ball to launch a collection of twelve fantastic rugs. If you know Farrow & Ball you’ll already be aware that they have grouped some their neutrals into six families, and so The Rug Company has designed two rugs to go with each family; a complementary neutral and an accent, with each colour available in three finishes, Plain Wool, Cut and Loop Stripe and Wool with a Silk Border. With two such wonderful companies, the collection is undoubtedly fabulous, so we had to share it with you.

The Lots Blue rug with Old White on the wall

The Traditional Neutrals family were some of the first colours created at Farrow & Ball, all with a gorgeous classic green-grey undertone; they’re timeless and effortless. The rug Lots Blue is the perfect accent piece to pair with the traditional family, with hints of sea greens and sky blues. Holland Stone was also made with the Traditional Neutrals in mind, but they’re not limited to just the families; here the warmth of the Holland Stone is contrasted with the deep classic look of Railings, making a sophisticated industrial style scheme.

The Holland rug with Railings on the wall

The Yellow-Based Neutrals are another set of traditional colours, perfect for a period property and pairing with antiques. There’s a relaxed regal nature to them, and the warm yellows are drawn out when paired with a red, like the Keepers Red rug from the collection. It’s a warm, welcoming deep crimson red, and has that classic cosy, sitting by the fire, countryside feel to it.

The Keeper’s Red rug with String on the wall

The neutral rug colour to pair with the yellow-based family is the Clarendon rug; a warm and relaxing tone that’ll comfort you in cold lights. The Clarendon and the yellow-based neutral make the ideal backdrop for some exciting pieces of furniture, particularly in darker woods.

The Clarendon rug with White Tie on the walls

The warm red undertones of Joa’s White, Dimity, Pointing and Oxford Stone are a match made in heaven for a traditional interior. The accent colour for the Red-Based Neutral family of course has to be a green, and Kent Green has a lovely dusty, sage tone to it.

The Kent Green rug with Dimity and Joa’s White oon the wall

Moving on to the more modern family colours, the neutral rug hues are lovely pinks and greys; on-trend and perfect for modern life and style. The Sam’s Stone rug is a contemporary tone with a natural and warm base; making it ideal if you want to keep a fresh interior feeling inviting as well. It’s created for the Contemporary Neutrals, keeping clean white spaces feeling livable like in the image below, or if you want a soft bedroom colour scheme, pair Elephant’s Breath and Sam’s Stone for a peaceful setting.

The Sam’s Stone rug with All White on the walls

The accent rug in this collection is the sweetest, blush Portland Pink. Blush pink and green is a personal favourite combination of mine, and here the Portland Pink rug is paired with Card Room Green, an absolutely divine smoky green from Farrow & Ball.

The Portland Pink rug with Card room Green on the wall

Punchy and vibrant yellows are having quite a moment currently, and this Melrose Yellow rug has just the right amount of acid and sunny tones. The Easy Neutrals family, Wevet, Ammonite, Cornforth White and Purbeck Stone, are so named the easy family because they can be paired with almost any colour; and they look fantastic with some bold yellows.

The Melrose Yellow rug with Wevet on the wall and Lamp Room Gray on the floor and skirting

The Order Grey rug is a cool, steel-like colour, a great foundation for a room if you want to get a little playful with the paintwork, like this image below where the lovely combination of Calamine and Black Blue has been used, with the Order Grey rug used to balance out the look.

The Order Grey Rug with Calamine on the walls and Black Blue on the door

The last family from Farrow & Ball is the Architectural Neutrals, made up of Blackened, Dimpse, Pavilion Gray and Manor House Gray; all greys with hints of blue undertones for that fresh, modern, and as the name suggests, architectural feeling. Both the rugs for this family follow the same blue-grey aesthetic, with Wizlet and Wooster being the ultimate pieces for a cool, contemporary, minimalist setting.

The Wooster rug with Pavilion Gray on the wall

The Wizlet rug with Pavilion Gray on the walls

 The Farrow & Ball collection at The Rug Company, is a thoughtful and well-crafted assembly of colours and finishes, and a lovely way to help with the design of your home. The range of colours for both traditional and modern interiors means that this is a timeless collection, that’s here to stay.

