Design
If You Want a Rug That Makes People Gasp & Beg You For Details, This Rug Trend Is For You
With the absolute wealth of design inspiration literally at our fingertips at every moment these days, it’s exciting to see more and more people dig into their homes and make them look great. With that said, it’s pretty noticeable how similar spaces look across the board. So when I see a trend that feels truly unique and exciting, I can’t wait to share it here. Today, we’re covering something that I’ve noticed more and more. Maybe it’s a rug trend, maybe my eyes are just hungry to land on something fresh feeling so they’re noticing it anytime it pops up. But either way, I am absolutely loving Chinese Art Deco rugs (I even used one in this post I did recently on non-boring rugs).
If you saw Dabito’s explosive home tour on Architectural Digest recently, you’ll have seen these highly decorative and colorful rugs all over his designs. The designer behind Old Brand New has actually been using the gorgeous antique floorcoverings for as long as I can remember, or at least as long as I’ve been following him, and that’s a long time. If anything, he might single-handedly be behind people’s increased comfort level with such a bold floor moment.
For those not familiar with what a Chinese Art Deco rug looks like, you can spot one by its punchy jewel tones, often bordered with a corresponding or complementary color, and sporting sweeping motifs like cherry blossoms, pagodas, and sometimes even designs from Chinese mythology. The rugs originated in the 1920s and ’30s in Shanghai and Tianjin, and blended traditional Chinese imagery, like I mentioned, with what was emerging from the Western Art Deco movement. Print layouts were asymmetrical, and there was lots of open negative space, which was drastically different from the precise and symmetrical designs often seen in Oriental rugs from previous eras.
How stunning is that purpley, plummy, burgundy goodness in the bedroom of Dabito’s newest home, above? There’s so much to look at in this space, but my eye goes straight to the ground, and gets lost in the colors and florals. From there, I notice everything else (how cool is that lamp?!?).
Here’s another ridiculously good room by Dabito. Perhaps I should have renamed this post “Dabito Appreciation Day: All Hail the King of Rugs,” but that felt a little too niche. 😉 I’m particularly fond of the Chinese Art Deco rugs where opposite corners feature a cluster of blossoms.
There is no room that they don’t seem to breathe new life into, like this bathroom, yet again in the home of Dabito (duh). Where oh where is he sourcing all of these glorious rugs?!? Dabito, if you read this, please let up on your secrets!
Whether you prefer the designs with the thick border of color, or solid negative space with sporadic designs, they all have one thing in common: An eye-catching sheen that changes depending on the light. This kind of finish changes throughout the day and takes on a life of its own.
Another thing they have in common? They are PRICEY, as most antique rugs are. If you keep reading, you can check out all the rugs I sourced, some below $2,000, and some above, but most authentic antique Chinese Art Deco rugs in a size large enough to ground your living room furniture will run you upwards of $3,000 to $10,000 (YIKES).
A quick aside: I have had this image above bookmarked since way back when I was designing my first living room in Los Angeles. I was desperate for inspiration while I picked out a rug for my cobalt blue sofa, and this one spoke to me. Even way back then, I loved this look. Honestly, though, I was terrified of doing something so bold and distinct.
Not every one of this rug type screams in color. Some are soft peaches, mellow yellows, and even soft sagey greens and earthy browns. I really could see one like the above in a post shared by @akindofhome under my mustard velvet sofa, couldn’t you?!?
One of my favorite design firms, Arent & Pyke, used an antique Chinese Art Deco rug in this elegant entryway with a more hushed color scheme.
I just love the juxtaposition of the contemporary furniture and art in this home by Studio Roene against the antique rug.
Like things even more modern (or mid-century modern)? Don’t worry, a Chinese Art Deco rug goes with that, too. Case in point, the above living room by Kim Ronemus Interiors.
And finally, I happened upon the newly decorated office of Amy Astley, the captain of Architectural Digest. While the rug in that first slide isn’t actually a Chinese Art Deco, I felt it passed the vibe checks and is a nice representation of getting a similar look in a new, contemporary rug. That lavender and ochre are so gorgeous together. Perhaps I also need a lavender rug?!?!?
