Discover how modern area rugs enhance artistic interiors in this San Francisco townhouse by Kendall Wilkinson, blending color, texture, and sophistication. In high-end interior design, modern area rugs do more than cover floors—they act as spatial anchors, artistic layers, and storytellers. No longer sidelined as practical afterthoughts, they’re foundational design elements. In the remodel of a San Francisco townhouse by Kendall Wilkinson, modern area rugs join architecture and art to create a seamless, luxurious environment. Blending structure, beauty, and depth, modern area rugs contribute to interiors shaped by thoughtful artistry and sophisticated aesthetics. A Canvas First: The Upside-Down Layout One of the first unique features of this San Francisco home is its inverted layout. The top floor, housing living, dining, and kitchen areas, capitalizes on panoramic views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and the skyline. In such an open, flowing space, rugs provide zoning without walls. A modern area rug under the seating ensemble subtly defines the living zone. Another beneath the dining table frames that area, establishing visual boundaries while preserving the spatial fluidity. Visual Rhythm Inspired by Art Throughout the main floor, a linear mixed‑media installation by Willi Siber sets the tone—its bright palette and rounded shapes inspire the entire design scheme.  Modern area rugs echo this aesthetic: vibrant but structured, they bring the same dynamic energy to the floor. Think bold brushstroke patterns or geometric shapes in blues, purples, greens, and yellows—colors that correspond with the art and furnishings without overwhelming the scene. Texture Brighes Art and Architecture This townhouse merges sleek architectural lines—with a ribbon staircase and polished stairwell—with plush textiles and soft furnishings. Modern Art Rugs act as tactile mediators: they soften hard materials and introduce a sensorial element. For example, a velvet or wool rug underfoot provides contrast to metal stair balustrades and marble countertops. It makes the space feel lived-in and welcoming—even amid grand architecture and sculptural lighting. Color as Emotional Underlayer Kendall Wilkinson’s design relies on a neutral canvas accentuated by saturated tones—deep blues, vibrant greens, and moody purples—to avoid anticipating the view without competing with it . Modern area rugs follow that principle: subdued enough to soothe, yet bold enough to speak. Rug palettes in this interior might be gradient, ombré, or tone-on-tone. They bring the necessary color depth while allowing furniture and artwork to shine. In the bedroom, shades echoing treetop views create serenity underfoot. Balancing Scale and Placement Getting rug scale right is vital. Too small and the room feels disjointed; too large and the effect is overpowering. In the townhouse: Smart placement ensures visual balance and reinforces purposeful room boundaries. Art You Can Walk On In this interior, modern area rugs function as tactile artworks—subtly luxurious, quietly expressive, and crafted with intention. Like the curated furniture and sculptural lighting, they reflect an artful sensibility, blending soft textures, refined materials, and nuanced patterns that enrich the space without overwhelming it. Each step reveals a shift in color or weave, offering a daily dialogue between design and experience. It’s quiet luxury, felt from the ground up. Customization for Personal Expressio The homeowners visited workrooms to understand craftsmanship—and they welcomed personalized. In that spirit, custom modern area rugs can be made to measure—in size, palette, pattern, or texture—echoing wallpapers, art details, or architectural curves. Whether round for a discussion nook, rectangular oversized for open plan flow, or layered for textural complexity, customization makes rugs feel integral to the space. Creating Depth Through Layering in Interior Design Layering is a refined design strategy that brings depth and character to any space. It begins with a clean, neutral foundation—think soft tones, natural materials, or minimalist finishes—and is elevated by carefully chosen accents that introduce contrast and personality. In this kitchen, for example, this might mean pairing understated cabinetry with bold pendant lighting, textured backsplashes, or sculptural stools. These layered elements define subtle zones and enrich the ambiance, making the space feel curated, inviting, and effortlessly sophisticated. Designing with Intention In this interior, every rug is placed with purpose—carefully chosen to enhance both function and atmosphere. This level of consideration is what defines truly luxurious spaces: nothing is random, everything supports the overall vision. To apply this mindset in your own home: Elevating Design from the Ground Up Modern area rugs are not just accessories—they’re integral design components. In Kendall Wilkinson’s San Francisco townhouse, they bridge architecture and art, grounding the space while enriching the visual narrative. These pieces create rhythm, softness, and connection—transforming interiors into immersive, lived-in environments. Ready to elevate your space?Start with a rug that tells your story—crafted with care, chosen with intention, and designed to last. Explore our curated collection to find the piece that defines your foundation. Source: LUXE

