"If you want solid, why not go to a carpet store and have rug cut to the size you want and bound? I don't think it costs very much, and you might even be able to buy an inexpensive remnant and have it cut and bound to your dimensions. You'd get exactly what you want." I guess I am thinking that a cut piece of carpet is different than a rug? I guess I am thinking that solid color runners would be softer than just plain 'ol carpet. Carpet looks like carpet. I dunno if that makes sense. I ended up ordering the Cindy Crawford ones in vanilla, which is off white diamonds on off white rug. So I think the pattern will be pretty subtle. I'll probably know in a week or two. Can I use Scotchguard or a similar product on my new rugs? I just bought an 8x10 area rug from HomeGoods for the living room also. My main concern for stains would be from the dog. We do always keep Nature's Miracle handy.

Idk...

Fun project for a fun couple. Turned out we have a coupla of other common interests that have nothing to do with building or design that we talked and laughed about. A little tough with a 1400SF program given all the requirements especially the gourmet (large) kitchen as cooking is a serious hobby for them. I'm hoping Mrs. ARG and I will be invited to the first big meal served!.....LOL! When programs are probably too small to accommodate all the needs/wants I try to set it up with easy expansion options like here with the noted 4' expansion. We've had other communications since and the MBR wing might be expanded too. I've done this before as an illustration as to the thinking process to those who write "I need a program to design my house"......no you don't. Not really when starting. Computers are great for later and fine tuning, like for the 3D stuff, but best to start with ideas that are unencumbered by how long a wall is or the width of a hall or the size of a window or the depth of a kitchen cabinet (I love the latter as in one program all the EXACT sizes of the cabinets are on the "first draft" drawings!! And I draw these at a relatively small scale, usually 1/16" or 1/20" equals a foot so it's easier to keep the "big idea" in mind. The drawings below are about 5 1/2" across. There were probably 50-60 of these overlays but here's one of the first ones, just freehanded out but to a scale so I can keep tabs on the house size: And then a little later overlay: I liked the stair running parallel to the homes' cross circulation which I normally like to do but here it was impacting not only house size but my idea for easy roof framing to accommodate the attic storage likely needed in a very small house and that works best with attic stairs running parallel to the roof framing. So I abandoned that idea (and VERY reluctantly....it hurt.... but my design Profs. at Va. Tech always stressed to not be afraid to give up on what at one time seemed like a great idea. ) and went here: Still 226SF over budget so I cut down the 58' length to 54' but noted it as a possible option on the final. At this point I'm basically there with just freehanded bumwad overlays but I needed to go ahead and get it in a form anyone else besides myself can understand so therefore the drawings at the top of the thread. Maybe my skill set is different in that it only took me 45 years to be able to do this but I still beleive for those doing this for the first time, a pencil and paper is best for getting a "big idea" quickly and fluidly out of one's head and onto paper. Let's worry about the kitchen cabinet dimensions and window sizes later. But as I said and I'll say it again, a fun and challenging project for a fun couple. We're not done yet but I'm enjoying it!

I have DIYd it back when I owned a couple tonhouse renatls. Easy to install with a stapler, the trick is to get it straight (first time we started straight but it ended up curved) If your stair turns or has a landing I think even I would not DIY In my area we have a 100 year old carpet store that I would purchase from and have install,