Don't worry! You didn't make a mistake. From the bird's eye view it looks busy but with a rug and furniture, it will be toned down. I'm sure from eye level it doesn't appear as busy. So, I would go for a light colored oriental. It's just a slight pattern but nothing that will be too busy or clash. Something like this..

Or if you want something more dark...

Your rug does not have to be plain but it should be understated

I do like grover's rendering with the art above the mantel. Your space will look much better without the clock above the mantel.

Yes, plan to lose the clock for sure. Thanks so much.

What style of rug are you looking for?

In the past, we have used FLOR because we have 2 small dogs and you can lift one square and clean it if need be. I believe I want something with a pale pattern. Almost vintage. Or a solid.

$500.00

You might consider a sisal rug with a leather binding that complements your furniture

It's durable and family friendly!

Some large jute and hemp rugs from Overstock, all well under $500:

Of course rug knots is going to recommend an oriental style carpet - because they are selling them. Take the advice of others, just a very plain rug is what is required to tone down the flooring.

Selling or not, I think the two understated rugs rugknots suggested would look beautiful.

I usually love what grover portrays. Those look great to me. Remove the valances & live with everything as is for a while. Very lovely.

Here is my issue...we spent so much on the darned floor that I don't want to cover the whole thing up. Grover, can you show it with smaller rugs? Love your rendering, though. I went an bought a grey rug today but we don't have it down yet. We will take away the clock and window treatments. Maybe some plantation shutters. And we're putting in a new fireplace insert.

Here is a pic.

Beautiful room. Love the floors. I agree with others that a jute rug or cream faded Persian rug would be great (like Rugknots' pic or anne dee's leather-bound rug.) Love to see originality in decor and you're making great choices!

You are awesome...thanks for giving me some options. My husband loves this flooring but I'm thinking it is sooo busy. The rug helps.

Going out on a limb here (cuz I'm going to get flack big time!) but would there be any possibility of painting the brick? So the ONLY busy element was the floor??

Bite the bullet and remove that floor now. It would overpower a much larger space than this. In your room, even covering it up almost entirely would leave it peeking out around the edges, still attempting world domination.

No chance. We live in Ga. This is stone from N. Ga. I would be thrown in the fireplace but thank you for your suggestion.

I think groveraxle's renderings with solid color rugs are right on. I might add that the other thing that looks incongruous to me is the white mantel. I might consider painting it a color that will fade in with the lovely stone, or replacing with reclaimed wood. Or mabye no mantel at all to showcase the stone. I'd also add that while the bird's eye view is great for giving us an idea of what is going on in the space, usually you will be looking at this room from the perspective of being in it, and my guess is that gives you a different sense of the floor and the space - with less emphasis on the floor because when you are walking or sitting in a room, your eyes are drawn to other things as well. And please don't paint the fireplace, it is so lovely as is!

Ya, I figured that suggestion wouldn't be too popular!!

Just trying to think outside the box :).

I agree with Susana--the floor looks busy because we're seeing a bird's eye view. I think it's lovely and original! I agree with the suggestion of painting the mantle or replacing it with reclaimed wood. I think a warmer light grey on the walls would look lovely... Perhaps Edgecomb Gray?

Also, my vote goes for the shag rug. I think living rooms should be cozy, and I think the plush rug will be perfect over cold tile.

Everyone, thanks so much.The floor stays, unfortunately. It was quite expensive and my hubs would look at me like I'm crazy if I told him I wanted to replace it. If we paint the mantel, would the other trim needed to be painted? Would it help to take away all window treatments. We have forest behind our house.....coffeecrisp, is Edgecomb gray by SW? Thanks so all.

I think white shutters will look nice, and I don't think you would need to match the mantel to the trim. I would try to match it to one of the darker colours in the stone. Edgecomb Gray is Benjamin Moore.

Hi Ann Wittenberg, this is a nice room, but I find the floor too busy, very much so actually. Would it perhaps be possible to change only the lightest tiles, exchange them or stain them? Adding a big rug as suggested will help if you have to keep the floor as it is. Painting or removing the mantel is a great idea, and I don't think you'd need to paint the other trim, it's just about no longer breaking up that stone. Taking away the window treatments would also help making things less busy.

I like the Edgecomb Gray that coffeecrisp just posted. The colour would be closer to the window trim, again helping to make things less busy

You rock. Definitely will think about this. I want to throw up. lol......$3K on this floor and what a mistake.

We've all been there! I recently let my husband talk me into a red roof. $9000 later, I don't like it.

That said, I quite like your new floor! It makes a statement, which is great for such a large open room. Don't overthink it.

Can you take a picture that's not from above? I'm curious if that will change opinions (and make you feel better). I love the crispness of plantation shutters, but if you don't need window coverings you could definitely go without and enjoy the view.

coffeecrisp....thanks for the encouragement. red roof, huh? That might make me crazy. lol

Babophz I also wondered about replacing just the lightest tiles! And possibly only around the perimeter since a rug will there anyway!

Ann. Try not to throw up. Mistakes, even expensive ones, happen. This is when you need to remember that there are more important things in life, and this, in the great scheme of things, is unimportant

Someone should start an "Expensive mistakes" dilemma. Where we can all go when we need to feel better.

You may be happier with a bigger rug to help with noise and echoes with your vaulted ceiling.

It is beautiful. We (me) put brick floors in our kitchen/ breakfast room very personal choice and I LOVE it - most people are like wow.

Do you really need a rug in there?
If you just change the window treatments to some light fabric with a light gray tone all down to the floor or even just white.
You can also change your furniture a bit to lighten up the room. There is so much happening in your room right now with all the dark colored furniture you have used. I actually love the floor and would love to see how the room will look if you play around with different furniture. If someone can help you explore other furniture options with a 3D design. So you can visualize what I am trying to point out.
Good luck I am having my own design dilemmas.

Seems like a lot going on. Perhaps paint the mantle and Windows a warmer color so they aren't so stark., making them blend/ fade worth the brick.

I love everyone's input. As I said, the floor is not complete yet so I really have to wait to see the true colors. I believe they are darker than the photos. I'd love someone who has a 3D design to add some different furniture, too. We spend lots of time in this room....we are movie watchers so we love comfortable furniture.

I think something like that would suit the space.

I'm sorry I don't have a 3D program but I tried putting the two pics together and you can see how they work together.

Wow!! I like it....do you think it will fit into our sort of rustic tone that we're trying to achieve? It really does look good.

I think it will work out if you use a rustic table and a rustic console. Good luck

Don't add shutters, the horizontal lines created by the slats will add to the busy look. Straight fabric panels to the floor will help soften all the lines in here.
I think this room has amazing potential!

Hi---

I like the floor, it's interesting. I think part of the reason why it looks busy is because the floor runs the opposite direction of the fireplace stone and blinds.

I do agree with the comment regarding the plantation shutters, they'll only make it look more busy. Straight panels are a MUCH better choice.

Usually I prefer some sort of contrast between a rug and furniture---but in this case, there is plenty so I suggest using a dark rug, close in value to your sofas. A round coffee table will help soften all the straight lines and angles...

Wall color---check these 6 Sherwin Williams' paint colors...

Add color and pattern with pillows and organic art.

Hope this is helpful. Good Luck! :))

Natalie, thank you so much for taking the time to help me out. This has been amazing to get so much input. Now, to just get it all done. I'll post photos as we finish it.

You're welcome Ann.

Keep us posted and Good Luck!

If it is a tv room, maybe you could go dramatic. Paint walls and trim all the same, a nice deep gray brown. It is becoming a popular trend. I think it will calm space down and you have plenty of natural light if needed during the day.