Having been in the industry for close to 10 years, my team and I had plenty of opportunities to provide advice, solutions and tips to homeowners, and we totally understand because choosing a rug is no easy feat! The very reason I started a rug business is that I myself had no idea how and where to find a good modern rug as a newly married first time homeowner in Singapore.
So if you’re currently in the middle of finding the rug for your home and happen to chance upon this article, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll discuss the key concerns homeowners typically face when rug shopping and how to overcome the mental hurdle when buying a rug.
The number one question that our rug specialists sort out when you get in touch with us is “What size do you need?”
Too many times we have seen a rug that's too small for the furniture. It throws off the proportions of the space. Rugs serve to anchor your furniture, at the same time visually segregating a space. You need a rug that's big enough to make these happen.
For the living room, your sofa should be completely on the rug or at least the front two legs. The rug should be wider than the sofa. If the rug is narrower than the sofa, or if the rug gets almost completely covered when you put the sofa on it, then it is too small.
Follow our guidelines below to achieve a perfectly balanced living room interior.
For the bedroom, in addition to the correct proportion, you would want to enjoy the rug when you get on and off the bed. To get a luxurious feel, put a larger rug under the entire bed. Our bedroom guide below shows the ideal size depending on whether you have a single, queen or king bed.
Check out our comprehensive guide on how to choose the right rug size which includes the rest of the areas in your home: kitchen, hallway & outdoor space.
A tip before starting your rug shopping - take a quick measurement of your space considering the rug size guidelines. This saves you the trouble of needing to reassess the space when you already found your dream design. With the measurements at the back of your palm, it’s easy to purchase the rug in a snap of a finger once the size is ideal!
In a nutshell: Note down the dimensions of your main furniture and space. Refer to our rug size guidelines before you go rug shopping.
Choosing a rug style can be exciting for some, but also daunting for others. Rug designs are endless so…where should you begin? Start thinking whether you prefer a solid rug or a patterned rug.
Within your living space, mixing solids and patterns are a great way to achieve a visual balance, so it’s always a good idea to integrate these two elements together, instead of completely leaning towards either category though it can be very tempting!
Consider A Few Of These Design Tips:
In a nutshell: Segment rugs into 2 categories - solid rugs and patterned rugs. Now all you have to do is decide between the two to narrow your search.
Neutrals, Blues, Pastels, the choice is endless. A simple rule of thumb is to select a rug that is within your overall colour palette. If you’re starting from an empty canvas, look at artworks for inspiration - or even vases and floral arrangements you especially love, bringing in a touch of your personality and character into the space.
An aspect often overlooked is the colour tone of your flooring. Select a rug that gives your floor a nice contrast. A lighter rug on mid-dark flooring, and a darker rug on light flooring.
At the end of the day, all we want is a comfortable rug to sink our feet in… plus one that looks aesthetically pleasing…and probably one that’s easy to maintain too. Yet the softest rug might not be able to last as long, and the fluffiest long-lasting rug might not have the shininess you’re looking for. Therefore different rug materials have their own implications. What matters is which you’d like to prioritize: aesthetics, practicality or tactility.
Our range of LivingDNA rugs are made of these materials:
Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Some are perfect to entertain guests and are pet-friendly though it might not be the softest while some are fluffy but tough to maintain. To learn more on how to choose the right rug material, refer to our comprehensive guide here as we discuss each material alongside its beauty and downside of it.
‘Rugs are difficult to maintain’ is a common misconception we’d like to debunk. High-quality rugs only need to be lightly vacuumed, once a week at most as too much vacuuming can pull the fibres out. Ideally, to maintain your rug’s beauty and style for years, all you have to do is send it for professional cleaning once a year, and that’s it!
For a detailed care guide on different materials simply refer to our article on ‘Caring For Your Rug’.
Got a question on your mind? Comment below or WhatsApp our friendly rug experts at +65 85113584 to learn more!
Rugs can change the entire feel of a home. Yet choosing the right style, a colour to work with your décor and the ideal size to fit a room can all have their challenges. Thai couple Chana & Dr. Santitarn Sathirathai tell you about their Living DNA experience and how they ended up with not one but four modern rugs.
"Due to Covid restrictions, Santi works from home most of the time, so we rent another unit next to our current unit to get more space – which is why we needed new rugs. We already have a few Moroccan pieces that we love, so initially we were looking for something similar. However, Moroccan rugs are colourful, and it was difficult for me to pick the right ones as the colours we see online can often be different from those we see in reality."
"The home trial service won my heart over."
"I did a lot of research on floor coverings and to where to buy nice contemporary rugs in Singapore and came across Living DNA. The store offers many different styles of rugs, which appealed to us. And we also found the shopping experience with the team amazing! It started with a random question on WhatsApp about one of their pieces, and I immediately started chatting with one of their stylists. I sent her a photo of my living room and she recommended a few rugs that complemented our furniture as well as the view outside. I also picked some pieces myself but ended up buying the ones she suggested."
"The home trial service won my heart over. It didn’t take long to get the appointment and, before I knew it, I got to trial eight rugs before I made a decision. I ended up purchasing the largest size of the Alchemy Ice Light rug for the living room, and a blue Paradise rug for our boy’s study room. We were so happy with the rugs that a month later we bought two more Alchemy rugs; one is olive green for Santi’s home office, and another one is a sand-beige colour for the living room in the other unit."
"We couldn’t be happier with our purchases and service from Living DNA and would definitely shop there again!"
Shop the Alchemy Ice Viscose Rug | starts from $990 | also available in cream, beige, light grey, olive, red
Shop the Alchemy Olive Green Viscose Rug
Shop the Alchemy Warm Sand Viscose Rug
Thank you, Chana and Dr. Sathirathai for trusting us!
This article features in Expat Living Magazine December 2022.
