Your magic carpet awaits

Homes and Interiors

Rugs really can solve a multitude of interior sins, interior designer Jamie Hempsall explains

It is no wonder that the Arabian Nights had tales of magic carpets, when you think what a rug can do in your home they really are an incredible interior incantation to have available to you. Whether your budget stretches to a Silk Persian rug or a more modest Ikea solution the result from including a rug in your scheme can be amazing – not to mention possibly solving some challenging interior problems.

So here are a few of the ways that I use rugs to help in the home:

• Adding instant warmth into a scheme – natural floor coverings such as wood or stone can be incredibly effective, long lasting and easy to maintain. However, they sometimes make a room look a little cold and clinical. The addition of a textured or patterned rug in a bright colour that contrasts with the main shades of your scheme will help overcome this, adding instant appeal and a shot of visual heat – not to mention physical warmth underneath your foot. 

• Making noise disappear – Walking on wood flooring can be quite noisy, a particular problem with upstairs rooms or some apartments. You can help overcome this by introducing a good size runner or area rug so that your footsteps are cushioned.

• Alter the size of a room – Well obviously not literally, but certainly optically. The perceived size of a room is directly affected by the colours used within in it. You will find that if you introduce a light coloured rug you can make small enclosed spaces feel larger, whilst the addition of a darker colour notes will help to make large, impersonal rooms feel much cosier.

• Make gaps disappear – If you have a large room and want to keep it fairly open plan and uncluttered you can often be faced with wide expanses to cross. Introduce a rug to close the gap without losing any space or adding furniture. It will also help to link areas together and cheat the visual perspective.

• Help to define a furniture group or delineate a room – This is also a particularly good trick to use in larger rooms where you can create an “island” of furniture based around a rug. Ensure that it has an interesting texture or picks up on key tones within the furniture fabric. The size of rug you choose is important for this to work effectively. There are two basic options either opt for a large rug that will easily accommodate the entire furniture group upon it or a rug small enough so that all the furniture (with the possible exception of a central table) can be arranged around the edge without need to impose on the rug.

This trick can also help delineate a large multi-purpose room, such as a lounge-diner, into specific areas and allow you to introduce differing colour schemes within an area without dividing walls.

• Enhance or change a colour scheme – Including a rug which heavily features the accent colour in your scheme will help enhance the feel of this throughout the scheme. Alternatively, you can use a rug which picks up on some of the sub-notes contained within patterns on your wall-covering or curtains to help subtly raise it to the fore. 
However, if you are a dedicated follower of fashion and are likely to alter your colour scheme regularly, then use a neutral tone for the base flooring (be it carpet, tiles or wood) and then introduce your colour with a series of medium priced rugs. When you want to change your scheme, simply change the rugs.

• Get rid of an unwanted patterned carpet – This can frequently be a problem for people who are moving home and inheriting the heavily patterned fitted carpet left by the previous occupants. If you are faced with this issue and cannot face the expense of a new carpet, then inject a calming influence by adding a large plain rug. To ensure that this works to best advantage, rather than looking like you have just popped a rug down willy-nilly, match the rug to one of the key colours in the base carpet.

• Make stains, spots and burns disappear – This may not be the most amazing use, but it can be a vital one. Stick to the guidelines of matching your rug to key colours in the base carpet to ensure that this looks an integral part of your scheme, rather than a first-aid fiddle. 

• Draw attention to a room feature – You can help emphasise the impact of a given feature in your room by effectively framing it with a carpet. Draw the beholders gaze to a fireplace by ensuring a eye-catching hearth rug is placed in front and emphasise the impact of any tiles in the fire surround, by ensuring your rug is matched to the main colour they contain.

• Give your flooring ever-lasting life - Use rugs to help protect the flooring underneath in high traffic areas. This will preserve the surface of your main floor and ensure you do not have to replace everything because of a small patch of wear.

To keep your rug in top condition I would always recommend using a rug pad underneath. They are terrific for reducing slippage (and for that read reducing wear and tear on your rug which means they also add to the longevity). The thin pads can also enhance the sound absorption qualities of any rug and will make them feel softer when used on a hard surface. Always opt for the best pad you can afford to maximise the enchanting effect of your rug.

Jamie Hempsall, BIID is an award winning interior designer. Visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com or call 0800 032 1180.


This article originally appeared in the Yorkshire Post Saturday Magazine on 11th June 2011

Making adults feel at home once the toys are put away

One of the challenges with which we are frequently presented is the best way to design a true family room where everyone can relax, play games or watch TV. The main problem being that "family" areas frequently become "child dominated" with parents having to put up with lots of toys and mess.

A couple who recently engaged our services have two children under five and were fed up living in a cluttered space. They wanted a room that would allow the children free rein during the day, but revert to an adult friendly space in the evening.  The design key to achieving this goal is storage, and this design has it in spades without compromising on style.

The first item I designed was an oversize leather ottoman – one of our favourite problem-solvers. It is a versatile piece of furniture and something many homes that are short on space could benefit from.  The large surface makes it the perfect place for playing board games, while the padded leather top and carefully calculated height ensure it also makes the ideal foot-stool.   I sometimes incorporate hardwood centres surrounded by cushion, which make it more usable as a coffee table, but these are never quite as comfortable.  

