Rip the bandage off quickly: sorry although the rug is lovely it’s wrong for your kitchen. Looking at the green movement of your stone counters next to your rug. Would you wear those 2 patterns together in a outfit? I don’t think so. The rug needs to be in a solid tone (sisal or similar) so as not to fight the busy countertops. As for art in a kitchen zone? A safe bet is a well matched mirror to fit that space. There’s already enough going on. Let the scenery outside be your focal point.

I have to agree with nuthinontv (love your name) that the rug and the green island compete for attention. I would address the rug first before artwork. If you decide to keep the red rug, I would look for something for the wall that isn't an attention grabber. If you have a nice view of the patio, I would think you wouldn't want to compete with it as well. Something like a big clock would be pretty and subtle.

I think the rug works VERY well! And I would NEVER put a sisal rug in a kitchen - does not play well with water and stains.

I cannot imagine a mirror in a kitchen - never seen one in all my 74 years. Art? Absolutely!

I knew the print I had in my old kitchen wasn't quite right in my new one. It wasn't awful, it just wasn't quite right. Then, that summer while on vacation, I saw a pair of shore bird prints at an antique/gift shop. The salesperson couldn't tell me whether they were originals or reproductions and the price was quite high if they were the latter. I thought about them for a week, and then they were gone. Dang it!

I thought about those prints all winter and scoured the internet looking for something similar. No luck.

Then last summer, I went back to the same store, but their shop on the other side of the street. There were several shore bird prints, perfectly framed, and WAY less expensive. Yes, they are reproductions of watercolors but done very convincingly. I bought a pair and couldn't wait to get home and hand them in my kitchen. THey are perfect! Just take your time - you'll stumble across exactly what you want for that space.

She didn't ask for opinions on whether or not she should keep the rug; in fact, she seems to be sharing it because she's proud of the way it looks in the room and rightly so. It's a gorgeous choice. Framed art prints, paintings, or photos on that wall - 1 if large enough or 2 - will complete the space beautifully. Art is intensely personal. What would you like to look at when you're in this room?

Kandace,

I feel your pain. I have a horrific time picking out art. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Your rug looks fantastic in your kitchen. Angolo, so do your bird prints!!!

I too like the rug. As far as sisal is concerned yes, I like them but NOT in a kitchen. I’m on my third almond colored sisal in my family room now ( no kids ) , I can’t imagine having one in the kitchen. Lots of interesting art online , just no “word art”.

Your room needs something round, I would do an arrangement with woven baskets.

I am not a fan of rugs in kitchens (I spill things a lot), but your works perfectly well. Your kitchen is lovely. That rug is a neutral and the colors work perfectly with the kitchen. You could not have designed a better rug from scratch for that spot!

The baskets luckyblueeye posted are wonderful. In general I am not a fan of "needing to find a piece of art." The art will come. Maybe a cool poster or a wonderful photograph will cross your path and you will be fortunate enough to have space for it. The art need not match or even go with the decor, though it should be sized appropriately for the space.

Take your time, unless you go with the great baskets, then order away.

For real art, browse Saatchi, for cool graphic pieces, try Minted.

Love the rug. For art, go to gallery walks, art festivals, etc. You'll find something that makes you happy.

I think the runner is a great accent to the kitchen. Would like to know the style that you have in home. The wall you are asking about could handle large flat red or colored baskets or metal art. A print or painting depicting the style, whether contemporary, southwest or eclectic.

I love the rug. I also love the basket idea...

...but I could see a vintage advertisement there as well.

Kandace,

Grover has fantastic taste! I also like the baskets for your kitchen. Your kitchen is really different then what we’ve been seeing. Has s real organic feel going for it! The baskets are perfect! Do you like them?

The suggestion of the woven basket is nice and you can even have it framed. You can also get a plate and hang it up or even have it framed which you can do at your local michael's store. I noticed you have a bowl/basket in the corner that looks woven so you can stay with that design. Or you can get similar artifacts that match the origin of the rug and have those framed.

Thank you, everyone! I really appreciate all the design suggestions - even those who didn't care for the rug hehe. The rest of my home is very traditional (think Pottery Barn), with LOTS of plants. The kitchen is separated from the house (not open concept), so I took a leap of faith with the rug. I really like the basket idea; One of my friends also suggested that I look for very simple charcoal prints. I'm certainly open to all ideas.

As the saying goes Art is subjective. Is there a lot of space to walk by that wall? Would a couple shelves work to display cook books and bowls plant etc on? Or it could be anything from abstract painting to something quirky like a giant fork and knife. Only you know your style. Oh and for the record the rug looks great!

bread paddles

Dough bowl

giant fork and knife

artwork

I really like the rug and countertop together. The colors are very complementary. Is there a special place you & your family have been or that’s part of your heritage that you could incorporate in a framed antique map? I think the room has a kind of ethnic/exotic feel that you could play up. The baskets that were suggested could also do that.

Kandace,

I knew I liked you! I’m a pottery barn style girl too! I was even thinking about starting or joining (is there one that exists already) discussion so that we could share our rooms and help each other achieve that style for less of course I’m new to Houzz!

Kandace if you love plants you could do a succulent wall.

Pink peonies ideas are always good too!

Thanks bowser ;-)

Love the rug! Think it goes beautifully with your kitchen. (Love your countertop too!) No suggestions about art. We're in the same boat, kitchen done but blank walls.

In my humble opinion ;-) kitchen art should always be about food and drink. What about botanicals? Vintage spirits ads? Dutch masters fruit still lifes? Lots to choose from.

That's a beautiful rug. I love it. However, I must say that I'd find another place for it. Kitchens get spills often; I don't know one that doesn't. Or, when crumbs get on the floor, you'll have to whip out the vacuum to remove them from the rug - unlike a bare floor where you can just wipe up the crumbs in 5 seconds. There's also a lot more walking back and forth in a kitchen than in any other room in the house. Either you will have to clean that rug quite frequently, or it will collect those spills, and within a year, or less, between the traffic and the spills, look grungy.

For the art, I think it would look charming with your kitchen to find a vintage (or reproduction of a vintage) food advertisement, like vintage ad for Kellogg's cereal. They're cute, they're fun, and are colorful, and fit with kitchen decor.

How about enlarging a hand written recipe (or two) from a mom or grandmother onto canvas and framing it for your kitchen wall? I have a beautiful picture of Russian Tea Cake recipe (in my grandmother's cursive handwriting) that I smile every time I see.

I have some recipe cards that belonged to my grandma and have thought to do the same as Mer03. Cute gift idea for my siblings and cousins, too!

Try Etsy for art. I don't think there are any rules you need to follow. Find what speaks to you!

I like a vintage poster. I have this one bc it is w here our family is from but there are so many pretty ones. I love your rug! Sorry, please no huge clock or knife and fork.

@tfitz1006 - Soooo agree about no huge clock or knife and fork! I would add to that list no Word Art. As in, the signs that just say "KITCHEN" or "EAT" or "MANGIA".

I like chickens, and have an online friend who is an artist. She did five pencil drawings for me that I'm going to hang on the wall, and I have a lot of blue and white Mother's Day plates that were my gramma's that I will hang as well. I like the basket idea for your kitchen.

I used a reproduction printed on canvas ...

I like still life paintings or drawings of fruit in kitchens. In any medium. Your rug looks great.