I like the bold one best, it's a better contrast with the stone of your fireplace.

Another vote for the first one. I like it much better than the second.

I prefer the second one.

I like the Afghan, too. The rectangular pattern repeats and reinforces the cabinetry in your dining room, and the stones in your fireplace. The richer color will, I think, soften the tones of the stone just enough to keep the wall calm. You have such strong geometry in your rooms already, and the Afghan works really well with it.
You have said that you mean to slipcover your sofas, and so their pattern is not a factor, yes? The Persian is lovely, too, but I think the scale of the pattern will not stand up to your architecture.

I like the Afghan rug. But then, I don't like blue, and even that little bit of blue in the Persian wouls cause me to keep looking. My irrational dislike of blue notwithstanding, I think the boldness and geometry of the Afghan works best with your clean new space.

I think with your home's design, the afghan is the better choice.

Don't like the red one at all, so it's easy to choose! Plus the Afghan will go better with various decor in future.

Antique one preferred here- It is so much richer.

Can't you bring both home and see which one looks best in your space? You have a great home

i much prefer the antique persian!!

I second the above post, if it's an option. If you can, buy them both and refund the one that doesn't win. (I'm really bad about doing that). Do you *have* to purchase it tonight? Living with each for a few days will really help you.

Unfortunately, the rugs are in india and I'm not LOL! DH is in India and we're doing this via email which makes it so hard. It would be much easier if I could see them in person, but I will ahve to trust him on this. I think that's why i'm, relunctant to go bold. On the other hand, if I go with the persian, there's a lot of brown, and gold/caramel in the space.

I think in the end either would work, just depends on which vibe I'm going for. We will either slipcover the sofa or get a new one.

I adore Persian rugs and think the second one is not at all dull or monochromatic. It's the lighting in the picture. I think you have to go with a rug that you really like -- buying a rug like this is an emotional choice, and if bold is not quite you, then it never will suit, whether or not it "goes" with the room. Am I right that the second picture of the fireplace is more true to its colors and look of the stone?

pps

Lovely space!

I too love persians - I prefer the 2nd one (persian)

I would make sure hubby has them take the measurements in front of him & email them to you. Since these are hand made the often come sized a little differently than advertised. I would recommend using painters blue tape to mark of the exact measurements in the room, making sure it in fact does fit.

based on what i can gather your current rug is oriented w/the 9' going from fireplace to couch - so if you have a 12'x 9' you will be orienting the fringe the opposite of what you have - meaning the fringe 12' will orient from the other couch to TV **which would be doubling what is currently there (6' of rug) not sure that will fit*** & the non fringe 9' expanse will go from fireplace to couch

The persian picks up on some of the gray/blue in the fireplace stone as well as the blue in the kitchen

Since the room is one big open room I would consider painting the room all one color - I love the idea of the blue and terra cotta themed room/s

definately the second one would be my choice. I think you would tire of the first one. The persian is more timeless and you can work with it in the future more easily than the afgan one imo.

Rug 1

Rug 2

Another vote for the second one, the Persian.

I also think since it has quite a few different colors in it, you'll have more choices when you want to change out your furniture.

I LOVE the Persian! WOW! Nice choices to have.....

The Persian for sure! It's a beautiful rug and will also give you greater decorating flesibility.

I much prefer the 2nd one. I like how the bluish border ties in with your kitchen wall.

how about one like the one under your dining table?

Based on Suero's mockup, I'd say the Persian picks up stone color more than the Afghan. But frankly, both are gorgeous!

I vote for the antique Persian. It's classic, rich and has enough going on in it that I don't think you'll tire of it. Beautiful!

I vote antique Persian - it's beautiful!

They are both nice, but my thought is that because of the direction of the pattern of the first rug, those rectangles will be running parallel to all the stone rectangles on the fireplace, and be too much.

Plus, with all the pattern in your upholstery, I think the more subtle second rug will be a better fit.

Just one question - what happens if the rug has issues, like stains or odor? How do you return it?

