Mandela Viscose has a light grey base in soft wool which is adorned with sparkling viscose foliage. The colourful bird perching on a branch and the handful of butterflies that are delicately positioned add subtle interest, making this a neutral rug with a difference.
This beautiful, natured inspired rug, like many of Wendy’s designs, has been heavily influenced by Chinese Art Deco rugs.
Mandela Viscose
Placing a neutral rug like this allows you to play around with the accessories and accompanying furnishings. In this rug story we have picked out the pale pink of the butterflies, the rich teal in the bird and the sunny yellow which decorates both.
The choice of wallpaper can really cement the rug story. We chose to stick with the influence of Oriental art and design and found Osborne & Little’s Japanese Garden wallpaper which takes us into a world where beauty and art is celebrated. The women in ‘Japanese Garden’ are wearing fabulous, colourful kimonos made of exquisite silks and are surrounded in beautiful gardens with delicate blossoms. The narrative here tells us to immerse ourselves in the eye popping wonder of nature and colour – no need for hum drum choices in this room…
Osborne & Little Japanese Garden wallpaper
The sofa choice was between dusky pink and teal. We chose this luxurious velvet Fleure sofa by Stuart Scott which is upholstered in Designers Guild Cassia Kingfisher cotton velvet; the deep teal colour working to ground the rug and the wallpaper. The fine fluting detail embellishing the sofa makes this no ordinary place to perch your posterior…and the slender gold feet add a luxuriously perfect finishing touch.
We wanted lighting that would do this ornate scheme some justice so we were thrilled to come across this vintage Hans-Agne Jacobsson Ceiling Light, from the 1960’s. The colour is perfect to pick out the pink accents of the scheme and the gold metal strip and pink cord go to show that every aspect of a light fitting can and should look decorative. We wonder whether there will be a modern copy soon so we can all enjoy? Image via The Apartment.
Hans-Agne Jacobsson Ceiling Light, 1960’s, Sweden.
Talking of gold detailing we rather liked this Cage Metal Wire Occasional Table in gold from La Redoute. It is graceful in style, which fits right in here. What we like about this delicate wire design is that it doesn’t take over or distract from the look and feel of this room – it will do it’s job stylishly and quietly. It has actually got a good function too – the tray is removable allowing you to easily replenish drinks…
Cage Metal Wire Occasional Table from La Redoute
Once the main things are in place you can play around with cushions and accessories. There are quite a few nature inspired bird and branch designs around at the moment. We liked the magenta in the bird of this Flight of the Orient cushion from Ted Baker and the blossom filled branches it perches upon.
Ted Baker Flight of the Orient cushion from John Lewis
And we absolutely loved this Spoonbill Rectangular Tray from Graham & Green. Fits the teal and pink bill perfectly, ha!
Spoonbill Rectangular Tray from Graham & Green
Mandela Viscose is a rug which depicts a peaceful scene and these birds from Graham & Green have the same serenity about them so they had to go into the room as a final touch. They’re so restful aren’t they?
