With the modern desire for the unique, and an increased interest in pattern and visual intrigue, the mosaic rug ticks all the boxes for a modern home, despite its roots in antiquity.  Combined with almost any material, or standard floor tiles, these rugs create bespoke spaces without overwhelming the senses with pattern and colour, or underwhelming them with sterile, naked surfaces.

With tiles now used throughout the house, rather than being restricted to the kitchen or bathroom, homeowners can warm up living spaces with a wide variety of shapes, colours, and patterns.  The Rug collection by Sicis is highly desirable.  The designs can be scaled to fit almost any sized space, and the choice of many different styles can provide a home with a real sense of history.

The collection is split into five sections.  The first and largest of these is the Bizantio (Byzantine), a clear source from which to draw mosaic inspiration.  Sicis says Bizantio “evokes the ancient memories of a lost Empire” and that its designs are “characterized by the preciousness of the materials: marble, glass, enamels, gold and platinum”, creating a surface that “is unique: irregular, dynamic, giving texture and field to the endless play of light.”

The shapes and imagery used have a clear root in nature, but are far removed from realism, typical of the abstract nature of Byzantine art.  And, to the modern eye, they look plucked straight out of antiquity.

Or, as with Teoderico, you can choose a design which quite literally is from antiquity, as it was inspired by a Byzantine carpet from the 6^th Century.

The Romantici (Romantic) collection is also quite extensive and serves those looking for a more regal style of design.  Many of these extremely intricate patterns are formed by several separate elements to allow for personalisation; such as floral masterpiece Baugin, inspired by a 20^th Century Needlepoint carpet; or wonderful living space accessory Prud’Hon, inspired by an 18^th Century Savonnerie carpet.

Giardini (Gardens) does pretty much what it says on the tin: predominantly taking inspiration from flora and other organic shapes, spanning various different centuries, forms and styles.

Bright and modern motif Johnston, and 11^th Century Indian-inspired Sindhan, demonstrate the range of options within Giardini.  The collection also covers intricate romantic floral elements, as well as simple black and white rugs (Lagav Black or Lagav White) inspired by a 19^th Century Needlepoint carpets.

Novecento (Twentieth Century) is equally diverse if not significantly more abstract.  As the name implies, it was inspired by carpets from the 20^th Century; such as warm and understated Rossetti and ‘Is it a bird? Is it a tree?’ Lorrain.  Here each design element can be used on their own or in conjunction with the others for true personalisation of spaces.

Finally, and my personal favourite section of the collection, comes Telai (Loom).  These designs have the real ‘woven, not grouted’ look about them.  All the Telai designs are very strong, from the written-on-papyrus feel of Bonnard, through to Signac and Pissaro (which comes both in colour and grey); all of which fabulously mimic real carpet.

This charming collection by Sicis works with so many different interior styles; adding warmth, colour, intrigue, and a focal point to any room; while being compatible with a huge range of flooring finishes. The prevailing trend for decorative antiques, coupled with our need for ease of maintenance, makes Sicis’s Rug mosaics the perfect match for the modern home.

The full catalogue can be found here
Sicis

A new post by Hanna Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, February 2019.