When looking for a rug for her kitchen, House & Garden’s Executive Editor Laura Normanton needed something that would stand up to daily family life without compromising on style.
“I was looking for a rug to go in our kitchen, which needed to be hard-wearing and stain resistant as we have young children and it is in a high traffic area,” she says. “While I love natural materials such as wool, for this specific piece I was immediately drawn to the collection made from the /re/PURPOSE PERFORMANCE fibres due to their durability and longevity. The Cassis has a lovely texture yet still feels soft underfoot, and the natural and ivory colourway ties in with the existing colour palette in the room.”
Texture was another deciding factor. “I love the texture of natural jute and sisal, but it’s not very practical for a crawling baby and children’s train sets due to the rough nature of the finish. This is where the Cassis rug comes into its own with its sisal effect, which offers a similar look to natural jute but feels like soft wool: a win-win!”
For Laura, sustainability is integral to her understanding of luxury. “A timely topic, and the answer is yes, but it depends on how you define luxury. For me, luxury is having something unique and beautiful that will last and that I know the provenance of. More and more, I am asking where things are made and what they are made from, and I love knowing that the Cassis rug was handwoven to my exact requirements by artisans rather than mass produced in a factory; to me, that is luxury.”
Above: Bespoke Cassis rug in a neutral palette for Laura Normanton’s family house.
When it comes to layering interiors and mixing elements like colour palette, fabrics and rug designs, she says: “Layering patterns and textures in the home isn’t just about adding visual interest but also about emotional comfort and can make a space feel lived-in and tactile. A rug can ground a room, and I am a firm believer in getting a rug as big as the space will allow. Nothing annoys me more than small rugs placed in front of furniture; ideally, you want the rug stretching right back under the furniture. In my home, I want a rug to be practical, sustainable, pretty and unique, all of which can be achieved with the endless bespoke options at Jennifer Manners.”
Discover the full Provence Collection, including the Cassis design, available in our curated palette of colours. For something truly personal, bespoke options can be explored via our website.
From left to right: Laura Normanton and Jennifer Manners at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, in our London showroom.
