I'd go with what you love because you will love it far longer than you will love the CL one for its price. If you need to stop buying for a while after you get the one you love (to allow yourself to replenish the bank account) then do that.

Thanks Aphaea! However, if I don’t get the CL one, it will likely be a while before I can replenish the bank account. And I’m a little impatient. 😝I have thought of just getting the bleached jute for now (the room is a little echoey) and then save up for the Beni I want.
But that’s all just too practical for someone who has the entire summer off with nothing to do but shop on my phone!

Ha!

Seriously, though, I am a firm believer in getting what you really love even if it means going without for quite a while. Patience and the willingness to wait, though it is hard at times, is really the key for creating a home that is totally you. One way I handle mine is to bookmark things I love and keep them in a folder marked "Home." I often go to those bookmarks so looking over those items in there can feel to me like I almost own them. But often I find myself after having them there for a period of time deleting them. Others get bought and almost immediately become beloved objects.

It's your choice, of course, but I really do preach getting only what you love be it art, furniture or even a frozen entree for dinner.

I do the same thing but with online shopping. Put it all in my basket and wait…if I continually go back to look at it, and still want it after a while, I’ll buy it.

You are right, of course. I will keep the rugs in my basket and wait to see which one I still love when the time is right!

I would personally not buy a rug I was not that wild about, just because it was on sale. Makes no sense me.

Also, if you like Beni Ourain, that is fine - to like what you like. But you really can do better on the price of these Moroccan style rugs. And yes, I think the one on Craigslist is too tribal, compared to the other rugs you have saved, and also looks a bit more tribal than your furnishings would seem to indicate, style-wise.

I think the problem with the Craigslist rug is precisely that furniture will be chopping up the strong design of the rug and the effect will be to make everything busy rather than relaxed.

Any of these work for you? 9x12 and quite inexpensive

nuLOOM Boyce Contemporary Leaves Area Rug, Light Gray, 9'x12' · More Info

Likewise

Nuloom Electra Contemporary Geometric Striped Area Rug, Black 9'x12' · More Info

Nuloom Thigpen Striped Contemporary Area Rug, Grey 9'x12' · More Info

Maybe you could layer this one, since you need a bit larger size.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/782089696/moroccan-rug-beni-ourain-rug-handmade?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=moroccan+rugs&ref=sr_gallery-1-15&organic_search_click=1&pro=1&frs=1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/791954154/beni-ourain-rug-authentic-moroccan-rug?ref=lp_rv-1&pro=1&variation0=1463819801

these are all from rugsusa. just type in "Moroccan rugs" and a bunch come back. tons of very large rugs and all pretty affordable

Thank you, Melissa R! So helpful to see the rug in the space! Not loving the diamond patterns…too busy like ital mover said. @freedomplace1 the Etsy rugs are not big enough and I don’t love the diamond pattern. I kind of like the look of the first mock up Melissa R did of the rug that ital mover posted. But I am thinking of a more subtle pattern now…more of a texture thing. I don’t love plain jute rugs though, as they aren’t that great to sit on, and for some reason, I always find myself on the carpet! I think it’s the kindergarten teacher in me. For this reason I want something super soft.
I am loving the suggestions. Thank you everyone! Oh, and I spoke to the owner of the CL rug and she deleted the post and has decided to keep the rug! So please keep the suggestions coming.

I do think that first one in Melissa's mock up is QUITE nice and for the price- maybe you will love it and if not, it won't break the bank. Just my thoughts.

I don’t disagree with you salonva. I saw this rug on wayfair, but they didn’t have my size. But someone is selling it on FB marketplace, thoughts?

I lied…it is in stock, but it’s $1500, so just a little more than I want to spend right now.

@Jinx It’s beautiful. But I am from Vancouver and at CB2 Canada, this rug is $2700 after taxes and delivery 😩

I am also wanting something a little more casual feeling.

Thought this link with a large selection of similar rugs might help, one stop shopping lol. https://www.vivandtimhome.com/moroccan-neutral-area-rugs/

If you decide to add an inexpensive rug for now, suggest Ikea. I also found a great new rug on Marketplace. (People are importing rugs and setting up small businesses in their home.)

