A-R-E-A….R-U-G-S…..The name really suggests the function. Area rugs are rugs that define spaces. These spaces do not have walls or doors. They are simply defined by where the edge of the rug and the surface below meet. The change in material delineates the space.
My apartment has five rooms two of which are bathrooms. Of the five rooms in my apartment, the three main rooms all have hardwood floors.
The largest room in my apartment has several functions. It is a multi purpose room. When you enter the apartment, there is a small entrance area that leads into the cooking/eating zone and then to the living area beyond. None of these spaces are divided by physical partitions. Prior to moving in, this was one free flowing space. Zones were implied, but not defined by flooring materials or personal belongings. However, with the simple addition of area rugs, spaces and where they stop and start have been defined.
At the entrance, there is a small rug to take your shoes off.
Once you have moved off of that rug, you are no longer in the entrance. At this point, you are presented with a choice. Option one is to go right around the kitchen. If this is the path you choose, you are in my one and only hallway.
A runner defines this main circulation space. The form of the runner reinforces the idea that this is a long (by New York terms) path. It is not a place to loiter or for two people to inhabit at the same time shoulder to shoulder. Moreover, it is not possible for one person to be eating and another to pass behind easily and comfortably. If you choose option two and go left at the island, you are in my kitchen.
Here there is a small rug in front of the stove, sink, and dishwasher…..You guessed it, this is my kitchen. At the end of this space, there is a large rug on which a sofa, trunk, and chair are arranged. None of the other rugs have anything occupy them permanently except my feet and my cats paws while in transit. This rug is special in that way. It is also clear that this is a special place because of the size of it.
The size of this rug relative to the others implies that this is the area where you are supposed to sit and stay a while. More than one person can share this space comfortably.
The rugs in my apartment tell a story. If my apartment was stripped of all of my personal belongings, it would still be easy to see how I used the space if you study my rugs. The texture relative to the hardwood floor, the pattern, the directionality (of both shape and pattern), and the size all provide clues as to what is supposed to happen in the space. I use the phrase “supposed to happen” because my apartment is very conventional. I have adopted standard conventions of living. I have not broken any cultural rules or norms. I live very much like Perec described in his book.
My apartment has five rooms two of which are bathrooms. Of the five rooms in my apartment, the three main rooms all have hardwood floors.
The largest room in my apartment has several functions. It is a multi purpose room. When you enter the apartment, there is a small entrance area that leads into the cooking/eating zone and then to the living area beyond. None of these spaces are divided by physical partitions. Prior to moving in, this was one free flowing space. Zones were implied, but not defined by flooring materials or personal belongings. However, with the simple addition of area rugs, spaces and where they stop and start have been defined.
At the entrance, there is a small rug to take your shoes off.
Once you have moved off of that rug, you are no longer in the entrance. At this point, you are presented with a choice. Option one is to go right around the kitchen. If this is the path you choose, you are in my one and only hallway.
A runner defines this main circulation space. The form of the runner reinforces the idea that this is a long (by New York terms) path. It is not a place to loiter or for two people to inhabit at the same time shoulder to shoulder. Moreover, it is not possible for one person to be eating and another to pass behind easily and comfortably. If you choose option two and go left at the island, you are in my kitchen.
Here there is a small rug in front of the stove, sink, and dishwasher…..You guessed it, this is my kitchen. At the end of this space, there is a large rug on which a sofa, trunk, and chair are arranged. None of the other rugs have anything occupy them permanently except my feet and my cats paws while in transit. This rug is special in that way. It is also clear that this is a special place because of the size of it.
The size of this rug relative to the others implies that this is the area where you are supposed to sit and stay a while. More than one person can share this space comfortably.
The rugs in my apartment tell a story. If my apartment was stripped of all of my personal belongings, it would still be easy to see how I used the space if you study my rugs. The texture relative to the hardwood floor, the pattern, the directionality (of both shape and pattern), and the size all provide clues as to what is supposed to happen in the space. I use the phrase “supposed to happen” because my apartment is very conventional. I have adopted standard conventions of living. I have not broken any cultural rules or norms. I live very much like Perec described in his book.
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