For a closer look at the collection, head to www.therugcompany.com

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Sweet Tooth

A neutral or dark tone palette are a beautiful way to style your interiors, and there is nothing like a little pop of bright colour here and there to add some excitement and a refreshing touch to an otherwise colour free room. From oranges to yellows to pinks, a handful of candy colours can really add some flavour to your home.

‘Soufflé Sofa in Lava Plush Velvet’ from Loaf

The great thing about Loaf is that they not only do a great range of styles, but an amazing set of colourful fabrics as well. This fiery Lava velvet has the perfect dose spicy red mixed with a dusty romantic feel. It’s a bold choice, and it can really make a seating area come alive.

Give your dining table an extra zing of colour with these coloured candles from Graham & Green. The fruity shades will look almost as delicious as the food; stick to one bright shade for a harmonious flow, or create a pick ’n’ mix style with the whole range.

‘Tall Coloured Dining Candles’ from Graham & Green

Add a bounce to your neutral sofa or armchair with a zesty coloured cushion like this one from Rockett St George; the acid yellow is soften by the linen texture, and will give your sofa a modern but cosy feel.

‘Lisbon Soft Cushion in Acid Yellow’ from Rockett St George

I can never seem to resist a fluffy accessory or piece of furniture, especially not one in an unusual colour; this furry footstool from Lime Lace is a fun way to add colour to a living room. A small piece of furniture can be a great way to introduce colour as it won’t overpower the room. This Lilac shade is my favourite, but there are a whole load of other colours available as well.

‘Ceri Baa Sheepskin Footstool in Lilac’ from Lime Lace

Curiousa & Curiousa are a fantastic company that have some intriguing designs, and what’s more they are definitely not afraid of colour. This Gobstopper pendant in a lively green will add style and character to a room; giving it a real statement.

‘Gobstopper’ from Curiousa & Curiousa

For a small touch of orange and indigo blue these animal head hooks from Habitat are light-hearted way to give a utility or hallway some colourful fun.

‘Blue Horse Head Hook and Orange Cow Head Hook’ from Habitat

Or go big and bold with this vibrant, shocking pink chest of drawers. It may seem an ambitious choice at first but with the right accessories, this piece will look beautiful in a bedroom.

‘French Louis Chest in Fuchsia’ from Out There Interiors

Sticking to the pink palette is this raspberry rug from Luke Irwin, the deep shades mixed with the softer, faded sections gives the rug a look that isn’t too bright or harsh, making it perfect for adding some colour without it overwhelming the room.

‘Cato Raspberry Rug’ from Luke Irwin

Lastly, a dose of orange gives the concept of a grandfather clock a modern twist. The sharp black and the lively orange together create a clean and crisp look.

‘Orange Wall Hanging Pendulum Clock’ from Lime Lace

 

Adding spots of colour to your interiors is the perfect way to add a little something extra to your clean white, or dark moody scheme, helping you add an element of surprise to your home.

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The Rug Life

Rugs are a significant, but often overlooked part of any room or home. More than just an accessory, if used correctly, they can change a room’s style, atmosphere and overall vision. When buying a rug, people are often quick to jump to a safe option or to a style that they have used in the past, but being brave and taking a chance on a new style or size of rug can be just what a room needs for a little revamp and revitalisation.

Finding the perfect rug for your space and taste can be a little tricky as they come in all shapes and sizes, and like a pair of ill-fitting jeans the wrong match for you could be disastrous and could turn your beautiful home into a big old mess. But fear not, we’ve been doing a little research and we’re here to show you the best and brightest in all price ranges to help you to find you rug soul-mate.

‘Ivy Trellis’ by Rodarte from The Rug Company

If you’re out on the prowl for your dream rug it may be a good idea to take a look at some designer and high-end rugs to find out what styles, colours, patterns you are most drawn to (that is of course if you can manage not to shed a tear at some of the prices!) The best place to head to for some inspiration is The Rug Company, they are host to masses of beautiful rugs including collections from some of the best designers. A few of our dream rugs at Angel + Blume are designed by the house of Alexander McQueen, and though we might yelp at the price it’s good to have aspirations…

‘Military Brocade’ by Alexander McQueen from The Rug Company

‘Monarch Fire’ by Alexander McQueen from The Rug Company

Once you’ve established your likes and dislikes when it comes to rugs, you can start shopping around. Companies like Graham & Green are a great place to start as their selection is well stocked and their prices reasonable. This is a charming take on a Moroccan style rug, and could be easily worked into an already decorated room.

