Guest blog / Julia Black: An underfoot explosion

Julia Black: If I had to choose just one element of style that I love most it would have to be textiles. All that colour, pattern and texture is magnificent, though recently I’ve been especially attracted to what lies underfoot, so when I discovered Morris Etc. a new found obsession for rugs exploded.

Amy and Brett, the insanely talented Brooklyn-based couple behind the firm, have spent many a day working in design and media, but came to realize their true passion was handcrafted, one-of-a kind rugs. The collection is filled with predestined heirloom pieces in eye-popping fruit-punch combinations of bold stripes and neo-traditional patterns that'll definitely help lift us out of hibernation and catapult us into springtime. A big plus - Morris Etc. invites you to customize your own wool flatweaves, as well as shop their creations online, not to mention that you can stay connected with them here on Twitter, and via email updates (which will let you know when new shipments arrive). No matter what you’re obsessing about this season, don’t forget to treat your feet! [Images: Joyce Lee]

To read more posts from Julia click here, and to check out her cool blog click here.

Bev Hisey dhuri and cushions {giveaway}

Happy Monday! So listen up, people - My talented good friend Bev Hisey is up for a bit of fun and has decided to offer up her new gear in a couple of different giveaways. With Grace over on Design*Sponge she's giving away one of her brand spanking new wool Dhuri rugs, the blue and green one shown below, so click here to get in on that action. And up for grabs with me are two of Bev's latest wool cushions - called Numbers - that have a sweet and modern punky/preppy vibe.

Here are the deets:

>>> The winner will receive the two cushions shown below.

>>> Contest is open to continental US and Canadian readers only.

>>> To be eligible just leave a comment below explaining why your sofa needs these pillows.

>>> Comments will be open until tomorrow night, November 23rd at 12pm EST.

>>> The winner will be announced by email and as an update this to this post on Wednesday morning, November 24th.

Good luck!

     

        

Flat on the floor

Oh, kilims, flatweaves, whatev's, just get them in your house! Today I found myself ogling these kilims while I was hunting down that kooky rug by Patricia Urquiola that looks like a knitting sampler (it's called Mangas, take a look here). They're Catania and Palermo, designed by Sandra Figuerola for Gan, and - imho - they're pretty much on the fantastic side of things from the world of what's underfoot (I'm totally digging their cool patchworky vibe). The nice part about kilims in both wool and cotton is that, for the most part, they actually won't cost you an arm and a leg (and another leg) in the same way that a hand-knotted wool carpet might. Affordability and style, you've just gotta love it.

Unexpectedly lovely

While I do love discovering cool things in very unexpected places, some places are more unexpected than others, so, you can imagine my slight surprise when I actually found the rug for our living room online at Sears. It was well-priced, all wool, and I loved the cut pile and loop pattern, so in a couple of clicks and a couple of days it made its debut. I plunked for the Dynasty rug in Natural Grey and, as you can see below, it looks quite smashing. That vintage Tulip Side Table was another unexpected find, discovered in Quebec in the midst of a friend's Mum's annual fancy dress party. Dorothy had snagged it at a yard sale, and after much cajoling and whining on my part kindly agreed to let us drive home with it. In other words, keep your eyes peeled; you never know what you might stumble across...