I think grey and beige can be successfully combined with the right accessories.

Rutabaga…maybe you need to do some idea boards? It sounds like you are in between styles or changing styles because of the new house? Maybe need to regroup and figure out your preferences? Maybe that explains why the living room has two different vibes?

I'd describe it as simply this:

You move from a home with more defined spaces, to one with fewer "rooms". One big room, not a living room and a family room.

You love display of your treasures, and the walls that let you enjoy those.....but you no longer have those walls, or the containment they brought.

Now add whatever resource restrictions.

Double that with the determination to work with every selection made by someone else, not you, paint, brick all!

Double the trouble that the marketplace is flooded with " everyone else's furniture and rugs" because the market is simply responding to what the consumer wants and you're in a minority, vs. a majority AND you have a dollar limit to most things.

Which is why......you don't compound the trouble with accessories, poufs, trays.....until you get something on the floor that works. Don't throw more money at something that did NOT send you to happy land from the day it arrived. You goofed? Own it .: ) Sell it. Return it.

jan, rutabaga has stated her couch/loveseat is light gray. Is the sisal going to work with that?

rutabaga, the more I look at it, I think the gray accent wall is also contributing to the two different looks of the room. That one side is leaning gray. Do you have extra paint to do that wall or know the color?

Look...... think of a natural fiber rug as NO different than a natural fiber shade. They tend to accept all colors, retain neutrality, add texture and ground the space, with calm

Yes, they work with gray.......and they are rather times less since this was 2012.....

The Baker sofa is gray....

Lots of gray here....

No gray here ( rust, moss, oatmeal, ) ............( same Stark sisal, different color

Traditions refined · More Info

Traditions refined · More Info

Or just bite the bullet?

@JAN MOYER Actually, the more I think about it, the more I enjoy the notion of a natural fiber rug. I love the examples you gave of the living room with the natural fiber rug...but I'm also thinking about placing the same natural fiber rug in the dining room to connect the two spaces together, and then putting the floor cloth in the entryway! Because the floor cloth includes the color red, it would look fantastic next to the red front door!

I contacted the store and they will allow me to return the rug, but I would have to pay a cancellation fee. They won't refund the money, but said I can exchange it for one in-store. The largest rugs they have in store are 8x10. I measured my husbands office and it is exactly 9x13!!!!!!! So I'll transfer the rug into the office. I'm going to choose TWO natural fiber carpets and go from there. This gives me great encouragement.

Hands clapping! Excellent idea, because a floor cloth is hard to find large enough for the dining room: )

My thought was that the floor cloth will likely be better displayed in the entry instead of hidden under a dining table! It’s great that your entry is large enough to use the floor cloth in it. I’d waste no time moving it!

@JAN MOYER @KW PNW Z8 @liasch ..and so begins the hunt. According to what I've read, jute is softer than sisal, which is really important to my husband and me. But, imagine this.... I am about to move a new rug (arrived last Friday), and he remarked, "I love that we can walk on something soft in the living room that isn't the wood floor." Now I have to go to him and tell him we're relocating it to your office and purchasing two new rugs that will be less soft and plush. I dread it. Please let me know what I should get. Clearly, I messed up my last buy. I have an older dog, so I'm not worried about puppy pee, cat claws. or wine spills. Kiddos are grown and gone. Just my husband and I and visitors every now and then. The rugs that are bound look finished to me. But I can't afford to sell my car in order to get HIGH quality rugs! In doing my research, there are so many mixed opinions. "Don't get hand tufted" "get seagrass instead of sisal" "get tight weave so you can move your chairs across it" "wool will cost you an arm and a leg" "you have to lift your chair to back up." etc.

Here's is something that is important to keep in mind....I am open to something that "looks" like natural fiber, and I want it to look good and feel good. I am someone that has no problem with a cubic zyrconian wedding ring that is lovely to look at but no one would know it's not a real diamond, unless they got close enough.