‘Atlas Berber’ from Graham and Green

If you’re looking for a small rug to allocate a space in a room for a few chairs and a table, or a comfy seating area, Graham and Green have some lovely circular rugs in a few styles, which are ideal for creating an individual space inside of a larger room.

‘Round Pink Rug’ from Graham and Green

‘Circular Goat Skin Rug’ from Graham and Green

There is always a pattern vs plain debate when it comes to picking out rugs, and ultimately it boils down to your taste and the room itself. If you want a plain rug it would be best to make sure you add colour or a pattern in another component of the room for example the walls or curtains so that the room doesn’t become too washed out. This elegant rug from Scottish designer Anta is the perfect plain rug to complement other styles and colours you may want to include.

‘Large Owl Rug’ from Anta

When a room is in need of a contemporary and quirky patterned rug, either to set the pace or follow suit, there are a few designers you can try. Jonathan Adler always brings a sense of fun and originality to his designs and has a wide range to complement your style.

‘Red Arthur Kilim Flat Weave Rug’ from Jonathan Alder

This enjoyable design from Adler is the perfect companion to a modern home, and can be the only splash of colour needed if you’re into more of a muted, minimalistic look elsewhere.

‘Zebra Peruvian Llama Flat Weave Rug’ from Jonathan Adler

If you like your interiors to have a playful edge, and you’re a sucker for a faux animal print, this zebra rug is simply to die for, especially since no animals did!

Stair runners are an amazing way of decorating a home, and one of the best place to go in search of runners is Alternative Flooring. They have a wonderful range of styles and colours, and can tailor their designs to your specific needs.

‘Wool Blocstripe Sable Bone Bloc’ from Alternative Flooring

This beautiful monochrome design will add a bit of pizazz to a neutral hallway and help create a welcoming atmosphere as well as a style statement upon entering your home. Another contemporary style from Alternative Flooring is the Rock ‘n’ Roll Roxanne design which would be perfect for updating a home’s interior into a modern look.

‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Roxanne’ from Alternative Flooring

When it comes to choosing a rug’s size, it’s generally best to follow the ‘bigger the better’ rule. If you buy a pre-made rug the standard size is usually around 300x200cm, although it will always vary depending on which store or website you visit. If you have a large space to play with, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t end up with a rug that’s too small and therefore disturbing the room’s ambience and flow. One way to get around this is to order a section of carpet and have the edges bound. This gives you flexibility on the size and can be quite cost effective. We did exactly that with a client with the brilliant Crucial Trader.

‘Audrey Sunrise’ from Crucial Trader

‘Krakow Rug’ from Niki Jones

Niki Jones creates some wonderful classic contemporary rugs, as well as cushions and linens, which can be custom made into any size you like.

‘Optical Rug’ from Niki Jones

‘Polygon Rug’ from Niki Jones

The possibilities are fairly endless when it comes to rugs, big or small, plain or patterned, classic or contemporary, expensive or cheap. Start thinking about what you would really love on your floor and then track down the right supplier, this will save you from being overwhelmed by choice!

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Autumn Treats to Keep You Warm

The changing weather at the moment has me reaching for the duvet as I begin to wishfully dream of hibernation during these upcoming months. Alas hibernation is not on the cards, but some beautiful throws, cushions, rugs and lamps are everything you’ll need to make it through autumn and into winter whilst keeping warm and toasty as the cold weather sets in.

Ligne Roset has some beautiful wintery rugs in their collection at the moment, and my personal favourite is this Allusions design.

It’s the perfect component to your home as the eye-catching design allows the rug to make a statement as a stand alone piece, but is subtle enough to complement other accessories and furnishings, whatever your style.

