The size of the rug needs to be larger, like groveraxle shows. What are you thoughts on color?

M+D Old New House
http://oldnewhouse.com

A few more contenders:

I would go with light gray

Groveraxle what program is that you are using?

Agreed....Definitely need a bigger rug...at least 8/10!

A few for your consideration

This program and selections are all so cool. I had been avoiding patterns because the drapes are so bold. I agree that none are "perfect" I feel like the one with brown provides a little more balance and ties the room together. But the pattern is not my fav.

Groveaxel I would like to hear what program you use too. I have a really old one and have been looking to upgrade and I love the one you use.

I would go blue and grey shag or blue and brown. I like the texture

For those who asked, I use a really old version of Photoshop Elements.

One more :)

Cool Thanks Groveraxle...What about you Mark? Photoshop as well?

I vote for the last one Mark posted.

A few more:

I really like that Jute Blue deco posted way up above. Color, but not competing with the drapes, which I do love!

One quick comment......and I know it was not asked for, but since grover lowered the art, you can see the power of art in the room. I just think two pieces stacked by the chair would look nice or even a larger one, but tall and skinny, so to speak. If the one behind the couch to the right of the window were not there, the lamp could be over by the couch and then it could really be used. I think that would make the other piece of art stand out more, too, instead of having two pieces on each side of the window. MY OPINION and sorry if I offended. Easy things to try if you are interested.

It is just so fun to see a relaxing room with the sun shining in and no worries about where to place a tv. The blue pillows are wonderful on the brown. Your side tables are fun and everyone has a place to rest a glass or a book. LOVE it!

Functional Conceptz for Interiors I use adobe photoshop.

Since you like HGTV - this is one from the dream home this year.. Great texture and works in many spaces. The pattern is subtle but adds visual interest...

Thank you to all! I've lowered the art, and it's made a really nice impact. I use to have two pieces of art next to the chair, but my Husband got a hole in one, so we are temporarily high fiving him with the picture the course gave him:) In a perfect world and an endless bank account, I'd get a new table and chairs too! But to me the rug is not to scale as many of you have pointed out. What about a simple area rug with a border? Too lame?

It occurred to me that I should probably post the adjoining room. There is a giant turquoise hutch in the kitchen. Do you all still say blue for the rug? I'm thinking it might be over kill? I will not be offend. I'm really enjoying all of your feedback

Wow...lots of great area rug ideas here! Thought I'd throw some in, even though it's hard to beat all those cool pics and ideas from the Photo shop boyz!

Maybe I'm being too safe, but I think solids, tight weaves or braids would create a nice, quiet back drop to the patterned curtains in both rooms. You have created lovely spaces which give off a feeling of relaxation and ease.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Seriously........a hole in one! A dream come true! And how nice the course gave him a pic.......and love the high five you are giving him. He gets one from me, too!!!

What if you just take away the rug? Do you NEED a rug? Is it to cozy up the place? Your dining room sure looks nice without one and your floors are soooo nice!

I do want a rug to define and anchor the space. In the case of my kitchen table, I took the road less traveled and went with function over form. My two children have gigantic holes in the sides of there mouths that require me to sweep 2x a day. I was suffering from meal anxiety watching food literally miss their mouths and hit the rug. So I nixed it.

An Ikea Almsted rug is great and will tie in the space. http://store.waterworks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x245/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/2/9/29941-6778.jpg

Totally understand the rugless dining room.....and love your description. I have a few grandchildren that have the same trouble! They have dogs at their own house....Grandma does not let the dogs inside......so they feel like it is ok as the dogs get some supper then, too.

And yes, anchoring and just coziness is a job of a rug. You need a larger one and one that does not fight with the curtains. The ones just suggested are good ones to consider....safe, but still a dash of color for the space.

Oh! Love the hutch AND the color of it, too!

To complement your turquoise hutch and the pattern of the windows - you could always go with a jute ( or sisal )looking rug with a border like you mentioned earlier. That would give you texture and ground your space. I would do a border in black on it to make the rest of your colors pop (or another darker color)... The one below has a white border, but the right style...

A few more:

I vote for the first one in groveraxle's last set of 3.

I think the carpet sent by grover 3rd pic in the first set seemsgood ,but I like thebest as the 2nd one in the 3rd pic sent by groveraxle where the complements seem perfect.

Here are three more. The third is one posted earlier by Mark. On the monitor at least, the colors look great, and the pattern is bold without competing with the drapes. It might be worth looking at in person.

I found this carpet that blend nicely with the curtains and the wood floor.

I vote for the 4th one in Mark's first comment. I think it makes everything in the room work. It's eye catching, but has some white to rest the eyes and not overwhelm with the print.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/dot-dash-outdoor-rug-blue/ what do you think of pb dot&dash.? Too dark? The curtains are blue gray with a little green.

The dot and dash might be great if it is the right blue. Nice that it is an indoor outdoor since you have kids running around!

I think the second post Mark made is perfect. Has all the colors to pull everything together. Also seems practical for having kids with holes in sides of their mouths. Less liking that anything will show up.

The 3rd one in the second pic by grover also matches ,looks like you have to choose .

Yes. People can give you a lot of ideas and choices but the final decision has to be yours. You're the one that has to live with it. However you might want to see if what ever company you are buying from might offer free return shipping in case you get something you don't like once you have it.
Mark and Goveraxle are doing awesome with the whole photoshop. I have seen them on a couple post now. I wouldn't mind your two advice on my post!!!

You can shop thru salvation stores or places which offer reduced prices ,but my suggestion would be make some swatch colors and see how you can blend them,for sure the pics will give you a great idea,if you feel undecided post the pic which seem to confuse you and we at houzz will try and help you decide

Here is what I can up with. Any feedback from my helpers?

Too narrow and too dark. Look at the size of the one Mark illustrated for you.

It's the size mark and everyone recommended-8x10. I'm interested in suggestions.

I agree it's too dark. It's wide enough left to right, but too narrow front to back. How far under the sofa do you have it? Can you pull it just to the edge of the main part of the sectional--so you can't see any floor--and get another foot or so?

Like the two pics between the windows. Hmmm.....think I liked the sectional better without the throw on the end....that might add to the heaviness in the room?

I can, but the picture vantage is from my foyer, I'm standing on runner

Here are some suggestions that might work in your room. We also have others to choose at our store. Please visit our store at www.essentialsinside.com

Marika

Sorry I can't offer any help on the rug, can you tell me where I can find the fabric for the curtains? They are beautiful!

I think the throw looks out of place ,maybe try different sized cushions to give a edge to the room.

For some reason, it looks like the sectional would relate to the architecture better if it were placed on the wall with the 2 windows. It seems out of scale sitting in front of one window.

A big NO from me on jute rugs. I just spent a day lugging one home and my poor husband helped get it under a huge sectional.
Long story short - it hurts my feet! Going back tomorrow.