And I have grass allergies, so the thought has crossed my mind if this is even a "healthy" option.

So please give me your input, because now I'm going in a direction that I wasn't prepared for.

Yaaa! That’s definitely a stroke of good luck on the rug size and discovering that you can re-purpose it! I was wondering if you had some other place that you could use it (as someone else suggested on here, earlier) but I thought it would be unlikely. You have lucked out!

Putting the same texture in the two rooms adjoining sounds like a great idea. I see lots of natural fibre used in the English homes decorating magazine. It’s a very popular floor covering, though not one that I am at all familiar with. Jan for the win!

The unique floor covering being used in the entryway also sounds like a winning idea. 🎉🎉

Whatever you do, order a small 2x3 rug first to try it out in your room for looks and feel.

I've had jute rugs and currently have a seagrass layered underneath a wool rug. I wouldn't call either soft and comfy to lay on, but they don't hurt your feet to walk. There are also faux jute rugs made of other materials you can look for.

Or look for a tan wool rug that can mimmick the look.

rutabaga - I totally get your confusion / concern about the differences between sisal & jute. I agree you want a natural fiber that is also soft & nice enough to be in an interior more formal space than say a sunroom. I’ve had neither so am waiting for those with experience to speak up. As for your DH. Just don’t voice that the new rug for your LR may be less soft & plush. That is, don’t point out possible negatives bc odds are he won’t notice unless it’s pointed out. I have a dear friend who consistently points out the parts of her home projects that didn’t quite turn out to her high expectations. Her DH just rolls his eyes & tells her no one else would notice if she quit pointing those details out. He’s right! First thing I would do in going this new direction is to move that floor cloth into your entry & make sure it looks as great as it sounds like it will. That’s a good start. Then, move the new LR rug into DH’s office & both of you can admire that result. Cruise the Ballard home site for visuals on new rug. Focus on sites that let you upload a photo so you can get a better idea of result & also sites that let you order small samples so you can really see & feel the rug texture. This process makes for a longer search time but a happier result! I would also tape out the sizes for both DR & LR to really figure out what size works best. DR is easier bc rug needs to be large enough that chairs pulled out from table are still completely on the rug. LR takes more study for size.

The current rug is 9x13. I taped off the extra foot for visual reference and wanted to show where it is currently placed under the furniture. A 9x12 will be big enough for the space because I will have a little play with it's placement under the furniture. And if all I do is move the new natural fiber rug torward the fireplace it will still be centered on the windows.

Holy cow! I see a deal like this and my first thought is that surely there is something wrong! I can afford two of that (actually the one for the dining room is a bit smaller)! Am I really missing something because I don't want to be attracted to something just because of the price. But is it the type of fiber material I should even be looking at?

Looks like it's a Wayfair sale day. I'm going through the reviews and many of them are making comments that are on 9x12 rug and very positive. Am I off my rocker or would this look good in my living room?

Agree that 9 x 12 will be a good fit. The extra width that’s under both sofa & love seat gives room to adjust & pull towards FP if wanted. Looks like your pup approves! They’re always so interested when things are being moved - like what’s up? Looking at your so interesting trunk & the now wall hung TV - the arrangement really looks great. Hanging TV made quite a positive difference. The comment ” Or look for a tan wool rug that can mimmick the look.” by @justcallmepool merits some consideration - if you really want the softness of wool, you could get one with a jute / sisal like texture & color & still create the so nice look that @JAN MOYER showed you. You do have options to consider!

rutabaga - look at rugs on this site for comparison & read the reviews here too:

https://www.rugs-direct.com/Store/nav/Category-Area-Rugs-Style-Natural-Fiber

This site allows upload of your photo too. Remember that you should really have a rug pad under any area rug to keep it in place & feel better to the step. Especially natural fiber rugs. I’d really take my time looking at both the natural rugs & wool rugs that would give the same look.

