Let me guess...DH is telling you you're doing it backwards. I only suspect this because I get the same story here from...guess who...DH! :-)

The first time was a bathroom design that revolved around the bathroom towels I fell in love with. I am still using those towels in a second bathroom today! And yes, I picked the paint for bathroom #2 from the towels.

So, yes I agree with you that you should find the accent pieces first. It's like finding interior fabrics and then choosing paint colors. The outdoor solids are like paint....tons to choose from.

I know you are in a rush, but in case you go online to shop, there are some really nice terra cotta rugs at Frontgate. Upgraded shipping might be comparable to the gas you burn going around to the bricks and mortar stores.

Just to throw a wrench in the works...I think I'd find the accent pillow fabric first...but that's just me. The slate is gorgeous, btw. I am a bit green over your outdoor fireplace!

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's my favorite Outdoor Fabric source

Well, it's backward from the way I'd do it, but either way would probably work! :)

Sunbrella offers such an array of choices I don't think you'll be limited in finding a pattern to go with the solids you choose.
Plus, I've also been looking at outdoor rugs lately and I'm seeing a huge range of colors in that category also!

Grandinroad offers a good selection as does Frontgate (below).

I'm a big fan of terracotta!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Frontgate

I'm so glad people aren't posting how strange I am!

amysrq--Believe it or not it's not DH as he's given up on this whole thing. He claims I've exhausted him and he's probably right.

It was actually our designer who said that I can't start a room with the pillow fabric--but it's the pillow fabric or other accents that inspire me. (I'm using our designer to make the actual purchases and I've been doing most of the research, especially the hunt for fabrics.) So I can definitely relate about designing a room around towels.

I may start with the pillow fabric and hope for the best where a rug is concerned. I've looked at the Sunbrella patterned fabrics and nothing grabbed me--online anyway. I think I need to be looking at the special Sunbrella fabrics that are sold through other designers, like Robert Allen or Kravet, etc. They don't make it easy.

The fireplace is actually double-sided between our family room and outside deck. I'm looking forward to finally using it as an additional room. So far though the fireplace is still giving off that funky smell.

annz--I love the sites you linked. And I loved some of the rugs, too, but unfortunately my favorites would not be available for 14 weeks--way too long for us. I'm leaning toward terracotta but one that doesn't scream at you, if you know what I mean.

I'm also trying to decide whether I should use a rectangular rug (more options), or whether I should hold out for a square or round one which will go better with this particular seating arrangement. It's basically Zazu Petal's room: four lounge chairs around a round low cocktail table.

This indecision is getting to me so I thank you for all your help. Writing about it seems to help clarify the issues.

I picked up this rug at Tuesday Morning earlier this week. It's brighter than the fireplace slate blue but I kind of like it. It's also very similar to the blue we're probably using in the family room--but kind of clashes with the greener blue in the eating area. (Do I need to be so nit-picky?)

The big problem is that it's not clear that this is an outdoor rug. It's made of polypropylene but simply says patio use. It needs to be spot-cleaned rather than hosed down. The manufacturer hasn't returned my call. And it's rectangular.

I just examined the blue rug more closely and, unfortunately, the side welting (?) is ripped in two places. Guess it's going back. What a shame as I love that color.

Back to the drawing board!

Too bad about the flaw. I love that rug...like the bright color!

I am also hoping my next LR will be modeled on Zuzu's living room. That's funny.

The problem with holding out for square or round is that it will just take longer. Or you'll have to turn to the internet. I think you'd do better being open to a rectangle. For me, the pattern/color would be more important than the shape. I don't know that I've ever seen a square and I shop for outdoor rugs every year or two since mine get trashed here in FL.

I did have an almost-square polypro rug made for my oddly shaped kitchen several years ago. It was about 7x7 and cost $300. Very expensive, but I felt I had no choice.

I wanted our LR to be like Zuzu's LR, but everyone shot me down. My DH has no vision, and the designer just dismissed it. We haven't done that room yet so I'm not necessarily giving up the idea.

Tuesday Morning has an 800 number to search for products and that rug is nowhere to be found around here. And the manufacturer still hasn't returned my calls. The blue of that rug seems just right. I'm afraid that the blue in most of the outdoor rugs will be too turquoise or vivid. Same fear with the terra cotta. I really need caramel--not terra cotta.

As you can probably see by now, this is why nothing gets done. I worry about each piece but can't make a decision until I know what the whole thing is going to look like. Grrr.

But I did order about 20 samples from the outdoorfabric site, and found a few fabrics on Robert Allen. Keeping my fingers crossed! This is my favorite so far. I'm hoping that it's a nice blue, and that there are some caramel tones to pick up the tones in the slate:

I think you're taking a logical order, following something you love, or starting with the rug and moving from there towards those items where there's a larger selection and room to move.

You also aren't limited to shopping in a linear fashion. Circle around the pillow fabric you love but with an open mind to what else is out there. Rugs you like in mind also. Find a bunch of stuff you like and see what works together.

I would be inclined to find all the items -- put your room together -- before committing to any of the purchases. That way the door is always open as your outdoor room unfolds. Can't do that?

Okay, this is getting scary...first Zuzu's LR, now that fabric. I was cruising through the fabric site before I copied the link for you and I picked that one too...but somehow thought it might not be traditional enough. I think the colors are great with the slate. The company is good about sending samples. Show us when they come! They have nice trim too...

Thanks for the suggestions Squirrel. Yes, putting the whole room together is how I like to do it because I'm always afraid I will get locked into something that leads the wrong way. There's no reason why I can't do it that way with the outdoor room except that DH is quickly losing patience. He's more the "go into the store, pick out the first thing you like, and be done with it" kind of person.

And let's face it. It wouldn't be a problem if it were just the outdoor room. Every decision impacts every other decision, and the neighboring rooms--at least in my mind, so most of our rooms are at various states of doneness, or NOT doneness to be more accurate.

But I like your idea of circling around and knowing that I can go different ways if possible. I'm tempted to order small outdoor rug samples in blue, terra cotta and brown (of the square rug that I like) so that I know what colors I'll end up dealing with. I know I'm overthinking it but part of me worries that the tan/brass colors for the cushions might clash with the sisal color of the rug, or with the tan color of our house. As it is, the tan color of our house doesn't really work perfectly with out slate tiles, which has more of a greenish cast to it. I know, I know. Overthinking at its finest.

amysrq--You're absolutely right that that pattern is not what I had envisioned but I'm so drawn to the colors. I've been making choices that are traditional/transitional all along, so this might just be another one. I'm hoping the color IRL is as it appears on my monitor.

Thanks once again for letting me talk this all out. DH's face just glazes over when we discuss these things. (And for you readers who are still hanging in there, you probably feel the same way!) For me, though, I feel like this has been great therapy for me, so thanks!!

Hi, love your fireplace, looks great! Can totally relate to the various stages of not-doneness. Re: outdoor fabrics, here's a site I really like and inspires me. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Perennials Outdoor Fabrics

Great site buffymichelle. They have some wonderful fabrics. Thanks for posting the link.