Find the perfect rug style for any space
Handwoven rugs are renowned for their beauty. Add elegance and comfort to your home with expert tips and know-how.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Temple Fine Rugs • STORY Elizabeth Clarke
For centuries, the handmade floor rug has been a status symbol, adding layers of opulence, texture, tone and comfort to our homes. A beautiful, high-quality rug is an investment piece, but choosing one can be overwhelming – between different styles, sizes, shapes, colours and materials, there is a lot to consider.
Chris Hoyne from Temple Fine Rugs curates his collections to suit every style and home. Here are the five types to ponder when choosing your dream rug:
01. Luxury Fibre Rug
This style is handcrafted using high-quality fibres and is considered the most coveted and opulent rug.
Painstakingly hand-knotted in Jaipur, India or Kathmandu in Nepal, each rug is crafted from Chinese or Indian silk, cashmere, mohair from the Angora goat, or authentic alpaca wool.
These high-quality protein fibres, with their hard, glossy cuticles, are resilient and springy, making their pile upright and plush. Soft to the touch, glossy and luminescent, these extraordinary fibres make this rug durable, naturally stain-resistant and washable.
Chris says a block-coloured rug may work best if your room is busy with pattern and colour. "It adds instant texture, lustre and luxury and ties all the room's design elements together," he says. In the bedroom, a luxury rug feels luscious underfoot and, in the living room, it imbues warmth, beauty and a feeling of spaciousness.
02. Contemporary Piled Rug
Handcrafted in the finest materials, the contemporary piled rug is recognised for its soft, deep, thick texture and ability to create sophisticated yet inviting spaces.
Using traditional techniques, it is created by leading designers and artists in collaboration with skilled craftspeople. Temple Fine Rugs imports from the world's leading brands – Battilossi, Sahar, and TFR Collection in Nepal. Each rug is meticulously hand-knotted in authentic, high-quality materials such as Ghazni wool from Afghanistan, Chinese silk, and Persian and Tibetan wool.
"It's a style that comes in a large variety of designs that lend themselves to any interior, whether maximalist or minimal," Chris says. "Create a statement in your foyer or entryway that sets the tone for the rest of your home."
Its plush pile with extra fibre absorbs sound and makes it super durable. In the living room, this rug is a conversation piece, and informs and unifies furnishings, decor and art. A contemporary piled rug is also fabulous in the bedroom, where its soft, plush texture feels warm and lush.
03. Contemporary Flatweave Rug
Fine quality, lightweight and relaxed, this popular rug is handcrafted into a plain, simple or ornate design and is often reversible or embroidered by hand after weaving.
Traditional weaving countries such as Persia (Iran), Turkey, Caucasus and Morocco have a tradition of weaving flatweave rugs from high-quality wool. The artful, raw, minimalist designs of Iranian brand Lila Valadan are handmade by nomadic tribes using hand-spun, hand-dyed Persian wool and natural dyes. Battilossi uses the finest hand-spun Ghazni wool, complex kilim weaving and mixed wrapping techniques to produce flatweaves inspired by nature. Konya from Karavan, arguably Turkey's most iconic rug and kilim weaving house, transforms local wool into traditional and abstract pieces.
Create a feeling of laid-back elegance in a beach house by layering several rugs together or hanging them on walls to elevate a space. Pile-free means these rugs are robust and low-maintenance, making them child- and pet-friendly, and their low profile provides easy door clearance and low risk of tripping.
04. Antique Rug
The antique rug is more than 80 years old and rich in history. Each one is unique and adds charm, character and patina to a space with its lush tones expressing traditional and ornate styles, from bright Chinese Art Deco to Tabriz and Kerman's soft palettes.
Antique rugs are typically Persian, Turkish, Caucasian, Indian, European or Chinese, and hand-woven using local materials, mostly wool and occasionally Chinese silk.
The colours in an antique rug are generally vibrant and harmonious due to their plant-derived dyes. Temple Fine Rugs’ antique collection includes Persian, Caucasian, Chinese and Turkish examples, each selected based on craftsmanship, decorative quality, palettes and authenticity.
"The Persians and Turks knew what they were doing when they designed their rugs with their fruit salad of colours and intricate patterns," says Chris. "Then, rugs were a once-in-a-lifetime purchase and had to suit any interior. They are equally at home in contemporary spaces and very sought after."
Place one in your living space, allowing furnishings and decor to take their cues from its colours, textures and patterns. "It makes a strong and opulent statement and can make a space look more sophisticated," says Chris. "Try one in florals in the bedroom to create a sense of softness, warmth and femininity."
05. Moroccan Berber Rug
Inspired by naive and abstract art, this iconic handmade woollen rug from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco is loved for its playful designs and craftsmanship.
Thousands of years of Moroccan rug-making traditions go into every piece. Each one is hand-woven and knotted by local women using high-quality local wool, which gives them their signature sculptural quality and ‘perfect imperfections’.
"Its colours and sculptural quality look fun and feel comfy underfoot, making it a great scatter rug that suits kids' rumpus rooms," says Chris. "Conversely, a single-coloured rug can calm a loud space with its beautiful texture and softness drawing the room's design elements together."
As a popular bedroom choice, look for one with less pattern and a softer, higher pile.
"Interiors feel almost incomplete without a rug. Besides an added layer of comfort, it contributes a rich tonal element that can take your design to the next level."
—Haynes Robinson, Sahar Carpets
Visit Temple Fine Rugs
343 Railway Road, Shenton Park
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