Learn how Anthony Baratta and Erick Espinoza turned this apartment from the 40s into a vibrant new home, using creativity, innovation, and colorful rugs. When a young couple approached interior designer Anthony Baratta and his partner, Erick Espinoza, with a project that involved renovating an old apartment from the 40s into a home where their unique, quirky tastes, as well as a means to show off their expanding, bold art collection. According to Anthony Baratta, “When someone is a collector, an interior comes out so much more interesting. It has personality before the design even starts.” This meant that they had to first strip the apartment down to its core, to make way for the lively, bright idea the clients had envisioned. After that, the designers chose to include many different additions, including the colorful rugs we mentioned before. The first rug we’ll be breaking down is located in the living room. Incorporating the artsy aesthetic of this living room, both colorful rugs blend into the atmosphere. They complement both different sections of the living room differently, so let’s analyze them individually. The rug we see closer in the image is striving to mix multiple different shapes, sizes, and colors. Although it focuses mostly on warm colors like red and yellow, it also has blue and black to contrast with the tone of the rug, making it unpredictable. The rug in the other section of the living room, however, is not as colorful, but brings a completly different mood to the table. It mixes black and white, red and blue to make sure you feel the contrast in this particular rug. The pattern is unpredictable and looks unstable since the lines are very different from one another, but the flowers present in this piece bring a sense of comfort and safety, soothing and relaxing whoever is there. The clients have a very strong love for color, patterns, and European design, which resulted in their high involvement in the project. This love for color can be seen all around the house, with their preference for highly colorful rugs and other pieces of furniture, with out-of-the-ordinary design styles and themes. The main bedroom is no different from the rest in that regard. Its main color is pink, and you can practically see it everywhere, from the furniture to the wallpaper. The rug in this particular room features a lot of waves and circular shapes, which bring a feeling of fluidity and peace of mind. This angle shows off a different view of the rug, which makes it much easier to feel what Baratta’s goal was for this room. In this part of the rug, we can see that the shapes use many more lines to separate the different colors and pass on a more geometrical feel. The amalgamation of oval and more rectangular shapes makes this rug feel that much more different from the other colorful rugs Barrata’s has used so far, guaranteeing that every part of this room feels just a bit different from the others. Once again changing themes in comparison to all of the colorful rugs we have seen, the rug in the office has a much more geometrical style, focusing on squares and rectangles, but also introducing a few circular lines to keep the piece unpredictable. “We all got to create something completely fun and completely custom here. I love that these clients want individuality and don’t care what other people think, because that is when design gets exciting.” -Anthony Barrata If you feel inspired by Anthony Barrata and want to incorporate this type of colorful rugs in your own projects, please consider exploring Tapis Studio’s products. Source: Luxe Photography by Annie Schlechter

A refined escape on the Cap d’Antibes coast, where interior design, natural light, and artisan textiles come together in perfect boutique hotel design. Perched on the sun-soaked shores of Cap d’Antibes, Villa Miraé perfectly embodies the spirit of boutique hotel design. With its soft color palette, handcrafted details, and a seamless blend of indoor elegance and outdoor beauty, this boutique hotel exemplifies Mediterranean sophistication. The ambiance is rooted in the French Riviera lifestyle – elegant, breezy, and intimately connected to the natural world. From the olive trees in the garden to the marine-inspired art pieces inside, every element feels thoughtfully curated to inspire rest and refinement. Beyond architecture and interiors, Villa Miraé tells a story through materiality – woven textures, natural rugs, and soft lighting set the tone for a truly immersive boutique hotel design experience. Continue reading to explore the project. Formerly the Impérial Garoupe, the property has undergone a complete transformation under the creative direction of Oscar Lucien Ono. Now part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux family, Villa Miraé invites guests into a world of calm, charm, and refined boutique hotel design. The architecture respects the natural surroundings, with a welcoming peach-toned facade, lush gardens, arched