-forgot to add I plan a remnant of the same design by the living room front door at the bottom of the stairs if the door can open over the pile, and possibly a small piece on the exposed hardwood between the hallway and the LR area rug - probably about 3 or 3'6 x 32" piece in a 4X3 foot area. oh and the runner with border is 30". Also - does anyone know if the Karastan runner on a roll in the store is any different from the ones available from Karastan in limited size selection? And: any bad experiences/disappointments with Karastan 717 series??? -Penny
-Penny

Penny:
This is just MHO, and I know you said you were going to do it anyway, but I wouldn't match the runner with the LR rug. I think the advantage of Karastan rugs is that they're beautiful, long-lasting, and they look like original oriental rugs. They're also not cheap, so you want to get the biggest bang for your buck. When you have two of the same design, they can look like a purchased "set".

I can't answer your question regarding Karastan runners, but I would assume, if they're made of wool, that they're the same quality as their area rugs, which are great.
Dee

Dee - Wow!! You put your finger exactly on what was bothering me, but I couldn't quite figure it out! After posting I kept thinking of how my mother used to have all these matching bound carpet pieces around when we were little and how I didn't like it - and here I am considering doing essentially the same, (because of the lure of the "bargain") but I didn't continue the thought process to get to how it would cheapen the main rug. You are SO right!!!!!!!!!
I will look for a plain runner eventually, and use the same for the area in front of the door.
Still interested in comments on the runner size relative to the hallway size, and feedback from people who may have the #717. Thank you for saving me from myself Dee!!!!!!

I'm so glad I helped you firm up your desires in your mind.:) Make sure to show pictures.

Oh, and I do own two 717 rugs in the 4 by 6 size that I've had about 20 years or so. Well, I only have one now since one got damaged by an elderly incontinent dog 15 years ago or so. The other I still have and occassionally use in the sunroom. You can't go wrong with Karastans.
Dee

I agree with Dee--the only "matched" rugs I have are in my kitchen and bath.

An update: brought my daughter with me to buy the 717 area rug (she has a truck) and she noticed something right off the bat about the rug that really bothered her regarding the quality. I was so smitten with the design and colors, that I wasn't paying attention, and didn't understand what she was saying, until the owner brought over an old small sample she was going to give me, as her store was selling off everything not handmade. Fingering the old sample, and comparing the new area finally made me realize what my daughter saw right away: there was a significant difference in quality/density, and the new rug had a cheap look that the old sample did not have. The old sample is how I remembered the rug from years ago. Needless to say, I did not buy it, and will have to rethink my plans. I have a very old american oriental rug that I thought was too dark and too large for the room I will likely use anyway (will start another thread later to ask about cleaning and repairing it) The good thing is that I could get the Karastan 717 runner for my hallway as it will probably go well - and the quality will be fine for that. Penny.