Always Start With the Rug!

Check out the gorgeous spread in the November issue of House Beautiful. Interior Designer Peter Dunham decorates the 1920s house using a mixture of Georgian furniture, Oriental rugs, Indian fabrics and modern black and white photography.

When asked how he determines the color palette, Peter says he always starts with the rug.... "You start with the rug- otherwise you have to look forever to find the right one to match the paint, the upholstery, and the textiles. That was the best advice David Hicks ever gave me. I love old carpets that are worn and look bleached out. They're more romantic."

The entry's intricately patterned 19th- century Caucasian carpet sets off a settee covered in Durham's Samakand

 

A soft muted rug for the dining room

 

An Antique Northwest Persian rug for the living room

 

A 19th Century Caucasian runner and red chairs add a splash of color in the kitchen