Latest Homes visits gaff in search of the perfect rug
Art underfoot
Tucked away on the edge of the North Laine is a small rug shop called gaff (which is an acronym for great art for floors). Don’t be fooled by its size though; as you enter through the doors you realise there’s more choice than you first expected. On either side of the shop sit giant, poster-style swing arm racks holding approximately 100 rugs each, ready to be rolled up and taken away with you. It’s an eclectic mix of vintage pieces blending all the way through to pop-art and graffiti inspired graphics. If you are looking for a great value rug to finish your room off then you will find it at gaff.
“We have 18 suppliers,” says Russell Salter, owner of gaff. “Some only make one rug in a couple of sizes and others produce each of their designs in many sizes and colourways so we are spoilt for choice when we create our collection for the shop.”
Indeed, there are Iranian traditional pieces rubbing shoulders with children’s designs and long-pile shaggy styles next to sisal hallway runners. There are one-off designs hanging if you are looking for something unique and some of the designs have huge discounts.
“One of our best sellers is a rug that we found by mistake,” enthuses Russell. “We had gone to see a collection of traditional Pakistani hand-knotted gabbehs and in the stacks of rugs were random pieces made from the left over wool; we were hooked. No two are ever the same and each one is stunning.”
“For a unique rug, you can supply gaff with a jpeg image or they can even work from your hand-drawn picture”
If you are feeling inspired, you can even have your own design made to order as a one off. “This has become a very popular option with everyone from kids to graphic illustrators and artists. We have a palette of six hundred different shades to choose from and lead-time is only eight weeks. It’s a fantastic opportunity to turn a sketch into a true piece of art for your floor.”
Prices are reasonable too: a 90cm x 150cm rug made in your own design costs only £175 in up to eight colours. You can supply gaff with a jpeg image or they can even work from your hand-drawn picture if you have a steady hand.
So, how do you know what rug is going to work in your own home? “We can pretty much determine which rugs to offer a customer by asking three simple questions: What’s the budget? Which room is it for and what size do you need?” says Russell. “We will work to any budget; if you’re a student looking for something cheap and cheerful for your shared house or an interior designer looking for a special piece to finish off a client’s penthouse, we’ll be able to help and advise. Regarding size, if you are unsure use a bed-sheet or two folded to the size that works for your room and measure it; even if it’s with your feet. We’ll even let you borrow two rugs overnight if you can’t decide.”
It’s this kind of attention to detail that sets gaff apart from others, including shops on the internet.
“The most common thing people say to us is how keenly our products are priced. We constantly monitor our competitors and to use a saying from a well known retailer, we are never knowingly under-sold!”
gaff also sells unusual cushions too. They are the Brighton stockists for Carola Van Dyke, a local artisan from Firle, near Lewes. Carola works in an appliqué style, layering each design using vintage and modern fabrics with a distinctive red top-stitch. Designs feature dogs, flowers and birds with each cushion being completely unique.
To add to their excellent credentials, gaff is also listed in the Good Weave retailer directory for supplying ethically sourced rugs.
gaff, 66 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4EB, 1273 819202, www.gaffrugs.co.uk
www.carolavandyke.co.uk
