Manon Floreat Definitely the funky mid-century one! It adds color variation and compliments the fireplace and chair beautifully. Plus it adds movement. Beautiful room. What material is the fireplace surround? Travertine?

valhw I like the second one better...it brings the look alive, and makes the color of the couch stand out. Very nice! Love the fireplace wall.

Chandani Thanks for the input! I'm concerned that the funky large pattern of the cream rug will compete with the large scale artwork I plan to get to flank the fireplace. What do you think?

Zin Home Try something unusual http://www.zinhome.com/turkish-patchwork-rugs/

Zin Home May be something neutral. http://www.zinhome.com/turkish-patchwork-rugs-neutral/

Manon Floreat Hi, Chandani. It's hard to say without seeing the art work, but, a little competition between two really nice and complimentary pieces can be a good thing! Especially in a room that is rather calm - it'll add some dynamism.

jbubka yes, hard to say without the art. But like the one with color...

lefty47 I like them both, then they can change for the seasons --- the colorful one for the summer and the other for the winter with jewel tones added for warmth. Any art will go with each. I like what you are doing for the space. Nice room - good job !

Fab-u-less Interiors The second one is much better !

Chandani Lefty, I wish I could keep both, but that is not an option.... since the last one I bought for the place was a bit too small and I ended up putting it in my bedroom!

Manon, the fireplace stone is onyx embedded in limestone. I was looking for vein cut limestone, but couldn't find any light enough for my taste... I wanted something calm and serene with little contrast. On my last venture out, I found this. It wasn't what I was looking for, but I fell in love with it.

Chandani Zin, I had considered a neutral more traditional option as a contrast, but hubby didn't like that option! I like the twist on the traditional that you suggest... though I am hesitant to buy something like a rug online. I need to see and feel it!

lulugurl The light funky one really makes the room come alive.

dawnholdt I love your sectional! May I ask where you got that?

Chandani dawnholdt the sectional is a custom piece I ordered through a little local place. I live about an hour outside of Toronto.

lefty47 Well Chandani --- My vote is for the colorful rug . You are so lucky to be close to Elte in Toronto for decor shopping .

Michael rust Diggin the grey. Ab the best. Any art will work with it.

Riverside Design I think I recognize the rug first rug from homesense, they had another one there that I think you may like better. It was an erased rubbed out look or there was a more graphic one in the same tones but a large graphic print on it. I think you would like the look of a large blown up print. Take another look at homesense I think you will like!

lotusfemme I prefer the first one, especially if you want focus on artwork. If you want more excitement in the seating area you can always add some beautifully patterned pillows or something with a contrasting sheen or texture to the sofa, and it's a lot easier to change out pillows than rugs. You can also add more contrast and interest depending on what you do for a coffee table and accessories, as well as floor and table lamps.

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. I like the second one much better. Feels more mid-century and adds another color, brown is a great neutral to have in any mix. I notice the great sofa more with the second rug. The first one just blends with the sofa. Great space! Good Luck. Charmean Neithart

nfjohari I prefer the first one as I prefer the more understated, neutral and sophisticated look. I LOVE your sofa and colour scheme of the room!

Chandani hdrubert- yes, I know the rug you are referring to. The pattern on it is a bit similar to the pattern on the fireplace tile, but in a larger scale.

Sudha I like the second one more. But then i am just a passer by :-) not an interior designer. Love your room, on the whole, you can add some pop up pieces as well - cushion, table lamp, flowers.

valhw Chandani, about the art...I think as long as it pulls something related to one of your colors, (couch, rug) or repeats another pattern in the room, it will be a great look. Hope you post a finished photo once you decide!

Riverside Design Yes that's right it has that shading in the rug at HS and the other one has same colours but large graphic print. They are also having an art event now and the art is spectacular! I picked up 2 beautiful horse canvases and a big abstract framed behind glass for clients just yesterday.

betsyweisberg The first rug for sure!
The second one will look dated very quickly and you will be bummed.
Now your art work becomes center stage, add a few interesting pillows and a throw to bring it all home. Oh and remember you will have a coffee table in the center that will add depth and interest. What is the coffee table plan??
Happy decorating!

Amy The Hun Hello ! I love the second rug. It adds some caracter to the room. I think the art work will be fine with the rug. I would add a coffee table that is see through so the room will look open, and will be able to see the cool rug. I would also move away the sofa from the wall a little to the right ( on the picture). Nice fireplace. Hope this helps.

Chandani hdrubert- thanks... unfortunately, I think HS is one of those places that it depends on which location you go to. Where are you? If it isn't too far, I would venture out.

betsy- I hadn't considered the idea of the rug becoming outdated quickly... though I did with the larger elements. The plan for a coffee table to get something with an open wood base and a glass top. I'd considered a white metal and glass, but I think that would be too cold.

