We’re delighted to see our Florence rug design featured in the beautiful Brook Green Project by interior designer Stephanie Bailey of Decorbuddi, woven using flatweave wool in their signature colours. Balancing tradition with contemporary style, Stephanie transformed an Edwardian living room into a sophisticated, layered space full of warmth, colour and personality. The Florence rug became a key element in the design. Grounding the scheme, connecting patterns and textures, and adding a sense of timeless craftsmanship.
Coral + Hive in Conversation with
Decorbuddi Interior Designer Stephanie Bailey
In our conversation with Stephanie, she shares the inspiration behind the project, her approach to mixing old and new, and her expert advice on choosing the perfect rug for your home.
Can you tell us a bit about the Brook Green Project? What was the overall design brief?
The client had completed a full turnkey renovation a year before and, in their words, had ‘run out of steam for the main reception room’. There were two considerations regarding the space, the teenage children already had their own basement snug and therefore the living room could feel a bit more formal and ‘ grown up’. From a design perspective the two owners wanted to find harmony between tradition and modern styling. Our starting point was to curate a selection of art and interior items from their existing collection. This included a mix of family heirlooms, furniture and interior furnishings. We then sourced the new pieces we needed and created a colour palette that successfully brought everything together.
What was the look and feel you wanted to achieve in this space?
Classic style, updated for today. Refined without being rigid. The context of the Edwardian architecture juxtaposed with the existing Crittal glass wall was the perfect canvas to bring together the comfort and cosiness of the heritage design alongside some modern touches.
Were there any particular challenges or exciting aspects of this project?
As with many London period properties, the living room was originally two separate rooms. The interior scheme had to work hard to allow for functional zoning whilst linking the spaces aesthetically. I really love working with colour and pattern and mixing different ages and styles of furniture and fittings. I jumped at the chance to mix the existing embroidered curtains with a large Persian heirloom rug and a pair of mid-century rosewood armchairs I found in the clients’ bedroom and which they allowed me to repurpose. The Coral and Hive Florence rug was the perfect foil to the Persian rug and central to the overall scheme. A future heirloom in the making.
What drew you to the Florence rug for this project?
We were drawn to the global heritage, natural materials and soft, curved form of the design. I created contrast by pairing a more traditional sofa with the contemporary Florence rug, set opposite Mid-Century armchairs and traditional Persian rug at the far end of the room. The fabric colours and patterns of the upholstery and rugs are the ‘red thread’ that connects the two spaces. The rhythm of the Florence design echoes the movement of the Ottoman fabric flame stitch pattern beautifully.
How do you usually approach selecting rugs for a project – is it one of the first elements or chosen later in the process?
I don’t have a set approach, each project is different. I usually start with the largest item of furniture for the room. Much like a piece of art a rug can spark an idea for a scheme. On other occasions, like this example, they’re the missing link that connects the dots and brings everything together.
How did the Florence rug influence the rest of your design choices?
The Florence rug was the missing link that pulled everything together. I had explored alternative designs but it was the Florence rug that solved a design challenge for me, becoming the foundation for the scheme. Both the woven flame-stitch fabric on the ottoman and the velvet Devore we used for the mid-century chairs had a very specific colour palette of green-blues, browns and mauves. The bespoke colours of the Florence rug helped to anchor these two patterns whilst also complimenting the Persian rug design.
What advice would you give to clients when choosing a rug for their home?
Approach it like buying a piece of art. Buy what you love and buy the largest rug you can for the space, it will look more generous and feel more luxurious.
How do you balance function and style when selecting rugs for your projects?
I always start with the client’s individual needs, the context of the rug and the traffic of the space. The right rug not only works with the flow of daily life but also elevates the overall design scheme.
As a big team, how do you collaborate on projects to bring unique design perspectives together?
Every Decorbuddi designer has their own clients, runs their own business, and has the flexibility to decide what input they would like from the team. We have a very active remote studio and are constantly bouncing ideas and sharing experience. The interaction fuels our creativity and our clients benefit from the input of a much wider team. Collaboration is in our DNA. We collaborate with our trade partners and clients as well as the team. I lead my projects but there is often creative input from a variety of sources, as needed.
Are there any current design trends you’re particularly excited about?
I’m excited for colourful, layered cosy homes and the idea of filling your home with collected treasures that have a memory or story attached.
What’s next for Decorbuddi – any exciting projects in the pipeline?
We have some really exciting projects in the pipeline including the complete renovation of a family home on the Wentworth Estate, a houseboat on The Thames and a contemporary home in Geneva. The variety keeps things fresh, and each project challenges us to adapt our creativity to different contexts. We can’t wait to share more as they unfold.
Credits
Design: Decorbuddi Interior Designer Stephanie Bailey
Rug: Coral + Hive Florence Rug in wool
Photography: KT1 Photography
Website: www.decorbuddi.com
Instagram:
@decorbuddi
@stephanie_bailey_decorbuddi
@kt1_photography