windows, and balconies adorned with red flowers. But it’s the interiors that elevate this escape into a true Riviera gem. Ono’s design philosophy is rooted in storytelling, and at Villa Miraé, every room, textile, and finish contributes to the boutique hotel’s narrative. A Palette Inspired by the Coast The hotel’s visual identity draws heavily from the natural environment. Think sandy creams, dusty blues, sage greens, and golden accents – colors that reflect the coastline just beyond the windows. Inside, guests are greeted by a hand-crafted botanical mural from Friul Mosaïque, which sets the tone for the property: serene, organic, and sophisticated. In the reception area, a plush Lelièvre rug anchors the space, surrounded by Popus woven armchairs and Nobilis-upholstered banquettes, all resting beneath a softly glowing gilded ceiling. These elements are more than decorative. They enhance the spatial experience by using texture and materiality to evoke a sense of calm and comfort, a key component of boutique hotel design. Embracing Boutique Hotel Design Through Texture What defines boutique hotel design is its tactile softness – the way light plays on linen curtains, the cool touch of stone underfoot, and the sense of airiness in even the most intimate corners. At Villa Miraé, Ono achieves this effect through a layering of natural materials and textile accents. One of the most essential elements in this hotel’s boutique hotel design, in terms of visual and sensory language, is the rug. From the hallways to the suites, rugs are used not only for comfort but also to define space and evoke emotion.  Carefully selected pieces – some custom-made, others sourced from French design houses – bring subtle elegance to each room. These rugs, often in neutral tones with soft patterns, reflect light and absorb sound, making every step quieter and more luxurious, just as boutique hotel design demands. In the guest rooms, light floods in through arched windows, casting gentle shadows on rattan chairs, mirrored walls, and fabric-covered ceilings. Underfoot, textured rugs in coastal hues add depth and warmth. It’s this attention to layered comfort that transforms the hotel from beautiful to unforgettable. Artistic Flourishes in Every Corner Ono’s interiors are filled with artisanal details that capture the essence of local craftsmanship. In the breakfast area, guests dine under a canopy of olive trees, surrounded by ceramic sconces from Maison Paradis and wall art by Antonin Lamotte. The space feels like a garden sanctuary, blurring the lines between inside and out. The hotel bar continues this narrative, with rich fabrics, warm woods, and sculptural lighting. A standout is the green ceiling fixture that glows like a canopy of leaves. Again, rugs and soft furnishings play a crucial role in defining the atmosphere, grounding the space while allowing the design to remain airy and open. Dining with Design in Mind Food plays a central role at Villa Miraé, where the ambiance is as refined as the cuisine curated by three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco. At Amarines, a fine-dining venue inspired by the sea, marine motifs like wave frescoes, sea urchin lights, and ocean-hued rugs create a serene atmosphere. The terrace restaurant Miraé celebrates the sun with fresh, Mediterranean dishes, such as Puglian burrata and seasonal vegetables, served in a space enriched by natural fiber rugs and artisanal linens, reflecting a harmonious blend of flavor, design, and craftsmanship. Where Craft and Comfort Meet Perhaps what is most compelling about Villa Miraé is its ability to strike a balance between luxury and intimacy. While many Riviera properties lean into opulence, this hotel chooses elegant restraint. Every object feels considered, every fabric intentional. As interior lovers, we’re especially drawn to how rugs and textiles help tell the story. They don’t shout; they whisper. They guide the guest from one room to another, softening acoustics, adding warmth, and giving the design a visual rhythm.  Whether it’s a geometric runner in the corridor or a cloud-like area rug in the suite, each textile grounds the guest in place and evokes a sense of feeling. A Living Expression of Boutique Hotel Design In the words of Oscar Lucien Ono, “What moves me is creating places that tell a story – where one feels the imprint of the hand, the passage of time, and the presence of beauty.” Villa Miraé does precisely that. It doesn’t just look beautiful – it feels authentic. For designers, travelers, and lovers of well-made things, Villa Miraé is more than a destination. It’s a reminder that style and comfort can go hand in hand and that textiles – especially rugs – are essential tools in building that bridge. At Tapis Studio, we celebrate projects like Villa Miraé, where interior design isn’t just visual – it’s emotional. And where the timeless essence of boutique hotel design continues to inspire, one carefully woven thread at a time. Explore our curated collection of artisan rugs, inspired by the elegance and textures of destinations like Villa Miraé. Discover our collections and let your interiors tell their own story. Source: Galerie Magazine