Looking for a rug to liven up my living room

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

I'm really struggling on this one! I'm looking for a rug that will add a punch of color to my living room without being too dizzying. I love the idea of a mostly white rug, but am too afraid of stains and spills. I want something that feels fresh and lively and young to balance out the heavier/more serious pieces in the room. The walls around the sitting area are a very pale blue. The floors are cherry. The room gets LOTS of light. I also need to pick out window treatments (but thought it best to chose the rug first).

I do not like flat weave rugs/dhurries -- I want something that feels nice underfoot.

I'm also planning to reupholster the vanilla colored Louis XVI chairs. Suggestions on new fabric also appreciated! I've moved them out of the room for now, because I didn't like how closed off they made the room feel. Ideas for different placement/layout also welcome!

Please let me know if you have any questions. Your advice is so much appreciated!

P.S. -- can't figure out why the photos rotate when I post them. Help!

Featured Answer

groveraxle

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

I played with your room a bit because it's so much fun. To make this work as a truly eclectic space, I think you're going to have to go much bolder. First, I'd get rid of anything that is smaller than a breadbox.

When you choose fabric for the Bergere chairs, I'd choose a print that has at least some of the same blue as the wingbacks. I chose two fabrics--one with navy, the other teal--to upholster the chairs a la Wild Chairy. The teal echoes the teal in the painting (which I lowered).

I tried a few rugs and added orange accents in pillows and art glass.

In the last photoshop, I realized the space still lacked enough boldness, so I reframed the art.

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Comments (51)

groveraxle
12 years ago
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Lauren B thanked groveraxle
groveraxle
12 years ago
Gorgeous floors. They provide all the punch of color you need.

Do you need the extra seating? I would move the Louis XVI chairs out permanently. They make the space really leggy. Maybe replace them with a bench or a chaise.
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pcmom1
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Go white. Most rugs have some stain resistance. Keep salt handy to pour on to any spilled red wine.
Eclectic Living Room · More Info
Lauren B thanked pcmom1
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
@ groveraxle -- Thank you for flipping the photos! I've already moved the chairs out of the room -- I agree that it's just too much going on. A bench is a great idea, though! I love to entertain, so any way I can get extra seating in without making the room feel overwhelming is great.
@Pcmom -- that white rug is beautiful. It's definitely what's calling to me... but I'm so so afraid that I'll turn into a nervous hostess hovering over everyone to prevent spills! Any idea what rug is in the photo? It looks so plush and yummy to walk on.
doctornancy
12 years ago
I'd like to see an oriental rug in the room and a new coffee table with a glass top. Not very good photoshop in my image, but it gives you a general idea of the look of an oriental rug.
Lauren B thanked doctornancy
Sona
12 years ago
I agree that an oriental rug would be stunning as it is a classic with traditional style furniture. I also think the pattern of an oriental will add some punch to the solid furniture. I'd pick a rug that is predominantly red with blue accents. Or one that is predominantly gold or cream with red and/or blue accents. As for the nook, is it big enough for a small writing desk and interesting chair to pull up to the desk? Otherwise perhaps a small chest of drawers or a bar cart with some decanters and crystal glasses on it.
Lauren B thanked Sona
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
I love persian rugs, but am trying to make my traditional (inherited) furniture feel a little more fresh and youthful (hence pairing with a more modern west elm couch). I want my place to feel cheerful, cozy and inviting. I live in SoCal and definitely don't want my space to be a downer.
groveraxle
12 years ago
Look at this woman's work for inspiration for the chairs: http://www.wildchairy.com/

I've shown one pair of hers below. The other pair is a kilim upholstery. If you go really wild like this, you could use a very neutral rug. The one below is jute.
Lauren B thanked groveraxle
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
@groveraxle -- LOVE the print in the first photo. So much fun! Thank you for the link -- definitely inspiring! I wouldn't have thought to do the cushion in a different fabric.
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
Here are some more photos without the extra chairs (moved temporarily into a nook).
pcmom1
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Art over sofa needs to be lower. Right now it is floating away....

