I moved it.. and it didn't change the look that much. I do have a small area jute or sisal (nut sure which it is) which I laid down so that you can see the comparison of colors. The rug is mush lighter/ivory. what do you think?

I'm liking the sisal but then again I'm the one that like the solid gray!

I haven't chimed in before but will offer my .02. The solids diminish the look of the chairs and the floor. All you see is the rug...not what you had in mind I am sure. The patterned rug flatters the whole and gives the room a cohesive charming look. I vote for keeping it as is.

As to the light/dark side of rugs. I have a house full of hand-knotted Persian rugs. All hand-knotted rugs have a light/dark side. It is what distinguishes them from machine made. I turn mine depending on the season...yep...dark side facing the entrance to the room in the winter and light side in the warmer months. It is amazing the difference in feel that it gives. Also evens out the wear and tear on the rug.

Tinker your renovation of your home has been a miracle of ingenuity and creative touches and hard work. Just lovely. I hope to see a lot more pics of the pool...I am a swimmer and can't imagine being inside with that pool out there awaiting me each AM :) c

trailrunner thank you! Here is the shocking news.. I have never been in the pool! Crazy I know... maybe today I should give it a try!

Oh..well...send your address and I will be there in a heartbeat :) I swim 1 1/2 miles every day. My pool liner went kaput after 12 years so am w/o a place to swim for 2 more weeks :(

Please do take more pics of the pool area and let me enjoy it vicariously. You have done the most amazing job on your lovely home. c

First, Tinker, is has been so much fun to watch you transform your house. I think I remember seeing photos from before you closed on it! It looks so lovely. You have done a great job. I love the soothing simple casual feel of it.

The LR rug is very nice. Like you, I don't love love it. But it works very well in the room and is pleasant. Rugs are so hard IMHO, so if it works, find other things you love for the room and let the rug be.

As for the sunroom, this is very similar to a question posted the other day about curtains and rug. When mixing patterns, the easiest thing to do is to keep in the same color family, and change the scale of the pattern and/or change between something linear (striped, checks, trellis) to something nonlinear (floral, ikat, toile etc).

If you look at Calico Corners, on their home page you will see several examples of mixing patterns automatically scroll over the page. I think it makes very clear the rules people usually follow.

THAT SAID ... When I gave this advice about mixing patterns the other day, I almost hesitated. Because, even though it works pretty well and is tried and true, I myself do not like it. To me, it is a little like paint-by-numbers, a little gimmicky. It is too formulaic.

So, while it is a good rule of thumb, I kind of think of it as "mixing patterns for beginners". (Note - i am a beginner!). I think a professional, like Pal, would be able to mix patterns in a less predictable but still very pleasing way.

Even so, your chairs are wonderful, and the sunroom rug is only okay. I would not give up. If it were an heirloom or an antique worn in one corner, I would like it better. But to me it is a mass produced rug that is nice but doesn't really highlight the chairs. So it does not work perfectly on an aesthetic level, but does not have the history or character or story to carry it on another level.
So it fails the room IMHO.

I haven't read the other posts, but heres my 2cents, I don't think the rug in the sunroom works. The chairs look like they have a grey undertone, and the rug looks like a yellow undertone. I don't think they do anything for each other. Of the additional rugs you posted I like #3, it gives it some soft contrast. I like the sisal as well, it adds some nice texture. Shipping rugs is expensive, but better than living with something you never really like.

I think the sisal or the solid you liked would look good, too, and there is the issue of paying $$$ for a rug that you don't love.

I tend to like certain things on the eccentric side, and this is a bit easier when it is something you already have. I also tend to like things that don't always look so great together, but this is a real tightrope. There is a fairly busy decorator here whose rooms try so hard to look accumulated and eccentric that they end up looking like she used a dartboard (try kelly green drapes with purple ruffles in a room with traditional furniture and no other purple or bright green to be seen...yep). I think this is getting into emperor's new clothes territory-she's expensive so it must be good.

Formulas become formulas because they work and they give pleasing results.
Sometimes, I think I steer away from formulas because at some point it dictates what else you can do, and this becomes a problem when certain colors or patterns aren't readily available anymore.

So even though I like the rug enough, there are probably better fits out there.

