Mary Dixon, ASID

Dixon Designs, LLC, Powell, OH 43065

 

What markets do you attend?

I go to High Point, as well as NeoCon in Chicago. I used to live in Houston where there are fabulous showrooms. Here in Cleveland the Ohio Design Center is the closest design center, but I only go there occasionally.

When do you choose your floor covering?

Early on I choose the floor covering, as I consider it a key element in a project. Typically I either choose a key fabric and then the rug, or possibly vice versa. Wool is my absolute favorite fiber, but I do like anything textural. By that I mean a rug with loops or pebbles, something tactile.

 Where do you source your rugs?

There are a couple of great showrooms near Columbus that I like to go to: K.A. Menendian Rug Gallery and Azia Oriental Rugs. Fine Oriental Rugs only works with the trade, but they have wonderful price points. Two other places I like to go for all kinds of rugs are ProSource and America’s Floor Source. My style is more contemporary, so I don’t use a lot of antique rugs—although sometimes antiques look great with contemporary.

Do you order many custom rugs?

I do a lot of custom rugs out of broadloom. This is a quick and easy way to fit a budget and have a lovely carpet. I particularly like to do this with shag or friezé; Masland has some lovely choices with great borders. They are speedy too. Typically I order samples to show the client from online sites. Surya is really good about this and one of my key lines. They have a wide range of choices and good customer support.

Any design rules you like to follow or like to break?

A rule I like to follow is to incorporate a certain rhythm and repetition of elements in my design project. For instance, it may be circles. If there are circles in the rug, there may be circles in the fabric,  in a lamp or elsewhere in accessories. Otherwise I like to break out of the mold and use materials in an unusual way. Perhaps put a jute rug on a wall, or use a rug for a tablecloth or on the upholstery.  Sometimes I think it interesting to take a giant antique rug and make it wall to wall.

Want to see more?  Go to www.marydixondesigns.com