]]>"We relocated to Singapore from Hong Kong this year, and I was devastated when our rug turned up largely stained and unable to be saved. It was a piece that I had bought while living in Sydney. I think rugs have a magical ability to really pull a room together. They instantly ground a space and can add colour, texture and warmth. Our living room rug is where we open our presents on Christmas morning, where my daughter took her first steps and where she first met her grandparents — it hosts so many cherished moments."
"I searched high and low before I found my way to Living DNA. With shopping, I'm a love-at-first-sight kind of girl. I just know. I also like to feel a connection and alignment with a brand. I think that's important for items that we bring into our home."
"I think rugs have a magical ability to really pull a room together. They instantly ground a space and can add colour, texture and warmth."
"We bought the Lithe Cream rug from Living DNA — I love its washed out matte look and the fact that it wasn't too silky. Over the years, I've learnt that viscose is a perfect choice for us. You get that soft luxe feeling, like walking on clouds, with without any of the woolliness and heaviness of a traditional wool rug. I also favour neutral colours and loved the colour palette the store offered."
"I felt so comfortable with the Living DNA team that I didn't even view the showroom! And the most impressive part was the follow-up service. As can happen, some muddy footprints made their way onto the rug in the first week. The team stepped me through the treatment and with a bit of care and patience, my rug was as good as new. I'll definitely shop there again."
This article features in Expat Living Magazine December 2022.
]]>We compiled the best organic patterns of our Flux collection, customised for our customers to fit their purpose, home and lifestyle. The patterns are created not only in different colours but also different textures and heights, resulting in a three-dimensional intricate rug. Whether you're searching for a subtle contrast amongst classic cream tones, or a dramatic masterpiece, we've got you (and your floors) covered.
Scroll along, get ready to be inspired.
Rugs are not meant solely for setting the foundation of a space; it can be a place of rest too. The Flux Blue Rug is for the uncommon ones who embrace bold and contemporary accents to their homes. The organic pattern mirrors the tones and shapes of the ocean. Use it as the starting point of your home decorating.
For someone who wants to add a dose of drama, the Flux Orchid is the perfect choice while rug shopping. Gorgeous and bold with purple, orange, pink and cream tones, these botanical floral colours are a show-stopper, yet it won't overwhelm a room.
If your home is already well-furnished with statement artwork and soft furnishing, extend the colours to the floor. Rug are created not for function but also for art. The Flux Black and Blue rug colours were handpicked by a client to match the colours of her art collection.
If you're thinking to upgrade your entertainment area, consider the acoustic benefits of a rug. The large amount of fabric absorbs echoes. Our client chose a bordered version to naturally pull focus to the round sofa, creating an intimate space. This rug is made of using Tencel™ and NZ wool that's impeccably soft for you to sink in.
If you want to create a sophisticated and luxe home with a spacious feel, consider a monochromatic interior. For minimalists, this cream version of Flux Bordered Rug offers an unexpected outcome with subtle tonal contrasts due to a fine hand tufted cut, loop and carved pile.
If you're the kind who fancies pattern but in a minimal way, this one-directional pattern in tones of blues and greys have just the right amount of style. With an aquatic palette, Flux Sapphire especially suits a cozy reading nook, a home office or anywhere where you want to feel serene. Available in 4 sizes, for rooms large and small.
Are you excited from all the above rug inspirations? Find out more about our Flux Collection here, or create your own Flux rug with our Bespoke Rug Service. It is absolutely flux-able!
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In collaboration with The Ove, we had the opportunity to style their hospitality project, Lloyd's Inn and express how we define modern luxury in outdoor spaces.
1. Choose a spot near to your plants, or if you have a dip pool, center your elements around it. A good rule of thumb for any styling is to start with your focal point.
2. Roll out an outdoor rug to anchor the space. This creates a natural boundary for you to relax on it. Our Recycled PET rug is soft, waterproof and lightweight. In case there's incoming gloomy weather, you can pack up in mere minutes.
3. Choose sturdy yet pretty food ware that can stand up to the occasional gust of wind, falling twigs or critter running past. Serve sparkling drinks and snacks in a set of pastel-coloured enamel mugs and trays. This adds contrast to the rug. The whimsy lemon cream marble swirls add a sense of sophistication and give a bright summer feeling.
4. With all things set, you can now lounge on your rug and immerse yourself in your new book. Enjoy the good weather and listen to nature sounds.
5. Need a backrest to continue your reading? Set a flexible rocking chair, add a fun patterned cushion to maximize your comfort. Our Afrique White cushion reflects a boutique resort look. Soulful yet modern effect, featuring patterns hand-printed the traditional way.
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A sun-drenched 3-bedroom condo is the perfect backdrop for modern and antique homeware, reflecting a distinctive East African heritage.
Sculptural artisan-made black and white details come together to reveal jewellery designer Chetna Bhatt's life story. Her relaxed, inviting space marries a love for entertaining with its inhabitants' roots. From African mudcloth cushions, tribal masks, carved wood, grass baskets, coral centerpieces, woven natural fibres and cotton rugs, Chetna's mindful decorating choices encompass materials that are long-lasting as well as multi-functional, conjuring a coastal state of mind.
Hi Chetna, please introduce yourself.
I am Chetna Bhatt, founder of Ashepa Lifestyle. I am born in Kenya and moved to Singapore six years ago.
I like to start my day with some self-care and it's something I am always working on. I start with a short meditation mantra and then enjoy some breakfast before doing a thirty-minute routine exercise. I'm normally not a big breakfast eater, but it's all I think of after pregnancy! I make myself a green smoothie and healthy cottage cheese and oat pancakes with fruits, nuts, and some greek yogurt on the top. They are divine and guilt-free!
Which spot or item in your space is most meaningful to you?That's true I do have many places I call home and each country has its own spin on history and influences that reflect it. I love unique pieces that tell a story and each place I have stayed in has something I have wanted to keep in my home forever.
Why did you want rugs in your living and dining space?I love rugs, they are almost like a facelift in your space. They set a mood and tone in the area. The living room and dining area are two spaces that we spend a lot of time in and mood means a lot to me. The humid weather in Singapore means cooler floors and indoors, so a nice pretty and comfortable rug to walk on also makes it feel cosy.