@KW PNW Z8 @JAN MOYER What do you think about the Wayfair one? I will definitely look at the rugs on rugs-direct. Part of what makes this a confusing decision is that I don't know what I should be looking for. Jute? Wool? Natural? Sisal? etc. All are options on rugs-direct, just like so many other websites provide in their filters feature.

I want to know.........how much barefoot TRAIPSING around do you do in the middle of a darn great room!?

You go in there to sit your fanny down, and to watch the darn tv or to read! Are you even barefoot?

You don't even walk a path ON the rug to get to the patio, or have I lost my mind?

So. You're right. I don't understand how many roadblocks you want to add to YOUR road!

There is a rubbery backing on all natural fiber rugs. It is how they are held together. You must add a thin felt pad below that rug, so that the latex beneath shall not interfere with your floor finish.

Not every single thing is always best decided with a click of a mouse.

Unless you are truly in the middle of nowhere? Take yourself to a good , high quality, dedicated broadloom store. Look at Fiberworks. Look at Prestige, Stark. You CAN have this rug to the inch you want. You can fit a 10 x 14. You have a foot behind that love seat....that not one soul can even see.

This isn't meant to be a selection that is a shag, a thick wool! It grounds the space. It has texture . Nothing you love will be cheap as you want. You can look at all the wools that can be made into rugs,!

Look At all the 15' wide Antrim. Where with a cut it can be 13' 9" x 11' if you want! Does it cost more to do that? Yes.

But it isn't something you can do at Home Depot or Loews. Or a furniture place who has only 8 x 10 or smaller.

Your best bet? Local. Go shopping. Bring home the samples.

Nobody wants to hear it : ) but that is what you do. Or you settle, or take your chances, or at least!? Order from Ballard Designs and try the one I showed way up above. with a sample......FIRST!!!

Every one of the rugs in this mans home? Yes, from 100% wool broadloom,, and yes the sisal from SISAL broadloom. Bound locally ..my source who carries out my plan.......to the inch..

Traditions refined · More Info

Traditions refined · More Info

Traditions refined · More Info

These? Below? No.....these are all the fabulous very old treasure I found HIDING and rolled in an eight foot linen closet.... believe it. Many more used in second floor BATHS!

Traditions refined · More Info

The point here? Pretend you are marrying floor cloths with sisal,or re do the darn fireplace to a NON compete! with everything you attempt to do.

@JAN MOYER All points well taken. I just hate going into furniture type stores where they are trying to sell you something. That is what happened with the one I am not pleased with. The "designer" even came to my house and then brought me back to the store and said this one would look best. Do you understand my reservation? It's been an upsetting and frustrating experience and I am trying to make right by it. But I don't want to screw up again.

The "designer" who makes her living via that one store is RARELY a designer.

She is there to make a commission, she is there to DO her job description which is to sell product, the more the better, and keep the store in business and growing in revenue and profit.

Now I will get cranky:

Time to grow up. Either settle for less than your "dream" or understand that most dreams cost money.

The Best Western at a highway juncture is never expected to be, will never Be A Ritz Carlton overlooking the Pacific. But you do want a vacation!

You...are chaining yourself with the left behind by others, the I "must use", the I really do need a price, it must be lift top, I won't or can't change something! Yes, you are trying and it is hard: )

A realistic price for a custom 10 x 14 in a great wool or a sisal ? To the inch custom? 3k -4k depending many factors.

Less if not custom.'

Go to a very good dedicated broadloom store.

Borrow samples....... put near the brick.

OR? Below. Begin somewhere.!!

For 98.00 you can get a sample.....

Rugs are sq feet driven to a price. Pay attention below. annie/selke ( Dash and Albert) look at how the prices change

and CUSTOM TO THE INCH

A 2 X 3 SAMPLE , ready made? 98 bucks.

