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Running out of things to try during quarantine? Put the puzzle down and make a rug. Pieces by An Aesthetic Pursuit, the buzzy home decor brand best known for its wildly colorful carpets, is asking people to create its next product, and it’s all for a good cause. Here’s how it works: Anyone who wants to participate can download the template for the company’s new Outline rug here. Next, you’ll be prompted to donate $5 or more to the Food Bank for NYC (100 percent of the proceeds from the competition will go to the organization). Then it’s up to you to fill in the blanks of the circular shape. Once you’ve completed your sketch, submit it on Instagram by posting your idea using the hashtag #DesignToGive. The cherry on top? The winning designer will eventually receive the rug they made for free.
Cofounders Jenny Kaplan, Chris Corrado, and Taisha Coombs are already seeing submissions roll in. “We’ve intentionally left this challenge with very few rules,” says Kaplan, noting that the final design they select will most likely be something they’ve never thought of before. Help those in need and (potentially) refresh your space by sending them your finest rug idea. Here are a few to get you started:
Pick Any Palette
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Hit play on the example Pieces posted on Instagram and you’ll see how the Outline rug can come together. While the brand has a thing for vibrant hues (there’s a 60-foot-long rainbow carpet in its shoppable Airbnb in Maine), that doesn’t mean the winning design can’t be neutral. “This is why we’re not limiting anyone from submitting multiple entries,” says Kaplan. Throw a few different versions out there and one might just stick.
Think Outside the (Pencil) Box
Kaplan is hoping to see the full spectrum of mediums, from digital renderings, like this graphic illustration by Brooklyn-based artist Keri Birmingham, to analog iterations. Now is the time to whip out that dusty box of markers, do a little collaging, and experiment with watercolor.
Set a Scene
Polka dots and stripes are definitely on-limits, but consider utilizing patterns to create a landscape. Pearl Ting Ting Ho, the artist behind The Little Catalogue, turned her carpet into the spitting image of summer.
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