Now, let’s do some shopping! As I mentioned, because many of these rugs are antique, they are surely an investment. But much like art, something like this would be well worth it if it’s in your budget, both for its provenance but also its visual impact. If you have one of these beauties under foot, frankly, it can hold up a room without much other fanfare. Let’s start with my picks under $2,000 (which, no, is not a small amount of money, but it’s a very moderate range for this kind of thing):
Chinese Art Deco Rugs Under $2,000
1. Canvello Antique Chinese Art Deco Brown Rug – 4’1” X 5’11” | 2. Bokara Rug Co., Inc. Hand-Knotted High-Quality Pink Area Rug | 3. Chinoiserie Peacock in Green Field Wool Hand Knotted Area Rug 3 x 5 ft | 4. China 5’1″ x 3’0″ | 5. Navy Hand Tufted Vase Area Rug Multi Sizes Chinese Art Deco | 6. The New England Collection Antique Floral Wool Hand Knotted Pile 1920’s Chinese Deco Rug | 7. 4′ x 6′ New Chinese Art Deco Oriental Rug – 100% Wool – Hand Made | 8. Vintage Art Deco Chinese Rug, Green | 9. Hand Knotted Chinese Art Deco Rug | 10. 8.11 x 11.9 ART DECO Chinese Rug Royal Blue#F-6877 | 11. Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug 3’x5′ | 12. Vintage Art Deco Chinese Peking Rug – 9×12 Hand-Knotted Moss Green Wool Carpet
My goodness, there is so much good stuff here. This price range carries a wide array of sizes: From a small 3’x5′ that would be gorgeous in an entryway (#3, #11) even up to a nearly 10’x11′ pink dream (#2), which is honestly a fantastic price for something that large, whether new or antique! The minty green number at #8 is just so lovely for a bathroom or any small area of your home that needs a delicate touch. On the flip side of that is the rich and absolutely marvelous blue stunner (#10) that could anchor a living room.
Chinese Art Deco Rugs Over $2,000
On to the big spenders (and I’m talking BIG spends, as one of these tops out at over $12,000, but hey…if you’ve got it, flaunt it all over your floors, I say).
1. Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug: 11 ft 8 in” x 9 ft | 2. Chinese Art Deco Rug in Pink, Green Border and Floral Patterns | 3. 3×11 Vintage Chinese Art Deco Handmade Runner Rug | 4. 1920s Rectangle Knotted Chinese – Art Deco Wool Ivory Room Size Antique Rug | 5. Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Rug | 6. Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug 9’x12′ | 7. Vintage Floral Bordered Chinoiserie Blue Wool Hand Knotted Area Rug | 8. Soft Neutral Color Antique Chinese Art Deco Room Size Wool Pile Rug | 9. RRA 9×12 Chinese Art Deco Design Shadow Border Light Rose Pink Rug 19147 | 10. 8’8″ x 11’10” Antique Chinese Art Deco Oriental Rug – 1920s – Hand Made | 11. Vintage Chinese Art Deco Hand-Knotted Rug | 12. Climbing Vine – Lilac
While I would absolutely never spend over $6,000 on a rug for my daughter’s bedroom, who loves to open containers of kinetic sand on her carpet after I repeatedly tell her not to, I can live in a dream world where that child never makes any messes, and just plays softly and quietly with her dolls on #2. (hahaha, yeah right, and I love her no less for it.) The chartreuse border of #6 is so intriguing to me (a trendy color this year, and—to me—always a classic), and the same goes for the terracotta center of #10. For something much more neutral, then almost anything else on this list, check out #4…so gorgeous. And I swear if I had a spare $4,400, that peachy runner (#3) would be in my cart RIGHT NOW. Oh, and again, not actually Chinese Art Deco, but I found the Nordic Knots rug that was in Amy Astley’s office I featured above, and decided to include it here for anyone interested. It’s spectacular, and someone should get one immediately.
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Are you a smitten kitten yet?!? I understand that this style isn’t for everyone. In fact, it’s probably not for most, but at the very least, even if you could never see yourself putting one of these in your home, you could acknowledge that these are pure art and quite the sight to behold. Yes?!? I think so. I hope you enjoyed the eye candy, and maybe even found your new rug (#jealous).
I’ll see you next time around these parts, friends.
Smitten kitten here! Gorgeous rugs. Colors are so inspiring, too!