Thank you, Maureen. That does make it easier to compare rugs! I kind of like #3 and it’s inexpensive! Inexpensive is good! I am actually rethinking the cream colour…in the mock ups it seems a little too white.
Would a little more beige like this RH pic be better? Something a little closer to the colour of my couches?

I know my couches are lighter than these. The RH couches are likely a sand coloured linen, but I was just thinking less creamy, more…?

Really like cream vs white. I’d probably head towards the lighter side to offset darker walls.

Lovely so far. Maybe these images will help you decide. It would be hard for me to pass up that Craigslist find.

Beverly@I know! It was such an amazing deal and if I didn’t like it I would have sold it for more than $500!

I really like the colours of the last one. And thank you for styling the coffee table! It really needs work!

Birch Neutral Wool-Blend Abstract Rug 8'x10' from crate and barrel is beautiful. I like it in the natural and the terracotta but I think I’d keep it more neutral so I don’t limit the colour scheme. I can’t seem to post the view in my room pic that I took. I really like the design and the colours. It’s expensive though. Might try to look for an inexpensive copy.

Did it! Not so good at it though, couldn’t turn the beige rug😝

OP said the Etsy rugs I posted were “not big enough.” The second one is available in various sizes; and I actually posted it (above) in the 9 x 12 size...

Good prices + free shipping. Custom rugs - so design customization/options are likely available.

So just clarifying + posting info again, in case someone else might be interested:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/791954154/beni-ourain-rug-authentic-moroccan-rug?ref=lp_rv-1&pro=1&variation0=1463819801

Thank you freedomplace1. I did miss the size of this one. I am thinking a little bit of a darker background. The white looks a little stark to me.

Etsy Seller has other colors, styles, custom options.

This rug shown below (from Rugs.com), is out of your price range, but features darker background and larger scale diamond pattern; so this look is more subtle than most of the diamond patterned rugs shown in the visuals posted up thread:

https://rugs.com/cream-8x11-moroccan-oriental-rug-5072698

Another suggestion for a slightly lesser known vendor - check out Rich Class Decor - their rugs are all handmade and are relatively affordable.

Thank you JP L. I will check them out!

I like those that bring in some color (whether the same as what's there or different) over the pure cream patterned ones...

I agree that the rugs that pick up some of the warm tones of the sofa throw and pillows bring everything together more.

I think pale colored rugs with thin meandering lines are a bit too familiar now. For some reason the design reminds me most of coat hangers. (I might be haunted by memories of my mother telling me to pick my clothes up off the floor….)

Thank you acm. Me too. I think what I don’t like about the white or cream rugs is that it brings the grey out in the couches. I really like the crate and barrel rug, just too much. I need a less expensive one like it. But looking for a neutral rug on any of the rug sites and way too many rugs come up.

Haha@ital mover. I will never look at the Beni Ourains the same again!

So I literally spent all day pour over different rugs on different websites. I really like the crate and barrel one, but its not in the cards to spend $2000 on a rug when I have already spent my decorating budget for the year. Besides I have a 15 year old dog who has started kidney failure 😢
So this is what I found instead. I think it will have the same feel and it even has a little of the terracotta colour in it. And it’s an indoor outdoor rug so I think it will weather life’s little accidents pretty good! Thoughts and opinions are welcome! Thanks!

https://www.westelm.ca/sonora-indoor-outdoor-rug-t6036?location=&quantity=1&attribute_1=8'x10'

If it's indoor-outdoor, you may want to venture to a West Elm to view (and feel) it in person. Often, outdoor rugs contain materials that are more stiff and less comfortable/plush.

JP L yes, I know you’re right. I figured I’d get a premium rug pad and hope for the best lol. I can probably get to West Elm this weekend.

If you want to consider a waterproof rug pad (or any kind, actually) for now, I think this company is pretty good: https://www.rugpadusa.com/collections/waterproof

Thank you, Aphaea!