Orcondo Update: Rug Life

Hey guys, It’s Emily, real quick. In case you are new to the blog and are wondering ‘who the hell is this dude Orlando, ’ here’s a recap of our relationship: Orlando was my assistant/sidekick on Secrets From a Stylist (RIP) and then became an associate designer that worked with me on design projects for close to 4 wonderful years, where we became very close (like sleep in the same bed while traveling, close). He used to write posts on the blog but then HE LEFT ME to become the West Coast Creative Director of Homepolish, a design startup that’s a huge game changer, making design more accessible, streamlined, and enjoyable to clients all over the USA. Anyway, onto his post!

Dear Emily’s Readers,

There are a lot of exciting things happening this week at Orcondo. Which you’d think would make me really happy. Unfortunately I’m not. I’m on a vacation to Fire Island and I have major fomo about missing all the fun stuff at home. Anyone who’s done a renovation before probably knows that all the fun stuff (flooring, paint, light hanging, etc) happens at the end. So while we were home all summer all there was to look at was boring beams and lame concrete sub-flooring.

In other I’m-In-Fire-Island news, I got food poisoning three days ago that somehow everyone else in my vacation house seems to have bypassed, so while everyone else is outside jumping into the pool yelping about how much fun they’re having, I’m sitting inside, shivering in a blanket wondering why my life is so hard. Literally all I have to think about is how fun it would be to be at home, checking in on the condo every day, seeing what magic our Contractor Octavio pulled off in the past 24 hours.

Anyway, yes all of this is sad and depressing but A) I’m on the mend, hoping to make it outside today (after three days stuck inside) and B) I’ve been online shopping for rugs for the condo, so there’s that.

As I’ve said before, I’m looking to create a neutral foundation for the condo. Thus, the walls are all neutral, the flooring is neutral, and the countertops and tiles are neutral. It’s not that I hate color. It’s just that I have a lot of art and objects I want to ogle, and many of those are colorful. I come from an art background, so I’m a firm believer that art is a great focal point to base your design on. And since I already have a lot of great art in mind (and in process) for the condo, I’m creating a space that doesn’t clash with colorful art.

I love a sisal, so for many of the rooms I’m opting for bright rugs like this Boucle Rug. I like that it gives the space a beachy coastal vibe. I also like that sisal/jute rugs tend to be inexpensive. So for spaces like a dining room they really make sense. I don’t want to be screaming at my guests if they drop a meatball on the rug.

Another huge inspiration for the space is handcrafted items, like the Fireclay Tiles, handmade Park Studio Lighting, and handmade artwork and pottery from my artist friends. I like this Tuscan Rug because it felt distinctive enough to be in the living room but is also composed of neutrals, so it won’t compete with the huge gold Cleon Peterson print we are planning to put on the big wall in the living room.

Um, can we talk about how similar my render for the dining room (above) and the actual built-in turned out? I’m obsessed with this part of the dining room, it’s one of my favorite aspects of the renovation.

I want the TV room/loft to feel really cozy and comfortable, so I’m opting for this Soft Shag Rug. I just want to roll around on this luxuriousness while I watch depressing Julianne Moore movies.

In the kitchen, hallways, and common areas, I am opting for Jute Rugs. I love these as a neutral way to bring some warmth. They are a similar color to the flooring, so there’s not going to be a ton of contrast going on, but sometimes a little texture under your feet is all you need.

The bedroom is going to have crown moulding and a few more traditional flourishes than the rest of the condo. Since we’re doing simple white bedding, I decided a pattern would add some life and movement to the space. This Tuscan Geometric Rug fit the bill.

One of the most exciting things to happen right before I left LA for this food poisoning vacation was the marble flooring going in. Adding a natural element like marble definitely brings some life into the bathroom. But marble isn’t necessarily the warmest of materials, so I’m adding some cushy shag rugs in there.

Soft Shag Rug from Rugs USA.

The guest bedroom is going to be painted a very beigey grey (Glidden Skater’s Pond), so this warm grey Braid Pattern Rug adds some pattern and texture while not distracting from the Matin Zad print I plan to hang over the bed.

So, there you go. These are the rugs I plan to fill Orcondo with. They’re all wonderful neutrals that help bring warmth to a room. Sometimes people are like “I don’t get it, why do I need a rug in here?” But I’m like “SHUT UP YOU NEED A RUG.” Because rugs help a space feel soft and welcoming. They help corral furniture and make the space feel cohesive. Yes, they’re expensive, and that’s annoying, but I think they’re good investments in not having to walk around barefoot, your feet touching the cold, depressing floor that’s covered in Lucky Charms and Bacon Bits.

Love,
Orlando

Want more Orcondo? Check out the whole process from the start: Orcondo’s New Place | Let There Be Light | Foundational Elements | Modern Windows | Furniture & Accessories