OK..I just answered one of my own question regarding the feel. The rugs are suede leather (duh!!), so I can imagine they're pretty soft.

Hi, I was also considering one of these rugs. They had a gorgeous one hanging at Homesense. Then I saw some on the floor at another store and they were literally falling apart. Little bits of leather everywhere. They were clearing them out for nothing, I'm assuming because they were falling apart. Not sure if it was just a problem with the ones at that store or if it applies in general. Sorry.

Beautiful sofa! I've walked across these rugs in stores, but have never owned one. My reason is that they seem very impractical. Suede is a bugger to clean. It's also very expensive to clean! I know that you're supposed to just take them outside and shake them periodically, but the potential for all the crumbs and dust and pet hair and bugs and whatever that can get caught up down between the pieces of suede creeps me out. We had a big flokati rug when we first got married and I still shudder at how much stuff got caught in it.

budge1,

I've read about possible shedding of the leather. But then I figured, my second choice would be a flokati rug and they shed as well!

From reading online, the shedding is minimal...not enough to cause bald spots, but simply a "settling" of the rug.

Of course, I could just be blowing smoke. I really have no experience with these rugs, so all of my information is second-hand!

Interesting but it looks a bit like mulch and I can't imagine keeping it clean.

Robyn,

It does look like mulch!!! And I have WAY too much of it in my front yard (another story), so now I'm sort of turned off to this idea. Darn......

Well, I still want a shag. But I guess it's back to searching for one that is non-leather. :-(

Lynn,

You said that you've walked across these leather shag rugs. How did they feel? Did you notice any shedding?

I won't worry too much about creepy crawlers. I'm sure a periodical airing out and beating will set them straight!!

As you can see, I'm trying not to give up on this idea!! :-)

Call me gross, but I like the idea of the dirt disappearing into a shag rug - out of sight ...

Have you seen the wool shags they have out there now. I saw one at a decor store and then saw the same brand in Home Depot. Came in some lovely colours.

Choclot, the rug felt very soft, although I didn't take off my shoes. I did bend down and ran my hands through it, too. Another thing that I'd ask about, if I were you, is the absorbability of suede. Is it treated to not absorb dirts and oils, etc. I didn't think to ask the salesman about that (since I'd decided rather quickly that I wasn't going to buy one), but I thought about it later. Anyhoo, all that said, I've seen these rugs in rooms featured in decorating mags and they look very striking and contemporary. Don't forget to show us if you do get one, will ya?

I have a small one that I bought to use as a wall hanging. The pieces of leather are soft, but definitely feel like pieces of leather, not a soft rug made of some other shag like a wool. They do tear off pretty easily, as they are thin leather in order for the rug to be soft - or maybe it is just a cheaper version of what you saw.

I think they are cool, but I would not want it in a high-traffic area. I do think it might be a lot of leather in your space, too. Something else on the floor in those dimensions would offer another texture and layer of interest. More leather, imo, would lessen the impact the rug could have.

Can anyone offer suggestions or great rug ideas? I prefer something super comfy for lounging and tossing pillows around. The goal is comfort.

My parents had one of these in their home and I after not too long, we found "pieces" of it in other rooms in the house. Seemed like we were always throwing parts of it back "onto" the rug where they would blend back into the shag.

Yummy new sofa, Chocolat!

The cleaning aspect is what would concern me the most about that rug. And yes, it might be too much leather. But you could always wear a studded dog collar to match. ;)