Not knowing what your aesthetic is, this may be way off base but have you considered having a piece of carpet cut and bound? There are so many options including soft sisal "look" carpet available in many colors. Just a thought...

tinker, is that sisal the natural fiber, wool or a blend? did it come in other shades? I really like the look in the sunroom and it makes the chairs and anything else you might add stand out.

http://www.sisalrugs.com/media/rugs/colors/serged_nylon_smoke_783.png

Here is a link that might be useful: Sisal rugs

Tinker, if you are not happy with the rug, don't settle, because if you are like me, you will not be happy with it. Send it back or use it in another room. The rug is lovely. I'd like to see something with a bit more contrast to those beautiful chairs. I think the first and last yellow rugs are great! They look soft/muted. Perhaps someone here could photoshop one in your room? I also like the sisal.

I like the living room rug but I would use some contrasting (vs.matching) pillows on the sofa and pull out colors from the rug.

tina

Although I agree with Palimpsest that mixed patterns can be rich and interesting, I don't think you can stop at two, particularly when they are so much alike.

If you were going to layer in lively curtains, and load the walls up with pictures, and have a collection of something on a tabletop, you might get away with it, but that's a very serene room, and I'm afraid I still think it looks like you just had the rug, so you used it.

I like the sisal, but I think it would need at least a slender black or dark brown border to define it. I like the stripe, but would like it better if it were either the same kind of not-green blue of the chair blue, or a khaki or golden tan.

You could also have a fat blue or gold or dark brown canvas border added to a sisal rug, or have a bordered rug made from remnants. In a room like that one, sticking to an edited palette would keep it serene.

The sisal is too harsh for that room, and the rug is just wrong. If it was right, there would be no discussion about it, no trying to fix things to tie it in. Keep trying. The chairs are fabulous, and the living room looks fine.

The rug looks fine to me, even though it doesn't "match" exactly. The pattern scale thing doesn't bother me because the pattern in the rug is so faint. Right now it's easy to focus on individual elements because it's all brand new.

I do like the sisal, though I'm repeating myself since I mentioned a wool sisal-look on your earlier thread (I think). There are color variations available in those sisal looks, so you could try a few and find one that's especially good with your chair fabric; and options for binding, if you want some contrast. The sisal imparts a porch-y feel to me in this kind of setting. It seems a little less formal (to me). Maybe that's what you're after; maybe it's not! I wouldn't do a solid blue or grey rug in there.

And adding to the chorus, I love seeing your house and watching you transform it. I can't believe the speed with which you're making this house a jewel. No wonder you have no time for swimming!

Thanks everyone for your help (I think!! lol)

I have spent the last few hours are area rug stores.. looking through piles and piles of hand knotted rugs. What I have realized, is this rug I have is very, very muted compared to ALL the rugs I viewed today. All the patterns are much stronger and have more color. I brought a big swatch of fabric with me.. and I didn't find ANYTHING (other than a plain white wool rug) that I thought looked good.

The rug is growing on me - especially after looking at so many others today. It's so muted, it doesn't compete with the chairs IMO.

So, I'm either going to keep it, get the platinum or go with a faded cream (which has no blue in it). I agree with lazydaisy, the sisal to me feels more porch-y to me. I want casual, but with a taste of vintage since the house is 75 yr old.

have to say THANK YOU to all of you again, because this house has been a major work in progress, but all of you have helped me every step of the way! It's wonderful to be able to bounce ideas and thoughts off each other, and many things I would have never thought of! {{!gwi}}From 2012-06-30

I really love this one! Right tone and very muted.

I guess I can't help myself.. still looking!

I do think pipdog has a good eye, think the west elm would look good, and this one (I forget what site!).. but it is very out of my comfort zone - but I like it too. {{!gwi}}From 2012-06-30

this too - not very "vintage"
{{!gwi}}From 2012-06-30

and "THE RUG" at night.. I don't know.. it doesn't look that bad to me!

It doesn't look "bad", but is that your standard?

I think you are still mixing two very similar patterns (eg the blue one above).

I like the yellow one but I can't tell the scale. And i think it is a dhurrie, which is thin ... just be mindful of that.

If they have it, order a small one, 2x3, on trial.

BTW I think rug shopping is very hard!

Not a fan of the sisal at all....too rustic for the soft mood of the room.

Seagrass is rustic. Sisal, especially a fine wool sisal, can be quite formal.

I like it just the way you have it. I don't see the patterns as fighting each other. Instead, it reminds me of old homes where they mixed different patterns and it all melds together nicely.

It's a really, really lovely rug!

Also, the photos don't give the dimension that seeing it in person does. I'm sure it looks beautiful.

Main thing is, what do YOU like. It's your home. If you like it, go for it. If nothing else, sit on it a while and see how you feel.

Best wishes!