Amy - Agree about the glass coffee table. Yes, the sofa was moved out a bit from the wall, but juggling the space to get shots of the 2 rugs, it moved closer to the wall. Any suggestions of coffee tables? I haven't really started shopping, except online to get an idea of what's out there.

Riverside Design Hi Chandani, I am in Calgary so that does not help much does it?! I know they often get similar stock and I just bought the rug that would look great in your room, but have another look, rugs are tricky, but when you get the Right one, it will sing and you will know it...The coffee table that I like with this look is by hooker furniture, it's a box frame with a reclaimed wood top. It's called the Benneton. This style is available at different stores and manufacturers. The rug you need has to be hipper and cooler, more open with its print and not as muted.

Chandani hdrubert- any chance you can post a pic of the rug you bought? I have a Hooker piece... really well built.

Riverside Design I will be installing it at a house today so I will post a pic later :)

Riverside Design not great pictures of the rug maybe better ones tomorrow...but you may get the idea?

carolina007 I really love the second one!!!

dhplano Love the second one. Buy pillows with those same colors in the rug for the couch to bring it all together.

funkyguy The second rug is really awesome. But while choosing a rug, follow some guidelines which might be helpful in selecting the right thing.
the below guidelines may help you to select the right area rug.
http://www.rugsandblinds.com/guidelines-to-get-a-perfect-area-rug.aspx

Signature i prefer the first one... its neutral and will work with most colors "from the cushions and the art work" and with a coffee table it wont be as plain as it is now...

i don't hate the second rug though, but i'm not sure how it will look with the art work you choose

ooh and i suggest you take one the last picture frame on the wall... try a group of three :)

Joan Bartos Whichever one wasn't made by children. If they both pass that test, I prefer the first one as it's calming and provides nice continuity with the sofa.

patriciamichaud The second one !

Chandani Thank.. I ended up taking them both back! :(. I decided to keep looking until I find one that hubby and I are both happy with
Gemini- are you suggesting I remove one of the photographs? I considered 3, too... the 3-5-7... odd # "rule"...but felt like breaking the rule! We will also have an end table, when I find the perfect one at the end of the couch. Once it is there, I think the 4th picture will make more sense.

paulineledao I think the fireplace is almost a big enough statement with the stone/marble effect surround. What do you think about putting the art work on the two side walls instead?

paulineledao P.s. I like the second rug and feel it could even be slightly smaller

Susan Mills Design Hi Chandani, your room is lovely so far, you have made great choices up to now. The fact that you took both rugs back shows you didn't love them. When you consider the size of the rug as a space, and an investment, you should love it. Keep doing what your doing, bringing them home and trying them, you will find the one that is perfect for your home. The second rug was better for your room than the first but that is based on how the room is now, once you add the art the room will change.

I would advise not to cover the fireplace with art though, it really is perfect the way it is, but rather have two pieces of art one on each side. Cover bare walls not your gorgeous stone :) I would choose your art first then the rug, if you choose art with lots of colour then the rug could be a solid that is striated for depth and interest. Depending on your budget there are many many choices of rugs whereas the art is much more personal. I'm sure you will get it right as so far you sure have.

Susan Mills

houssaon I agree about not covering the fireplace. It is almost a work of art by itself. Another thing, how about moving the sectional a couple of inches from the wall. I know you don't have much room to play with, but I think it looks shoved up against the wall, especially since the other side is away from the drapes.

Love the sectional and the room.

emma gardner design Hello Chandani, love your use of analogous tones in the space!

We couldn't help but think of Emma’s design Swirl, in fog as the colors are very similar and it would just look lovely.

Seeing your first option really reminded us of Emma’s Fire Island, in pale shell.
Its very similar and in a larger scale and has some beautiful creams to add warmth.

We also recommend Stream, in quiet, one of Emma's new designs. It also adds movement the way your second rug does but is more bold and still balances out with your color palette.

Another option is Bones, in earth. Its contemporary and the colors are calm and soothing.

Best of luck in your decision process!

Chandani I wasn't thinking of covering the fireplace wall at all.... but to have 2 large pieces of art flanking it on the darker walls beside it. The accent fireplace wall is painted Ben. Moore's Cabot Trail, the other 3 walls in Bleaker Beige. The tripod lamp will move once I find art.
Thanks so much for the suggestions for the rugs. The beige grid pattern one (fire Island?) in the first row is very similar to the first rug in my pics, but in a grey-beige combination. I love the first one in the second row (Stream).... colour, scale etc. I did find a rug that I happy with. I've been meaning to post pics. It has a bit more contrast than I was hoping for, but I like everything else....including the price point!