I like these rugs. Of course, as usual, you must click on them to show the whole image!
A colourful London home · More Info

Lo-Hi Residence · More Info
pcmom1
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Here are a couple of fresh, lively rooms. Maybe paint the walls that blue of the water in the art above the sofa:
lucy and company · More Info

West End Studio · More Info
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
@pcmom -- ooh! I like the colorful London home rug a lot. But, I wonder if the red on the cherry red floor might be too much? Re: the art -- I think its too small for the space and am planning to replace. If you've seen any lovely art that you think would be a good fit, let me know!
Sona
12 years ago
Ahh, didn't realize you were trying to make the room more contemporary. So nix the oriental rug idea. I like the rugs in all of the pictures others have shown. The Moroccan style rug, cream with dark lines is really hip now. West Elm has an affordable one I think. Abstract rugs would work well too. I like the wing back chair in one of the pictures that is upholstered in white. You could do your blue ones in a linen and that would give them a more modern feel. Fun pillows to jazz up the sofa would lighten the feel too. A large abstract painting over the couch would definitely make it more contemporary.
Lauren B thanked Sona
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
@sonanast -- YOU'RE SO RIGHT! I totally missed the white linen wingback chair! I LOVE that idea ... and I think it will make a patterned rug so much easier. And, I hear good things about stain resistant white fabrics?
groveraxle
12 years ago
Two red rugs:
Lauren B thanked groveraxle
PRO
Mohairs & More
12 years ago
Here's a similar room, where they have used a palette of golden cream and red. The results are rich and sumptuous. They have not used a rug at all, and the feeling of warmth comes from the rich red drapes and red mohair blanket (from the 'Everyday Luxury' collection http://mohairsandmore.com/100-everyday-luxury-mohair-throw-blankets/)
Lauren B thanked Mohairs & More
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
I'm pretty much flabbergasted that you're able to do this with photoshop. I LOVE the prints you picked for the bergere chairs -- it hadn't occurred to be to do them in different patterns. The striped rug is a little too much for me, but really dig the other two options. I think I may be sold on a teal rug.

I agree that the art frame isn't working, but am not sure I like the piece enough to invest in reframing it. I think I'd prefer to buy something else/more exciting. I do have a large picasso that I haven't figured out where to put, but I think it may be too long for the space. I'm attaching a photo (it's just leaning against the wall).
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
Just in case they're helpful, a few naturally lit photos.
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
@groveraxle -- the first red rug is VERY cool.
Sona
12 years ago
I agree the current print above the couch isn't exciting enough. The Picasso is great but that space needs something horizontal not vertical.
Lauren B thanked Sona
Sona
12 years ago
If you are looking for something dramatic to hang above the couch saatchiart.com is a great website for purchasing original art as well as prints of original art. Some pieces seem very affordable. I have not purchased from them but have been tempted to.
Lauren B thanked Sona
sgree28
12 years ago
I think cow hide rug for sure! They are fun and organically shaped and deforest unexpected to add the eclectic feel you're looking for. I wouldn't do the traditional black and white but I saw some great ones on onekingslane.com that came in softer neutral palettes
Lauren B thanked sgree28
groveraxle
12 years ago
Elle Bee, the Picasso is too tall, but it's the perfect tone for the space. Perhaps you have a nearby wall where it will fit.

The little footstool and the flowered pillows have to go, I'm afraid. To do this right will require bold strokes, nothing mousy or delicate.

I'd be careful with red. With those blue wingbacks, it could look like an American flag. But a rusty red could work. Still, you need to carry the blue of the wingbacks somewhere else in the room. And if you're changing the art over the sofa, that opens all sorts of possibilities. I'd simply advise you to choose everything--art, rug, upholstery fabric--together so everything meshes.
Lauren B thanked groveraxle
sgree28
12 years ago
As a side note I love your pieces but I would suggest moving the two chairs tucked away in the book out into the space so they're not alienated from conversation it feels too tight. I think that nook would be perfect for bookshelves or even a desk or console table with a mirror above
groveraxle
12 years ago
With green:
Lauren B thanked groveraxle
pcmom1
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Found this under eclectic living rooms, "gray sofa":
LoHi Private Residence · More Info

