Here's the other end..I bought those four chairs off craigslist until we can afford to replace them. I just moved them in front of the fireplace because we all seemed to sit there more than the couch. I'm not sure how much I like it.

This post was edited by farmchic on Mon, Jan 21, 13 at 10:38

If that is snow I see outside your windows brrrrrrr and an area rug would warm up the room as well as bring in color.
There are many styles, materials, sizes and price points to choose from. Just do a google for rugs. Home Depot also has a variety.

I've had great luck with Overstock rugs.

We bought a rug from Home Depot six years ago and it stood up to years of living room abuse with two kids. Now it's under the kids' swings in the basement (yes, we have swings attached to rafters in the basement - when its below freezing almost half the year, you need inside stuff to do) and it's still holding up great. It wasn't expensive at all.

I think an area rug would definitely warm up your space. But first figure out your furniture arrangement. In an open room like yours, rugs are also used to define spaces. Arrange the furniture how you use it, not how you think it should be used (magnaverde's rule). Then add area rugs(s).

I agree that an area rug would define the space and ground the furniture.

Try checking around for braided rugs -- might be a lovley way to tie together that pretty sitting area! :)

I love Aubusson rugs, but I think they may a bit too formal for your rustic/country decor. I think a more casual rug would work better in your living room.

I also think a braided rug would look good in that space. Don't buy a rug to match the chairs you plan on replacing. Buy one on the color scheme you're going for.

Braided rugs are so boring though :( I'll look around and see what I can find.

I don't think this style is boring. It's relaxed, colorful and cheerful like your room. You could probably recover or slipcover the chairs yourself to make them more cottage.

Here is a link that might be useful: braided rugs

I'm not a braided rug fan, either. I think you could find something you love that would work perfectly. I'd try to decide on the type of furniture you want to have and select a rug to go with that. Maybe get some ideas from Houzz...try searching for log house living room. Even though yours isn't log, you'll get some nice decor ideas for a more rustic house. You'll see lots of Oriental rugs; maybe not as pastel-y as many Aubussons but perhaps something that would suit you and fit better in a more rustic home.

That rugs not to bad.
I'm really trying to not go rustic, I know with all the wood that seems the way to decorate but I'm trying to use more feminine decor. Did you see my kitchen pictures? Check out my posts in "a much overdue update" I just posted a bunch of pictures of it and it's all one big open room. This will give you more of an idea of the entire room.
Thanks for the help.

I love those (pale green?) vintage chairs! A vintage Aubusson might work if it's a bit muted. Other than that maybe you could think of rearranging your furniture to group things together better. Add some cool bolster or other type pillows to the (pale green?) chairs that would go with what you have on the sofa. The sofa has lots of jewelry and the others do not. Why should the sofa get all the attention like Marsha and leave everything else feeling like Jan? Perhaps you could think about a nice coffee table for your group or some nice light colored very sheer sheers as an add-on to your windows. The right rug would look nice but with a different furniture arrangement with a coffee table and some sheers you would not necessarily need it.

Ok, moved the couch back in front of the fireplace and ordered pale pink sheers. I'm still trying to decided about a rug.
It's funny those blue/green chairs, I always call them blue but my daughter insists that they are green.

I love this rug...

And this one...

Here's the couch now back in front of the fireplace. Sorry it's hard to get a good picture of that area and the mauve chairs look very purple. I don't love the color of them but they are very comfortable.

This post was edited by farmchic on Mon, Jan 21, 13 at 10:39

Not a braided rug fan either and I think your look is more cottage than country and braided reads country to me. You've got alot of floral in there though so I'm not sure about a floral rug. I agree that the Aubusson, although beautiful, is probably too formal for your room. I'm wondering how a sisal would look? Your floors are beautiful - I would not use a huge rug, I would let the floors be the star.

tina

Have you tried the sofa perpendicular to the fireplace and the two chairs/table opposite it?

Here is a different idea, doily rugs. Most look like tripping hazards but I have not explored all the options. Maybe there are some that are not obstacles.

cearbhaill- not yet : )

jterrilynn- That rug is beautiful! Going to find out more info right now. Thank you.

What about a nice fluffy shag rug in a light color to brighten up the room and add physical warmth?

We have this one from Ikea (link below)

Here is a link that might be useful: Vitten

I agree with jterrilyn about a coffee table and a different furniture arrangement. I would put flank the sofa with the chairs. End tables and lamps. You may not even need an area rug.

I don't know if there's a man in the house or not, but I wouldn't make the room more feminine than what it already is.

There are area rugs that lean on the Victorian side which would look nice. Some are under the "traditional" section at Rugsusa.

Love the fireplace!

Here are a few more ideas.
You can get sisals, wools and seagrass with all sorts of neat boarders too if you wanted a bit more going on. A coffee table without much leg or no leg would not compete. You could put some nice white decor things on top of the coffee table to tie in the white side tables. I think doing something like this would look nice with your kitchen on the other end. You would have a nice flow.

I LOVE the rug you posted at 12:03. Gorgeous. I think your couch and chairs are lovely!

farmchic, I've been trying to figure out what your home reminds me of and I finally figured it out: the cottage from the movie The Holiday. A wonderful blend of rustic and feminine. Check out this link below. I think you'll like the living room especially.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cottage from The Holiday

I love it! Thank you so much! I especially love that over sized ottoman. I need that : )
Yes, our house is indeed a blend of rustic and feminine and it works surprisingly well. I wish there was a way I could get a picture that showed the entire kitchen living room area for those that are concerned it will start looking too cluttered or feminine. When you see all the wood ceilings, floors and walls together I really feel I still have room to bring in more soft color without going overboard. I'd just feel better if someone else felt the same LOL.

But farmchic if we have more colorful chairs and colorful coffee tables and colorful rugs how will all our cool colorful lights/lamps, pillows, art and collectables "pop"? Hehehe!

This post was edited by jterrilynn on Thu, Jan 10, 13 at 18:12

Lovely house. How about a Dash and Albert rug?

Here is a link that might be useful: dash and albert

How about considering a hand hooked area rug. It would lend a cottage, earthy feel.