#OhSoNatalie

Our monthly newsletter sharing Natalie’s favourite brands, the people behind them, and ideas about how we can go that little bit further with our creativity.

Rare Rugs is #OhSoNatalie

There’s rarely a project where I don’t specify a vintage rug—and Robin at Rare Rugs is always my first call. His pieces feel contemporary yet carry the weight of history—deepening a scheme with quiet sophistication. Every rug is rich with character, and the right one transforms a room in an instant. Don’t wait—his best finds never stick around.

Any shade of blue. It just gives me comfort, if it’s something I wear or used in a rug I am presenting to a client.

QUESTION 1

What is your favourite colour & why?

I have just finished supplying a number of MidCentury vintage rugs for a project in a huge stately house in Oxfordshire.

The client has been amazing with a great eye for detail which makes the whole experience very enjoyable.

What made the whole process really interesting was the fact that we actually had to make large rugs from existing vintage pieces by stitching them together, and once the rugs were finished to bespoke sizes it was very satisfying. 

I have done this in the past for hotel lobbies and private members clubs, but this one was very special because it was for someone’s house.

QUESTION 2

What are you working on at the moment that you find exciting?

QUESTION 3

I love how you let everyone walk on your rugs – even though they look so precious! What gives you such unwavering faith in their strength beneath the beauty?

This is because growing up and spending time from a very young age at my father’s shop, surrounded by all kinds of incredibly rare and expensive rugs , I used to climb and play on huge piles of rugs and throw them around without anyone saying anything, also at the time the shop was always full of clients and everyone was busy selling!

Also, as I am very familiar with the nature of rugs especially antique ones, I know that they have passed their test and can withstand any kind of use in most cases.

In rare circumstances where a rug is damaged in the process ( this happens very rarely) I have the most skilled repairers who can fix anything, so my mind is at ease.

Running a shop on my own and having the studios at Alfie’s market across the road, keeps me mostly in Church street and the weekends are for family and my dog.

I travel to buy rugs a lot but they are mostly day trips so there is not much going to places for inspiration.

I have many books on rugs at the shop and I find going through them very relaxing. From time to time suddenly a rug in the book reminds me of a similar one I have and makes me dig it out from stock and display it, or in some cases will remind me of a rug I saw a while back and makes me think of purchasing it (if it’s still available).

QUESTION 4

Where do you go for / what do you do for inspiration?

It’s a mid 19th century Persian Isfahan rug which my father gave me.

He bought this rug before he was married in 1950s, an antique and super rare rug then, and he kept this rug to give to his future child, so this one stays in the family.

QUESTION 5

Do you have a cherished object you would never part with? What is it & why?

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