TOP SIX: rugs

EVER SINCE EDGE TO EDGE carpets fell out of fashion in the mid 90s in favour of modern floorboards, rugs have come into their own. The choices for kids, however, haven’t been too exciting until recently - something ege, the super-cool Danish carpet manufacturers, who have worked with the likes of Conran & Partners and Christian Lacroix, is addressing with the help of Katvig, the eco-conscious Danish fashion and home textiles company. Together they’ve launched a new range of rugs (pictured left)  with Katvig’s signature bold, graphic motifs, that have, in the words of Svend Aage Færch Nielsen, Managing Director of ege carpets, “a clear attitude to design and the environment.” 

*95 cm diameter - £130.00, 127cm diameter, £170.00. Order in the UK from Sparkle & Spin. Find an international stockist at www.katvig.com

Our other favourite up-to-the-minute rugs include:

1. Luke Irwin’s Blue Fish. Irwin is a growing rug authority - one of his newest designs - the Doves and Stripes - is destined for the White House. His designs for children are from £200 a square metre. Blue Fish is a silky, dreamy carpet - and is available in white too. www.lukeirwin.com

2. Donna Wilson’s Birdie Walk Mat: Famous for her quirky knitted toys, Donna Wilson has only recently ventured into rugs - all of which are fabulous and inventive. For children’s rooms we love Birdie Walk - a 3mm thick wool felt, randomly shaped mat that comes in olive, bright green, earth brown and turquoise, and in sizes, 130cm x 120 or 180 x 150cm. Prices, £140 or £280. From www.donnawilson.com, or www.nubie.co.uk. 

3. Nani Marquina’s Bichos & Flores is a nicely affordable-ish offering from the queen of Spanish rug design - designed in this case by Javier Mariscal.  Click on the picture, left, to enlarge the image to full size and see the flora and fauna that covers these random oval rugs, which come in pistachio, pink, red or orange. £664.19 from www.nest.co.uk in the UK, or see www.nanimarquina.com for international stockists. 1400 mm x 1270 mm.

4. The Rug Company’s Puzzle, destined by Brit design leaders Barber Osgerby. Child-like colours and plenty of motifs (to minimise staining on the white background) are highlights of Barber Osgerby’s new work for the Rug Company. The Puzzle, which features cutouts of Barber Osgerby’s previous work for the likes of Cappellini et al would look great in a large, mostly white bedroom / playroom. Pricey, but oh so delicious. Puzzle by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, hand woven wool flatweave, 2.74m x 1.83m - £2,635. See www.therugcompany.info for international stockists. 

5. Habitat’s Hopscotch: We like the happy colour injection, the novel, educational pattern (little feet could genuinely play hopscotch on it), the size (74cm x 180cm) - the Hopscotch would work brilliantly in a fairly neutral small bedroom -  and its gender-neutrality. Most of all we like its price: £75. Find your nearest Habitat at www.habitat.net