Add a touch of magic to your carpet

Feature walls, statement light fittings and bold prints have all become pretty commonplace when decorating your new home but are you brave enough to make the carpet the real showpiece in your room? We caught up with Sam Simmonds at Killer 5 Interiors to discuss this emerging trend…

“For nearly two decades, a beige or oatmeal carpet has very much been the norm. You might have deviated to grey or even dark blue but I’m sure very few people have actually gone bold with their carpet choice. This could however, be set to change in 2017.

“Carpets offer new homeowners the chance to make a real statement in a room and with more and more options coming into the shops, it’s certainly a trend to be aware of.

“For the truly bold out there, opt for colourful prints that work brilliantly against more muted walls. I love this peacock design from Matthew Williamson, whilst this burgundy tartan pattern from Hugh Mackay Carpets would add warmth to any room. I also love this unusual butterfly design that is a result of Brinton’s teaming up with Timorous Beasties. Alternatively, make a statement without the colour with a regency pattern such as this black and silver Richmond carpet from SCS.

“Already visible in some of our Showhomes, stripes represent an easy way to get feature carpets into your new home and are proving particularly popular on stairs and hallways. Try the bright Audrey option from Barker and Stonehouse or the more subdued blue and gold option from John Lewis.

“Fans of grey will approve of this Capello Shell carpet which is part of the Alternative Flooring collaboration with Liberty Fabrics; representing the first time their iconic prints have been used in carpet. Or, if you want something a little (ok, maybe a lot) brighter, try the Summer Garden pattern; the bold floral print will certainly get people talking.

“A geometric style offers a modern approach to a patterned carpet; here’s a bold option in grey and white which has apparently been inspired by ice skating, or you could take a more conservative approach  with this Labyrinth design which would look fantastic teamed with a bright sofa. Personally, I love the geometric pattern in monochrome, just like this one from Alternative Flooring which is perfectly on trend.

 “For those of you that aren’t quite convinced, there’s a huge range of subtle patterns that might help change your mind. My advice would be to look at the Brinton’s Laura Ashley collection, in particular the Colloway pattern that would help bring luxury to a living room or the Ryedale design which looks beautifully feminine and soft in the duck egg colour; perfect for a relaxing bedroom.

“Making a statement with your carpet may seem like a bold move but it certainly offers homeowners another way to add colour, depth and personality to a room. If you’re considering it for your new home, start with a mood board and work from the floor upwards – it’s much easier to start with a bold carpet and then choose complementing wall colours and furnishings than it is to find a patterned carpet that suits an existing room. Good luck!”

Share photos of your favourite carpets with St. Modwen Homes on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest and on each of the development’s Facebook pages. To find out more about St. Modwen Homes visit www.stmodwenhomes.co.uk.