I work with neutral tones and these act as a canvas in that space so that I can reinvent the space over and over again. I do get bored quite quickly of the same look so refreshing space with a change in layout works. I also use materials that are long-lasting and sustainable as well as multi-functional so you find creative ways to use them around the house.
Get The Look:
#MyLivingDNA is a blog series on personal interior style. We visit homes designed by the owners themselves, reflecting their unique identity. Home is our physical and psychological mould, the vessel of our well-being. Through these home tours, we empower you to embrace your own style and express it in your sanctuary. Read more #MyLiving DNA home tours here.
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From the scents we wear to the way we dress, our personal style influences often stem from happy childhood memories. Interior design style is no different. The most livable space is one that expresses your life story because it gives you a sense of rootedness which is after all what home is. At the same time your home should also inspire you to move forward and pursue the life you dream of.
It is exactly this celebration of one's unique past, present and future that shape the Moroccan bohemian coastal vibes of actress Nadiah M Din's home.
Hi Nadiah, please introduce yourself.
I’m Nadiah M Din, a proud mother of 2. A passionate actress and TV host. I love to travel and I find pleasure in prepping food for my children. Married to a French man, Bilal Jeanpierre in 2016.
It's normally hectic in the morning as I really want to spend time with the kids. I'm breastfeeding so it's hard for me to get a full, uninterrupted sleep. My helper helps me get more sleep while she plays with the kids. Nahyan will normally wake up at 7am. Inaaya will wake up and co-sleep with me. My helper preps the kids' breakfast. The night before I will tell/train her what to prep, usually oats, wheat biscuits, yoghurt and milk.
I'm up at 9:00-9:30. I get hyped up and meet my kids in their room. The first thing I do is grab both of them and I will say "Give mum mum bisou!" I will ask them how their sleep was and we will recap about what happened the day before - how was their swim, how was our walk to the park. I love to have these conversations with my kids. I love to play pretend - I've done Elsa, Moana. I love that I'm applying my theatre background to the home now.
I'm in charge of lunch so by 10:00 I will start prepping ingredients as the kids eat lunch between 12:00-1:00pm. I prep while they watch TV - yes they do have TV time of 1.5 hours.
Hands down the living room for both. We want the best for our guests. The first impression really counts. The [African basket] wall art was one of the most challenging because I needed to make sure that the composition was right, and the colours coordinated perfectly with the cushions, sofa and table. I wanted to make sure it's not too much that we lose focus of the rest of the house. It's challenging and also meaningful. I'm so happy that I managed to bring in my brand Les Poupons to the home. Even before I got this house I always wanted to provide people these beautiful African baskets so that every house will be unique, with a splash of colours that remind them of a holiday.
I would grow up literally seeing my father, a sculptor, working with his tools outside the house. I'm teary-eyed saying this. The different kind of methods that he used to put his works together. So I grew up really appreciating handmade stuff.
When we go for a holiday, I would prefer to get handmade items as opposed to something off the rack. Even to the extent of our carpets. I feel very close to artisanal pieces because every piece has its story. For example, our dining table comes all the way from Indonesia. The men who chopped off the tree to make this wood came from different backgrounds, cultures, religions. I like the idea of people creating work and I use it to beautify my home. I know how difficult it is to create something out of nothing. I feel that there is a lot of work put into it, the thought process.
Maybe some rugs under the coffee table. More real plants for my corridor. More jungle vibes outside the house. I want to make the house as cozy as I can.
Please share with us a simple breakfast or snack recipe you love.
"Travelling to all the different regions of the world played the biggest part in how I wanted to create my rooms. I am one who loves details."
For starters, his bedroom is anchored by our Wave rug, with patterns inspired by the reflection of light on water. Our Tropical Colonial jute rug sets the tone for his black and white living room. Going with nature's flow, with a prodding from travel nostalgia, Jason comes across homeware pieces - both new and secondhand, designed and natural - and allows his interiors to evolve with every find.
Hi Jason, please introduce yourself.
I work as an account manager in an American medical insurance company. Travelling is in my DNA. I love to exercise whenever chance permits. A recent proud owner of a 4-room HDB at Buona Vista.
What's your morning routine ?
I go on a 5km run at the Park Connector below my block every morning to make sure I start the day feeling as good as I can be! Afterwards I fix my own breakfast before starting the daily grind. I WFH most of the time now.
It's really hard to pinpoint just one particular spot, but I would pick my master bedroom feature wall with different tones of blue. It's how I envisage the clear blue ocean and sky.
We notice each of your rooms have a distinct theme. How did you come up with interior style ideas for them?
Taiwan has these bed and breakfast homes where homeowners take special effort to re-create atmospheres and vibes of places in Europe. Since I had the chance to do so on a blank canvas, I thought, why not?
I haven't had the experience of having rugs in my previous place of residence before I moved. I thought it would be a great opportunity to try PLUS I love attention to details. The rugs I chose suited perfectly what I had in mind, creating character in the space they were placed so I didn't hesitate at all.
I have received many compliments from guests whenever I invite them over for housewarming or meals. However it does take some personal effort and commitment to be mindful to vacuum clean the rugs every now and then.
Other than making it a point to exercise everyday, I remind myself to live in the moment by trying to bring an open, accepting and discerning attention to everything I try to do. Keeping plants and trying to have a green thumb , something I haven't had interest in before also helps me take the edge off the hustle and bustle of work stress. Most of all just being grateful for everything around you.
Expat Living Singapore magazine, Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at any Age by Sanjay Gupta, Travel + Leisure Asia.
I love the taste of olives, so I would usually get either a ciabatta from Cedele or olive bread baton roll from Baker and Cook, throw some mozzarella shredded cheese over the slice bread , lightly toast it till it melts and dip the bread slices with cheese with Extra virgin olive oil + balsamic vinegar mix, top with some cocktail German sausages.
