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anwarmcqueen

Clueless guy seeks area rug help!

7 years ago

Looking for a living room area rug. The tape measure in the foreground is 8 feet long. Should I get an 8x10 rug, or should I go 9x12?? Thank you!!!


Comments (93)

  • 7 years ago

  • 7 years ago
    Following
  • 7 years ago

    hmmm,you should see this....

    The Glass Farmhouse Loft · More Info


  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Nice but vintage costs!
  • 7 years ago

    Check Home Goods for those benches. Not the quality, but get the same look for a lot less.

  • 7 years ago
    I found this amazing vintage Moroccan hanging lamp (circa 1960). Do you think it’ll work in this room? Got the best pics I could; it’s brass and glass and quite heavy!
  • 7 years ago

    Oh absolutely...It's fun!

    Where would you hang it? Would you swag it?


    I would be tempted to have it hanging over an end table...

  • 7 years ago
    Thanks, @pennydesign. Yes, I’d swag it. Thought about hanging it over the coffee table right in the middle, but maybe it’s not big enough for that. Just gotta figure out placement.
  • 7 years ago

    Cool find. What about swagging it over that round end table between the couches? Its way cooler than the lamp that's there.

  • 7 years ago
    I have a hard time visualizing a pendant that’s not centered in the room. You think it’d work over that end table?
  • 7 years ago

    Now, Anwar...why would you do something so expected? That's not you at all :)


    It's a swag light. They go in corners or over kitchen tables...


    Does it plug in or do you have to wire it?

  • 7 years ago

    Never know till you try! Besides, it looks too small to serve as a ‘center chandelier’

  • 7 years ago

    Maybe put that standing lamp you have behind the round end table and kinda hang the pendant from it to get a sense of how it would look over there? If you do, take a pic for us.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Sorry, but to me that defeats the lovely "Victorian" styling you have going on and starts to look (dare I say it - tacky?). Find a different home for it. Maybe a place where you might meditate comes to mind. Make it the centerpoint. Pillows and small alter type set up might be nice.

  • 7 years ago

    It's a plug-in. I know it doesn't really fit in with the Victorian vibe; I just like it and felt like it was a steal. The challenge is finding the right place for it! My options are pretty limited in this apartment.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Bathroom?
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    It was my impression that you were going for a more eclectic look, in which case it's perfect...

    Since it doesn't need to be rewired, all you would have to do is put a hook in the ceiling above the table (make sure you go into a beam or use a hook that has a toggle bolt.

    The worst that can happen is that you have to patch the hole in the ceiling. Or hang a plant from it... :)

  • 7 years ago
    I love the Victorian look, but the gray couch isn’t Victorian at all, and the coffee table is an Ethan Allen traditional American type. It’s partly not having a lot of cash and partly the fact that I’ve been learning on the fly. So I’m sort of stuck between Victorian and, uh, eclectic. (I’ve always worried that “eclectic” is a euphemism for “bad taste.”) I’m starting to hang art from the picture rail like they did in Victorian times, but I don’t know that I can totally commit to the look on my budget.

    Here’s a couple of pics of the lamp in my kitchen, which has a swag hook. (I know it’s not centered......the hook was here when I moved in.) Gives you an idea of what it looks like hanging up.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Add another hook over your table for it.
  • 7 years ago
    If I hang it in the kitchen I’ll put a hook in the right place (centered over the table) and use the existing hook to swag the chain.
  • 7 years ago
    The rug is super gorgeous!
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I think you're wrong on what "eclectic" is....have a look at Hollybars picture above.

    Of course there are some who just throw a bunch of stuff together and call it eclectic....but it looks more like a junk shop. There is a big difference.


    I don't think you would want to go full on Victorian...it's a bit stuffy and can feel like you're living in a museum.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Thanks, y’all. Still not sure about the Moroccan lantern, but in the meantime I’d love advice about one other aspect of this living room. These photos are of the other side of the room, opposite the bay windows and settee. This rental came with the paper plug-in light you see. I’d love to replace it. What kind of fixture might work here? It’ll need to plug into the wall, so I’m thinking something swaggy with a chain. Also: It needs to be something that puts out a good amount of light. Thank you!!

  • 7 years ago

    Looks like the perfect place for your new Moroccan light to me

  • 7 years ago

    So you have no central junction box?


    If not, I would do away with the paper lantern and just have table/floor lamps.

  • 7 years ago
    No junction box or switch anywhere in this huge room. Here’s how it looks with the lantern there. I don’t mind the look, but the lantern isn’t very bright.
  • 7 years ago
    Update: I bought some curtains. They’re secondhand and cost me close to nothing. Don’t love them, but the color echos the settee well.

    I’m happy except for the grommet rings, which are really bothering me. Should I get valances or cornices? Other ideas?? Thanks!
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    That is not good. In any way. Simple woven shades from JCPenney would be better. Please take those down. Sorry, not being mean, but I can't let you do this in good conscience.

