An Agra rug is an Indian rug. Agra is in India and where the Taj Mahal was built. When you buy an oriental look for the kpsi which means knots per square inch. The more knots, the better the rug. I like Agra's because of their softer tones. The rug shown would definitely work with the colors you're going to use and I like that it has a tiny bit of blue which will work well with the kitchen paint. Yes, you need the large one and you're right about the placement. I like your idea of the dining room one too. You could purchase a couple of Kilim pillows to mix in with other pillows on your new sand colored furniture. It will be lovely. You're doing good in your choices.

Lauren: Not crazy about the rug: very ho-hum design, you can find it everywhere. Plus, if you're going for the Country French look (red-and-mustard toile drapes), this rug would not be at all suitable, imho.

Also, I would be very, very careful about buying these type of rugs off ebay. The dyes can run, and they may very well be made with child labor--especially if they come from India or Pakistan-- if they are not machine made rugs.

Here's a bit more info:

Hand-tufted: The rug will shed forever. Also, kpsis don't apply to hand-tufted rugs.
Hand-knotted: most expensive; best to buy from a rug dealer who deals only with rug manufacturers who do not engage in child labor. Also, high kpsi doesn't necessarily mean the rug is better quality--it often does, but not always.
For machine-made rugs: New Zealand wool is the best and most durable (for example, Karastan)

I'm far from being an expert on rugs, but I've done enough research over the years to know enough to guide you--I think--in the right direction.

I just got a great deal on Karastan rugs on ebay, so you might want to check it out.

As for size: it's up to you. Some people like all of their furniture on the rug; others like just partially on the rug; and still others prefer the furniture off the rug. We used to have an 8x10 and all of our furniture was partially on the rug. When I bought the Karastans, I bought 5x8. Now, the sofa is off the rug, but two chairs are partially on it, and I'm fine with that. :)

bump.

Hi Lauren: I've been putzing around on the Peerless rug site (a very reputable rug dealer out of Chicago) and have found a few rugs that you might be interested in. Your options expand considerably if you would be willing to go a bit smaller--say 6x9, or even 5x8? Anyway, here you go:

rug1

rug2

rug3

rug4

Handknotted (a little more than you wanted to spend, but high quality, which means likely no child labor--but you could call them and ask). Handknotted wears like iron:

rug5

rug6

rug7

rug8

Okay, I just realized you're Lauren's MOM, not Lauren herself--lol--sorry!

Anyway, just wanted to add: Don't forget to check your local Craigslist. Some really nice deals on high quality rugs can be found there. For example, here's what is currrently listed in my area:

Here is a link that might be useful: Oriental Rug

Try searching on Overstock. Their live chat is great. You can ask where the rug was made and if there is a "no child labor" label. I have ordered several for my house and they all had a label stating made in India, no child labor. Prices are good.

Based on your budget, your options would pretty much be a new hand-tufted rug or used hand-knotted. Try to get a wool rug if you can afford it as it wears better. I second the suggestion of checking your local CL--look for a used Karastan. Tuesday Morning and Home Decorators have some reasonably priced rugs. The problem with ordering online is the colors are not always accurate and is not always WYSIWYG--esp. if you are considering a used rug. If you like Karastans you can see them IRL at Macy's or Home Expo and then once you find a pattern you like, search for it on eBay and CL-as there are lots of deals to be found and Karastan is a very good quality and reputable dealer and all of their rugs are made with New Zealand wool.

As for the size, your LR space looks fairly large so I'd suggest first deciding if you would like the furniture either fully on, partially on, or fully off the rug. I prefer either of the first two as it helps to ground the space--esp. with an open floorplan such as yours. Orient your existing furniture more of less how you'd like the new sofa/loveseat to be. You can use something else to mock up a loveseat since you don't have one now. Then measure out the various sizes (8x10, 6x9, and 5x8) and tape it out on the floor if you can and this will help you determine the best size for your room.

yayagal, thanks so much for enlightening me on agra! This is such a learning process for me. I too like the softer, more muted tones. fyi - the kitchen & great room are all the same color paint - a soft straw/wheat color. Sorry, it might look different in the photos. Also, what are Kilim pillows? I told you I was a rookie - LOL! :)

OS - thanks for your advice too. Geesh, I never even thought about child labor and all that! yikes! I guess I like the ones on ebay because they're cheap and dh does not want a rug (but he'll tolerate one if he has to) so I didn't want to spend a huge amount on something dh isn't really wanting. Also, I'm not really sure if I'm doing French country or what - guess I don't really have a 'style' but I do like toile and stripes and checks and florals (ok, so I'm indecisive too! ha!) Thanks for all the links too - I've checked on my CL but unfortunately I'm in a fairly small area so not much on there.

How about any of these:
overstock, 8x11, new zealand wool, $499

overstock ancestry red, 8x10, $438

And no problem on my name, just makes me think of my dd :) My actual name is Christy but I answer to pretty much anything these days - LOL :)

Hi Christy: Of the three, I prefer the first one. It will certainly look nicer and outlast anything made of poly! But you have to go with the one you like the best. :)

P.S. I strongly encourage you--as valinsv has pointed out--to tape off the area (with blue painter's tape) you would like to have covered with the rug. :)

Also: Be as certain as you can be before you order from Overstock. They charge a restocking fee if you return an item. I believe it's 15%.

I like the first one for your space.

I am repeatedly drawn to the second one (i have had it in my cart before) but I find that there's something uncomfortable about the wider light border and the red center.

All reviews are great for both rugs so hopefully you'd be happy with either

Another vote for the first. Of the three you posted, though, they are all different shades of red. I think the warmer red in the first red will be easier to coordinate your drapes which you mentioned you'd like in a red/mustard color.

OS: Can't wait to replace my blue tape with a real rug! :) Hopefully by Monday. :)

valinsv: You should get it by Friday--I checked the tracking earlier today and it's on time. :)

val: I just checked it again. You're right. Poop. Why has it been sitting around in MA for two days? *sigh*

thanks again everyone! It's so hard to tell the colors of rugs from online - I guess that's another reason I was drawn to the agra one, since the colors looked true to life. I'll try to dig out my blue tape tonight - thanks for the suggestion :) I think I'll also try to visit some local shops to see some rugs in person. I'm just so impatient, I want this done NOW - but I don't want to make the same mistake and pick something I don't LOVE (last fall in my haste to pick a computer armoire - I got one that is just so so. Darn pregnancy hormones - ha!)