The rug would look great with a cosy throw like this one from Soak & Sleep, or if you want to go a little more glam and like me you can’t resist a faux fur throw, try this one from Feather & Black.

Whilst you’re snuggling up in your throw you’ll want to create a warm atmosphere in your home, some beautiful floor and table lamps will do the trick. Ochre has some amazing and innovative designs; this beautiful cast bronze floor lamp is an elegant piece with a modern twist and will be your perfect companion as you relax in front of a film or with a book.

If you’re looking for something a little more striking as well as atmospheric take a look at this stunning Wall Mounted Kasba Tea Light Holder from Rockett St George.

The intricate design makes this a rather special piece and both a functional light feature as well as a fantastic work of art. The piece looks great on its own, but if you’re feeling adventurous and have the wall space why not put two or three of them together for a real feast for the eyes.

Another accessory to truly spoil yourself with is this exquisite Alexander McQueen cushion available from The Rug Company. The butterfly design is sophisticated, dramatic and timeless and would look amazing mixed among some plainer cushions, or on a simple sofa making it a real statement piece. It’s a bit of a splurge but the design is so beautiful it’s definitely worth it!

Veering away from accessories and dipping into some lovely furnishings, there are some wonderful pieces that are in-keeping with the autumn vibes.

This velvet chair from Oka Direct looks amazingly comfy and is the perfect place to sit back and admire your pretty throws and lamps. Plus the warm truffle colour makes for a perfect canvas to add other accessories in any style.

If you’re in need of a place to store your summer accessories or are just simply looking for an excellent addition to a room, take a look at this elegant storage box from Sofa.com, it’s both practical and pretty.

And finally, this new fabric collection from Zoffany has got me all excited. The Tespi velvet collection is beautiful and rich and is absolutely perfect for the colder months. It comes in various patterns and colours to suit your style: if you want a more traditional design there’s the Tespi pattern, or for a more retro or contemporary feel try the Tespi spots and squares. These fabrics are great for revamping some cushions or going all out and covering an entire sofa or chair!

So while the cold weather isn’t cause for celebration, the excuse to treat yourself with all these new home addition certainly is, and with these accessories, staying in has never felt so glamorous!

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Home Accessories to Mark the Arrival of Autumn

September has arrived and we’re now into the autumn season and whilst the weather in Cambridge has been less then desirable, at Angel + Blume we’re optimistic in the hope that we’ll be treated to a radiate Indian summer in the next few months (fingers crossed!) Following the Boy Scouts code to always ‘be prepared’ we’ve assembled a list of some beautiful accessories and furniture that are perfect for the changing seasons and the arrival of autumn.

As ever Graham and Green have some wonderful products in their collection at the moment and they’re just the thing we’re looking for.

These metallic tealight holders will reflect the flickering light from the candle flames and create a warm, cosy feeling. They’re perfect for using outside on the last few nights of summer and will be equally as good when brought inside.

Pay tribute to the summer with this striking Peacock chair from Graham and Green. It would work both indoors and outdoors and makes for a great statement piece wherever you decide to put it.

Or if you fancy something a little more retro in style try this vintage bamboo Rocker chair from Rockett St George. The addition of some Matthew Williamson fabric turns the chair from Granny chic to just plain chic!

If your focus is something on the ground level take a look at some of these rugs and floor cushions. This gold Chevron cowhide rug will bring a little bit of sparkle to your home when the clouds are grey. The sporadic splatters and stripes of gold gives the rug a glamorous touch without being tacky and will make the room look shiny and new without adding anything else.

These Moroccan tile mats from Graham and Green are the perfect combination of style and functionality. They’re ideal both indoors and outdoors and add a bit of style to an otherwise ordinary house product and will easily jazz up a neutral room.

Or something a little softer perhaps? Try these gorgeous floor cushions also from Graham and Green.

They’re perfect for taking outside and enjoying some sun and returning back inside and settling down in front of the fire for when the nights get a little cooler.

If you’re not ready to embrace the oncoming autumn months and want to celebrate the summer in your interior decoration then have a look at some of these home accessories. This sunflower style wall clock makes both a stylish addition to any home as well as creating a warm, nostalgic memory for the summer months.

