Discover how Justin Charette elevates the Manhattan house aesthetic with bold interiors and richly layered rugs. Discover how TAPIS Studio completes the look. Manhattan is synonymous with high design and urban sophistication. Nestled among its storied buildings, one design approach is standing out—layered, artistic, and intentionally grounded with statement rugs. Interior designer Justin Charette is a name at the forefront of this transformation, infusing personality into every Manhattan house he touches. From luxe apartments to personal retreats, Charette’s interiors prove that a Manhattan house can be both elegant and livable. Using bold contrasts and strategic textures—especially rugs—he defines rooms with balance and rhythm. His work is not just about visual appeal; it’s about how spaces feel beneath your feet and in your soul. A Manhattan House with a Rug-Rooted Soul In a vibrant Gramercy Park apartment, Charette reimagined a classic Manhattan house to reflect his client’s artistic and layered lifestyle. A modern cream-colored sofa anchors the living room atop a textured rug that blends muted reds and blues. The carpet, far from a simple accessory, was the first piece chosen—it set the tone for every color and pattern in the room. The walls are adorned with striking works by California-based artist America Martin, yet it’s the rug beneath that grounds the room. “Every Manhattan house needs a piece that brings it all together,” says Charette. “For me, that’s often a rug. It’s not just a detail; it’s the story’s foundation.” His focus on rugs is no accident. Rugs provide the bridge between luxury and comfort, and in a Manhattan house where space is precious, they act as both visual dividers and sensory enrichers. From the soft underfoot texture in the bedroom to the detailed geometric patterns in the dining space, every rug plays a defined role. Bold Moves: Color and Craft One of Charette’s boldest Manhattan house designs is a duplex that experiments with deep greens, charcoals, and golds. The living area features a richly patterned rug that echoes motifs from abstract wall art and helps define the conversation area within the open floor plan. Charette’s layering doesn’t stop at color—it moves through texture and craft. Vintage Moroccan rugs mix with contemporary silk-wool blends, proving that a Manhattan house doesn’t need to follow any single style rule. What matters is harmony. “The rug becomes the translator,” Charette notes. “It brings together the antique chest and the ultra-modern lighting.” In one room, a neutral-toned rug with subtle stripes provides a calm backdrop under a vibrant sofa. In another, a bold black-and-white hand-knotted rug provides dynamic energy beneath a glass coffee table. Every design choice is intentional, and rugs are always at the core. Bellport: A Retreat Still Rooted in Rug Layers While his Bellport, Long Island, retreat isn’t technically a Manhattan house, it echoes many of the same design principles. The space is monochromatic and minimalist, a stark contrast to his vibrant city projects. Yet even here, rugs are central. Each room in Bellport features a rug—often in deep grays or blacks—that adds depth without distracting from the home’s clean lines. The feature is a plush charcoal rug beneath a pair of tufted leather sofas, providing a visual warmth that softens the dark palette. “Even in monochrome, texture is key,” says Charette. “And rugs are how you bring tactile emotion to a minimalist space.” Whether it’s a Manhattan house or a weekend escape, Charette’s use of rugs is deliberate and transformative. Client Collaboration and the Rug First Approach Charette is known for being both a creative visionary and a collaborative listener. However, once he takes the reins, rugs are often his starting point. “I usually begin with the rug and work my way up,” he explains. “It gives the project a center of gravity.” In one recent Manhattan house, a large hand-tufted wool rug with painterly strokes of teal and ochre inspired the entire interior palette. The homeowner, initially skeptical, soon found that the carpet not only grounded the space but informed every decision that followed—from curtain fabric to artwork. This rug-first approach allows Charette to guide clients through choices with a visual and tactile anchor. And in a fast-paced city like New York, where home is a retreat, rugs offer the grounding presence people crave. Why Rugs Matter in Every Manhattan House What makes rugs so essential to a Manhattan house? Charette believes it’s their duality—they’re art and function, texture and tone, history and now. In a space where hardwood floors and sleek finishes dominate, a rug offers softness and intimacy. Moreover, Manhattan houses often share walls and ceiling space, resulting in noise. A high-quality rug absorbs sound, creating a quieter, more serene environment. Charette usually selects rugs not only for their design but also for their acoustic properties. In one Upper West Side apartment, a densely knotted Persian rug reduced ambient sound by over 40%, transforming the atmosphere from echoey to cocooned. “You don’t just see the difference,” Charette says. “You feel it.” Rugs That Finish the Story: TAPIS Studio When it comes to sourcing the perfect rugs, Charette often turns to high-end ateliers that match his dedication to detail. One standout in his arsenal is TAPIS Studio. Known for their unique designs and commitment to craftsmanship, TAPIS Studio rugs bring depth and artistry to every room they inhabit. Whether it’s a bold geometric pattern or a soft, tonal gradient, TAPIS Studio offers rugs that fit seamlessly into a Manhattan house design. Their collections are curated not just for style but for emotional resonance—something Charette deeply values. In a recent project, Charette selected a TAPIS Studio rug with overlapping abstract shapes in warm, earthy tones. It anchored a large open-concept living room and subtly echoed the forms found in surrounding sculptures and furniture. The result was not just visually stunning but also holistically harmonious. TAPIS Studio rugs don’t just complement Charette’s vision—they elevate it. In a Manhattan house, where every square inch matters, having a rug that tells a story is priceless. Grounded in Style: Complete Your Manhattan

