At Temple Fine Rugs , the journey to the perfect rug begins with a conversation and ends with a bespoke design created specifically for a home, its architecture and the people who live there.
Words Elizabeth Clarke
Imagery Jody D'Arcy
There is something transformative about a rug. More than a finishing touch, it can anchor furniture, define a space, soften sound and introduce colour, texture and warmth. It can direct the flow of a room, establish its palette or become a focal point.
At Temple Fine Rugs, this understanding sits at the heart of its custom design service. While the studio has an extensive collection of available designs and qualities, its expertise extends well beyond selecting from existing collections. Clients can commission a rug from scratch, developing something entirely individual to their home.
The process starts with coffee and conversation. "We want to understand the house as a whole," explains Chris Hoyne, owner of Temple Fine Rugs. "It’s about how the home feels and flows, how the spaces will be used and what the rug needs to achieve visually and practically."
The discussion might cover whether a space is formal or relaxed, luxurious or family-friendly, and whether the rug should make a statement or sit quietly within the scheme. Existing artwork, architectural materials, views and colours are considered, along with the dimensions of the room and the client’s budget.
That last point is important. At Temple Fine Rugs, budget is treated as another design parameter rather than an obstacle. Cost is closely linked to refinement, durability and complexity, allowing the team to tailor the design process to achieve the best possible result.
For some clients, the starting point may be an existing design that needs a change of scale, colour or material. For others, inspiration might come from a magazine clipping, images or a feeling they want to capture. And for clients who arrive without clear direction, Temple Fine Rug’s role is to help turn an abstract idea into something tangible.
The result is a genuinely collaborative process, as demonstrated by The Eucalypt House. "I describe this home as organic and contemporary chic," says interior designer Christian Lyon. "The owners came from a classic European-style home, and we wanted this house to feel more open and modern, relaxed but sophisticated. We used natural stones and timbers, then overlaid beautiful soft textiles and textures to soften everything and make inviting."
Christian worked closely with Temple Fine Rugs’ in-house designer Rachel Ozolins on the floor rugs, with Rachel leading the artistic response to the brief and developing the visual concept. Working alongside them, the team translated the designs into a technically resolved and highly considered suite of rugs, tailored to the architecture, interiors and proportions of each space.
"My concept for the rugs was natural and organic," he says. "We used blends of wool and silk, and a rich contrasting natural palette which we drew out of some of the home’s architectural materials. I didn’t want them to be high contrast. I wanted the rugs to soften and define the spaces but be rich and interesting. Working with Rachel on the designs was an exciting process. The more we collaborated, the more interesting and unique the rugs became and the results were absolutely beautiful."
Once the initial direction has been established, the team presents a series of ideas through on-screen visuals, in-situ renderings and full design mock-ups. Physical samples bring another dimension to the process, allowing clients to experience the actual materials, colours, textures and pile heights before committing to the finished rug.
The sampling stage is deliberately thorough. Sections of the proposed rug – usually 60 x 60cm – are made using the same materials and techniques as the finished piece. If required, multiple samples can be created to test different colours, textures and finishes.
Then comes one of the most revealing moments: seeing the samples in the home. "When we can, we take the samples into the space," says Chris. "You see them in the actual light, alongside the flooring, furniture, artwork and architectural finishes. That can make all the difference."
It also means there is no pressure to proceed until every detail feels right. If something needs adjusting, another sample can be produced and the design refined.
The final step is installation – a day Chris describes as being a little like Christmas. Once the finished rug arrives, its position and orientation are carefully considered before it is installed, with underlay added where appropriate for comfort and longevity. Furniture is then placed, completing the transformation.
For the homeowner of The Eucalypt House, the appeal was not simply the finished rugs, but the experience of creating them. "The rugs have a life of their own. They not only complement each other and their indoor surroundings but reflect and sit perfectly against their exterior environment. Seeing the finished pieces, with all their individual intricacies, was very special."
It’s about how the home feels and flows, how the spaces will be used and what the rug needs to achieve visually and practically.
— Chris Hoyne
And while bespoke might sound synonymous with expensive, Chris says that customisation does not necessarily mean a higher price. A rug made to the exact dimensions of a room can avoid unnecessary excess and can be a more economical solution than buying a ready-made piece.
Ultimately, the philosophy is simple: a rug should belong to the room it occupies. It should respond to its proportions, complement its materials and reflect the people who live around it. Because when all the elements come together, a rug does more than complete an interior. It gives the room its foundation and helps turn a house into a home.
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