Where electric marries eclectic, nostalgia meets avant-garde and colour intertwines seamlessly with bold patterns and shape, Kelly Wearstler iconic style continues to shake the world of interiors. To celebrate our longstanding partnership, we sat down with Wearstler to discuss all things design.
You’ve encouraged followers to ‘love colour, take risks and stay curious’, would you say this is intuitive or something that can be learnt?
All of us are capable of loving colour, taking risks and staying curious, but it definitely takes practice. Start by recognising patterns or colors that you feel a connection to and begin to build out a design moment from there.
Is there something you include throughout all your projects? For example, a certain colour and/or material, textural element?
Inspiration for each project is unique and prompts an individual story told through design. I draw from a range of sources – vintage books, contemporary fashion and the nature that surrounds. But my work is always evolving so I don’t like to place any restrictions or boundaries on anything.
What has inspired your design process lately?
There are always different elements at play like architecture, fashion, graphics, film and photography, among many others.You’ve created a number of designs for The Rug Company, which do you have in your own home?
I have a custom Bravado Graphite running up the stair in my Georgian style home in Beverly Hills. It has a strong graphic angular language that when seen from above almost has a trompe l’oeil effect. It’s the perfect everyday statement.
Do you value the importance of sustainability and ethical sourcing? What does craftsmanship mean to you?
Absolutely. Natural materials and vintage pieces are infused into all of my projects and I’m always looking to reimagine materials and silhouettes from existing pieces. We also create many of our designs locally in Los Angeles. I strongly believe in a sense of longevity and the luxurious, tactile and soulful sensibility of organic materials in all spaces. Frank Gehry’s Wiggle Chair is one of my favorite design pieces for this very reason.
What advice do you have when choosing a rug? Any placement suggestions?
You have to think about the number of elements to consider such as the scale, color, fabrications and weaves available. I would consider the statement that you want to make. Do you want a quiet statement achieved with a more muted design, or a rug that works in synergy with a piece of art in that room. I also think about the impact that I want the rug to have on the interior. Does it make the space feel smaller or larger? Do I want to add a rich texture through materiality, a beautiful weave or color; or an architectural element through the graphic design? There are so many incredible options available through The Rug Company. What signifies luxury for you?Luxury is crafting your own story. Pick one: geometrics, abstract or florals?I truly love them all.
Do you have a favourite project where you have featured our rugs?
My home in Beverly Hills is one of my favorite projects. At its heart there is the staircase to the bedroom lined in my custom Bravado Graphite. It brings an amazing and sophisticated energy and works so beautifully with rugs I have in the adjacent rooms – including the Tracery rug in the master bedroom. Over the course of our collaboration, has there been a highlight Rug Co. moment?The highlight has been working with the founders Christopher and Suzanne Sharp. This was one of my first product partnerships and they gave me a true carte blanche with creating a product with their craftsmanship and my design vision. This has continued through to today and The Rug Company has grown with me as I evolved. It’s an incredible world class team, with an ethos rooted in luxury, and great design and craftsmanship.
