I would look for a runner in a color/design to go with your kitchen, and get a smaller rug of the same color/design to place at the sink to draw the two areas together. I would want something that wears well, but not that expensive so that they can be changed when you want a different look/color.

I don't know anything about the leather mats, but are they actually woven, and, if so, could a shoe heel get caught, or crumbs trapped?

It is just my taste, but I would prefer something in a good woven blend.

Jane

I was just going to give you input but janepa said exactly what I was going to tell you that I feel a runner on one side and a matching smaller mat to go in front of the sink would be very nice in your kitchen. Maybe find a few you like and then ask our opinion on how they look.

P.S., Your kitchen looks great and I would have not noticed the damage on the laminate flooring without you pointing it out.

I like the gel pro mats as they make standing easier but I can also see a lovely burgundy oriental runner with gold in it. It would really bring the room up a notch, not that it needs it. The room is gorgeous and those spice drawers are to die for!!! Here's a rug that I think would look stunning and it's not much money. Picture it lying on the floor. It would work with everything in the room and give some soft color too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Accent-Area-RUG-Beige-Wave-24-x-44-Contemporary_W0QQitemZ180296171240QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRugs?hash=item180296171240&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205:66%3A2:65%3A12:39%3A1:240%3A1318:301%3A1:293%3A5:294%3A50

The kitchen is amazing, those drawers are fabulous, your ds is so talented.

As for that part of the floor, yes I think it will look odd to have a mat at that end of the run of cabinets, it will draw more attention than just leaving the patch naked, it doesn't jump at you in the overall beautiful look of the kitchen.

Just wanted to say WHAT a lovely kitchen!

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your honesty. I wish I had found this board a long time ago. It would have saved me a lot of aggravation and money through the years. It's so nice to get a second opinion.

I never thought of putting a mat in front of the sink to balance a runner on the other side. I will start looking and post some possibilities. I would like to tie in the colors from the adjacent rooms - rust, terracotta, soft gold, and maybe a little green. I'm going to make Mythreedogs valances for the window over the sink and in the breakfast room this summer - maybe a stripe with these colors, so I need a floral rug to compliment that. I like the idea of hooked rugs.

I agree with Lynn 2006. In the big scope of things, I didn't notice the floor with all other great things in the room. It is just a backdrop. But that isn't what you asked.

I would go with the runner idea also. I had 2 oriental runners in a couple of kitchens ago I loved the look.

I will say that I currently have a gelmat (rattleskin design, not the woven) I love, love standing on it. It is the old question of form vs. function.

You're kitchen is beautiful; I would have enjoyed seeing the "before" pictures. I know what hard work remodeling a kitchen can be! Your hubby deserves praise for those neat spice drawers, I hope you're enjoying them.

You have similar granite to mine, and I have oak in my kitchen. I purchased the rug I am linking here for my kitchen and I just love it. It is very plush but a little darker than what it portrays on the computer screen. You can also order a runner.

P.S. I wouldn't have noticed the floor damage either! You have so many other nice things to look at.

Here is a link that might be useful: butterfly rug & runner

I really appreciate everyone who said the floor issue is not that noticeable. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and do tend to obsess on details. It does but me though, and I will eventually cover it when I can. I think I need to select window treatments first and went shopping for fabric today.

Nessie, you are right, those rugs would look good with my granite. I'm surprised you can tell from those photos. There are veins of rust in mine which is why I want to pull that color in with WT, rugs, and accessories. I do wish I had taken pictures. The old kichen had maple cabinets, white formica counters and a flourescent fixture in the middle of the room.

My Granite:
{{!gwi}}

artlover -I need to apologize. I am such a dunce because I didn't tell you how GREAT your kitchen looks. You both did a fantastic job. I had your question on my mind, and it had been a very long day.

I know what it is like to search for just the right accessories. It took me 5 trips back and forth to the department store, two returns, and a makeover of the tab drapes I got. The valances were a no-brainer once I found them. I still do not have my entrance rug or my rug/mat for the sink area.

Good luck in your search.

Jane

PS: And I agree with the other replies that I probably would not notice the patch with all the other lovely things in the room.

Another option (which I think I probably heard about on this board!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Floor Cloths

Jane, no apology necessary! I appreciate everyone's thoughts and ideas.

Mjlb - I had forgotten all about floor cloths. Interesting idea and something I could do myself. I would have to read more about those though. My 80 year old mom lives with me and I have to be careful about what I put on the floor.

If your mother lives there I definitely would not chance a fall just to mask that area that REALLY is not noticable!

Art -

Love your kitchen - very pretty - wish you did have the before pics

I agree w/others - a runner extending the length of that area would work best.

This isn't a great pic & the color is showing kind of red when it is more orange - this is in front of my sink - posting because I see hints of orange/terra cotta in your kit it would bring them out - It's a wool kilim runner - flat weave reversible - resists staining looks the same as it did 3 yrs ago when I first got it

Did a little searching for you
http://www.rugstudio.com/index.asp?pageaction=viewprod&ProdID=21836&dc=nt

http://www.lightinguniverse.com/products/view.aspx?family=290712&af=527

http://www.marlamallett.com/runners-2.htm

http://www.rugstudio.com/index.asp?pageaction=viewprod&ProdID=21836&dc=pg
good luck!

That's a beautiful runner, Jejvtr. That would look great in my kitchen. I love that it's reversable. I could quick flip it over when company's coming.

Kitchen looks great to me, I wouldn't thought it was 20 yrs old. Also I don't see much of a problem in the picture w/ the floor, but I do understand you may see it better than a stranger. Also is that granite Typhoon Bordeaux. It looks like mine and it does have rust in it. I have a tile floor and we put down a gel mat by the sink. It is the smaller one in a beige color. Try it see how it looke w/ the wood tone floor. Brought it in BBB you can always return it if you don't like it. I do think a colorful wool like rug would look nice, but remember it is the kitchen and there will be spills.

I'd go with a basketweave sea grass runner w/ a border from overstock.com. They are workhorses and will do the trick to cover the floor patch.