Great bronze tree trunk coffee table, I just had to share!
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
@groveraxle -- where's your pro tag?! You have such great ideas! I JUST ordered a bunch of stuff from art.com. :)
groveraxle
12 years ago
Ha ha, Elle Bee. A PRO tag would be disingenuous and add a veneer of authority I don't deserve. I do this for fun, to help those with dilemmas think outside the box, and (I hope) to keep people from making expensive mistakes. Thanks for the compliment.
wuff
12 years ago
@groveraxle I love what you do. I thought you were a pro.
Sona
12 years ago
Hey, the alcove in the picture pcmom1 attached might be a good idea for your nook.
pcmom1
12 years ago
Oh, that would be fun in the nook!
PRO
Pangaea Carpets
12 years ago
Whichever rug you choose will likely drive the "feel" of the area. You don't really have to match colors but a traditional piece with ivory and navy would look classic and not a bit out of place. A contemporary piece would say something completely different about you while coordinating nicely as well. What is your personality? What is the function of the room? Most importantly; what makes you happy to look at?
The great thing about a quality hand knotted rug is that you won't have to worry about spills, stains, wear and tear as it will likely outlive you....
Lauren B thanked Pangaea Carpets
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
Updates! I tried a pretty grey rug with a bright white pattern, but as you can see it's too small. Now I'm considering the following two options and would love everyone's thoughts!
Nancy Walton
12 years ago
I like the frist one, but you'd need at least an 8x10 for it to work. Maybe even larger?
Lauren B thanked Nancy Walton
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
The first one is a 5 x 8, so I think 8 x 10 would be the right size. Sadly, the 8 x 10 in that pattern is out of my budget (the 5 x 8 was super on sale).
pcmom1
12 years ago
Save up for what would really work. We get in trouble when we compromise.
Lauren B thanked pcmom1
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
@pcmom1 -- wouldn't buy something I didn't think would work, just looking for more affordable options (which has more to do with my love of entertaining and not wanting to put my guests in a position where I'd be livid if they spilled something than needing to save up for something).
BLee
12 years ago
My first thought was a blue/white stripe, Scandinavian style, that would widen the space and pick up the blue of those pretty chairs. With stripes running cross-wise between chairs and couch, a 5 x 8 might do nicely. I like the two patterns you showed in your last post, and also the one groveraxle suggested, blue with the bold white pattern} An ornate or heavily patterned rug would, I think, detract from lovely floor/furnishings. Instead, Inject color, pattern and texture with art and accessories, especially bolder and brighter pillows on your couch.
Lauren B thanked BLee
pcmom1
12 years ago
I was musing more about mistakes I have made....

You could check out a carpet store and having them create an area rug for you. I have heard that is more affordable.
Lauren B thanked pcmom1
BLee
12 years ago
Old fashioned cloth diapers work wonders on spills. I watched a friend's 8 year old twins jumping up and down on diapers over a red wine spill on a white wall-to-wall … miraculous!
Lauren B thanked BLee
pcmom1
12 years ago
I have heard with red wine not to touch it at all: instead pour a pile of salt on it and that will pull the wine up from the rug. Then let dry and vacuum.

Someone go try it and let me know how it works!
Lauren B thanked pcmom1
groveraxle
12 years ago
Elle, I like the pattern in the first rug, but it's just as well it didn't work out because the color does not work with your sofa. The rug has a red/brown undertone; your sofa is a cool gray. (I hesitate to make this judgment from a monitor image, but that's how it looks from here.)
Lauren B thanked groveraxle
groveraxle
12 years ago
8 x 10
$710
http://plushrugs.com/rizzy/volare/vo2132/navy/
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
@groveraxle -- looking for something more in the $300-$400 range, sadly. The rug that didn't work definitely didn't have a red/brown undertone in person (actually looked slightly greenish). But, with the cherry red floors and the brown tables, it definitely looks that way in the photo.
groveraxle
12 years ago
8 x 10
$276
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/nuLOOM-Moroccan-Trellis-Shag-Rug-8-x-10/7786172/product.html?refccid=MAPWOQ4FSGS2DQCLDES3KQ5B2E&searchidx=0

7'6 x 9'6
$301
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/nuLOOM-Handmade-Luna-Marrakesh-Trellis-Wool-Rug-76-x-96/6437407/product.html?refccid=MAPWOQ4FSGS2DQCLDES3KQ5B2E&searchidx=2
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks to all of you for your help! Here are updated photos with my new rug!
pcmom1
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Good choice!

Now just some tweaks: lower the picture about three inches. Add a warm orange pillow or two to the sofa (sunset color from the painting!). Maybe a nice plant on top of the coffee table.

And sliding doors are difficult, but I would add some sort of treatment to soften it.
Laguna Cottage · More Info
Lauren B
Original Author
12 years ago
I'm planning replace the painting (I've never been crazy about it, but it's what I had) and get sheer white curtains for the sliding doors (when I can afford them!). The room definitely needs a little more color but I'm waiting until I replace the painting to get any more accent items. Thanks for the feedback!