Love Lives Here

Words: Afrika Lethabo Bogatsu | Photographs: Glen Montgomery | Art direction + styling: Charl Edwards

Days are becoming shorter and nights even colder as temperatures continue to drop. We’re spending more and more time at home, trying to keep warm by hiking up our electricity bills with heaters or cuddling up to a human blanket, if you’re lucky to have one.

Whatever it is you’re doing to stay warm this winter and whatever your current relationship status, the saying remains true — home is where the heart is. So it makes sense to show your place some love and cover your floor with a rug or two.

We’ve got six different rug types to reflect your love life.

Natural: Soul mates

These earthy rugs are comfortable and easy going and form a great foundation for the rest of your decor. Made from Handwoven Bamboo Silk dhurrie, they’re easy to clean and go well with textured accessories like woven baskets, greenery and fringed cushions for a jungalow-style space.

Everything comes naturally to you and your S/O. There are no pretences. You’ve finally found someone who’s as much of a misanthrope as you are, so you spend most of your time together enjoying the fresh outdoors.

Essential items: Games and partyware for your upcoming anniversary bash.
Date night plans: Watching Lost again while folding laundry from last week.

Geometric: Open or Polyamorous relationship

These eye-catching, eco-friendly rugs are far from conventional. The bold and interesting patterns are sure to be a conversation starter and will serve as a great distraction when things get awkward at your next dinner party. If some red wine is spilt, no worries, your rug is machine washable.

Your relationship is unorthodox. You don’t believe in monogamy and are not convinced by the idea that there’s just one person out there for you. No one understands your relationship and you’re tired of defending it so you don’t care. Your relationship is grounded by honesty and open communication.

Essential items: Your side table with lots and lots of books.
How you met: You did some design work for their NGO and you just connected.

Vintage: Happily single

These distressed and printed rugs from Hertex Fabrics exude a vintage look and worldly luxury that will complement wood-style furnishings and add character and warmth to modern spaces. Skip the trendy items and invest in a rug that will stay with you for the long run and keep getting better with time.

You’ve been single for a while now and are enjoying every moment of it. You’re not looking for a serious relationship but you’ve gone on a few dates for fun and a free meal. You’re on a journey of rediscovery, focusing on yourself and continuously working on self-improvement.

Date night plans: Phone call with your travel agent to book your next holiday. A glass (okay maybe bottle) of wine, while bumping Beyonce’s Lemonade and singing out of key.

Monochrome: On-again, off-again lovers or friends with benefits

Nothing is ever black or white with these greyscale rugs, which tread a fine line between bland and loud. People might describe them (and you) as high maintenance but they just like things done a certain way – like professional dry cleaning. These rugs are ideal for minimalist spaces where “less is more” is the style philosophy.

You’re both equally busy and uninterested in a serious relationship, so you’ve opted for something with no strings attached. So when there’s a break in your schedules or the occasional need for some human contact and company comes up, you’ve got someone to (booty) call.

Essential items: Your daily planner and a take out menu because who has time or energy to cook?

Pet peeve: Late payments from clients and and trying to call an Uber when there’s a surge in pricing.

Nautical: Long distance relationship

While you might be tempted to get something cool and trendy, nautical stripes are tried and true. Featuring a thick flat weave that provides warmth during winter while keeping cool in summer, these rugs take their inspiration from timeless traditional craftsmanship which is something you can respect — because if it ain't broke don’t fix it.

Your favourite thing about your partner is that they’re just as motivated and as you are. You don’t believe in giving up and as much as people say long distant relationships don’t work, you're both determined to prove them wrong. You try to make time for each other as much as possible.

Essential items: Your earphones and Fitbit fitness tracker.

Date night plans: Crossfit at the gym and then a long Skype session with your partner back home.

Colour-blocking: #CoupleGoals

These colour-blocking rugs are bright and cheerful and aesthetically pleasing. They’ll go well with bright accent lighting and patterned scatter cushions. Dust them off the floor and hang them up on your wall and you’ve got a makeshift studio backdrop.

You and bae are disgustingly happy and you’re not afraid to show it to the whole world. You’re the definition of #CoupleGoals. As much as you are total opposites, you complement each other beautifully — which makes for an amazing Instagram account. Muffin knows your good side and somehow brings out the best in you.

Essential items: Your Instax and lots of film for obvious reasons.
How you met: He shot his mouth off on Twitter and then you met at a VIP booth at KONG.

All relationships come and go through different stages. As they say, some people come into your life for a reason and some for a season. Either way, these rugs are here to stay and will definitely not leave you broken-hearted.

Hair & Make-up: Roxanne Sayers
Models: Matthew Steele @Fusion & Mikala Love @Fusion