Colour recipe – one rug, many designs

I have a favourite way of choosing the colours for a room design, one that just always works. It’s an oldie but a goodie. I don’t have a degree in colour or textiles or design, but I cheat by taking tips from those who do. How? Use a rug or any other textile that you love and build the room around that.

Many websites and books will give you this hint, but I could find only one site that actually shows how much variety you can get using this one simple technique.

I have put together a gallery of some utterly delicious rooms using the same rug in many, many different ways. It must be a favourite of other Mydeco designers too, given how often I see it popping up in 3d designs.

I love everything about this rug – it’s an overdose of colour, pattern and texture that still manages to play nicely in so many contexts.  So here it is – the Liuwa rug by Missoni (known since 1954 for their stripes, geometrics, and abstract florals, in a kaleidoscope of colours)

Empty room with Liuwa rug

There are so many gorgeous colours in this rug.

Liuwa rug with colours

One approach is to use it as a bright exclamation mark in a neutral setting, as cibelles and milyca8 did. I love how well it works in the neutral kitchen, where accessories perfectly pick up the colour theme.

3D room by cibelles

3D room design by milyca8

Some chose cool blue-green tones on the walls to complement the rug (like me and smart).

3D room design by toadfool

3D room design by smart

Agicacica perfectly matched upholstery to the rug and toned it all down with the neutral floor and soft green walls. Karma Kitten used nearly the same wall paint, but to very different effect.

3D room design by Agicacica

3D room design by karma kitten

PFRate went warm and cosy for a child’s room.

3D room design by PFrate

It even went tropical, in AuntieHelen’s hand, with crazy matching wallpaper – and Chania, who just does not know when to stop (and I love it!), managed to make the rug blend into the background!

3D room design by AuntieHelen

3D room design by Chania

Someone else who does not know when too much is enough is the mysteriously named TV renders – whoa! so many patterns but perfectly done – what a posh city sitting room. Danelawlass decorated a loft, and LaurenMurphy designed the perfect Central Park bedroom.

3D room design by TV Renders

3D room design by Danelawlass

3D room design by lauren_murphy

After seeing all of these beautiful designs, I had to have another go.

Colourful room with Liuwa rug

So that’s our take on this iconic rug – maybe you could have a go?  Make it modern, traditional or vintage; city or country; modest or luxurious; bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom.  I’ve started a Pinterest board for any designs you send me.  Do you think Missoni would like to have a look one day?