A large, low ottoman provides masses of space for toys of a variety of sizes.  For those with really small children I would recommend a hydraulic hinge to avoid any accidents with trapped fingers.

The two bespoke cupboards contain a large amount of shelving behind mirrored doors at the top and mesh panel doors at the base. The top section was designed to hold books, DVDs and CDs without any visible mess. 

The lower section served a different purpose in each cupboard. One cupboard remained the property of the junior children with maximum space for storing larger items, such as toy pushchairs. The other cupboard has a lock and more shelving and holds the majority of the clients' audio visual equipment, which is operable without need for the cupboard to be open.

From the outside, the cupboards look identical, which is critical when placing pieces either side of a fire if your design is going to succeed.

A bespoke surround for the TV ensures it does not dominate the room and ties in with the cupboards on either side.

Young families need plenty of fun, so the strong colours of the furniture and rug were chosen to invigorate and enthuse. The soft textures also feel warm and tactile and are amazingly resilient to wear and tear. The softer shades of the walls and cabinetry act as a soothing backdrop and ensure that any evening transformation is perfect.

This particular room does not benefit from terrific external light, so I added the large wall mirror and mirrored doors of the cupboards to help reflect extra light in and around the room.

The combination of overhead and wall lamps ensure the perfect range of lighting from high to muted, depending on who would be using the room. A conscious decision was made to avoid using table lamps to minimise the risk of potential accidents as small children career around the room.

Contemporary side-tables reflect the modern taste of the couple and provide the ideal place for a gin and tonic or favourite book in the evening when this is once again an adult space.

Finally, a remote-control gas fire completes the cosy feel of this room and ensures heat without any hassle when required.


Jamie Hempsall is a member of the British Institute of Interior Design. Contact him on 01777 248463, follow him on Twitter or visit www.jamiehempsall.com

Tread carefully to choose a flawless floor

Yorkshire Post - 15th July 2009 - Life & Style Section : Homes

Interiors


Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall explains how to avoid putting a foot wrong when choosing the best flooring option for your home.

Flooring is a make or break decision for any room. Choose well and you successfully set the tone for your scheme. Choose badly and you end up with a finish that jars and is expensive to replace; in terms of money, time and disruption.

Before parting with cash, draw up a list of key considerations, the most important of which are:

* The amount of wear the area will have.
* Is it subject to moisture?
* Does the floor need to act as a sound barrier?
* How slip resistant does it need to be?
* How much time are you willing to invest in maintaining your floor?
* Does anyone in the family suffer from allergies? Generally, the harder the surface, the healthier the floor.
* How durable is the product?
* Costs of material and installation?
* What sub-floor surface will you be laying on? For example, tiled floors cannot be laid directly onto floorboards, so you will incur extra cost for preparation.
* Budget. Generally you do get what you pay for.

Avoid being influenced by high fashion finishes, they may look great in the short term, but can quickly date and be an expensive short term indulgence.

Different floors have individual merits. Here are my guidelines to steer you in the right direction.

Resilient flooring – finishes that can bounce back to their original form after something is dropped on them; such as cork, linoleum and vinyl. A warmer alternative to hard surfaces such as tile. Flexible to lay (a good DIY project and helpful in difficult shaped areas), hardwearing and most finishes are bacteria resistant. Prices for most budgets.

Porcelain/ceramic tiles – easy to maintain and great in areas with moisture, or immediate access from the outside. Very hardwearing, but can be expensive. They require a level sub-floor and benefit from professional fitting. The overall effect can be harsh if not chosen well.

Wood – gives a rich, architectural finish and looks great stained or painted. It has a laid-back, rather than formal appearance. Not all floorboards look great, ensure yours are in good repair and of visual interest. Will require maintenance and show wear, but, if cared for, is a very durable surface. One of the most expensive options. Avoid if you have under-floor heating and opt instead for engineered planks. Requires specialist fitting.

Laminate – cheaper, quicker to fit for damp areas and can have a hollow sound when walked upon. Relatively easy to maintain, but needs care when installing.

Carpets and rugs – warm and help deaden noise. Not as durable as other surfaces and should not be installed in areas with moisture. Stain resistant treatments can help prolong its life. Probably the least hypo-allergenic option. Variety of price points, but a good underlay and professional fitting are essential for carpets. Rugs also provide a quick, cost-effective method to introduce contrast (such as texture or pattern).

Stone – the most permanent solution. Terrific for the minimalist look and excellent in wet areas. Cooler than other finishes, but good for underfloor heating as it retains warmth. Expensive and must be perfectly laid. Ideal for hallways in older properties and garden rooms.

Opting for a specific flooring type does not finish the design decision. For example, consider combining different types of hard surface, such as tile and steel, or break up a block of colour with borders or runners in a contrasting colour, material or pattern.

Alternatively, include contrasting textures in an area (such as carpet and stone), which can be both visually attractive and provide sensory stimulus.

Remember, preparation is paramount. A subfloor surface without lumps and bumps equals no trip hazards, easy installation and the longest life possible for your product.

Jamie Hempsall is one of the region's leading interior designers and a member of BIDA. He can be contacted on 01777 248463 or visit www.jamiehempsall.com