Explore how rugs defined 70s interior design, from shag to bold geometrics. Discover TAPIS Studio’s modern take on this timeless trend. The 1970s were a golden age for self-expression in interior design. This era was a rebellion against the streamlined modernism of the 50s and 60s, embracing instead a mix of textures, global influences, and a whole lot of personality. The rooms were drenched in saturated colors, the furniture lines were soft and curvy, and above all, the spaces felt warm, inviting, and lived-in. In the heart of this transformation were the rugs—bold, plush, unapologetically groovy. In 70s interior design, rugs weren’t just background players; they were stars of the show. They defined zones in open floor plans, introduced tactile contrast to hard surfaces, and reflected the personal tastes of homeowners who were embracing a freer, more relaxed lifestyle. Today, as this vintage style stages a powerful comeback, rugs remain the foundation of any space inspired by 70s interior design. The Soul of the 70s: Rugs as Visual Anchors Rugs in 1970s interior design played a crucial role in creating mood and flow. Homes of this era often featured open layouts, and rugs served as boundary markers for living, dining, and lounging areas. Designers used these textile pieces to ground furniture and to bring cohesion to otherwise eclectic spaces. Perhaps most memorably, rugs were used to introduce color and texture. Deep shag pile rugs in hues like burnt orange, olive green, and mustard yellow were practically synonymous with the decade. These textures invited bare feet and floor lounging, a stark departure from the more formal aesthetics of prior decades. Just as important as color and comfort was the ability of rugs to carry artistic expression. Psychedelic and geometric designs, inspired by art movements of the time, became hallmarks of 70s interior decor. A rug could echo the curves of a modular sofa or complement the organic vibe of macramé wall hangings and rattan furniture. Essential Rug Styles in 70s Interior Design 1. The Iconic Rugs When one thinks of 70s interior design, the image of thick, luxurious rugs often comes to mind. These high-pile rugs were not only visually inviting but also a physical symbol of the era’s comfort-first mentality. Whether in neutral creams or vibrant jewel tones, shag rugs transformed living rooms into cozy retreats. Their tactile allure was more than aesthetic. Rugs softened acoustics in the home, made floor-sitting comfortable, and stood in beautiful contrast to sleek wood or tile flooring. 2. Shaped Rugs A playful departure from traditional rectangular formats, shaped rugs emerged as a standout feature in 70s interior design. From circular and oval rugs to more experimental silhouettes like amoebas, flowers, or free-form curves, these rugs brought a sense of whimsy and softness to interiors. Their unusual outlines complemented the era’s love of organic shapes and fluid furniture designs. Shaped rugs were incredibly versatile. Designers often used them in boho-chic settings or eclectic spaces to break up rigid floor plans and add an unexpected focal point. Whether placed beneath a curved sofa or used to define a cozy reading nook, shaped rugs became both functional and sculptural elements, perfectly aligned with the playful spirit of 70s interior design. 3. Geometric Rugs Another major player in the decade’s rug landscape was the graphic geometric rug. These often featured angular patterns, concentric circles, or repeating motifs in contrasting colors. The style was a nod to both Art Deco and Op Art, creating dynamic focal points in the room. Paired with lucite coffee tables or modular sectionals, these rugs delivered impact and movement. They mirrored the energy of the disco era while grounding the space in structure. Materials and Craftsmanship of the Era The 70s saw an embrace of both natural and synthetic materials. Wool remained popular for its durability and texture, while new materials like acrylic and polyester offered greater color variety and affordability. Designers mixed the two freely, celebrating the authenticity of natural fibers but not shying away from artificial innovations. Handmade rugs also gained appreciation during this time. Artisanal craftsmanship was back in vogue, thanks to the countercultural interest in all things handmade. Tribal patterns, influenced by Moroccan and Native American styles, made their way into homes, often through handwoven or knotted rug designs. This international flair gave rise to eclectic spaces—mixing shag with flatweave, monochrome with saturated hues—creating the kind of layered aesthetic that defined 70s interior design. Modern Revival: Bringing 70s Rugs into Contemporary Spaces Today, 70s interior design is undergoing a full-blown revival, and rugs are once again central to this retro-modern style. The warmth, comfort, and nostalgia these rugs bring are unmatched, and they can be used in clever ways to suit today’s design sensibilities. For a minimalist home, a bold geometric rug becomes an intentional design statement. In a bohemian setting, layering a flokati over a vintage kilim brings both history and depth. Shag rugs in muted tones are now being used in modern interiors to add softness and break up the severity of clean lines. Incorporating rugs inspired by 1970s interior design allows homeowners to explore color and texture in ways that feel fresh, modern, yet distinctly nostalgic. TAPIS Studio: Curating the Spirit of the 70s At the forefront of the 70s design revival is TAPIS Studio, a brand that understands the cultural and aesthetic richness of the era. TAPIS Studio curates rugs that channel the spirit of 70s interior design, from high-pile textures to rich patterns with a contemporary twist. Their latest collections feature shag-inspired rugs made with updated colorways, perfect for the modern retro enthusiast. With a focus on craftsmanship, sustainability, and design integrity, TAPIS Studio bridges past and present, making 70s elegance accessible for today’s homes. Whether you’re designing a groovy lounge space or simply want a statement rug that captures that iconic vibe, TAPIS Studio offers pieces that resonate with the comfort, creativity, and individuality of 70s interior design. Step Into the Past: The ’70s Spirit Lives On The bold spirit of 70s interior design lives