#MyLivingDNA is a blog series on personal interior style. We visit homes designed by the owners themselves, reflecting their unique identity. Home is our physical and psychological mould, the vessel of our well-being. Through these home tours, we hope to empower you to embrace your own style and express it in your sanctuary.
Across religions the world over, festivals call for redecorating and decluttering. The days leading up to Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Diwali and Christmas in Singapore get us excited about new home decorating ideas as we pay more attention to our home than usual. Being humans, physical acts of renewal prompt the inner workings of our spiritual renewal.
Despite not coming from a Muslim background, I'm grateful to have learned more about Ramadan traditions over the years through customers who have opened their hearts and homes to our small business.
Moreover, when one discovers the marvels of Morocco, Istanbul, Tunisia and the Middle East, it is impossible to resist the pull of Islamic design, architecture and geometry. These compose some of our strongest design influences at Living DNA.
I've also experienced acts of kindness during Ramadan. On a sourcing trip in Tunis, a man offered to carry our heavy box of ceramic plates across streets and railway tracks in our rush to catch our flight. It was the 28th day of fasting and he was evidently weak, needing frequent breaks, but he insisted to carry on.
To honour the season, I couldn't help but put together top tips to look at your home in a new light this Hari Raya season. You will find a mix of practical modern sensibility as well as borrowing from other cultures. Embracing style inspiration wherever the source, highlighting common threads, and using contrast to pique interest, tie up with the spirit of unity religious celebrations seek to perpetuate. Again, outward expression, inner manifestation.
May these interior style changes, big and small, bring happiness to your loved ones this Ramadan and beyond.
Rearrange your furniture. Get the family to exercise and lift the sofa and chairs. You might find new layouts that maximise your space or simply make you think and feel differently. Make way for more natural light to enter, proven to create positive vibes.
If your dining table is against a wall, try moving it away. Sure, it might lessen your walkway space but the tight-knit feeling and intimate quality of conversations when everyone faces everyone while sharing a meal is definitely worthwhile. Having the dining furniture and complementing rug underneath at the centre is also aesthetically pleasing as the room will look visually anchored.
Follow our guide for the best layouts for the living, dining and bedroom furniture, especially when you have a rug.
Alchemy Ice rug (starts at $990) photo shared by our client
Smoked Pearl Rug (starts at $890 before discount), photo shared by client
If after your layout experiment you go back to the same old layout, you'd still be better off for exposing those hidden corners and giving yourself a chance to clean them.
Speaking of cleaning, this is also the time to refresh your rugs. A professional deep clean is the quickest way for your rug to look, smell and feel new again. Follow up at home with our simple care tips that we personally learned from handling hundreds of handmade rug designs.
Ceramic Turquoise 8-pc Chip and Dip Set
A beautiful tablescape is a visual crowd-drawer, a magnet for photos.
Option A: Set a formal dining table setting if you have enough room to seat everyone. Layer solids and patterns. For instance, pair handpainted ceramic plates with solid placemats and table napkins. Or simple plates on a printed tablecloth. Your homeware need not strictly adhere to one theme. I personally enjoy mixing, say, Indian blockprints with Thai stoneware. What I do try is to keep to a certain colour palette.
Option B: You can also create a buffet setting. This is the time when I'm glad I invest in unique, well-made platters and serveware. Mezze platters with compartments that allow you to arrange colourful dips and breads give an instant festive flair, even if storebought dips and breads are all that you prepared. Intermingle the large and small - place cute condiment plates between the salad and curry bowls. Play with height. Use tiered trays to make pastries a treat for both taste and sight.
Finally, scatter flowers, fruits and small decor objects in the same colour theme to the spaces in between for that lush abundant look.
Ceramic Blue 8-pc Chip and Dip Set
Lemon Ceramics from Amalfi Coast, Italy (starts at $75)
Shop handmade plates, platters and iftar tablescape essentials handpicked from my travels.
Celebrations are the times we wish we had more chairs. With space constraints that come with high-rise living, your key to accommodating more guests is poufs. A pouf can be a seat or a side table of sorts - an extra surface to place plates of food, handbags and presents.
There's a warm fuzzy feeling about gathering with friends on poufs and cushions on a rug. Maybe it brings back memories of your Marrakech or Cappadocia holiday, or maybe it awakens the child within us, memories of playing house, of finding secret nooks at home. We let our guard down and become our more authentic selves.
On regular days, use your pouf as a legrest under your WFH desk or accentuate any empty spot with it.
Haze Pouf ($190)
All our poufs are filled with lightweight material, so even the kids could move them freely around the house. Shop poufs here.
The sofa is literally the first touchpoint of your guest in your home, and we ought to make it as inviting as possible. Plush, layered cushions are irresistible. Dress up your sofa the way you dress yourself. Combine a big pattern with a small pattern. If you prefer simple solids, play with different textures. Mix square and rectangular cushions. And much like wearing jewellery, choose one or two cushions with tassels, pompoms, accent colours or metallic parts to complete the look.
Blockprint Rust Long Cushion ($65) at @nadiahmdin's home
Your personal sleeping space also deserves to be dolled up. Prop your bedroom pillows up and accentuate in front with a pair of rectangular cushions.
Nostalgia Cushions (starts at $65)
Get inspired by Nadiah's layering of the sofa and bedroom, as seen in our home tour. She bought our Blockprint Rust with Pompoms and Nostalgia tasselled cushions. Shop these from our cushion collection or Raya Bazaar collection.
I talked about pattern in the tips above, so let me cover the last two ways to incorporate patterns in your home: rugs and wallpaper.
If you've done your fair share of home decor inspo research on Instagram or Pinterest, you would know that the most interesting interiors have a patterned rug somewhere.
By history and tradition, rugs are patterned. You can go floral, geometric, abstract, or organic, within a spectrum of simple to complex. To make things easy, you can check out my recommendations of rugs by interior look.
