Artist and interior designer Josh Young is known for refreshing Old World details with a modern edge. It takes only a short scroll through his Instagram feed to see how he breathes new life into historic homes, including his own Washington, D.C. townhouse, where covetable old-house details like ornate crown molding lives harmoniously alongside his contemporary artwork and sleek modern furnishings. For this iteration of Instant Heirloom, the founder of Josh Young Design House spotlights the Bellflower Hand Knotted Rug, a hand-knotted wool Oushak-inspired rug by Williams Sonoma Home, and why its traditional elegance will endure like its antique Turkish predecessors.
Bellflower Hand Knotted Rug Light Grey/Beige 9' X 12'
Bellflower Hand Knotted Rug Light Grey/Beige 9' X 12'
What drew you to this piece?
"I’m currently working on my country home, which I've named Sycamore House. It's a stone Quaker farmhouse from the 1730s located near Middleburg, Virginia, and I decided to incorporate a mix of beautiful, handmade rugs throughout. The beauty of this piece is its traditional Oushak design and neutral tone-on-tone palette, which works beautifully in any room. I love its classic, intricate design paired with these simplistic, neutral colors," says Young.
Why do you think it has staying power?
"Traditional Oushak- and Turkish-style rugs are timeless. Their ability to work in both modern and traditional environments proves this. I believe these rugs are absolutely pieces to invest in, cherish, and enjoy for many, many years," the designer says.
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Is there an interesting backstory to your discovery of it or the artisan behind it?
"I’ve worked closely with Williams Sonoma Home for many years now, and their line of rugs have always been a favorite of mine. They’re extremely high quality and always have an understated elegance to them. I use these rugs in almost all my projects, and I’m constantly being asked where they are from," he adds.
How would you use this rug in a room?
"If you are familiar with my work, you know I love to layer. This can be seen in my artwork and my interiors. Throughout Sycamore House, I layered and paired this rug on top of natural fiber rugs (such as sisal or jute), as well as with other vintage rugs with a similar palette," Young says.
