The Wood Paneling Trick That Makes Any Space Feel Instantly Homey
Peep it in Armadillo’s new L.A. showroom.
Published Dec 1, 2023 1:59 AM
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Shopping for a new rug online is a gamble: What will the texture look like IRL? What about the feeling underfoot? And of course—did I order the just-right color or is my computer screen playing tricks on me?
With its new Los Angeles showroom, Australian floor-covering brand Armadillo has come to the rescue via a sweeping space with a snaking partition that displays its dozens of eco-friendly offerings, from jutes that won’t shed to silk and wool weaves in calming sunset shades.
But the real benefit of in-store shopping, particularly at this location, is the built-in design inspiration that lies within the former nightclub space. Inspired by the organic lines of fashion ateliers in Tokyo and Paris, the Armadillo team combined the old with the new, an important focus for cofounder Jodie Fried. Because the B Corp focuses on sustainability, she didn’t want to tear down the building and start anew. Instead, they kept the original glass and metal windows (a nice juxtaposition to the interior’s clean lines) and installed 100 percent renewable electricity.
Oak walls add a soft touch—but they’re actually flooring repurposed as wall paneling (something you can definitely try in your own home). “In each showroom, there are generally three materials [and colors] that inform our textural palette: white oak, polished concrete, and crisp white,” Fried says. “In our Los Angeles space, since we had already envisioned the concrete foundation and the white partitions, we ended up using the hardwood flooring on the walls.”
Another steal-for-your-apartment touch? The living room area, designed by Swike, which layered two similar-toned rugs (the quiet Eden with the plush Mojave style on top), then added a glass coffee table, which lets you see the floor coverings even better while providing visual space, too. Fried’s layering advice: “You can keep it quite simple by centering a smaller rug on top of a larger rug for a distinct border, or like our Los Angeles showroom, you can layer them off-center, which feels more relaxed.”
And when you’re not soaking up all the good vibes around you, make sure to take home samples, an essential step in rug buying, says Fried: “I can’t stress enough the importance of bringing a rug sample home so you can view it in the intended room, in natural light throughout the day, against the rest of your decor.” Thankfully, you can order them online, too, wink-wink.
