Sarah Sherman Samuel’s New Lulu & Georgia Collection Is a Desert Dream
Down-to-earth design.
Updated Oct 15, 2018 12:42 AM
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When you want to emulate that laid-back, California-cool aesthetic, you turn to Sarah Sherman Samuel. So it only makes sense that Lulu & Georgia tapped the designer for a desert-inspired textile line, full of earthy hues and simple, graphic motifs. The collection, which includes both rugs and pillows and starts at $88, officially launched today—run, don’t walk.
Fans of Sherman Samuel’s interior design projects will recognize a familiar color palette. “I’ve had a love affair with that camel/ochre color for years now,” she says. (Exhibit A: Garance Dore’s SSS-designed home.) She sketched around 100 rug designs before pinpointing her final six styles—each of which comes with accompanying pillows in the same pattern—picking those shades she gravitated toward naturally.
“I wanted the line to be neutral enough to hold its own in a bold, colorful space, as well as work well in an extremely neutral room,” explains Sherman Samuel. “Black and white is an obvious versatile choice, but that camel color feels a little unexpected.” She was inspired by a wide breadth of sources, ranging from her vacation home on the outskirts of Palm Springs to traditional flat-weave Kilim rugs and Indian dhurries.
Speaking of inspo, we tapped the designer to get her tips on how to style the new collection:
Choose your rug’s material based on its future location
The ochre Moroccan flat weave or Stripe Break rug would be perfect in a high-traffic area like the kitchen or living room, whereas one of the plush Arches rugs is ideal for a cozy family room or bedroom. “Wool rugs can sometimes feel scratchy on the skin, but we used a wool blend so it’s soft to the touch; it’s even great for a kid’s room,” says Sherman Samuel.
You can go dramatic with your color pairings…
“The rust Arches can be a bold option paired with a cobalt blue,” suggests Sherman Samuel. The idea behind the collection was to create a minimal, modern version of traditional rugs, so each piece is super versatile and can act as a neutral base for splashier hues.
… or stay true to the collection’s desert roots
Specifically, “organic modern desert,” which is the vibe Sherman Samuel was going for. If that’s more your vibe, she recommends staying within the palette of Southwestern style for a low-contrast look, peppering in camel, ochre, terra-cotta, and ivory hues and omitting anything too dark. Build around the rug with simple materials, like a stone table, raw wood accents, or leather chairs.
Willing to go a little out of the box? “Lilac also goes well with this palette,” says the designer, “which is pretty much the colors of the sky at night in the Sonoran desert, where we had roots for a moment.”
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