Home & Interiors

The range of different interiors that can be enhanced by this exquisite rug is quite extraordinary. The subtle abstract design, the perfect strength of colour and the luxury of a metallic silk, give this rug a versatility that is rare for such a dramatic piece. The luxury furnishings store, I&JL Brown chose to frame it with bright white and coloured accents in their recent photoshoot, as pictured above, whereas a premium paint brand took more tonal approach. Either way, this contemporary rug is a sure scene stealer and is set to remain in high demand for many months to come. Over the past decade,  contemporary rug de has diversified extraordinarily. Designers are mindful of the interiors in which their rugs will be placed in, so keeping a finger on the pulse of home decor trends is all part of the job. Colour trends are a hugely important part of this, so every season, rug designs will evolve to meet the growing demand of certain colourways. At Bazaar Velvet, we are no d...

There is a growing trend for highly textured rugs featuring varying pile heights, with intricate motifs raised from the surface of the rug. Rug manufacturers use this technique to add definition to a design or to emphasise certain patterns or materials. However, some rug designers including our partner Thibault Van Renne, are taking this to the extreme. Although Thibault’s rugs are already very complex with numerous blended colours, he has used texture to add yet another level of sophistication. Many of his designs feature several layers of subtle pattern, blending designs of yesterday and today to magical effect. Texture is added to the rug once it has been is dismantled from the loom, and is part of what we call the ‘finishing process’. This can take half a dozen people around 30 days to complete. Generally artisans use the separation of wool and silk as a guide for trimming the rug. The silk is carefully carved around by hand and kept at one pile height whilst the wool of the rug ...

Character in texture is one of the many great attractions of a hand knotted rug. The traditional handmade processes gives each rug an imperfect surface, and a sense of charm that is absent in the uniformity of modern rug methods. This character is present in even simple designs without any additional carving to their pile. During the creation of a hand knotted rug, beautiful textural effect is formed instantaneously, just by using the yarn of hand spun and hand carded wool, which has a slightly irregular thickness. However, with many of our luxury rugs at Bazaar Velvet, we go a stage further, and incorporate various finishes which add yet another dimension to the rugs texture . Over the years, we have experimented with many different tactile effects to create the perfect textured rugs. Two prime examples of the innovative use of texture in rugs are our stunning ‘Cracked’ and ‘Zeus’ designs. Both of these designs feature a high proportion of silk created in a regular ‘cut pile’. This me...

Choosing the right flat roof in London , tips and hints! The general consensus associated with flat roofs is normally one of worry and concern. Poor materials and shoddy workmanship are the common cause and root of the problem. Flat roofs have been around for as long as we all can remember, here in London you only have to look out of the window of the train or your own home and there are flat roofs are far as the eye can see. The question is, why worry. If a flat roof is undertaken by a competent contractor a flat roof can ​have a long life expectancy. A High end Reinforced Bituminous Membrane (3 layer felt system) is the most cost effective, tried and test system that when installed correctly has all of the following benefits, extended life-spans, ease of maintenance, proven resistance to the fluctuation of the British weather, together with high performance and cost effectiveness, a flat roof can offer a real alternative to a pitched roof. When installed and maintained correctly,. Ti...

Natural vs Synthetic slates Many homeowners are faced with a common decision when replacing the coverings to their pitched roof slopes, Natural or Synthetic slates. There are quite a few factors to consider, longevity, appearance and availability but most often the key factor is PRICE, however, this isn’t as different as it might first appear. Natural Slate roofing London offers a truly authentic look that cannot be replicated by manufacturers. For period projects, or properties that need to reflect the natural environment around them, natural slate is usually the preferred choice Natural Welsh slates tend to be the most expensive option on the market; however, there are now many natural slate alternatives available such as machine-cut Spanish slates.  The Spanish slates we use are outstanding, they are flat, uniform and of consistent thickness which is why they are widely used across the UK. Aesthetically pleasing blue grey textured finish and excellent performance characteristi...

