So no comments yet -- maybe fabric pattern choice is everyone's weakness too. I find it really hard to get the scale right, where to emphasize pattern and where to go visually quiet.

What kind of pattern would work with a braided rug? Large scale? A small but regular pattern that reads like a solid? Are checks too clunky? Would a medium color, burnished leather lack contrast with the floor? I'd like a patterned fabric on the sofa/armchairs because a solid would show stains & dirt more. Leather has an advantage in that our cat doesn't scratch it, but I'm afraid it will look too heavy or blend into the floor.

Perhaps I should use a solid for drapes because the all the pattern in the seating area?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, AWM,

I think your request is maybe too wide open. Not to sound corny, but do you have an "inspiration piece" or an "inspiration room"?

The braided rug may have stumped people a bit too, since they are not currently on trend, and since most people say "start with the rug:. since they are one of the most expensive elements with relatively fewer choices once you hone it on size, shape, material and color.

I do think checks go with the braided rug, but I might make the checks oversized to make the feel more up to date, perhaps? Honestly though, in your room I'd probably start with sisal or sisal-look.

Do you like any of these rugs, if you wanted to stay in the brown family?

dashandalbert browns

Or do you have a favorite color? What about olive?

dashandalbert greens

Thanks so much, mtn. I can be fuzzy-thinking sometimes.

I have a bad picture of my inspiration room -- gave the magazine clipping to my contractor -- so click on it to enlarge it. The picture was more about the use of paneling, actually. The combo of vertical & horizontal worked for our space. Also, we have a large fieldstone fireplace like this one, and the scroll work around the stone needs to be finished nicely as here.

Also, mtnrdredux, your suggestion for a sisal rug is good. I have a jute rug in my LR that I like a lot, and that could work here. DH, though, likes to lie on the floor when he watches tv (a life-long habit). He wants a comfy surface, & I thought a braided rug would be soft enough for him. Maybe I'll have him test out the jute rug when we get back.

Ha, I should be packing right now, but feel compelled to get some design decisions settled.

Braided rugs that might be considered a bit more stylish from Overstock. You can mix Buffalo Plaids or florals with any of these rugs.

Not sure if this would be your taste/style, but what about a mix of menswear-style fabrics, like tweeds, plaids, flannel, with a leather or suede sectional? I think it would look great with what you have so far. Here's a few fabric ideas--

Black And Grey, Ultra Durable Tweed Upholstery Fabric By The Yard · More Info

Buffalo Check Acorn Brown Cream Drapery Fabric · More Info

Brown Green And Ivory Large Plaid Country Tweed Upholstery Fabric By The Yard · More Info

Crewel Fabric Lotus Classic White on Tan Brown Cotton Velvet- Yardage, Yard · More Info

Brown Textured Tweed Chenille Upholstery Fabric By The Yard · More Info

Chocolate Brown & Gold Plaid Fabric · More Info

beverly, those are very attractive rugs. Will look into them, thanks so much!

jlc, that's a great concept: menswear fabric. That would work very well and gives me a target to home in on. I think I'm settling in on various browns and a soft gray blue accent for a color scheme, maybe a touch of green if necessary. That suits the fabrics you've suggested, no pun intended.

Thanks again, everybody. Ideas are starting to come into focus a little better now.

You can mix plaids with florals & stripes easily if they are similar colorways.