The Best Picnic Rugs Ever!

PLEASE NOTE: WE NO LONGER SELL THESE RUGS, YOU CAN FIND THEM HERE.

I'm excited to tell you that we have re-stocked the Bibby + Brady shop with our amazing

Middle Eastern Picnic Rugs

. Available in two massive sizes - 2 x 3m and 2 x 4m - we have all new patterns for you.

I'm pretty passionate about these rugs and for very good reason. I have bought countless picnic blankets in the past and it's always the same - they're too small for our family of five, and the base inevitably gets ripped. You will definitely not have this problem with our

picnic rugs

. Both sizes could fit a football team on, so they're perfect for the extended family and all your food, and they're incredibly durable, so will last

(I'd like to say)

forever.

Made in Saudi Arabia, the top is polyester featuring traditional patterns, and the bottom is a lining of tarpaulin. This allows them to withstand any harsh elements, and they're waterproof. Sturdy straps and a handle enables the rug to be rolled up and carried easily.

The rugs are sourced by our fabulous friend, Emma and her husband Richard, who lived in Saudi Arabia for some time. With a traditional nomadic lifestyle, the Bedouins in Saudi Arabia use the rugs as flooring in their tents.

via

They're extremely practical for our outdoor lifestyle, and look fantastic too. Perfect for picnics with family and friends, outdoor concerts, at the beach, or simply throw down on your grass when you have some friends at home.

These are just a few of the patterns available, so go and check out the

full range

. Emma tells me they're selling really fast, so make sure you don't miss out on your favourite pattern. Keep in mind what a wonderful investment one of these picnic rugs is - it will be the last one you'll ever have to buy, and you'll wonder what you ever did without it. We accept lay-by too, just

send me an email

to discuss.

One Kings Lane + Katie Tarses' Boho Abode

I get emails most days from One Kings Lane, a US site that launches new sales every day offering gorgeous, top-brand, vintage and designer items. I often drool over the furniture, wishing it was feasible to ship it to me here in New Zealand. Although they don't ship internationally, it is feasible to ship smaller items using NZ Post's YouShop service.


Someone who is able to take advantage of the amazing One Kings Lane products is Katie Tarses, a full-time mum and part-time actress. She lives with her husband, Matt, and their three kids in a beautiful Spanish-style house in the Hollywood Hills. Katie often buys OKL items to decorate her home which boasts the stunning eclectic boho, casual and welcoming vibe I love so much.


When Katie first came across this house she wasn't quite sure how she'd work the huge glass-ceiling solarium space. But she has cleverly divided up the large room and created separate areas for dining, lounging, and entertaining around the perimeter.


She also had the help of Pam Shamshiri of Commune Design, who recommended warming up the room with rugs in a unique way. They stocked up on a selection of gorgeous rugs, rearranged them to get the perfect layout, and then hand stitched them all together with metallic thread creating one massive boho patchwork-style carpet.


The rugs that didn't find a home on the floor have been sewn into cushion covers, as you can see in the lounge area. This corner of the solarium is used by the family and their friends to chill-out, watch movies, or read. If you stripped the room back you'd see it has a very neutral base, the colour and pattern is only added in the accent pieces. The white sofa can be turned around to create a more open space when they have guests.


The TV is cleverly camouflaged on the wall by the vines growing around it. All the lovely textures and shapes work beautifully together.


The staircase is covered in gorgeous Spanish tiles, which are complimented by the light and tiny cupboard below. The slatted bench, an example of One Kings Lane shopping, is softened by a sheepskin throw and cushion. I love the way Katie has anchored the small light fittings by hanging art below them.


Eight-year-old Harry's bedroom is very cool with it's blackboard wall and Ikea bunk painted glossy red. It's a great example of using furniture pieces that can grow with the child - the wooden sofa provides a nice spot for relaxing, and will still work in 10 years, or in any other room of the house.


Likewise, four-year-old Pippa has some beautiful furniture pieces in her room, but there's no mistaking it's a little girl's room with it's candy pink wall.


The other three walls are papered in Studio Printworks' Spenserian Beasts. The beautiful line drawings are a work of art and really fun. Rather than toy boxes Katie labels colourful baskets to keep Pippa's toys organised.
photos by Nicole LaMotte
There is so much I love in this home, and I hope it's inspired you too. Pop over to see even more here.