I have the frieze in my living room only - no stairs. It is a beige, with very subtle flecks of different shades of beige. I have a casual style, so I like it with my style, I think the short fibers are pretty versatile. A friend has the longer freize and it looks similar to a shag. I would think a longer fiber would also show traffic patterns. Of course the quality effects the wear of the carpet - I know Lowes has a great price on the Smartstrand whatever type you decide on. Freize carpets are generally known to wear like iron and good for high traffic areas, because of the twisted yarn. If you have to have seams in the carpet it also seams well according to the installer I used. After having a chocolate brown loop carpet in the room, that showed every piece of lint, this is so much easier. I would make sure I like the look though before you commit, my friend with the long frieze hates it, she thinks it looks messy. I don't care for the longer style either.

Thanks so much for the posts! nini804 and dawnt...thanks for your pics. I love both of your rooms and don't think they need rugs. If's funny, it's almost like I feel they'd be too busy with rugs. I'm definitely leaning away from a rug...I think we're going to leave the dining room as is and take out the rug we moved under the kitchen table and see how it feels. We do have cold winters here, so warmth is an issue. And the floors are very old...sun fading is the least of the issues. And anyway, the floors have already faded from the previous owner's area rug...nice outline. :) Thanks again for the responses and pics! I'll post pics when we've painted the DR and have draperies.

Often times the reviews, if there are any, will address size, color, etc. I agree that if your really like the rug,order it. If the size is different from what is stated, make an argument for free shipping to return. The rugs that I have ordered have been true to the size stated. The size should not include the fringe. If the only size given is 8 x 10 or 9 x 12, that is probably the correct size.

In case anyone who gave me any previous advice happens to see this, I just wanted to say thank you again! I haven’t posted follow up pictures (but I will)- just wanted to find the right rugs and get everything done first. I work full time so have been finishing the look in my spare time... and absolutely love it. I did end up painting the window casings back to white (but leaving the doors black) and between that and the new layout, the whole area feels so much bigger and brighter and happier. Posting on here was a very positive and productive experience, and I hope if (okay- when) I post again about some of my other rooms, you’ll jump in to give me some awesome ideas!