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6 Captivating Rugs That Double as Works of Art

These artful tapestries go beyond just anchoring a room

By Jacqueline Terrebonne
Artistic tapestry with a central pattern of red dots arranged in a circular, expanding formation on a textured beige background.
This silk rug from the S. de Gunzburg collection is just as mesmerizing as Yayoi Kusama’s and Damien Hirst’s dot-centric works; ateliercourbet.com. Photo: Courtesy of Les Ateliers Courbet

Splashes of color and inspired brushstrokes often dominate canvases hung on the wall, but a growing number of aesthetes are exploring the floor as a place to add an artful touch to the home. “In a changing world where art and design are coming together more than ever, our new collection of Art Deco–inspired rugs really reflects this,” says Nader Bolour, owner of Doris Leslie Blau, a decorator’s resource for rugs that exhibit artisanal mastery. “Also, these pieces take so much time and skill to produce, they truly should be considered works of art no matter how they are used.”

Bolour is not alone in his appreciation for these creations. French arts patron Sabine de Gunzburg makes bespoke silk rugs that marry the art world with carpets. Handwoven in the Himalayas, the lustrous works in her collection, S. de Gunzburg, available at Les Ateliers Courbet, recall aspects of Pointillism, while others are actual pieces of art she produces with numerous artistic luminaries, including Francis Picabia, Serge Poliakoff, and Frank Gehry, as well as through galleries such as Almine Rech.

Abstract artwork with bold red, orange, and black brushstrokes creating a dynamic and textured composition.
Deco-inspired rug by Doris Leslie Blau blurs the line between carpet and painting; dorisleslie-blau.com. Courtesy of Doris Leslie Blau

Artistic tapestry with a central pattern of red dots arranged in a circular, expanding formation on a textured beige background.
This silk rug from the S. de Gunzburg collection is just as mesmerizing as Yayoi Kusama’s and Damien Hirst’s dot-centric works; ateliercourbet.com. Courtesy of Les Ateliers Courbet

 

Abstract blue and black geometric pattern resembling unevenly cut stone slabs with varying textures and shades.
Originally trained as a sculptor, French designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance looked to minerals and natural materials to guide his design for Lengfeld I, a style in his new Raw collection with Tai Ping; taipingtent.com. Courtesy of Tai Ping

Abstract pattern with curved lines forming a seamless wave-like design in shades of black and white.
Delicate pencilwork creates an enchanting sea-inspired pattern in Waves Blue by Adam Hunter for the Rug Company; therugcompany.com. Courtesy of The Rug Company

Abstract colorful textile texture with a mix of blue, purple, orange, and white shades creating a vivid, artistic pattern.
Dapples of color leave an impression in a rug from the Jinni collection by Stark; starkcarpet.com. Courtesy of Stark

Geometric pattern with multicolored triangles and stripes in shades of orange, green, blue, and pink.
The stripes and patterns of the Fiesta rug from Loloi’s Gemology collection recall the bold, imaginative geometries of Frank Stella; loloirugs.com. Courtesy of Lolo

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2019 Fall issue under the headline “Art Underfoot.” Subscribe to the magazine.