As an esteemed author of four books, a journalist for The Independent and Financial Times, and an interior design extraordinaire with an award-winning blog, Kate Watson-Smyth, also known as Mad About the House, has long established her clout in the world of interiors.
We sought out Watson-Smyth and her creative eye to share her design advice when choosing the perfect rug and to select 12 of her favourites from our collection.
3 Axel by The Rug Company
"If colour is not your thing and you prefer to stick to a more neutral scheme, then you need to bring in lots of texture to make it warm and interesting. A carved rug is a perfect solution as the design is subtle but anything but boring. This style works well in a bedroom where it’s cosy under bare feet and won’t fight with curtains, bedding and other upholstery."
4 Folly by Martin Brudnizki
"One of the problems with rugs in bedrooms is that you can be paying for a lot of a pattern that disappears under the bed. This gorgeous design by Martin Brudnizki solves that problem by keeping the decoration to the edge so it could even frame the bed. This would work equally well under a dining table."
5 Shirvan by The Rug Company
"You will never ever regret buying a Persian rug. They are not only classic and timeless, but they are brilliant for disguising spills and pet hair. I have had one under my kitchen table since my college-age sons were born, and it is none the worse for wear. They go with any style of decor – a vintage Persian rug on the polished concrete floor of a super modern loft is a delight but they also bring colour and pattern to a period home or a more minimal space."
8 Okapi by The Rug Company
"Geometric patterns are often uniform and based on a repeat pattern but this one is a more deconstructed version and I’m here for the irregularity. Pale pink is now officially classed as a neutral and this will go with so many different colours from chocolate brown to warm cream and darker pinks and burgundies. Or you could go the other way with blues and yellows. Sometimes buying patterns can seem scary but take a few minutes to think about colours you could pair it with and you might be surprised at just how versatile a dramatic design can be."
9 Cella by The Rug Company
"When your walls are plain (perhaps you are renting or are planning to move soon) then let your floor do the talking. This bold geometric rug will fit any decor and gives you options of many colours if you decide to paint. You can use any of the colours it contains in darker or lighter versions and can keep decorating till you drop. It contains silk though perhaps not one for the playroom despite the bold colour blocking patterns. Instead, for a really dramatic look, imagine painting the same design on one wall to make a statement."
11 Waves Honey by Adam Hunter
"If, like me, you like to stick to a muted palette of colours, which can also be richly tonal, by the way, then injecting a flash of metallic can really bring a scheme alive. Of course, you can brass light fittings or mirrors but bringing it in an unexpected way can be even more powerful, so this rug is a winner for me. It is both subtle and dynamic.."
12 Umbra by Paul Smith
"You will never go wrong with a black and white geometric rug. If it turns out not to be big enough for the room you have, it will always layer with a vintage Persian or a modern floral as well as looking perfectly dramatic, and yet, classic on its own. Of course, when I say black and white, I mean ivory which is warmer, less stark and more expensive looking than brilliant white. You will always find a room for this rug, no matter where you live or what your style is."
