Laurel's Design Newsletter - October 2008
Many interior designers with whom I've
worked, creating custom painted canvas rugs, prefer to use an understated design with muted colors because of their use of
color for curtains and furniture fabrics. It is quite different when making a custom rug for an existing home.
Often a client will see one of my designs and know it is perfect
for a room in their house. But the really satisfying part of designing a rug is making a custom design specific for
a home.
It's important to know about the lifestyle
of the family, dogs, kids, and activities, to create a unique piece that relates to the family. Photographs or a visit to
the home is vital to understanding the colors used, the style of furniture, the colors on the walls, the type of floor,
whether it's wood or tile, to start the design process.
If
the rug is to be in the living room, will it have furniture around the edges, asking for a design in the center to be admired?
Or is it for a dining table requiring more detail around the border?
Gaye's home is full of color. The curtains have a colorful pattern; the dark wood furniture has stripes with the same
colors in the curtains. The walls have different colors, one of suede and another of chocolate brown. With all of this variety
of colors and patterns it was important to create a simple design to pull it all together. We used a jalapeño burnt
orange for the base, which complimented the reds and tans in the curtains and cushions, and used both chocolate brown and
suede for a simple border. The center had a simple sponge effect to soften the bold color of the jalapeño and
give the rug life and texture.
In contrast, my home
is more neutral with wood floors and walls, begging for a shot of color to compliment the natural wood finish and give life
to the room. Like Gaye, I love the burnt orange but used it in an octagonal rug for my round dining table, also of wood, and painted brightly multi-colored Mexican tile designs for that punch
of color.
Because we have hundreds of colors at
our disposal, the same colors on your walls can be incorporated in the design of the rug to pull it all together. Some
clients in Costa Rica have even given us left over paint from their walls!
The important thing is that the investment of time and consideration that goes into making a custom
canvas rug makes a lasting durable floor covering that is unique to your home and family, a conversation piece and a source
of pride not to be duplicated for anyone else.
For
ideas of colors and designs in creating a custom canvas rug, visit our website and browse through our canvas rug designs; you'll notice we've added some new designs.
Until Next Month...
Laurel Anderson
http://www.laurelsoriginals.com
