Peruse interior design blogs long enough, and you’ll notice several recurring trends: the ubiquitous fiddle-leaf fig; copper globe lights; farmhouse wood; barn doors; chevron patterns; geodesic planters; color-blocked bookshelves; Moroccan poufs; subway-tile everything; marble accents. Some trends we’d like to see stick around, while others are overdone.
Over the past few years, a certain high-pile wool rug seems to be cropping up a lot online (at least in places we’re looking), adorning minimalist Southern California homes, in particular. Featuring thick, imprecise loops, these handmade rugs can be deployed like a sheepskin, as either a floor rug or decorative wall hanging or something to throw on the back of a chair for added texture. We dig this trend and wanted to find out who makes them. A call to my Los Angeles-based sister revealed they’re sourced from Kneeland Mercado, an online marketplace, curated by Joanna Williams, featuring handmade goods and accessories from villages around the world. Available in several different colors — from natural to gray to bougainvillea — and loop thicknesses, these beautiful rugs are created through a collaboration between Williams’ textile studio and artisans in Mexico.
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Some people will take one look at the Kneeland Mercado rugs and think, ‘There’s no way my vacuum/Roomba can handle keeping that clean.’ And some people will be right. These textiles, made of 100 percent wool, require a little TLC. (You’ll have to dry clean them or wash in cold water on a gentle cycle). But in our opinion, their natural, sculptural look makes them a trend worth coveting. Info at http://www.kneelandmercado.com.
Laura Pearson is a freelance reporter.
Twitter @tislaurapearson