Studio News
New Modern Rug Colourway 2024: Santorini Sunrise Rug!
We are so excited to announce the arrival of our new luxury rug colourway and newest addition to the Santorini Collection – the Santorini Sunrise Rug. Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the early morning sunrises over the Aegean Sea, this modern rug encapsulates the warm, glowing hues of a new day dawning over the island of Santorini, Greece. It’s the perfect complement to the original, Santorini Sunset Rug, which features bolder and vibrant tones reminiscent of Santorini’s dazzling sunsets.
A sunrise in Santorini, Greece.
The Colour Palette
This beautiful unique rug features a palette of warm, pastel hues that capture the essence of Santorini’s morning glow of sunrise. The soft pinks, purples, and oranges evoke the gentle shine of the morning light as it spreads across the landscape, casting a warm and tranquil atmosphere over the island.
The muted yellow and hints of blue featured in the circle, reflect the early rays of sunlight as they dance across the ocean’s waves and onto the iconic whitewashed Cycladic architecture, creating a scene of peaceful beauty. The lavender tones and hint of navy blue suggest the remnants of twilight, while the oranges and yellows echo the first light breaking through the horizon.
(From left to right: The Santorini Sunset Rug and The Santorini Sunrise Rug)
The Design
Santorini sunrise is a geometric rug, designed to echo the iconic Cycladic architecture of Santorini. The squares, rectangles, and angular patterns are reminiscent of the island’s distinctive whitewashed buildings and sharp-edged rooftops, which are so often juxtaposed against the soft curves of domes.
The staircase-like pattern in the area rug’s upper-left corner, brings to mind the stepped terraces and narrow paths that weave through Santorini’s cliffside villages, guiding residents and visitors from one breathtaking view to the next.
Blocks of colour, particularly the overlapping rectangles, represent the layered structures of the Greek island’s homes and buildings, stacked one upon another, forming an architectural tapestry that cascades down toward the Ionian Sea.
Unlike traditional rectangular rugs, the Santorini Collection features an irregular shape that beautifully mirrors the geometric architecture of Greece. Irregular rugs are a specialty of Sonya Winner, with each irregular shaped rug transforming into a unique piece of floor art. This distinctive form not only adds character but elevates the rug beyond simple décor, turning it into a bold, artistic statement that brings depth and personality to any room.
Both the Santorini Sunrise rug and Santorini Sunset rug share the same design layout, representing the same Cycladic architecture but at different points in the day.
Sonya Winner and KLC School of Design alumnus Cheryl Saunders
KLC Collaboration
The Santorini Rug Collection is a result of a design collaboration between Sonya and KLC School of Design alumnus Cheryl Saunders. Their collaboration appeared when Cheryl won a competition which offered the opportunity for students from KLC to work alongside Sonya to bring their designs to life as a luxury rug. Cheryl’s contemporary rug design proposal showcased a captivating array of modern rug designs, drawing inspiration from Greek culture and the vibrant color palettes found on the Greek islands. Her unique rug designs were influenced by the allure of Greek Goddesses, the intricate patterns of sundials, and the breath-taking sunsets of Santorini.
While this collaboration between Sonya and Cheryl first produced the Santorini Sunset rug, Sonya continued to visit her favourite islands within Greece and she felt it was important to re-imagine the modern rug to showcase the islands peaceful early morning sunrise.
You can learn more about their first collaboration and the release of the Santorini sunset rug here.
Holiday Home Interior Inspiration
The Santorini Sunrise Rug is the perfect piece for anyone looking to bring a touch of their favourite holiday memories back into their home, offering a way to relive the magic of a sunrise over the Aegean Sea every time you step into your living room, bedroom or entryway.
For those luckily people who’ve experienced the peaceful glow of a Greek morning, with soft pastel skies and sun-kissed buildings, this rug captures that moment beautifully. Each time you glance at the warm colors and geometric shapes, you’re reminded of those peaceful vacation moments when time slowed down, and the beauty of the island washed over you.
Not only this modern rug perfect for people who want to bring their holiday memories home, but the Santorini Sunrise Rug is also an ideal addition to holiday homes. It adds a sense of luxury and comfort while echoing the Mediterranean atmosphere that so many seek in their getaway spaces. Whether placed in a beach house or a countryside retreat, the warm, inviting colors of this unique area rug will instantly create a relaxed, holiday-like vibe.
To anyone who loves to travel or has a deep connection to Greece, this rug serves as a beautiful, daily reminder of the island’s tranquil mornings and vibrant sunsets, seamlessly blending fond memories with the comforts of home.
Rugs as Wall Hangings
If you don’t have the floor space, don’t worry—the Santorini Sunrise Rug can easily become a striking piece of wall art. Our vibrant contemporary rugs are designed with versatility in mind, making them just as adaptable for your walls as they are for your floors.
Contact us today for more information and our hanging guide, or visit our other blog post: ‘Using Designer Rugs as Wall Hangings’.
Sonya Winner Rug Studio has also just released a new collection of 3D wall hangings, all inspired by the Greek Islands. So, if you like the story behind the Santorini Collection and would like to see some more Greek inspired designs, view our full collection of wall hangings here. What makes this collection even more special is its ease of installation. Each handmade wall hanging comes equipped with built-in loops, making it incredibly simple to mount directly onto your wall.
Try our Free Visualisation Service!
If you’re feeling inspired by this new luxury rug, take advantage of our complimentary visualisation service and see the Santorini Sunrise rug digitally in your space. Our visualisation service allows you to see different sizes, designs and shapes in your room from the comfort of your own home, all you need to do is fill out the form here.
To find more information about our digital visualisation service, read here.
Explore the rest of our colourful collection by visiting our Vibrant Contemporary Rug Shop and re-imagine your space to be eye-catching and bold.