  • 7 years ago

    Soooo........you're saying you don't like them? ;)

    Any thoughts about what colors/materials I should consider instead? Thanks!

  • 7 years ago

    Do y'all agree with Flo that these drapes suck? Tell it to me straight.

  • 7 years ago

    I'm with Flo, sorry Anwar!

    These grommet panels are way too casual for your pretty room, and they should really be mounted outside the window frames.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Idk your budget - and your room is so pretty - but if you know someone who sews really well, could have a perfect trim, blending neutral, sewn over the grommets. Long shot, but will post it...

    yes, I see that they are unlined. Can you return them? :)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Okay, this is the thing from my point of view. This is a rental, and I am a big proponent of improving where ever you live...but, I put absolute MINIMAL money into rentals (many here will tell you not to spend any).

    So, imho, kudos on getting used drapes. However...maybe I would have checked here first? Or maybe told us the area you are so we could help?

    Let me just say that for a "clueless" guy, you get an A+ for effort, really. And we can probably work with them since you can't return them.

    Have you asked the landlord about sharing the cost of very inexpensive white wood-look blinds? You could mention that they will stay when you leave...

    Then you could tweak the curtains you got....and get a very acceptable look....

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Thanks for the candid feedback! I'm totally OK with it because I spent a laughable $20 for all 8 panels. LOL. Not $20 each—$20 total. I knew they kinda sucked, and that the grommets weren't right, but I thought maybe they'd be adequate. For such little money I was willing to give it a shot.

    Clearly they're not adequate! Could you please recommend some inexpensive alternatives? I don't know what would look good or where I should shop. I'm in metro NYC for whatever that's worth. Thank you!

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Here is alternative idea since this is rental. Look for a used screen that could sit behind the settee. It would provide a backdrop for the settee and some privacy and you can take it with you to next home. Window treatments (to do a basic good job) are expensive and you will likely not be able to take them with you. Simple woven roman shades would be basic for these windows. I am a believer in spending where I need to in any home to make me happy. Life is too short to just not do what makes your environment uplifting. You spent $20 on drapery panels you knew were not right. Fresh flowers might have brought more joy. You are trying and I commend you on that. But hoping we can help you be “smart” about deploying your dollars. ;)
  • 7 years ago
    Will one panel fit into a window? You could use it to make a roll up with ribbon or jute rope window shade.
  • 7 years ago

    What about Ikea?

  • 7 years ago

    Since you have them mounted inside, it IS a rental, you got them SO cheap AND the color works with the settee, I would cut the grommets off, hem them to fit INSIDE the window casing and use them until you either move or find an deal that works better. You can get iron on tape for hemming at a sewing store if you cant sew.

  • 7 years ago

    Before I tell ya just how much I hate those panels,can you tell me about the function needed? IOW,are you just covering the windows "because" or do you have privacy or light control issues?

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I just noticed the yard - keep them open as you did for photo.

  • 7 years ago
    Partly just because, but, as it warms up, also for light/heat control. These windows face south.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    For light control but not blackout, Lowes has some nice woven wood shades. Here is little mock up.
  • 7 years ago

    Since privacy isn't an issue,you could consider Arlo blinds on Overstock when on sale https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Arlo-Blinds-Dali-Native-Cordless-Lift-Bamboo-Roman-Shades-with-60-Inch-Height/22158775/product.html?refccid=AEYVUL65EQTKL2CORS5IQJREHE&searchidx=14 (ask landlord to share costs),window film on lower portion only,roller shades (see here https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-designers-make-roller-shades-look-super-chic or just go bare. ps--Ask landlord before mounting any bracketed cornices.

  • 7 years ago

    color colors!

    Brighton Top Down Bottom Up Insulated Roman Shade, Linen, 36"x64" · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/brighton-top-down-bottom-up-insulated-roman-shade-linen-36x64-prvw-vr~91066353

  • 7 years ago
  • 7 years ago

    Nice just how warms [like you have] are complemented with a cool-colored pillow in robin's egg blue.

    Classic Connecticut Farmhouse · More Info


  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Neutral / and seems more like sofa and the rest. Flat smoother surface is nice.https://www.houzz.com/products/cordless-driftwood-dockside-flatstick-bamboo-roman-shade-23x64-prvw-vr~121607983

    Cordless Driftwood Dockside Flatstick Bamboo Roman Shade, 23"x64" · More Info


  • 7 years ago

    Because your settee is pretty, this light faux-silk might 'go' [though some might say it's for bedroom]. Could buy an inexpensive roller shade at Penney's...?... for night, etc...

    Faux Silk Overlapping Curtain, Ivory · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/faux-silk-overlapping-curtain-ivory-prvw-vr~65619968

  • 7 years ago

    Not the previous 'romantic' look -- but seeing informal table, etc... this tab top maybe:

    Taupe Tab Top Velvet Curtain / Drape / Panel - 43W x 108L - Piece · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/taupe-tab-top-velvet-single-curtain-panel-43x108-no-liner-prvw-vr~35262351