I would match the hardwood floors and use an area rug!

Sometimes the salespeople in flooring stores can be helpful. Some of them just want to make a sale and don't have any decorating skills, but if you're lucky they could really help you. I can't envision what you're describing, but take in a picture of the room and describe what you're looking for to a salesperson to start. They may know what you're referring to. If that doesn't get you anywhere, ask them to show you stock carpeting first (because it's the most reasonably priced). Even if it doesn't thrill you, take home some samples to see it next to your furniture. You might warm up to it in your own environment. When I bought carpeting a couple years ago there were a lot of options that were kind of tweedy (different colored fibers), so you might be able to find something you like. It might take a couple trips back and forth with sample boards, but given the expense, it's worth it. If you can't find anything they stock and the cost is in your budget, look at their special order products. They should have samples of those as well. However, the wood floors with an area rug is always the way to go if it's in budget.

I’m not sure if this is what you mean. Our hallway carpet is all one color, but the texture seems to be more crushed in some areas which gives it different sheens so some areas appear to reflect more light than other places. There’s no pattern, but the shading seems to change as you walk over it and the light hits a different way.

chispa Nope ...no more hardwood. I am constantly washing our hardwood on my hands and knees. I can only use water and a bit of Dawn Dish soap. Drop anything there is a mark on the wood. If a guest walks in with high heels I hold my breath in case the protective tip fell off. Hardwood is beautiful but far from easy to maintain. (My floors are engineered hardwood from Maine...)

You have no pictures of the room in question, no pictures of the surrounding areas, which appears sends TRAFFIC by foot going through the room you want to carpet....which has what flooring right now? You are replacing existing carpet, or going over hardwood flooring you do not like?

Show your spaces. The room in question, and the areas around it.

JAN MOYER My questions were specifically about "a" carpet. I do not own "a" carpet that is "reflective" , has the appearance of depth, and is abrasive resistant. My carpet is old. Pic of "my" carpet that I would like to replace is below.

Little Bird Your carpet and hallway are beautiful

Extend the hardwood, buy a large and wonderful AREA rug: ) that leaves no more than a foot of perimeter.

Put an area rug under the dining table.

I would consider REFINISHING the floors you find difficult to maintain, something lighter , and yes, engineered floors can be refinished..

An area rug can be turned. A patterned area rug, offers up forgiveness.......and a single flooring in a home provides unity, expands the feel of space.

No I would not install wall to wall in the space..but it is your home.

The broadloom industry has long recognized that people want hardwood and area rugs, hence the wonderful wider widths available, the textures and patterns, allowing so many to be custom made to beautiful area rugs, customized to the inch.

There are lots of carpet with subtle patterns and color changes that "look" solid but I wonder if you are talking about the nap? Solid carpet can look like it's more than one color depending on the direction of the carpet fibers and the way the light hits it. Carpets that show foot print marks or vacuum marks are examples of this.

A carpet that mimics sisal would look good in your room and has subtle color changes.

Did you have another post about carpet? Are you still looking for a pattern or have you settled on something else?

ilikefriday I did have another post. GETTING a lot of "NAHS" on the pattern so I just deleted the post...... Normally I enjoy shopping for the house...this time I am totally disappointed in the total LACK of knowledge of the salesperson ....I bought the current carpet through them as well as my bedroom carpet (more recently)..... those salespeople are no longer there..... I asked the current salesperson about type of fiber used, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn ..I asked to see the different carpet construction options (told her that the Carpet and Rug Institute says cut pile/saxony or plush (velvet) would be most formal) She never heard of saxony, friezé, etc......all she could tell me is actual fiber material (nylon, polyester, etc.) But she could not recommend a material that would be a compromise of plushness, reflectiveness (LOOKS) and abrasion resistance.... I asked about certain carpeting needing specific types of cleaning (she knew nothing about that).....She said the carpet specifications are NOT on the website so she does not know the density, twist, etc. GUESS I am supposed to like the "looks" and pray it holds up for awhile. SO TO ANSWER THE SECOND PART OF YOUR QUESTION....I THINK I BETTER FIRST UNDERSTAND WHAT TYPE OF CARPETING I WANT (PER THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CARPETING)....that will narrow choices and then look at patterns. Then maybe I will find another store. I apologize for the dissertation but I am frustrated.

So you ask the same question and expect different answers. IMO do hardwood and then look for an area rug you love , I hate wall to wall carpet always and for sure in a well used room. I just looked at the pic of your space no way would I do wall to wall in there it screams for hardwod and a fabulous oriental rug.

I saw your post last night and did a mockup with a patterned carpet but when I was ready to post the image you had deleted the thread. I do like multiple patterns in a room. Here is the mockup I did. It may or may not be your taste. Just thought I would share since I still have the image from last night.

I have nothing to add regarding your current question. I have no knowledge of the physical characteristics of carpet.

Patricia Colwell iirc the question yesterday was not the same. It was regarding multiple patterns. I think that post received negative responses because of the particular pattern in question.

This is the pattern that received negative comments.

^ gah i love animal print 😍

I wonder about wool carpet versus nylon? I feel like wool often has this lovely ”matte” look where rugs or carpet made with nylon have more of a sheen

If you must have it? You get a wool/nylon blend, cut pile, which will outlive you. There exists no sturdier content.

It will NOT be cheap, will be over one hundred per sq. yard plus pad.installation,

You do not want a "twist/plush" anything. You do not want anything that might have a "reflective" quality as it will be a "poly silk" or viscose content, may have the look of a gold or other metal interspersed and is meant for no traffic, no spills, no dirt environment, such as a bedroom....and means one wears slippers or clean socks. Foot oil and dust equals matting and grunge.

100% wool means careful suction only vacuuming- it will fuzz endlessly, is NOT meant for the beater bar at all. The carpeting industry will tell you to avoid those commonly thought to be great, especially Dyson and Electrolux. You are not meant to "suck nails" from a floor" with any of the newer wool broadloom .

Call the manager at a different local flooring shop. Make an appointment with their most experienced sales person. You'll be looking for nylon, wool, or a blend. Bring your photos and a sample of your current carpet if you have some leftover.

la_la Girl I think you are correct about wool but it is over my budget, will outlive me, and whoever moves into this house after me will probably throw it out....if I lived in a century home I would probably go with wool. It is beautiful....so different than the other fibers.

BeverlyFLADeziner Thank you for the pics...(I have been using the carpet company's visualizers.) Thanks for the info on mylar!! and all the other info on why salespeople lack knowledge. Makes sense.

JAN MOYER Love your comments REGARDING CARPETING....I DO NOT WANT MORE HARDWOOD!!! ....I did not know there was a wool/nylon blend!!! (and when we put in the wood floors we made sure there was enough material to refinish twice)

You are talking about fibers, bullet proof.....and admit you have no budget for wool.

There ARE sources for wool, less pricey. How much do you USE this "formal" but "needs an injection of youth" space? : )

Go back, see if your source has Godfrey Hirst.

If you find one you like, ask the store for a large sample cut and take it home to test.

JAN MOYER I use this space everyday....unfortunately THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE NAME....there is a store near me (that I never heard of) closed on weekends but we will be out that way during the week. Thanks again