Use it at the kitchen sink.......: )

https://www.annieselke.com/products/diamond-natural-woven-sisal-rug?variant=48421924110392

@JAN MOYER I have spoken to the associates at Fiberworks and Prestige. You have shared beautiful pictures, but it is very clear that your clientele has more money to spend than I do. I am not up to driving 3 hours to a showroom when both places quote me $1300-$1500. I'm not poor, nor am I stupid. Regarding your points about not even stepping on it behind the couch or even traipsing around on it because I would be sitting on my fanny watching TV, spending that much money on something that will not see the wear and tear that it might in someone else's home would be a foolish investment. I appreciate the time, feedback, and opinions you've provided. I'll look for a few stores that sell various natural fiber carpets and then proceed from there.

Then you do the Wayfair thing,: )

It's a reasonable choice......as is all in life and design

Wayfair provides reviews on their products as I recall. I would take the time to read the reviews on that. That’s a good point about the underlay and protecting your floors however. Don’t lose sight of that one. I’ve made that mistake.

As Pool points out, natural fibre rugs aren’t quite as cosy as a wool or woven carpet. However that may not bother you. what needs to happen now…?… doing your homework and getting some experience with natural fibres to determine if it’s what you want. if it isn’t then think about something with a similar rustic look, and colourway in a woven broadloom.

I don't think I'd rush into the wayfair rugs. I'd really think about what you want-there are thousands of rugs out there. As KW has mentioned a few times, find a few rug sites that have the room visualizer to get a feel for what you like in the room(s).

Yes there are a zillion rugs.

Depends how long you want it to last. One year? Three? a decade or more?

All Wayfair below and I would go to 10 x 14,...behind the loveseat doesn't matter if close to a wall.

I appreciate budgets. But don't use the word "stupid" when talking about 108sq ( 9 x 12 ) feet of rug,and 1500.00 dollars. It's under 14.00 bucks a square foot. Not unrealistic.

A FLOOR CLOTH at 70" x 107",. call it 48 sq feet .......614.00 and a round down to 12.00 per sq foot.

You may not like it? But..............don't use "stupid": )

Lurking again :), rutabaga4 your thoughts on the chair legs digging into the rug in your dining room is a smart move, didn’t even think of that! Low pile in dining room better, my 2 cents and since that is a really good point you made, I would start with that rug as far as your research on rug choices in thickness or durability etc. then go from there into the living room? If you do want them to match (?) I think you preferred that then if a cut and bound rug comes in at a decent price , you may find a bit of bargain in cost by getting one huge piece cut into two? Perhaps a flooring carpet vender could send samples? You would think they could? There are wall to wall carpeting looks that could be cut and bound that have the sisal colorings but a more practical underfoot and under chair options?

rutabaga, maybe just take a day or two and think about all this. You said the office is 9x13 and the current rug is also 9x13. That means you are going to have an area rug that totally fills the room like wall-to-wall carpet would. Are you going to like that? While I know it's not easy, maybe try it to make sure before buying a replacement?

" Unrealistic" is a result of time, sometimes decades in one home, unchanged over all the years but for minor adjustments.....maybe a recover of a chair....and WHOMP!! A totally new home.

Unfortunately, the marketplace cares not one whit about any one person's finances. Other than televisions , shoes...? Name fifteen common items for which you pay same or less than twenty or thirty years ago, with better or same quality.

As to natural fibers? Jute, sisal , sea grass.......

You need two different rugs, two different fibers.

Sisal:

From the agave plant, is usually very tightly woven, can be very, very scratchy. Wears like IRON. Is an excellent choice in high traffic areas, or in a dining room beneath chairs. Will stand up to an office and a desk chair for same reason. Comes in many died tones of neutral/ natural etc. Usually not a fun surface on which to kneel.

Jute:

Derived from two different species of jute plants. Strong, and usually softer underfoot when woven into rug, but is usually a looser chunkier feel. Often combined with another fiber such as wool. Prices in rugs made of jute, might reflect the plant source/variety/ weave etc. Sustainable, eco friendly, turns up in products of amazing variety, residential and commercial.

