Art Underfoot

Your home is your haven — be it a luxurious three-bedroom overlooking the sea or a cityscape setup. And when it comes to home décor, surely you would want to ensure that it looks nothing less than perfect. Splash it with colours, keep it minimalistic or adorn it with antiques — the possibilities are endless. It can also be something as simple as a rug that not only completes the perfect setting but also adds the much-needed balance to your home.

When it comes to handmade rugs from India, Jaipur Rugs is a brand you simply cannot miss. The company is known for its hand-knotted rugs as well as flat-weaves, dhurries, kilims, and hand-tufted rugs and primarily uses natural fibres such as silk, wool, cotton and jute. “We want to ensure customers get what they want, but at the same time provide sustainable livelihoods for our artisans. The idea is to bridge the gap between the two ends, the weaver at the grassroots level and the urban consumer,” explains Yogesh Chaudhary, director, Jaipur Rugs. In an attempt to revive the dying art of weaving, Jaipur Rugs is targeting people who have an affinity for art and culture, especially architects and interior designers. Using contemporary designs and vibrant colours, its collections such as Chaos Theory, Unstring and Project Error make for rugs that are fit for any living space. And the Artisan Originals, a collection of one-of-a-kind rugs designed by individual weavers, is worth every penny. The brand is also known for its collaborations with renowned designers — the latest to their portfolio is Tattvam by Gauri Khan. Jaipur Rugs’ exquisite collection ranges from Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.10 lakh.

Another such company is Cocoon Fine Rugs, which focuses on designs influenced by classical Persian designs and styles of contemporary artists. Each one has a story to tell, be it ancient folklore or its creator’s inspiration, and each is called 'Objet D’Art’. “Our rugs are also used as wall art in homes, offices and other spaces owing to the versatility in size and design,” says Ayush Choudhary, founder & creative director, Cocoon Fine Rugs. Their collection starts at Rs.30,000 and goes all the way upto Rs.8 lakh depending on the intricacy of work and the size of the rug. One of its latest collection was a collaboration with JJ Valaya, inspired by the city of Isfahan, a Persian city renowned for its architecture.

When it comes to these rug makers, the way the rug looks is not the only thing they focus upon; it is as much about the techniques used to make these rugs. Take for instance Obeetee, which fuses the traditional method with modern computer techniques to create unique patterns along with innovative textures. Angelique Dhama, chief marketing officer, Obeetee, explains the carpet-making skill, “Some of our carpets have as many as 400 knots per square inch. So a 9x12 foot carpet comes to you with nearly six-and-a-half million knots.” Their latest collection, which was in collaboration with Tarun Tahiliani and Abraham & Thakore called Proud to be Indian, ranges from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.12 lakh, and showcases quintessential Indian design representing the country’s artistic rug heritage.   

As far as home accessories go, these rugs are nothing short of a work of art, and quite possibly what your beautiful home might be missing out on.