Floors & Rugs: homely ambience

British designer Faye Toogood and cc-tapis have created a bespoke collection of six handmade rugs called Doodles. The painterly, abstract and free-thinking design is a reflection of Toogood’s preoccupation, through her work, to “tinker” and freely explore new styles. The cc-tapis brand is available through Heidi Gubbins in Urb. Marbella Real on the Golden Mile (www.heidigubbins.com).

ELEVATING YOUR FLOORS

Floors are often ignored when designing a room, but what is actually under your feet can, ironically, be what elevates the space. Whether it is a rug or the various versions of flooring tiles – such as ceramic, stone, wood or laminate – there are many options to transform a room. When living in southern Europe, rugs are customarily not considered as important as when living in colder countries, but that is an oversight. Rugs offer a homely ambience, finishing off the look of a room and reducing the echoes and aesthetic coldness of hard stone floors, and they also bring a focal point to a room. They can serve as an artistic statement or simply to soften up the overall feel of the space. In short, they are clever little additions that multi-task and provide a much-needed finishing touch to your interior design. But don’t stop there… outdoor rugs are now increasingly becoming “a thing”. Rugs have played a key role in the recent trend of melding the indoors with outside spaces, and now many carpet companies are providing beautiful weather-resistant rugs that create a cosier outdoor lounging area.

Left The Ceras collection by Nanimarquina was created following a comprehensive study of colour through the manual process of tracing with waxes. The result is a colour chromatic balance and a light and manageable rug handmade by the ancestral hand-loomed Kilim technique (www.nanimarquina.com).

Below Belgian rug designers Limited Edition have captured the complex tones of the colourful Agate stone to create this stunning tufted rug. It comes as either a smooth low cut or a textured high cut. Limited Edition is available through Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com).

Above The Mono plastic mat from Pappelina, shown here in sage, is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. It is woven from Swedish-made phthalate-free plastic ribbons and comes in a wide variety of colours and sizes. Pappelina is available from Siesta Interior Design in C. Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com) and Avoi in La Mairena, or buy online at www.avoi.eu, as well as Acoola in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

Left The Sisal Rope Curve collection from Naturtex has a natural Mediterranean feel and comes in three colourways, bringing a touch of artisan craftsmanship and warmth to your space. Naturtex is available from Diana Dominique in Pol. Ind. Nueva Campana 54 in Nueva Andalucía (www.dianadominque.com).

Opposite Page Zoe Kubb 100 per cent wool rugs are the result of a first collaboration between Daria Zinovatnaya and Gan. The collection is made up of two bold and expressive rugs that focus on colour and form. Gan is available through Siesta Interior Design in Centro Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com), Nomad Studio One in Edificio Don Amaro II in Sabinillas (www.nomadstudioone.com) and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

Left This elegant natural oak laminate flooring from Quick Step is compatible with underfloor heating and has a 25-year warranty (www.quick-step.com).

Below The Grunge tile from Peronda features a cement effect with a warm and aesthetically pleasing finish. It has a soft anti-slip finish in varying formats and comes in four colour versions. Peronda is available from Decorbaño in Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.decorbagno.com) and Fernando Moreno in C/ Gorrión off the Ctra. de Ronda in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.fernandomoreno.eu).