Seagrass:

Stronger than jute. Made from the leaves of sea grass, not the stem, Excellent in moist , humid areas.. Will usually have the greenish cast from its origin- water!

What does this mean?

You want sisal under the dining table. You want two different rugs.

You won't catch a chair leg on sisal. You won't catch a leg on an indoor/outdoor rug either.

Hm. I’d be leaning towards a piece of carpet bound around the edges for both rooms. If that is cost efficient. Something with the texture, but softer undo foot. I hear you on the budget constraints. It’s necessary to juggle priorities.

Rutabaga4 really just checking in on you..hope things are not so hard with you moving forward…I still do think you could keep the rug you have and add a new warm wood coffee table....this should not be such a horrible experience…try to have fun as you make future decisions.

HIWE thanks for that post! It’s important to keep in mind that nothing is forever. Homes are constantly evolving… they never reach the state of perfection, because like everything, they are transient. I think the suggestion of making this rug work is a good one…

I also like the idea of making this rug work….it’s such a nice rug.

Me too! But I would paint the gray wall to match the room.

How many $$$$$ was the 9 x 13 rug that you don't love? Please?

What is the size, size, shape etc of the study and what is in the study? Add pics please? drawing?

jan, until rutabaga answers your above questions, this is what she said earlier. " I measured my husbands office and it is exactly 9x13!!!!!!! ".

^^

I remember that.......

Not to mention a cut down to 8 x 12 at a local carpet /bind might not be bad in "right sizing" the 9 x 13. for the study

I just don't see the point in "forced love" Sorry, I do not

maybe the forced love is a natural fiber rug ;)

Would something like this work for the LR? wool blend but looks jute-ish

LINK

get a good rug pad and they'll all be cushy underfoot. But a jute isn't fun if you're down on the floor haha

Hmm, hadn't thought of sizing it. No idea how much $$ that might be.

Usually, about 2.50 a linear foot. Cut and bind

So 120 bucks about : to right size in the right room?

Rutabaga, Have you tried the art above the fireplace in another location? That piece is great but I wonder if it would be better displayed at a lower level on a wall by itself or above something low. I also think the busy brick of the fireplace kind of competes with the busy details of the painting.

Also, what would your new rug look like rotated 90 degrees? Might solve what is bothering you with the line up of rug to the fireplace.

The room is really looking great. I think a different, simpler art piece above the FP that has some colors in your new rug might really make a difference.

Just a very quick and crude rendering. With a small grouping of your crocks on the coffee table maybe...

I don’t see anything wrong with the wall-to-wall carpet look in an office. Why not? but it still doesn’t solve the problem of the rug in this room here. The rug you posted Pool is nice; I also found some wall-to-wall carpeting in faux sisel that looks very similar. But she did mention that things in that price seem out of her budget.

HIWE suggestion of replacing the coffee table is an inexpensive solution. This lift top one is on Wayfair….noticed they’ve combined it with gray in the furniture and in the rug in these photos! I think that with some warmer tones in the pillows and something along the blank wall ( to the right of the fireplace) that pulls in the tones of the rug, would solve the problem. I think the rug is very workable, cozy, and certainly more comfortable underfoot than natural fibres would be.

I like the painting over the fireplace. I think it works well even if it is detailed… using some of those colours in pillows and in the rest of the room would pull it together.

I like the painting as well over the fireplace and that coffee table would be perfect 😍

Agree, I've always liked the painting over the fireplace and the crocks look great with it.

OK! I stand corrected! Sometimes it is just fun to move art around to get a feel for it in different places. In looking at LR pics, I just felt that the fireplace with the large art were heavy and made the room look a bit unbalanced. I agree that more color from the art needs to be splashed around the room. In reality, the room is great and Rutabaga will figure it out....

It is a beautiful room.