I love it. What a gorgeous little space you've created. The coffee table is perfect. The rug looks great in the pics, but I know that the camera doesn't capture those kinds of flaws. I think a jute rug under a cowhide would warm up the black and white theme and also tie in the warmer colors of the florals. Do you really have all that roll of the fish? As soon as I saw it, I thought of a pouf (sp?). made out of it to put your feel on or use as extra seating. Be sure to post new pix as you get the room updated. Love it.

I don't have that much fish fabric. I like the poof idea though and I could buy more...

I kind of have a mental block on getting my throw pillows made. I've never had that done before and am intimidated about going to the store to have it done. I'd also be looking for their advice for a different fabric on the back of the pillows or maybe a contrasting piping on the edge.

I just found these chairs on line and might make the drive to see how comfortable they are:

{{!gwi}}

it comes in a darker wood and I could custom order darker fabric or dark leather. But I'm not in a rush to replace the poang chairs since they are so comfortable.

what do you think of this?

I've had this reindeer hide rolled up and stored for a long time. I bought it in Sweden about 25 years ago.

Do you think it would look ok on top of a jute or sisal or seagrass rug?

{{!gwi}}

the problem is that reindeer fur breaks easily, so it really can't be walked on, because that makes it shed a lot.

I used to have it hanging on a wall. There are two wall spots I'm considering for it, but one spot dh doesn't like, the other requires removing an ugly mantle to make it fit.

I would buy a sisal or seagrass rug first and see how the old cowhide looks on it. I have a feeling that it will improve the look of the cowhide, but I can't put into words why - something about drawing out the right colours and minimizing the harshness. I think the reindeer, while amazing, is just too small. It would be great hung or over the back of a small sofa.

If you had money to burn and a really big wall, I would have the reindeer framed.

First of all, I want to say I love your taste. That fish fabric is so fabulous (mind sharing where it is from?)

I think the problem is that your lovely new glass coffee table floats, visually,, so all you see is the large expanse of dark hide. I'll bet the hide looks better with a solid coffee table breaking it up, no?

I think your instincts are right that you need either a softer, more varied hide or a different rug altogether. How about this experiment? Remove the black hide and look at the reindeer hide over the white rag rug. Just to see how having lighter colors works for the space... If you like it, you can go shopping for other rugs with a better idea that they'll work.

Doesn't Ikea have some fairly inexpensive jute or coir rugs?

It may be that the white rag rugs are fine, just with a different throw rug over it.

Have you considered a flat weave Kilim in some muted neutral colors?

In just two days we've concluded the reindeer hide is out because it sheds like crazy. I remember it always doing this, but it might be worse since it is old. DH actually wants to throw it away!

I'm thinking of going with the new hide first, since the sisal type rug is going to have the same, kinda plain, neutral effect as the white rugs. And the white rugs were $30 from ikea, so I kinda can't beat that price currently.

If anyone has ever thought of a hide rug, I can say the cow is incredibly durable! You can spill anything on it and just wipe it clean with a wet paper towel. I'd imagine if you spilled wine or chocolate or something on a white hide, you could basically use a tiny bit of shampoo or soap and get it out as easily as washing it off your own hair.

I will put some accessories on the table too.

One problem is I need a rather large fiber rug. Ikea rugs are generally small. There are two of the white ones - which are 6x8 each.

I got the fish fabric (and the fox tablecloth) from huset-shop.com

the floral print is Stig Lindberg, but I can't remember where I ordered it. I've always wanted Josef Frank prints, but there is only one store in the US that carries it and it's like $300 a yard with a couple yard minimum!

Do you know this blog? Your style reminded me of it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bloesem