Washed carpet with faded blue lines as spotted at a local Egyptian home

Egypt is full of inspiration for design. From the Ancient Egyptian pyramids and hieroglyphics to the work of modern designers, the unique shapes and forms provide a culture-rich country full of creativity. However, for our most recent mood board, we stepped aside from the obvious creative works. Instead, we have drawn inspiration from this blue construction timber stacked against a home in Old Cairo.

We love the contrast in this shot taken from our trip to the capital’s historic center. Against the beige sandstone building on which it leans, the weathered timber in blue and yellow distinctively stands out. Since Egypt has no forest and is a desert country, the majority of timber is imported. This was especially true during Ancient Egyptian times. Back then, it was seen as a precious and expensive resource and limited amounts of wood are used in construction. The wood that was used was less durable than the stone, and few surviving ancient wooden structures remain today.

To recreate this timber effect in our mood board, we used Washed Carpet by ege Carpets. The brush-like patterning effect adds a layer of dimension and is synonymous with the faded blue timber. We recolor it to use the same blue and yellow tones of the wood. However, we have gone for a richer Egyptian blue that, as the name suggests, is popular in the country. We came across many burial sites and temples that utilized this color. It is thought to represent the heavens, universe, and water of the Nile, and seemed fitting for our inspiration. We also worked in Finnveden by Kahrs Group to incorporate the rustic wood texture into the mood board.

Partnered with this washed carpet backdrop we married several other materials in blue and yellow tones. All of these materials have some relation to Egyptian culture. Golden Chalice by Benjamin Moore ties the yellowing of the timber in with the association of Egypt’s historical gold trade. Two ceramic pieces – Alesso and Blue Macauba Marble Tile, both by TileBar – also pull on Egypt’s pottery culture; Ancient Egypt was the birthplace of the first-ever decorative tiles back in 4,700 BCE. We have then tied this in with several softer materials for a juxtaposition of textures. This includes the Cherished Knit by HBF Textiles, Curtain Call by Designtex, and Interweave by MDC Interior Solutions. Finally, we added Cembrit Patina by American Fiber Cement Corporation and Covert Q Transparent Reflective by CARVART.

For anyone wishing to know more about Talk Carpet’s Easy Recolor program, you can find out more by contacting our team. Our concept allows you to easily create a personalized carpet colored to your choice within seconds. Aside from the colors used, you also have control over the carpet substrate through the selection choice of nine different carpet substrates. Once your design is complete, your new carpet will be shipped to you within three weeks.