Go bohemian Moroccan or modern Arabic to maximise the Raya feels.
Paiais Rug (starts at $645), Blockprint Pouf ($190), Kashmir Cushion ($120 before discount) styled and photographed by @faceliftdesign
Living Room Area rugs (starting at $590), photo shared by our client
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to share rug tips on Mediacorp's Manja lifestyle channel. Read the interview transcript in Malay.
I'd love to see how you applied these styling tips in your home! Do tag us @livingdna in your Instagram post. Questions or styling dilemmas? Feel free to email me at denise@livingdna.sg.
The home of @myscandinavianhome
Scandinavian interiors are designed to be tremendously comfortable. A home is not Scandi without a rug that's cozy.
To achieve the style's signature brightness in your home, use neutral colours such as white, ivory and greige. Add pastels such as pale pink or soft sage green.
Furnishings should be unfussy. Go for sleek, sophisticated understatements over ostentatious displays. Complete the look with Scandi rugs that exhibit the same soft colours and clean lines.
Handcrafted and natural elements such as wood, cotton, linen, wool, and plants define a Scandi space. Therefore, rugs that are handmade with natural raw materials is a must.
If you want to be more expressive, feel free to explore rugs in other categories. Fusion interior styles such as Scandifornian, Japandi and Scandi-boho are now taking the design world by storm.
Minimalist designs can be modern, Zen, Scandinavian, midcentury or any personality. What characterizes minimalism is the absence of clutter.
Minimalism takes an interior and strips away excess components. You are left with a clear and simple design with a big impact. Bright, clean spaces require a careful rug choice. Use rugs in a restrained palette of muted colours, neutrals or pure black and white.
To follow the "less is more" philosophy, keep it simple and ensure that every object in your room has a place and a purpose. Think of your main purpose of the rug - be it for cushioning, colour, accent or acoustics - and focus on that quality when you select from the rug choices here.
An organic interior look by Emily Henderson
A relaxed and "of-the-hand-and-earth" vibe, organic interiors must be rich in natural raw materials. Rugs made of cotton, wool and jute are key to achieving this look.
Modern organic or modern rustic homes are perfectly imperfect: textured natural finishes, earthy soft-finished walls, reclaimed wood, washed linen and aged metal. When it comes to rugs, you will get the desired textural richness in our handwoven and handloom rugs.
This style can have a tropical, Mediterranean or coastal flavour. Our rugs are handpicked to deliver any of these dreamy looks, so you can relive your far-flung exotic holiday at home.
Layered rugs on a modern bohemian home
Eclectic. Luxe boho. Scandi-boho. Boho chic. The combinations are as varied as people's personalities, but one thing is constant: the bohemian home is never, ever without a rug.
Aim for an abundance of handwoven fabrics such as Moroccan rugs, Turkish kilims, Japanese shibori tie-dye, African mudcloth, Indian blockprints and even plain simple cultural weaves. The eclectic layering of materials tells the story of your travel adventures and worldly inspirations.
Our rugs are creative, free-spirited, laid-back and unique. We value authenticity and respect natural imperfections from the maker. Over time, the fabric develops a patina that you grow to love.
Styling and photography by Henrik Nero
Urban modern. New traditional. Contemporary cool. Whatever you may call it, this style is about what is today's looks and preferences. It does not look beyond the immediate past, no more than a century back.
Naturally, our contemporary rugs are wide-ranging. This rug collection is trendy, fluid, ever-changing and present.
Interiors by Emily Bowser
MCM, as they call it, is functional, streamlined, open and uncluttered. Mid-century furniture and decor are often a mix of organic and geometric forms. Clean lines are paired with gentle curves.
Colours are usually dark neutral tones paired with a deep accent colour. The easiest rug to get for a mid-century modern look is a solid colour to match.
Mid-century patterns are usually asymmetrical and/or abstract. But as you're going for the modern version, patterns do not need to strictly be 50's and 60's style.
Browse our recommendations of both solid and patterned MCM rugs.
Interiors by Alison Crawford Design
Industrial style originated from taking an old warehouse or industrial factory and transforming it into a chic loft or living space. This look features exposed bricks, beams and pipes, concrete, metal staircases and huge windows.
A rug makes all the difference between dingy warehouse and modern luxurious home. Soft, plush rugs balance out the cold construction materials. Rugs for modern industrial interiors are moody and striking.
Old-world charm adds richness to industrial interiors. Take your pick from our vintage style options to pull off this look.
Exotic, majestic, eclectic and yet contemporary, this style is inspired by Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Islamic and Mediterranean influences. It is these very cultures that introduced rugs to the world.
Our rugs are designed for urban homes that feature strict geometry, niches, arches, mosaics, tiles and lanterns in a modern trendy way. Explore our geometrical patterned rugs as well as modernized traditional pieces.
Typical reds, blues and greens are available and so are refreshing pastels, warm earth tones, muted colours and luxurious metallics.
Jonathan Adler nails the Hollywood Regency look
Also called Hollywood Regency, it is a spacious, open-plan and symmetrical interior.
Furnish with bright, glossy surfaces, gold metallic finishes, bold art deco patterns in high contrast, and sumptuous fabrics and textures in vibrant colors. The space glitters in sensual glamour through an abundance of luxurious shiny accessories.
Our rugs for this style are designed to be lush and luxurious. Be it rich jewel tones or neutral grays and browns, the colours should be deep. Patterns are ornate and iconic.
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Wallpaper is one of the best ways to boost your home's wow factor. With hundreds of fascinating designs and patterns you can choose from, a wallpaper gives life to a dreary space.
For those new to wallpapers, here are some inspiring interiors to get you started.
Shop this look: Rattan Webbing Square
Source: Domino, Photography: Annelis Koppert
A great tip Dekker has inspired us is her idea of considering Rattan wallpaper as a piece of furniture than a mere wall decor to bring an immediate textural effect in her living room.
