Q: Each room has different needs when it comes to rugs. How do you navigate picking out an appropriate rug for each space?
A: For me, I love picking out rugs that provide warmth and interest to a space and vintage rugs are perfect for that! A rug is an easy place to add pattern - you can get a lot of bang for your buck - so I like to search for rugs that carry colors from other parts of the home. A few of the things I consider when selecting a rug for a space are: high traffic vs. low traffic, pile height, size, and construction.
Q: What key spaces in a project do you like to highlight with rugs?
A: Can I say all spaces?! I'm serious, there are very few spaces that couldn't use the touch of a rug! If I had to choose spaces to prioritize, I would highlight the living room, a runner for the kitchen and a small mat for the bathroom.
Q: What tips do you have for mixing vintage and new rugs?
A: Oh my, one of my favorite little tricks is to layer a vintage rug with a jute or natural fiber rug. It can be hard to find room-sized vintage rugs at approachable price points and layering a vintage rug with a less expensive natural fiber rug can really show off your vintage find without breaking the bank. I also love allowing a vintage rug to steal the show and pairing it with an understated new rug can also be a winning combination.
Q: How do you convince your client that vintage is worth investing in?
A: Once a client sees the natural variation, texture, and patina that only age can bring, it's a pretty easy sell. Many clients worry that a vintage rug will be too precious, I assure them that it has already stood the test of time and is often constructed of more durable materials and techniques than what is commonly available.
Q: What is your favorite part about using rugs in your projects?
A: I live in a cold weather climate and I think that rugs are a necessity for us northern dwellers who need a cozy and warm home to get us through the long winters. Rugs instantly add warmth that cannot be achieved with any other design trick! By placing furniture strategically on/around a rug it immediately creates a sense of how to use the space, which is wonderful in open-concept homes.
Q: How do you describe your interior design style? How did you know that design was something you wanted to pursue?
A: Someone once described my style as warm, organic and modern. I love to combine styles to achieve a collected and thoughtful home. Vintage pieces are an essential element of my design style. I come from a long line of women tastemakers and I honestly believe that design is in my blood, I was born with an innate interest in my surroundings and that was cultivated by my mother, aunt, and grandmother. I have since realized that design can be a career and am working towards formally integrating interior design into my life.