Yeah 100% the Color combinations throughout are awesome inspiration for whole room or whole home palette inspiration.
Arlyn we need a life update! How are you feeling post move?
Hi! Thanks for asking! I’m feeling a little more leveled out. Every week makes things feel a little more familiar. Still get bouts of homesickness for LA (my daughter loves the Beach Boys right now, and every time we listen to my old record, I get so weepy!), but things are good and calm, which is all I could hope for! 🙂
Amazingly beautiful – I was unfamiliar with Chinese Art Deco style but I love the art deco period and I love traditional Japanese and Chinese art so it is no surprise that I swooned over every single rug in this article. Thanks for the great round-up!
They hit so many notes…love all of them! Didn’t Emily have a blue one in a home at one time?
Yes! In her Commonwealth home
The above photo was my living room prior to Design Star, nine years ago. It’s the first real photo of my house I ever took and it actually helped me get on DS. And I kinda see why. It’s eclectic, happy, clean, bright and fun. The rug was purchased on Craigslist for $75, the sofa is from IKEA and everything else was thrifted or vintage. I’m very happy to say I still have and love three pieces of that art, my vintage fabric floral pillow that I sewed and boy do I wish I had that coffee table because it’s just so simple and classic. In a lot of ways, that room is still me, just a younger version of me.
Wow totally forgot about that rug and that room.
Love it! I grew up in a East meets West home, so these rugs are like home.
I grew up in a Rooms to Go meets American Signature Furniture home so this is all new to me. HAHA
Love this and love Dabito! He shares tips about using / sourcing these rugs in his book Old Brand New.
omg wait he does?!?!? ::gets in car and goes to nearest book store::
I wholly endorse this – especially since a year ago I found a palace size (15×19) antique Nichols deco rug in rust for a ridiculous $450 for my bedroom (along with a smaller 2×3 green one for my bath that was $30).
Rug envy!
You hear about these miraculous things happening to people. I’m still waiting for my turn!
Oh my gosh, Jamieson, me too! It was on craigslist and being stored in an autobody place. It stank for a year, but I kept dragging it outside in the summer and scrubbing it. It is absolutely my best find ever.
This is gorgeous! Thanks for the round up!
Smitten Kitten is me. I have several of these rugs, all purchased at tag sales/estate sales for under $250. I got very lucky with them and love them anew every time I look at them. Instant personality.
Me too! People do not know what they have when they sell these!! I have a huge one in my living room bought off of Craigslist for $200! I’m the lucky recipient of my great grandmother’s 2 smaller ones that flank my bed. I bet the rest of your space reflects that personality!
I was wondering why these feel so dated to me and I’ve think because I’ve seen these in older Asian homes lol. Chinatown pretty right there
This made me laugh. It’s all about how you style them for sure!
I have one!! I found it years ago on Craigslist! I think many people do not know how expensive and beautiful these rugs are. I think the person who sold it to me had won one of those auction storage units. This rug that’s I think 9×12 was rolled up perfectly with some kind of special tissue paper and never used by whoever originally owned it. They sold it to me for $200!! The thrill of finding certain things on marketplace/thrift stores, is the best!! Thred Up for clothes included! Mine is in a green on the outside, strip of pink and gold on the inside color way. It’s so gorgeous. I paired it with a dark green performance velvet sofa and chairs from UO.
I’m willing the universe to let this happen to me!!!
Persistence is key. It’s how I’ve gotten most of the key gorgeous but thrifted elements of my home. It’s definitely a pain to search relentlessly but the pay off can be huge in savings and quality which I know you know! You got this!
Those are the kind of rugs you pick first before designing the room. They’re beautiful!
A bit off topic, but how do we feel about round rugs? I found a used cute one but not entirely sure how to use it.
Yeah they’re definitely tough, especially in a living room where everything is traditionally straight-angled. I like them in dining rooms under round rugs, in entryways if it’s a large space (and the rug fits), or as the anchor to a seating area, maybe with like 4 chair set up in a conversation circle!
I am totally on board with this “trend.” I’ve been wanting a yellow/gold one like Dabito’s since I first saw it 5 or 6 years ago. Well, one just like it popped up on Facebook Marketplace back in March, just an 8 minute drive away from my house, and I snagged it for $2,500. One of my most exciting finds ever! It lives happily in my home office.