Speaking of timelessness, botanical mural wallpapers are helpful to spruce up the most used space in your home such as an open kitchen or a dining area. If you are a nature lover, take the opportunity create a botanical accent wall.
Shop this look: Tropical Bloom
Source: The Interior Editor
Maria from The Interior Editor updated her kitchen/dining space by bringing nature indoors using lush foliage wallpaper. The soft green decorative patterns anchor the open space and connects to her other rooms effortlessly.
Botanical prints also come in colours other than green. Choose colours that are similar to other decor in your space.
If you're still having reservations on embarking a wallpaper journey, no sweat. We rounded up some awesome reasons for you take a step forward and get a quick home makeover with our handpicked selection of wallpapers.
We've gathered what we truly believe are the most exciting wallpapers out there. Whatever your interior look, we have something in store for you. To help you visualise, our bestsellers are installed on our showroom wall - Rattan, Tropical, Geometric and Abstract patterns, to name a few.
Besides a stress-free cleaning process, wallpaper can hide blemishes on the wall’s plaster far better than a coat of paint. Our wallpapers are dirt- and smudge-resistant.
Our wallpapers are easy to clean and are washable. To maintain its ideal condition, use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe the surface. Wipe the wallpaper in a vertical motion. Due to the printing process, some residue ink may come off the first time you clean the wallpaper. However, this does not affect the colours in the design or the quality of the material.
If you're concerned that a rented home is restricting you, don't fret. Our wallpapers are removable from most walls. When it's time for you vacate your rented place, these wallpapers can be removed with minimal to no damage to the walls. Always choose professional installers for best results.
To create a feature wall without the hassle, leave the installation work to us. Simply let us know your wall measurements. We will apply adhesive on to the wall and paste wallpaper strips one by one. Some of our designs have repeating patterns, others are different for every panel, like a mural painting. While your wallpaper order takes 1 to 3 weeks to arrive, the actual installation can be as quick as 15 minutes.
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1. Chat or Video Call with a Rug Expert
2. Streamline your choices
We are a rug haven with 200 rug designs for all sorts of interior looks such as modern contemporary, minimalistic etc. Some may find it overwhelming to browse them all when they are rug virgins. Once you have gotten in touch with us, we are here to take you on speed train, streamlining the search to less than 10 rugs so that you can make a final selection of 2-3 rugs for a Home Trial.
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Step inside this dreamy mixed style Joo Chiat shophouse.
]]>Nowhere is the influence of travel more apparent than in the evolution of our personal style. To be guided by this inner style as we furnish our home results in more meaningful and rewarding interiors than relying on specific "interior themes". The process may require more courage but with a little mindfulness practice, we learn to embrace the highs and lows that are part of any worthwhile endeavour.
Vivienne Shen, a trader whose penchant for beautiful interiors finds expression in her Instagram account @thehomeodyssey gives us a peek of her life in the midst of renovating her Joo Chiat shophouse.
"A mixed style, or no style at all, to me is the best style."
A commodity trader. A traveller. An interior enthusiast. I love modern designs but love antiques more. I like to collect all sorts of things from everywhere in the world and put them together and call it home.
I'm not a morning person. I get up late, shower, eat bird nest (a Chinese delicacy) or a simple breakfast, make a fresh lemon tea and take it to my home office and start the day.
Set the expectation that not everything will go smoothly. Try to communicate as clearly and detailed as possible with the contractors will already save you 80% of detours. And it's important to set a timetable together with the contractor on every trade required for the renovation, and keep close track of the progress.
My husband is Dutch, and we lived together in London for a short while. When we lived in Europe, we always enjoyed staying in a lively neighbourhood with markets, parks, speciality shops, and restaurants within a walking distance and we always enjoyed having long walks in the evenings. After we moved back to Singapore, we realized that the condo lifestyle no longer suits us, therefore we started looking for a new neighbourhood and a house that could offer us that "village" lifestyle. And here we are in Joo Chiat and we are absolutely loving it.
Athena Calderone's Live Beautiful and Amber Lewis' Made for Living. These are two interior designers who heavily influenced me on my interior style and these two books were my inspiration sources during the design of the shophouse. And The Kite Runner is my all-time favourite book.
4 tbsp Greek yoghurt
2 tbsp cruesli cereal
1 tbsp fresh blueberries
1 medium nectarine, sliced in wedges
1. In your everyday bowl, start with Greek yoghurt as your base.
2. Layer with cruesli cereal, then add fresh fruits on top.
3. Enjoy this breakfast bowl with a cup of English Breakfast tea.
"Every culture and era has its own charm, and when blending them together, it can create a unique chemistry."
#MyLivingDNA is a blog series on personal interior style. We visit homes designed by the owners themselves, reflecting their unique identity. Home is our physical and psychological mould, the vessel of our well-being. Through these home tours, we hope to empower you to embrace your own style and express it in your sanctuary.
]]>For me, handmade products, especially homeware, make the best travel souvenirs. They capture the essence of a place – from traditional methods of craftsmanship and raw materials unique to the land, to a glimpse into locals’ lifestyles. By bringing one home, you make all of that part of your everyday life.
Artisanal products are generally sustainable because they are made using natural materials that are abundant in the area. Plus, they’re locally made, so they have a smaller carbon footprint and tend to last longer. What’s more, you’ll be providing a means of livelihood to local artisans, allowing them to support their families while keeping traditional craftsmanship alive.
Through my travels, I realised how handmade pieces helped me become more aware of culture, beauty, function, and sustainability. When you buy something handmade, you support the artisan behind it as well as his or her family. This inspired me to set up Living DNA in 2015. The shop carries rugs, textiles, and homeware sourced from artisans around the world, but with a modern twist. I tweak the designs, so our products are different. We want to make the world a better place, one rug at a time.
First published on Scoot Airlines In-Flight Magazine, December 2019.
