Louisiana Loom Works

I am in New Orleans where I have found renewed inspiration. While I am not here on a design mission, I have made it my mission to seek out design and New Orleans does not disappoint. Magazine Street is a given to visit if you are looking for antiques but, so is Royal Street in the French Quarter. I happen to be staying at the Soniat House on Chartres Street which is of itself a fabulous place for inspiration. Not only are the rooms furnished with antiques, the courtyard is charming along with the Soniat Antiques Shop...just in case you want to incorporate a little french influence into your home design. As I was strolling the streets of the French Quarter with my friend, Liv Rockefeller, we happened upon the most delightful shop. There were no fleur-de-lis, no Mardi Gras beads and, no Who Dat t-shirts. This is a serious shop dedicated to the art of looming rag rugs and in the most beautiful way. We entered Louisiana Loom Works to be warmly greeted by Ronda Rose, proprietor, and her five (yes five) cats. When I pulled out my camera, this little kitty decided he wanted his picture taken...not sure if it's a he or a she (but, seriously well fed), resting itself right on the loom, on my samples!

As you can imagine, the sky really is the limit to customizing your own rug colors, including thread. Below happens to be a rug that they have made and the fabric sample that you can choose from and...walla, this is how it turns out.

When I asked Ronda about customizing she pulled out a shoe box (really) of all of the swatches they have in stock to choose from. Customizing for me is about options and options are good. I did go through the whole box and came up with three choices.