I don't have a problem with muted rugs or rooms without "pops" of strong color (and how tired I am of that phrase, anyway!). Maybe it is my iPad, but both rugs look very beigey-brown and not at all like the cream/white/ blue/ yellow /gray of the sunroom or the muted/ natural palette of the LR. Neither rug looks great in either room, but I certainly understand your reluctance to return them and the urgency of wanting things finally done! I am trying personally not to let "perfect" be my own yardstick for every single element in every room. For some features, good is good enough. But "acceptable" is a long way from good, and with all the time you've spent on your project I think acceptable is not good enough for you. If you love them, keep them. But if you don't, I would look for a nice wool sisal for the LR and continue looking for the right pattern/color for the sunroom.

The thing that doesn't look right to me is the white bookcase opposite the chairs. I think it would balance the room better if it were painted the blue or yellow of the chair. Otherwise, I think the rug looks fine.

I think the sunroom rug works "okay". Maybe not prefect... but through all my researching, and this thread...I can't find perfect! A few like the solid platinum, most don't. A few like the sisal, most don't. A few like the stripes, a few like the gold, and a few seem to think this rug is just fine! I could go on and on searching, but I'm not sure if I'll find a "perfect" rug that everyone thinks looks good. I really think the tile floor is part of the issue, it's distracting (and why I thought I'd go with the flow and use a platinum rug). I can't change the tile floor, I can't change the chairs so those 2 things I HAVE to work with.

This rug is a hand-knotted rug, the colors do change! AT times it looks more beige, other times, golden, and others cream. Looking at all the rugs yesterday, it is not a dark beige like many of them.

The Living Room - I like the rug, it's nice enough... but I'm still looking for a couple more days (I have been looking for MONTHS) so not sure if I'll end up returning. I don't know many people that will actually come in and stare at the rug, so maybe I'm over-thinking this whole thing (I've been known to do that!)

First of all I love the rug and the scale doesn't bother me. I think the background colors of the chair and rug is what is off.

In your first pictures, the white background of the chairs shows up kind of stark against the slightly beige/tan background of the rug.

The picture you posted last night looks much better - the chair looks more ivory. Now IRL, I'm sure the background of the chair is white. I earlier suggested throw pillows picking up the tannish/yellow of the flower in the chair to tie it to the tannish color in the rug. I still think that will help. Even try draping a throw casually across the back of one of the chairs. Not bright yellow, not dull tan, but yellow-tan. Do you have a piece of fabric or clothing or anything to try?

I tend to agree with Karlene in that the white shelf is throwing the look off. Would you consider painting it. Whites look so awesome in your home, but this rugs seems to be begging for some earthy tones. How about some magic with AS paint?

Tuesday

re: your 'doesn't look that bad' comment with the night photo..... i say that alot of times if i think i got a really great price on something- clearanced down 65% or more- looks fine!!

the rug doesn't look bad! but, it's not the best choice imo. if it was a pricey rug, i'd want it right. if it was a great deal(which i don't think was the case), i'd be fine with it!
and, so much of what 'looks good' is subjective- there's no right answer, so you're getting lots of different opinions here!
i'm currently redoing some flooring and rugs in our house and i have been back and forth bringing home samples sooo much---so many choices-not easy!!

I think the pale one you posted Wednesday at 19:00 is perfect.
The pattern is there, but it doesn't compete with your pretty chairs, and the tone seems just right.

So one big vote for that one. Can I stuff the ballot box...?

i'm having the same dilemma right now....only in my case picking a rug from 'scratch'....can be very daunting...

i tend to agree with the poster who wrote the problem is with the background colors on the chairs (which are beautiful) and the rug...

personally, i think more contrast is needed...something to make the background of the chairs stand out more against the rug....maybe something like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: medium background rug (blue)

OCD.. yup, I have it. Can't stop looking at rugs - so I'm still trying!

bronwynsmom, gulp, I didn't pay attention to the price of that rug - $3500 plus shipping. I'd spend that in the living room, but I don't want to spend that in the office/sunroom.

What about a pure solid cream rug? I bought one on ebay (it's a pottery barn rug) and I put it in the guest bedroom, but it looked blah to me, so I'm returning it. It's rewrapped, at DH's office and ready to ship when the person tells me where to ship it. Should I call him and tell him to bring it back?

color may be way off but here's a wool stripe from Karastan

Here is a link that might be useful: yellow stripe

I have a nearby rug shop that is excellent. They bring the 9x12 sizes to my house for testing. They will also take any inspiratiopn photos I have and try to source/match at their warehouse or other suppliers. Do you have a good rug shop like this? It makes a big difference.

I'm thinking that a pale yellow rug might be just the thing that works.. What does anyone think about a pale yellow shag?