Continue to feed your cravings of summer and make your house the home to something belonging in the scorching desert, this fantastically fun faux cactus. It’ll add intrigue to your home and be a fun, playful reminder of the sun and warm weather during the winter months, and it has the plus of having none of the prickly needles the real ones have!

Another accessory I love are these beautiful yet simple placemats.

They’re a simple added touch to a table that’ll brighten up your home as the autumn sets in, and are a contemporary take on the blue and white oriental style porcelain that was popular during the 17th century and onwards in Europe.

So however the weather decides to behave in the next coming weeks, you’ll be prepared to enjoy it no matter what with these wonderful home accessories.

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Interiors from Diane von Fürstenberg

As you may know, I am a bit of a DVF groupie (see blog on 31 May 2014) so I am rather thrilled to see her two new collections for the interiors market. The first is a new venture into interiors fabrics and trimmings for Kravet which is, as you would expect, full of vibrant pattern and delicious colour and which has a really joyful feel about it.

The second is a new collection of rugs for the The Rug Company which have a certain animal skin feel to them and can’t help but add glamour and fun. I saw them in The Rug Company’s Kings Road store last week and they are absolutely beautiful. 

Python Rug

Lilac Leopard and Leopard Bark from the new collection.

And I couldn’t resist including Climbing Leopard which is not new but which I love!

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In love with florals

Inspired by the Chelsea Flower show which opens this week, and by the glorious sunny weekend we have just enjoyed, I can’t resist bringing you some floral interior inspiration. I love the great outdoors but in truth, these florals are much more my line of country – no weeds, no wilting, no hay fever and are still in full bloom in the winter – perfect!

Patterned carpet has often had a very traditional look but this bloom strewn carpet by Sophie Conran for Axminster is gorgeous and up-to-date.

Colefax and Fowler Louise Silk

Beautiful and timeless embroidered floral silk curtains create an elegant country feel. Fabric by Colefax and Fowler.

Bedthrow and cushion by Kate Forman fabrics

I love this bedthrow from Kate Forman which adds a splash of colour and pattern to a room, and draws attention to the lovely bed

Nostell Priory wallpaper from Zoffany

We have featured this glorious wallpaper in a previous post but it is so lovely, I think it deserves another showing.

 

Sanderson Midsummer rose rug

This jolly rug adds such a burst of colour to a room that it is hard to resist and I love it in this setting with very cream walls and vintage accessories.

Floral cotton velvet cushions from Forest and Co

Finally I couldn’t write about floral interiors and not give you a cushion or three – these velvet beauties from Forest and Co will add glamour to almost any home and I am very tempted by all of them.

Do you have any favourite florals? Let us know while we are in the outdoorsy mood!

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Rugs, runners and ice cream

At Angel and Blume, we have long been fans of Roger Oates elegant stair runners and so we were delighted to see these beautiful images of their rugs on their website, and also to spot a new online collection of bags, throws, cushions and other highly desirable accessories. However, what really made us envious is the picture of their ice cream van – now that is something we really, really want.

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New interior design classes

We have recently launched our new series of interior design talks for 2014 including a new course on how to accessorise your home. Starting on the 4th February 2014, the course will cover what accessories will work for your home, where to find them and how to know what to put where. There will also be hints, tips and insider secrets on all accessories including furnishings, storage, light fittings, rugs, curtains and blinds, cushions, flowers and plants, tableware, bedlinen, pictures, collections, accessories for children’s’ rooms and how to accessorise your kitchen and bathroom. Places are going fast so go to www.interiordesigntalks.com for more information or to sign-up.

All images are taken from Secrets of a Stylish Home by Cate Burren and Simon Whitmore. With thanks to Simon Whitmore photography for the use of images.

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Oxbow and Peach

Don’t miss seeing the Oxbow and Peach stall at the upcoming Christmas Fairs at Barnadiston Hall this Friday or at the NSPCC Autumn Fair in Cambridge on 21st November.  Beautiful hand picked accessories for the home and lots of individual things that would make perfect Christmas presents – it is worth the trip to see what new stock they have in and I am told there is lots of it!

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