Definately the antique persian - it's classic & coordinates beautifully with both your fireplace & your kitchen!

My daughter and I both vote for rug #2!

I vote Persian. It goes so nicely with your fireplace.

Thank you all. Keep the opinions coming!!

Suero, thank you so much for the mock up. That is genius.

les917, DH is there so he will inspect the rug, before purchase. We have several of these rugs and they wear extremely well.

jejvtr, I think we will keep the run oriented in the same the same direction. The sofa/loveseat will have to go partially onto the rug.

kjmama, the rug under the dining table is seagrass. While it's great for under the table since it was inexpensive and easy to clean, It's not particularly comfotable under barefeet. Plus, I think I want some pattern and color since I will most likely get a solid sofa.

They're both beautiful rugs. I prefer the Persian to the Afghan. I do think something a bit bolder/larger in pattern would look better, in relation to the fireplace. I like the addition of some blue in there. I think the coloring of the afghan overpowers the stone fireplace. The one you have now is similar and works well but this one has much more color and contrast going on. It seems to just wash out the fireplace.

Maybe there are more to look at? Something with a good bit of blue even?

another vote for #2 just beautiful.

You won't regret either one. They are both beautiful!

Second one.

Changing my vote, after seeing the mockup.
Persian.

#2... as mentioned in the kitchen forum, not every element can be the star. I think the first one screams "look at me" when the rest of your stuff has a more soothing and comfortable vibe.

the Persian is classic and will last forever! it'll never go out of style, has more color options (that doesn't matter a lot with a persian), it'll go with most anything. It's mellow and won't ever jump out and 'bite' you (irritate or get tiring to look at).

the first one irritates me at 1 look, I wouldn't want to live with it at all.

It should be a foundation for the room and the Persian sure is that.

Ditto desertsteph, classic! I vote for the antique persian... :)

Another vote for the Persian. Classic, understated and lovely. Plus a good contrast to your lovely hardwood floors.

I much prefer the persian. They are timeless. I once lived in the middle east years ago, and have both an afghani rug and a persian rug. I tired of the afghani rug very soon and still have my persian in my living room today and love it as much as I did the day I purchased it and that was in the late 80's.

#2: Persian.

Second.

I'm sure I'm too late, but I love the Persian! I hope you'll post pics when your new rug is in place. Gorgeous home!

Update:

DH who could see the rugs in person insisted the afghan was the way to go. SIL (who has good taste) agreed, so for the sake of our marriage I told him to do what he thought was best.

The things we do for marriage :)

I will post pics once the rug is here, because I will need help decorating around it! Will definately need to do something with the sofa/loveseat. Why are loveseats so unpopular? I want a more modern none...something like this:

You have a very lovely space but it strikes me as being very monochromatic. I would forego buying the rugs from India and choose from the vast selection that's available here which can be tried out and returned if it's not suitable. Furthermore, I would buy two rugs. One would go under the dining table and be larger than the one you have there which looks a bit small for that area. Secondly I would pick out much richer, bolder colors for both areas to make your spaces more dramatic and interesting. You could then take a particular color from the living room rug and repeat it in the drapes (I would choose one of the lighter colors for the drapes) and you'll have a stunning, finished-looking room, especially if you add some vibrant art work to the walls. Most people tend to be too safe with their decorating choices and then wonder why their homes don't look like the ones in decorator magazines. Strangely enough, neutral and "safe" colors make you lose interest in a room long before the vibrant color scheme does, which makes you happy every time you enter that room. Some green plants would also help to ease the static quality of the present decor. When I say vibrant, by the way, I don't mean loud and garish. Use the colors you love. I suspect you've tried rather hard to stay "safe" and that does a disservice to your beautiful spaces. I do hope I haven't offended you in any way since I've gone far beyond the question you posed, but I would so love to see you make the most of your surroundings. Since I've already burned my boats, may I suggest floor or table lamps in your living room? Overhead lights can be harsh and are not really good for reading and close work. You'll also be amazed at how warm and livable it will make your room look. Again, please believe I mean no offense but would just love to be of help.