We transformed homegrown wool into three unique 100% hand-crafted wool rugs and used them as the foundation for three special room designs, all in support of The Campaign for Wool to celebrate the rich beauty, sustainable benefits and true potential of Canadian wool!
Sarah Richardson's Design Life: The Campaign For Wool (Ep. 77)
No two of our Design Life adventures are ever the same, and this episode is truly out of the ordinary! We’re on site at my home, Starlight Farm with Shetland Sheep in tow and a very special guest in support of a very special project. Get ready for a unique behind the scenes glimpse into a day in my design life, complete with an exciting photoshoot! The client is the Campaign for Wool; a global endeavour initiated by its patron, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, (Prince Charles) in order to raise awareness about the unique, natural and sustainable benefits of wool. In a major ‘pinch me’ moment, I was asked to design 3 rugs made of 100% hand-crafted Canadian wool, so I teamed up with Toronto-based rug design studio Creative Matters to bring my visions to life! In this episode, we’re celebrating the natural beauty of wool in every form, and you’ll go behind the design as we work to get 3 rooms and 3 rugs photoshoot-ready. Plus, I’m doing my first official unboxing... and trust me, you gotta see it to believe it!
The Origin Rug
The Origin rug celebrates the simple beauty of wool in its natural undyed state. Inspired by macramé, I wanted to create a rug that was textural and playful in a palette that's soft, creamy and light.
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The Origin Rug
Plush Sheep
4Transitional Collection Boucle, Travertine U1779/P09
(pillow, seat cushion fabric)
The hampton Rug
The Hampton rug concept stemmed from a photograph I found depicting a garden designed by Alexandra Noble from the Hampton Court Palace Garden Show, and photographed by Gary Rogers. The image of the garden was rasterized, interpreted and created in a flat wool construction in reference to HRH The Prince of Wales' love of gardening.
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The Hampton Rug
2Transitional Collection Heritage Windowpane, Marble U1752/AF27
(pillow fabric)
Extrafine Merino Wool Throw, "Duck Egg"
The Highland Rug
The Highland rug represents the visual progression of the landscape from the sky all the way through the hills, trees and the meadows where sheep graze and live. Inspired by a photo of the horizon that I took on my cell phone at Starlight Farm, this rug is a tribute to Canadian wool and the sheep raised on Canadian land.
GET THE LOOK
The Highland Rug
HRH The Prince of Wales Wool Bust by artist Rosemarie Péloquin (https://rosemariepeloquin.ca)
Source Guide:
Wool Fabrics:
Harris Tweed
Featherweight YC287 (green drapery, Hampton Room), 2Featherweight 1907-C3 (chair upholstery, Highland Room), 2Featherweight 1818-F6 (chair upholstery, Highland Room), 9Mediumweight Furnishing FURN18-89 (chairs, Hampton Room)
Abraham Moon & Sons
2Lambswool Plain Weave 2003/37 (chair piping, Highland Room), 4Herringbone Collection Deepdale/Dove U1486/D01 (drapery, Hampton Room), 2Transitional Collection Heritage Windowpane - Marble U1752/AF27 (pillows, Hampton Room), 4Transitional Collection Boucle - Travertine U1779/P09 (chairs, Origin Room), 2Herringbone Collection Linen U1796/A81 (pillows, Origin Room), 2Naturally Moon Collection Hawes/Natural U1463/E04 (pillows, Origin Room)
Origin Room:
Briggs & Little Woolen Mills Ltd.: Canadian wool for rug fabrication | Sykes & Ainley: throw blanket and pillow fabrication, Curtis, Curtis & Sons 'Best of British' Undyed Wool Throw, Extrafine Merino Throw in Fawn & White WD10RU5840 | Creative Matters Inc.: rug design studio | Meier Germany: sheep, white wool plush | Miller Island: vintage coffee table, side tables, swivel chairs | South Hill Home: lamps, large vase | Elte Mkt: bowl | Around the Block: small vase | Sarah Richardson Design custom furniture: Cory sofa | Sarah Richardson Design for Kravet: fabric for Cora sofa (SKU LINEWEAVE-16, LINEWEAVE DUNE) | Kravet: fabric for drapery (SKU BRANCES-106, SAND) | Saltillo Tiles: natural stone flooring | Rehau: in floor heating system | Strassburger: windows and doors | Pacific Energy: wood stove | Metrie: interior doors, panelling, trim | Robinson Residential: architectural design | Glidden: wall paint (30YY 63/024, SILVER CLOUD) | CIL: ceiling paint (40YY 73/028, TOASTED WHITE)
Hampton Room:
Briggs & Little Woolen Mills Ltd.: Canadian wool for rug fabrication | Sykes & Ainley: Extrafine Merino Throw in Duck Egg & White, WD10RU5835 | Creative Matters Inc.: rug design studio | Gary Rogers Photography: photo of the Hampton Court Palace Garden Show | Alexandra Noble Design: garden and landscape design | Around the Block: vintage chairs | Miller Island: vase | Vintage Fine Objects: 3-tier side table | Regina Andrew: beside lamps | MacAusland's Woollen Mills Ltd.: blanket on bed | Elle & Eve: vintage tea set | Wayfair: star wall décor (SKU VYQ2919), rosario mirror (SKU JFN3775), ronda mirror (SKU SGBH1446), wooden side table (SKU FDB1112) | Thibaut: Marantha Arrowroot grassclotch (SKU T85003, aqua) | Sarah Richardson Design: Allison headboard | Designer Fabrics: headboard fabric T5065KD (SKU 33605, 1037) | Metrie: shiplap panelling and window trim (very square 4", fingerjoint poplar chair rail | Strassburger - windows | Emtek: door hardware and hinges | Robinson Plans: architectural services | Dulux: beadboard panelling paint (0YY 83/029 natural white)
Highlands Room:
Briggs & Little Woolen Mills Ltd.: Canadian wool for rug fabrication | Creative Matters Inc.: rug design studio | Miller Island: pedestal | Sarah Richardson for Kravet: drapery fabric (SKU SAROUKRUG-1611, pumice) | Metrie: interior doors, panelling, trim | Stairhaus: supply and install of stairs and railings | A&D Wood Turning: railings, restoration of newel posts | Artefacts: antique newel posts | Strassburger: windows | The Door Store: columns | Barwood: #1 common white oak flooring | Robinson Residential: architectural design | Dulux: wall paint colour (30YY 63/024 - silver cloud)