]]>As the owner of rugs and homeware store Living DNA, my passion has always been about our products being truly “hand-picked” and artisanal. But what does this mean? I caught up with the Expat Living Singapore team after a trip to the Amalfi Coast in September 2019, where I went on the hunt for beautiful ceramics.
The idyllic drive to Vietri Sul Mare
I went to the ancient town of Vietri Sul Mare (“Vietri by the sea”) on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. This is an important location in the history of ceramics; it was known for making the best ceramic tiles for the palaces, baths and holiday mansions of the Roman emperors. As other places in the world began to discover largescale ceramic making, this quiet remote town became somewhat forgotten. Over recent decades, though, as travellers have started uncovering the beautiful holiday destinations of South Italy, the artisans of Vietri have been rediscovered.
Beautiful towns we passed by
There are lots of idyllic stopovers on the long drive along the Amalfi Coast. Everyone knows about the Instagram-perfect destinations of Positano and Capri, but few know the secrets of Vietri. To get there, you need to drive for two more hours down the idyllic winding scenic roads.
When we arrived there, I was amazed by how the town walls were covered in ceramic tiles painted with pastoral scenes, biblical stories and everyday life. The streets come alive with old storefronts and their colourful ceramic signage.
My last trip to Italy was a six-month study trip 12 years ago, so I had to revise my Italian skills very quickly to be able to work with an artisan family who didn’t speak a word of English - that was a fun challenge! It was also a feat managing a carsick toddler along the dizzying drive. Luckily there was no shortage of splendid secluded beaches - plus gelato and granita stops - to refresh the whole family.
My little boy and I explore the streets adorned with handpainted tiles.
Out of many old families making ceramics we met, I felt most at ease with a workshop run by two brothers. One of them, Carlo, admitted to me that the master painter in the family is their “Papa”, Egidio. Watching his effortless work was mesmerizing; he would skillfully paint vines on platters while watching Italian football at the same time! Needless to say, Egidio worked on all the ceramics I chose for Living DNA on this trip.
Raw clay ready for painting
Traditional Vietri ceramics are painted with rustic elements like animals, trees, fruits and vegetables typical of the Southern coastal Italian climate. I’m sure many people will agree the prettiest would be the lemon trees that you see on the region's picturesque cliffs. So, I chose lemons as the main design theme of our collection as I loved Signor Egidio’s depiction of them, with thick brush strokes against the recognizable Mediterranean blue and white.
These are items that are meant to be put in the spotlight, and what better opportunity than when entertaining? Our Italian ceramic collection includes large serving plates, modular platters for dips or starters, dinner plates and cutlery holders. Everything is hand-painted, dishwasher-safe and meant to be used over and over again for generations. It’s part of the “buy less, buy well” sustainable living practice we cultivate at Living DNA.
Shop the Vietri collection online and in-store | starts at $75
I first met Basak and Öykü in Paris when they changed my ideas about enamelware. Back then, my knowledge of enamelware was limited to the white and blue rusty pieces in my childhood home and in old food stalls.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It fascinated me to hear their stories of how they, as the third generation of enamel makers, brought new life to the family trade. One of my motivations for Living DNA is my belief that it’s our generation’s responsibility to uphold beautiful traditions by improving upon it through our new perspectives, and so we and the Bornn founders totally connected our visions.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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When Basak and Öykü were global nomads growing up in Tokyo, Barcelona and Los Angeles away from their home town of Istanbul, they were exposed to different cultures and craftsmanship, which aspired them to create their own company that brings together years of developed skills and local heritage.
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Bornn takes its inspiration from the fascinating history of enamelware and by using traditional manufacturing techniques. Now they produce modern, elevated quality hand crafted pieces to get the world excited about enamel again.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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All of Bornn collections are produced in Istanbul by master artisans and they seek to empower their community by developing new ways for them to use their years gained knowledge.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I love the explosion of colours and the marble patterns on their plates, bowls, trays, tumblers, mugs and baking dishes. Using a traditional marbling technique that dates back to the 15th century in Anatolia, the normally plain enamelware is given a contemporary twist to its design yet rooted beautifully in its artisanal history. A time-consuming process that fuses glass onto the heavy-gauge steel, it is then mulled or hand-formed to give its shape followed by firing using a traditional kiln.
Sustainably sourced and produced, every piece in the collection is handmade individually giving each product its unique lines, swirls and its own mark of the processing journey. We see these differences as something special that gives our products a unique character to be enjoyed over time.
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Marbled Enamel Kitchen and Dining Ware | starts at $35
“Find clues as to reliable quality and sustainable production. The website should have information on how and where the product is made.”
“We’ve just taken stock of the prettiest marbled enamelware from Turkey (pictured). The craftsmen fuse richly coloured powdered glass onto heavy-gauge steel, a delicate process practiced since the 15th century. Enamelware is lightweight, easy to clean, food-safe and stylish. It can go straight from the oven to the table.
Lemon Ceramic Serving Platters | starts at $75
“I also recently returned from a trip to Italy where I sourced a range of beautiful hand-painted ceramics from Vietri Sul Mare. The lemon-themed collection includes large serving plates, modular platters for dips and starters, dinner plates and even cutlery holders. Everything is handpainted, dishwasher-safe and meant to be used over and over again for generations.”
“Due to health, wellness and diet trends (especially plant-based or flexitarian lifestyles), cooking and entertaining at home is a growing trend. We’ve increased our range of beautiful kitchen and dining ware (like platters for sharing, baking trays); they’re so pretty they can be served straight from the oven.”
]]>One of the books I was fondest of in my childhood was Bambi. Not your ordinary Bambi storybook, but a vintage "scratch-and-sniff". In the midst of handpainted forest scenery bathed in cool pastel hues of watercolour, a little patch is glossed. Scratch the patch and you release the scent of the scene. An evergreen forest's damp earthy scent. Creamy, fruity wildflower bushes. Aromatic minty herbs of the thicket where Bambi was born. The field of violets where Bambi met a skunk, the new friend fortunately not represented by a scent patch.
