Begin with the Floor

Begin with the Floor When you think of adding global textiles or accessories to a room, you might first consider bringing in a carpet — and with great reason. Rugs made in the Eastern tradition provide designs and colors that will function in any space. Susan Gomersall of Kea Carpets and Kilims in Brooklyn, New York, which specializes in tribal rugs, '' says when shopping for a tribal rug, you need to forget about standard rug sizes such as 5x7 or 8x10. All tribal rugs were made for a purpose: sleeping, sitting, eating or praying, as carpets are the furniture of the nomads. As these rugs are strange sizes, determine the size rug you need before shopping by covering the area with paper. Image courtesy of Shop Horne



Buy What You Love Susan of Kea Carpets has additional strategies for anybody shopping for an antique or vintage rug. To determine if a rug is authentic, Susan suggests, look for a couple imperfections. These rugs were made on primitive horizontal looms that were dismantled and hauled with the tribe. Weavers used the wool from their own sheep, often needing to dye batches of wool at several times, resulting in subtle colour variations. A tribal piece that has uniform colors and right edges is most likely not genuine. When trying to work a rug in your area, find a dealer who will allow you to try the carpet on acceptance. You will never know if it works in your area till you try it. Any good dealer will supply this service. Ask questions regarding the rug's source and intended use. If the dealer does not have the answers, shop someplace else. Last but definitely not least, be daring and go with your heart. You are not just buying an object but a bit of life. Picture courtesy of Ore Studios



Get Creative So we've established that one of the best methods to add a international eclectic feel is with carpets and rugs. But think outside the box. Los Angeles design collective Commune frequently uses global textiles and accessories in its designs. The heavy weight of the majority of Oriental rugs and kilim rugs makes them perfect candidates for upholstery projects. In the Los Angeles living area of Commune Design founding partner Ramin Shamshiri, this George Smith ottoman upholstered in a Turkish-style rug adds the perfect splash of visual texture to the room. Image courtesy of Commune Layout



Be Bold Do not be reluctant to think beyond traditional upholstered pieces. In precisely the exact same Commune constructed house in Los Angeles, a mid-century contemporary classic, an Eames chair, is reupholstered with an African cloth to add a bold pattern to the space. Picture courtesy of Commune Layout



Add a Small Shimmer There are so many fantastic options when it comes to international fabrics. These Moroccan wedding handbags are a trendy interior designer fave — actress Kate Hudson has one in her bedroom. The blankets are Berber in origin and were woven by women who painstakingly sewed on every sequin by hand. Depending on the complexity of the plan, amount of sequins and also the size, a blanket may take several weeks to create. The blankets are considered to contain Baraka, or divine blessings/fulfillment. A fantastic resource for all these blankets is the internet shop My Marrakesh. Shop proprietor photographer and hotelier Maryam Montague specializes in sourcing those vintage sequined Moroccan wedding blankets that typically range in cost from $300 to $575. Picture courtesy of Maryam Montague



Think Beyond the Ground The Moroccan wedding handbags bring the perfect mixture of glamour and organic style to a space using their rich texture and sparkle. Maryam uses them throughout her house — as blankets, headboards, over the trunk or side of a couch, on a wall and also on the floor. Image courtesy of Maryam Montague



Going International on the Walls To package a stunning punch, take the flooring tile pattern up on the wall. Caitlin Dowe-Sandes of Popham Design designed this stunning toilet with her company's modern cement tiles. The process used to produce the tiles, a centuries-old decorative technique, creates tiles using a beautiful worn patina. Image courtesy of Caitlin Dowe-Sande



Create Spectacular Visual Interest Tiles aren't just for the kitchen or toilet. Here, Caitlin has utilized Popham's Curly Branch Coral tile to frame the bed in the master bedroom. She also used a Moroccan wedding blanket as a box spring cover. Image courtesy of Caitlin Dowe-Sandes



Mix and Match Designs Only a hint of a global pattern may add a lot of visual interest to a space. Fiona Douglas of Bluebellgray had the curtains in her Scottish home made from cotton muslin edged using a real ikat sent over from Uzbekistan. To discover unique textiles, Fiona suggests searching for authentic traditional fabrics when you journey — every nation has its own distinct textile heritage. A few carefully chosen key bits will seem fantastic mixed into almost any fashion interior, providing a sense of your journeys and personal personality. Try to avoid going to get a themed room near the brim, as this may look somewhat staged. Image courtesy of Fiona Douglas



Little Accessories packs a Big Punch If you would like to integrate global accessories without creating too much of a budget, international accessories can be a easy and cheap way to attract exotic pattern and colour in your home. Start looking for vases or African baskets, and use the bold colors as inspiration for pillows and other accent colors in your area. Image courtesy of Ore Studios