Discovering the joy of a circular rug

We are just a little bit excited about the launch of our first circular rug – the bright and beautiful Okinawa, which features an elegant magnolia tree with delicate birds on branches, and jewel-like chrysanthemums, orchids and peonies flowering around the base.

We’ve been thinking about a circular rug for quite a while, and have often been asked for one. (On a more personal note, Wendy had long wanted a circular rug for her entrance hall, so there was an added incentive for her to create one!)  Working within a circle presented fresh challenges, but it was a real pleasure to think and work in new ways, and we’re absolutely delighted with the results. (The entrance hall to Wendy’s home is looking pretty good too…)

The hand-tufted Okinawa, which has a 100% wool base with vibrant details in Tencel, was initially inspired by a love of fine china, delicate vintage tea-sets and chinoiserie. As always, nature played its part with birds and florals, as well as a nod to Oriental symbolism, which is something we regularly return to for inspiration.

With the launch of the Okinawa, we thought it would be fun to share some tips on where, when and why you might choose a circular rug.

Some rooms are simply the wrong size or shape for a rectangular rug, but a circular rug opens up new possibilities. Suited to both contemporary and traditional schemes, circular rugs are perfect to highlight and show off rounded architectural details, such as a bay window, circular staircase or curved interior wall. Placing a round rug in an area that already has curves will draw attention to those details, creating a fabulous focal point.

Likewise, placing a circular rug underneath a round cupola, ceiling rose or light fitting highlights the feature, drawing the eye to it and giving the room a structured, well-designed feel. Teaming circular shapes together in this way creates maximum design impact.

Round rugs are particularly useful for creating ‘zones’ within a living space. Whether you are working with an open-plan interior or one room and want to define a particular space, a circular rug helps to visually separate areas.

Position an armchair, a small round table with a pile of books on the edge of a circular rug to create a natural reading area – regardless of the size of the room, the round rug helps to define the space. Using the same method, designate a chillout zone in a dining kitchen with a sofa positioned on the edge of a round rug. Or create a space for relaxation in a bedroom by teaming a chaise or daybed with a circular rug.

Using a circular rug in a living area helps create a natural gathering space. Wendy found that her family would automatically be drawn to and gather round the circular rug when she used it in her lounge, with Eddie the lurcher happily settled in the middle.

Using a large circular rug in a smaller room will actually make the room look bigger. The trick is to keep the front legs of any furniture on the edge of the rug. By doing this, the rug visually ‘connects’ the furniture and draws the eye across the room, making it appear bigger.

Round rugs add softer edges to a space and although they can be used to great effect in areas with curves, they also work well to create contrast against straight, sharp edges. As Wendy discovered, circular rugs work well in square entrance halls, drawing the eye away from the angles and corners, creating a warm and welcoming vibe.

Circular rugs are ideal to use as a focal point in a room. Team a beautiful round rug with a round dining table and pick up the accent colours from the rug to use in accessories throughout the room for a cohesive, designer look.

We love the playfulness and possibilities of our new circular rug – we hope you agree it’s a joyful addition to the Wendy Morrison family.