  Soft Neutrals In our opinion, there are two main scenarios in which a neutral rug would be most appropriate. Firstly, in a room that is bursting with vivid colour, perhaps one with a sofa or curtains in particularly daring shade. As having two large entities of colour side by side can be somewhat overwhelming, a plain neutral rug can offer the ideal solution, providing a base to support and frame pieces of statement furniture. It can add an air of calm, and pale colours can create the illusion of space and light. Furthermore, neutral rugs give you freedom to replace accent items in the room easy in the knowledge that the rug will still look as beautiful as ever. Another situation in which a neutral rug would be a wise choice, is in a room that is completely decorated in soft neutrals. Layering slightly different tones of greys or beiges has become a popular method of interior decoration, and a brightly coloured rug in a space such as this would look dreadfully out of place. When...

Lead Flashings Roof flashing is one of the most critical parts of your roof. Flashings are installed to seal the joins of your roof and places that tend to receive a lot of water. Without flashing a roof would almost certainly develop leaks and cause internal water ingress. Flashings can seem to be straightforward to install, but if they are incorrectly installed, they can lead to major problems and water ingress.  Not only does the installation of flashings reduce the risk of leaks in the home, it also prevents moisture-related problems from occurring, such as damage to the roof structure and the development of mold or dampness. There are various types of flashings used to waterproof the cavities between the roof coverings and brickwork which will be recommended by a reputable contractor. The main types of flashing that are recommended for roof projects are lead step and cover flashings. Cover flashings Cover flashing is the most common type of flashing used for roofing projects,...

It's no surprise that the home cleaning produc t industry is so extravagant. In addition to single-use packaging, consider shipping waste when shipping products that contain mostly water and the environmental hazards of certain chemicals in cleaning products. Not to mention, if cleaning is not safe for the environment, who says it's safe for our families? Fortunately, many eco-friendly and sustainable brands have stepped up to create cleaner products that are more environmentally friendly. With the use of refillable bottles, carbon-neutral shipping, plastic-free packaging, and more, today's cleaning supplies are more environmentally friendly than ever, and there are plenty of options. Many brands offer product ranges that mimic the cleaning products we know and love, eco-friendly design, so you don't have to say goodbye to your favorite cleaning method for the environment. And don't worry, purists: Just because many of these ingredients are safe for the environment...

Traditional Moroccan Berber rugs are nothing short of iconic. Their shaggy pile, quirky irregularities and tribal charm has won this special breed of rugs favour with interior professionals and home owners alike. Their introduction to the West by designers such as Le Corbusier, and Alvar Aalto and Frank Lloyd Wright led to the Berber rug to becoming associated with mid-century interiors. However, the Moroccan Berber can complement a multitude of different styles, softening the severe edges of hard furnishings or enhancing wooden finishes. The origins of these incredible rugs can be traced back thousands of years, playing a vital role in forming the identity and culture of the Berber tribes. The Origins of the Berber Rug The Berbers, or the ‘Imazighen’ (‘Free’ or ‘Noble’ people), are part of the Indigenous population of North Africa, now settled in areas including Libya, Algeria and Morocco. They were bound together by the Berber language, but over the years this became diluted by Europ...

Eternit Thrutone slate offers striking aesthetics with its smooth surface, square cut edges and Blue Black colour. This lightweight roof slate is available in six colours and three shapes providing even more design flexibility.  With its low wastage and ease of installation Eternit Thrutone synthetic slates provide a cost-effective alternative to natural slates.   The slate was designed for the increasing demand for a more cost-effective traditional slate aesthetic at lower pitches and were subjected to wind tunnel testing for driving rain and deluge conditions, equivalent to a once in 50 year extreme weather event.  The weather tightness of roof tiles and slates decreases as the roof pitch gets lower as it takes longer for water to drain from the roof.  The extreme testing of these slates was carried out, to ensure that the low pitch installation of the slates could sustain severe weather conditions.   The acrylic coating used on the slate surface provides go...