Well, I would mix the styles, just not the Macy's rug with your pieces :)

Yes, you can mix transitional and contemporary if you want to, and in fact your other pieces are also transitional,
meaning that they are somewhere between trad and contemporary. If you really love the Macy's rug, you should bring it home and try it. I prefer the shag as a rug with interesting texture that doesn't complicate the design elements you have so nicely put together so far. It won't have an impact on pillows or artwork. It will just be there, looking pretty.
The intricacy of the Macy's rug makes a stronger statement. If I were there, seeing what you have in person, I would have an easier time helping you decide what to do. I would have seen where they're going and what they actually look like together. So I'm giving you a safe answer. I know that the shag would look great. The Macy's rug might be even better but I'm not there to see it to know for sure...such are the pitfalls of online design.

I vote Carolyn's shag choice. The beatiful Macy rug, although neutral, has a lot of pattern which will distract from the super duvet pattern you mention can be seen from the entire space. Neutral, patternless, yet rich in style and texture..the shag. :)

Thank you so much everyone for the sage advice. I've looked at shags last couple weekends; trying to fine one dense enough. Appalled at the retailers selling shags where you can see through the pile to the rug base.
I have one other question and I thought I'd turn to you smarties for help. The couch is floating in the 14 x 20 living room, facing the flat screen, and creating a division in the room. A wooden lateral file cabinet sits behind the couch, so it looks like a sideboard. I've read that a floating situation like this needs an area rug big enough so that the main furniture sits on it. That's my set-up now. A design oriented friend says nonsense, just get a 5x8 and put it in front of the couch. I'm inclined to get another 8 x 10 rug and define that space. Thoughts?

I love shag rugs if used in a low traffic are,otherwise, cleaning is difficult?

Thanks Carolyn

Hi another designer to chime in! No to the grey rug, maybe you want a little grey somewhere else; don't agree with the shag, too much of a glam vibe; brown pattern eg the zebra could totally work. Brown pattern on the floor looks good with your style. Don't worry about rug size as long as you're happy with the coverage it works.

What about this dotted rug? http://www.landofnod.com/candy-dot-rug/f10125

I would also check overstock.com

Like this, Theresa?

I can't see it ....

Here's one of the rugs I've looked at that I really like

Love it (of course)!

I like it too but I just want to point out that it will be close in value to the couch so you'll get a mellowing of the space compared to energizing effect of more contrast

Could come together and be truly gorgeous!:)

Theresa, not sure what close in value means?

Not sure if this cut and paste works, but the two zebras in brown tones from ballard are awesome. its aalso the sixth photo in my ideabook. love this more than previous rug i posted. is that the contrast you mean? http://houzz.com/photos/815113

Hi cat. Value is how light or dark, regardless of color.

Pooh that last rug is gorgeous

Oops not pooh but ooh the iPhone did it!

It is a much classier rug and comes across as velvet.

catnyc, you've been very patient with us all suggesting this, that and the other. Perhaps you just need to go back to the items you originally liked, which include a black and white zebra rug, and that beautiful Macy's rug. I suggest you bring samples of each of those home and see what makes you happy. That's what we really want for you...something that makes you smile and seems perfect to you.

Agreed! I think I'm leaning towards the zebra but in the brown tones (the Ballard rugs). I've looked at a bunch of shags and not falling in love.

Theresa, just FYI, that last rug is actually two rugs. I'm thinking the one on the bottom is better for my color scheme.

It sounds like you are narrowing things down nicely, catnyc. That's wonderful progress!

If the zebra pattern is a fav of yours... I'd say go with catnyc selection

Did you rule out a b/w zebra rug? I agree that it could also work. Have you looked at zebra painted hides? And yes, definitely, we want you to be happy and not confused!:) My approach with clients is to provide as much info as I can for them to make the best decision for themselves

I had this colour couch awhile back and I put a mahogany colour rug with it and it was very rich looking

Yes that would be rich. That was my caution to "cat" with those subdued browns that she'll get a softer look

Actually when I originally suggested brown I had in mind a more saturated shade of brown with a lively pattern

You all are so awesome! I really appreciate the good advice. I'm learning a lot. Regarding b&w zebra, no haven't ruled out, but I really do love the zebra that I mentioned earlier from Ballard. I've looked at real Nd fake hides as well. I've been drooling over rugs on Joss and Main for weeks and they tend to feature a fair amount of hides as well

Well that was my first look at Joss and Main ( I'm in Canada). Love the lush style. I have a pair of rattan tables that I am in the process of painting nice glossy dark green. Then I'm going to do a light blue feature wall. That's why I'm so happy to help, I love your taste!

I wish I knew hot to attach a photo I found a navy patterned rug for you to look at from the j and m website

Well maybe I'm interested in it for myself!

@theresa. Here's how to attach a photo in very basic terms. When you are looking at the picture online that you want to post, take the arrow up to the long white box at the top of the page and left click on it. It should turn blue. While it is blue, right click and a big white box should appear offering several options. Move the arrow to "copy" and right click on it. Then you return to the houzz dilemma and left click on where you want to put the link to the photo.
Move the arrow to very close to that spot, and this time move the arrow to "paste" and right click on it. Give it a try and see if I explained it correctly.

Here is some of rugs we sell. mail us if you like to know more about them at : thepersiancrafts@gmail.com

Usually I'm working from my iphone....

Cat, just picked up the new AD and there's a couch the color of yours paired with a brown zebra rug - very nice!

Thank you Theresa! I just went to 2 different stores who were out of AD, but there's a bigger newsstand shop on my way home I'm going to check out. Thanks for the great tip. Also Ballard has a 15% off everything starting today. I keep going back and forth betw the Creme or Mocha Celine Rug.

Hi cat I looked at the Celine and the color is pretty muted so you won't get much of an effect from the pattern; the softer look will give your space a calming, transitional feel, whereas bolder will come across as more lush. Also, when bringing in patterns to a design, you want to go for a variety of types of pattern. Hope this helps in your decision process... also saw another zebra on the Ballard site which I love - http://www.ballarddesigns.com/ferrata-zebra-striped-rug/rugs/all-rugs/42349?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=79 (the Ferrata)

Look at Shaw rugs. Go subtle since your walls and the purple chair make a statement.

The rug should not steal the show, the wall art and accessories should make the statement especially in a small studio.

Also, you can mix contemporay and traditional, otherwise, it makes it more artistic.

Theresa, just bought July issue of AD and went thru every single page. Didn't find it. What page is the green couch brown rug combo?

Thanks Joansahmed

Oh no! It seems the store i went to stocked expired magazines! I was looking at the May issue, page 154. I took a photo of the image for you, hope you can see it

oh cool. thanks for that. no worries.

I wanted to close the loop and let you know I went with the Ballard Celine zebra rug in mocha. Swatches came last week and it was clear which one worked. The mocha is very neutral. i think its going to work well. Once the couch and chair and rug are in place, I'll post "after" pictures. Thanks again everyone for all the great advice.

I'm so glad you were able to find something that is going to look wonderful! I eagerly await photos!

That's fantastic, congratulations, look forward to seeing your after images!