Search

These Gem-Inspired Rugs Play Tricks on Your Eyes

While most gemstones are typically appreciated while adorned on the body, these particular pieces are best showcased beneath your feet. Created by Belgian designer Alain Gilles for Italian luxury rug brand Illulian, the Gem rug collection captures all the dazzling facets found on natural gemstones and beautifully translates them into the tufts of three distinct rug designs.

two white sculptural chair next to a rug made of a green obelisk and pink oval

It all began with a serendipitous saunter through the market, as Gilles shares: “[The collection] is directly inspired by the beauty of some small gem samples that caught my eye by accident while I was walking around the flea market on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.” Rather than taking the pragmatic route of turning a single gem into a rug, Gilles decided to fuse two stones and highlight their contrasting elements. Rounded shapes are paired with obelisks, calling attention to the hard lines and angularities. “On our rugs, the beauty, transparency, and lightness of the two pieces of quartz, accentuated by the rays of the sun, have been translated into some very fresh and soothing rugs, where the veins and the different color variations of the stone take on all their importance and give the rugs their unique depth,” the designer continues fondly.

white sculptural chair and side table atop a rug made of a green obelisk and pink oval

a white sofa and three white side tables next or on top of a blue and green rug

white sofa next to a blue and green rug

white sofa next to a blue and green rug

white sofa and grey side tables next to a blue and green rug

To further enhance the experience, the Gilles plays with your perception by calling for two different pile heights, reinforcing the idea of stacked objects that seem like they could be pulled apart and laid separately.

two white chairs next to a blue and green rug

white sofa and two white side tables next to a blue and green rug

white sofa next to a beige and charcoal rug

white sofa next to a beige and charcoal rug

white chair next to a beige and charcoal rug

Hand-knotted in Nepal, the obelisks are made of wool while the lower element is silk. Though similar in composition, all three rugs have distinct features that gently suggests where they should be placed. The obelisks acts almost like an arrow, directing guests toward the natural flow of traffic. The D-shape version can be lined up against the wall while its arch grounds a pair of armchairs or side tables. Unlike rectangular varieties, the rounder parts of the Gem rugs encourages you to experiment with different seating arrangements outside of traditional rules.

rug on a loom next to balls of yarn

man cutting down the rug pile of a green and blue rug

a rug made of a green obelisk and pink oval

up close details of a rug made of a green obelisk and pink oval

a beige and charcoal rug

details of a beige and charcoal rug

blue and green rug with an obelisk and circle shape

details of a blue and green rug with an obelisk and circle shape

black and white portrait of a man flipping through a book

Allain Gilles \\\ Photo: Lydie Nesvadba

The Gem rug collection is available in three designs and in three different color combinations. To learn more or add one to your own home, visit illulian.com.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She's probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.