I saw these colourful rugs back in May at Clerkenwell Design Week, so was delighted to get sent these lovely images the other day. They’re the new Chacha rugs by Bermondsey-based textile designer Helen Yardley, and the simple, graphic designs are screen-printed onto a 100% cotton flat-woven base cloth.
This method of production makes them very affordable, especially compared to more traditional woven or tufted rugs. That aside, I really like the look. It’s fresh, light and bright and really suits contemporary interiors.
It was the soft yet cheery shades of the Chacha rugs that first caught my eye – yellow, teal and grey. So it was no surprise to learn how Helen’s art school background and love of colour informs her work:
“I was initially attracted to designing rugs as I realised they are essentially drawings for floors. These are drawings with a strong physical presence; you sit on them, you lie on them; they perform a whole range of functions. Unlike a conventional drawing, rugs are seen from every angle, which makes creating a dynamic within the parameters more of a challenge. The wall hangings were a natural progression as we were being commissioned to make rugs to hang on walls.
I started to use hand-dyed industrial felt to create a unique, hand-crafted piece that would bring an ambient sense of warmth to any interior space and absorb sound effectively.”
“I am passionate about colour, and the relationship between colours I find infinitely fascinating. Each colour has its own personality and responds uniquely to every other. Take one colour, add another and there is a dynamic; a third will alter it yet again. Modulate any colour by tone or saturation and the whole balance shifts once more.“
The Chacha rugs come in two sizes, 2 x 1.5m and 3 x 2 m. If you’re interested in seeing them, or more of Helen’s work, you can visit her Bermondsey showroom and design studio that’s located just a few minutes from London Bridge. Find all the details on her website here: helenyardley.com.
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