There are some items that have Instagram falling over its little squares in its haste to host them. Examples from the fashion world include the mid-length pink sequinned skirt (that I, too, was compelled to buy and Instagram); the 1970 Bella Freud jumper (again - guilty); and anything worn by super-stylist and fashion blogger Alex Stedman from The Frugality (erm - yup).
But Insta-frenzies aren't confined to clothes. The interior world is also full of home decor items that pop up in the pixels time and time again, inspiring love, lust and #ihavethisthingwithfloors posts. The interior item I first think of in these terms is a cool Moroccan-style rug from La Redoute, called the Afaw. This rug has a whole host of influential Insta-friends, which is hardly surprising as it manages to be both on-trend and timeless, while costing a surprisingly small amount of money (from £99). As a result, Afaw has had so much square-shaped love that it now - in the manner of a cute celebrity pooch - has its very own Instagram account, the appropriately-titled @the_la_redoute_rug. Well, it IS adorably shaggy and strokeable, though the only command this rug really responds to is, "lie down!".
What could possibly challenge the La Redoute Rug for Insta-famous home decor? I have the answer: ANOTHER LA REDOUTE RUG! Yes, there's a new LRR on the scene, and this time her name's Ourika (see pics above and below).
Why is Ourika poised to become the next Instagram interior sensation? I will give you 8 excellent reasons:
1) It's called Ourika
Which sounds like Erica AKA super stylish Erica Davies from The Edited, who is one of the original Afaw rug's original fans (and the taker of the first image on The Rug's Instafeed). I have a feeling Erica and Ourika are going to be pals.
Erica and her La Redoute Afaw rug
2) It's like the Afaw
Like the Afaw, Ourika is inspired by ever-desirable traditional Moroccan designs - but with colour. And colour, as we all know, is a Very Good Thing, especially when it comes to creating a home that reflects your personality and makes you happy. And getting people to like your latest pic.
3) It suits any colour scheme
I know this because I dragged* the rug in question around the rooms of my house (painted/papered grey, pink, blue and green respectively) and it looked great in each one, whatever the wall colour.
*Pink House Husband refused to help because he was "making soup"
4) It works in every room
This Berber-style rug softens a bathroom (gorgeous alongside a freestanding tub as a super-luxe bath mat), warms up a kitchen (I'm a big fan of a kitchen rug - see Ourika in The Pink House kitchen, below), bohemifies a bedroom (try layering it with other rugs on bare floorboards) and looks pretty damn awesome in a living room. And the runner version (£149, see above) is perfect for a funky hallway or landing, or even as a bedside rug.
Ourika chillin in The Pink House kitchen, plus casual handbag
5) It's 100% wool
This makes it an excellent investment for £199 (for the 120 x 170cm version - it also comes in 160 x 230cm for £359). And yes, this makes it more expensive than the original Afaw (which isn't made of wool), but Ourika is a rug that will see you through multiple homes and children (and maybe even husbands - sweating-yet-smiling emoji).
6) Those TASSELS!
Hearteyes (and likes) for days.
7) #ihavethisthingwithfloors
There's not much Instagram loves more than a pretty floor. And Ourika is soooo #ihavethisthingwithfloors. Here; I'll prove it to you with my very own feet:
Ourika + pink TopShop shoes = yay
Ourika + green Chloe boots = yay
8) It's got plenty of pink
As we all know, pink is THE colour of 2017, and Instagram adores pink nearly as much as I do.
So there we go - absolute proof that Ourika is the One To Watch when it comes to haute home Instadecor. However, there is a veritable flock of fabulous La Redoute rugs, all of which could cause a scuffle of likes in those little squares. Here are three more of my fluffy faves...
3 MORE La Redoute RUGS I LOVE
The black Afaw
If you like to live life on the dark side, the black version of the original Insta-rug is for you, from £99 for 120 x 170cm. Lovely contrasted against pale floorboards and walls, but would work equally well on a dark floor, and/or paired with darkish grey walls (I'm a fan of Manor House Gray by Farrow & Ball).
The black Afaw
The colourful Anani
This Berber-style wool rug is like art for your floor. Nice, warm, snuggly 100% wool art you can curl up on, and which will help insulate your house and dampen down noise from big or little feet. From £205 for the 120 x 180cm.
The Anani
The yellow Ocrul
Another beautiful Berber-inspired wool rug at an insanely low price - from £199 for 120 x 170cm. This baby is perfect strewn across grey polished concrete, would look dreamy against pale pink walls, and is just begging to be buddied up with smaller-scale patterns in contrasting colours on cushions, sofas or even wallpaper. Could someone please pass me a mint tea?
This post is sponsored by La Redoute, but as always, all opinions are my own. If I don't like something, I won't write about it. If you're a brand interested in working with The Pink House, please click here for my media kit.