Hold on.. I'm doing some photoshopping!

chispa, we do have a store nearby, but their prices are just too high and they won't deal! I've purchased rugs for several years from a place in NJ - they are great about returns (but I pay!!) . The prices are GREAT for hand knotted rugs. I'm sure they are not top, top of the line because they would cost me a lot more! This rug, was discounted to $1100... which is pretty good!

check back soon - I'll be posting rugs within the room!

Back.. these mock up I think will help. First I want to start with a close up of the rug, and than I took a piece of scrap fabric and a new white curtain so you can really get the idea of the color of these chairs. They look like a white background, but in realty - it is a cream/off white. This room is sooooo bright with full glass windows on 2 sides.

The "Gold" in the fabric looks green, but it is a beige-y /greenish gold.

here it is with the flash - a little more true to color.

Here it is with a gold tee shirt pillow! It's hard to get the right light, but these are pretty close.

okay - now the photoshop pictures!

The vintage gray (I still think this looks okay as well). What I think I like about this is the tile blends in.

yellow striped

cream

still would choose the gray!...tho i thought the original gray you posted was closer to your floor color-i liked that best out of what you've shown...

busybee, I think the gray is darker, my photoshop editing is not exact.

I like the rug you have the best, especially with the yellow pillow. Maybe put something with the blue in the room, too.

Here's my 2 cent's worth, tinker!! For me, your existing rug is too similar a pattern "design" to your chairs, plus I think the colors are fighting each other a bit. I'm not crazy about the photo shopped yellow stripe...feels contemporary but your chairs seem not that contemporary...maybe too "rigid" in design? I really like the grey vintage because it blends with your floors more & lets the chairs be the star, but I also like the cream. However, the grey is my fav. of these.

Seems like you like some softness and curves in your decorating (so do I), so maybe that's why I like the vintage grey.

Rugs are VERY hard for me to pick out. I need one in our little tv room adjoining the kitchen & have none now, because I can't decide on what I want!!

I really like the vintage gray..try it with the yellow pillow ...other than that the one you have would be the next best.

As another thought..have you thought of using your painting /waxing talents on the white bookcase ? It needs to be something other than that plain white. I know you need more to do :) c

Yeah!! Love the yellow t-shirt (oops! pillow). Now add something (I don't know what) to the white bookshelf. Just a few "shade of color" is bringing it together.

Great! getting somewhere! All those pictures.. and the bookcase, I just bout it at HomeGoods, cheap - I'm very open to painting it (once I finish the rest of he rooms!!) lol

Once I added the yellow T-shirt pillow, I knew I bought the wrong pillow material with the striped fabric.

lizzie, yes - I'm a muted kinda girl! lol

I typed a response last night by DD borrowed my computer and I forgot to post.:(

The rug you have looks good. It doesn't have to stand on its own; it's part of a whole.

I am like you (I think). I don't like any one item in my home to stand out, or things to look too decorated and deliberate. I like the yellow rugs for your chairs, but they may be just a tad too much "on the nose." I liked wool sisal for your room, but I love texture.

I like everything to meld together to create a calm, comfortable whole. I want people to say "I love this room", not "I love that rug". To me, the later speaks to the luck of a purchase, the former speaks to my ability to create an atmosphere.

To me, the addition of the yellow tee-shirt pillow cinched it. But, I agree, the little shelf needs work to fit in.

You have good instincts; trust them.

Dee

I also agree with Pipdog to some extent. The color of rug is getting lost in the outside light which engulfs the room. However the meandering vines patterns and traditional designs are okay to me.

Love the soft color of the rug in the room with the sofas, but now the coffee table really seems too dark for the rest of the room. A softer finish might work better. Also maybe a pad under the rug.

Wow, when you remove the rug and put a mostly solid type of area rug, it really makes those chairs look great. Don't do as I have done, keep things just because it's easier and cheaper at the time. In the long run, it's better to get it right and feel really good about it than to keep something that you don't feel completely settled on and end up changing out in the future or just forever not really liking it. I want to love things I have to live with. I sympathize, it's hard trying to make things work when you have things already in place to work around and with today's offerings being what they are. I could agree with the idea of the lived in look of fine antique thread bare and lovely old carpets from around the world, but if your whole house isn't like that, I can't really get onboard with that...unless of course it's Sister Parish's house.

If you do in fact want to keep the rug (which is beautiful). I would break up the sea of muted colors with maybe an ottoman for one chair or something like this? This may be something you do not care for, but it gives an idea.

Another thread from 2012, folks. These threads are popping up like drowned bodies coming to the surface.......weird.

Oops Kswl. I did not even notice the date! I will start looking closer before I reply. I feel like a moron.