Memories of Bambi cling the strongest to me because of the interweaving of scent. Till today, woody perfume and wildflowers captivate me like no other. Cedar. Oak. Birch. Moss. Orchid.
Research shows that what we find appealing in a scent is often a scent your brain registered as a positive memory. Our minds have a repertoire of not just perfumes but also familiar scents that make up daily life.
Stew simmering in the aspiring gourmand's studio apartment.
The mix of oils and sharp turpentine in the artist's garage.
Caramel sweetness of a newborn baby.
Leather accessories of the refined gentleman.
Watercolor Illustrations by Ottocento
The effect of scent can be inexplicable. Indeed, the human language is known to be insufficient to describe scent. Powerless we may be to convey exactly what we smell, we do have the power to change our states of mind with our olfactory senses. In the course of human history, we've discovered the effect a particular scent has on people. The key is knowing and when and where to use them. Candles are one of the best ways to create an entire atmosphere of scent.
Fragranced Candle No. 19 Blue Ginger has notes of Sicilian lemon, mandarin orange and ginger that transforms your mindset from dull to lively.
2. Bathroom
Fragranced Candle No. 7 Lavender Cedar paints a picture of meadows in the Mediterranean, a playful blend of lavender, patchouli, vanilla, musk and tonka bean.
Classic Fragranced Candle No. 1 Tuberose is the fragrance dreams are made of. Treat yourself to a profusion of white flowers such as lily of the valley, ylang-ylang, jasmine and prized tuberose.
4. Living Room
Love wooden panels and furniture? Bring your beautiful interiors to attention by lighting Classic Fragrance No. 2 Bois de Figuier. Fig, woody musk and amber is as unique as your space.
5. Kitchen
Earl Grey tea fans, rejoice. Classic Fragranced Candle No. 18 Bergame builds upon the aromatic ingredients of Earl Grey such as bergamot, tea and spices.
Every candle is a carefully crafted, well-thought scent built by masters of the art of perfumery to create a harmonious sense of place in your home. Once you discover your signature scent, shop online to keep your home heavenly.
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You might have read Malcolm Gladwell's Blink. He accurately perceived that "you can learn as much - or more - from one glance at a private space as you can from hours of exposure to a public face." Are you the colour of your wall, or the painting that hangs there?
Are you your trendsetting walk-in closet or your quiet reading nook?
Home means many things to every person but there's one thing we have in common: home is where we can be ourselves. We take off our costumes and masks. We say what we feel. The people at home are the one's dearest to us -- we know they won't mind. Naturally, home is where we tell the story of our life.
Home communicates your hobbies, the kind of food you eat, your favourite colour, whether you prefer structure or free thought.
Does the home reveal what success means to you: your kids' medals or their artwork? What motivates you the most: family photographs or powerful quotes? What do you long to accomplish: the reading list in your bookshelves or the post-it task list in the fridge?
Did you spend your honeymoon in romantic Venice or exotic Fiji?
Remember being one with nature on that New Zealand road trip? Discovering your East and Westside when you lived in Hong Kong? How did you learn in Kyoto that less is more and imperfection is beauty? Were you born in Jakarta but feel darn sure you were Japanese in your previous life?
Do you dream of losing yourself in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar or finding yourself in spiritual India?
The story of our lives is the story of many cultures. Cultures connect through us. They endure in our memory, spirit and influence. No one else has the same story. Our journey is our own. And it is revealed when we come home.
What makes your home unique? It's that your life story is.
]]>Learning about ethnic textiles brought me to a peculiar tribe in Northern Philippines, the Bontoc people. I acquired an early 20th-century ceremonial tribal artifact, an akusan belt of the Bontoc people. Fascinating how one small antique can tell the story of an entire tribe.
A Bontoc woman’s belt, called an akusan, consists of a handwoven band of indigo dyed linen cloth strung with giant conus shells, small gastropod shells and bones. It is worn around the waist like a belt. The pouch formed by smaller shells is worn at the front. Some versions of the pouch are able to store small items inside.
The word Bontoc came from two morphemes, bun which means 'heap' and tuk which means 'top'. Together, it means 'mountain people'. They descend from hunter-gatherer Polynesian tribes and settle in the Cordillera region, northern Philippines. Cordillera is characterized by the rice terraces carved laboriously over centuries by ethnic tribes, including Bontoc people.
Other than farming rice, the Bontoc are excellent potters, forgers of shields and battle axes, and weavers of baskets and wooden cages to keep fowl safe at night.
Tattooing is an important part of their heritage. Fatoc are chest tattoos, signifying they are head hunters. Pong-o are tattooed arms of men and women. Fatek areall other tattoos of men and women.
The akusan belt, although frayed by time, demonstrates a glimpse of the Bontoc culture of weaving textiles.
Bontoc believe in anitos, or spirits of their ancestors. During the time the Spanish came and introduced Christianity to Filipinos, the Bontoc tribe chose to retain their religion. Their deity and centre of the creation myth are Lumawig, The Great Spirit.
The Miracles of Lumawig. Artwork by Rodel Tapaya
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The Ent Table represents a tree stump and is named after the guardians of the forest. To us, it stands for the fact that every item we own is generously given by nature. The design is an example and reminder of our responsibility to choose things that are made to last, and learn what it took to make our things so we can support methods that are mindful of the environment. This way, we encourage more producers to minimise ecological footprint as part of business-as-usual.
Ahnya-Chi’s first collection of Kebaya Chi cushions used beautiful kebayas plucked from their own family’s collection. These were all one-off pieces, where the elaborate embroidered bottom tips of the kebaya were cut and sewn to create a set of two cushions.
Kebaya Baby-Chi Peranakan Cushion
“My mother is Peranakan and kebayas are part of her heritage. I appreciate the craftsmanship and the intricate details of kebaya. At the beginning, I couldn’t tell the difference but now, I can tell whether a kebaya is good quality,” says Gwyneth.
Kebaya Ah Beat-Chi Peranakan Cushion