Help me overcome designer's block
March 30, 2009 1:38 PM Subscribe
I'm having a hard time picking a rug that looks good in my dining room. Having already returned one, I no longer trust my own judgment. Please get me out of my design rut...suggest a rug in the $600 range (8x12) that would look good! Pics are here. The style of the house is modern/Japanese. There will be some modern art on the walls (which has neutral tones), which is not pictured.
If you don't mind high contrast, some rugs like the Zigzag and Andalusia at West Elm might work for you. Less bold, but still some nice big pattern to contrast with the solid walls and plain table is the Agra rug from Crate & Barrel.
Are these up your alley? Am I barking up the wrong tree? What floats your boat?
posted by ocherdraco at 2:00 PM on March 30, 2009
Are these up your alley? Am I barking up the wrong tree? What floats your boat?
posted by ocherdraco at 2:00 PM on March 30, 2009
Are those red walls? If yes ...
A solid rectangle of white, lime green, fuschia OR mustard, pick one, keep it very low pile! Not practical but the wow factor would be off the charts. Then go over the top with flowers, table settings, linens -- pop art flowers, Marimekko... or super high graphic black and white accessories. Yay!
posted by thinkpiece at 2:01 PM on March 30, 2009
A solid rectangle of white, lime green, fuschia OR mustard, pick one, keep it very low pile! Not practical but the wow factor would be off the charts. Then go over the top with flowers, table settings, linens -- pop art flowers, Marimekko... or super high graphic black and white accessories. Yay!
posted by thinkpiece at 2:01 PM on March 30, 2009
FYI, I went the large pattern, high contrast route because of traditional Japanese patterns (which I love).
posted by ocherdraco at 2:01 PM on March 30, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 2:01 PM on March 30, 2009
Response by poster: Here's the rug that I didn't like: Dorado Wool Rug
I liked that it was thick and dense, but the colors clashed. Also, it was more Southwest-ish than I expected.
I generally like geometric designs, and nothing very busy--simple is better.
Yes, those are red walls. thinkpiece, Why do you recommend low pile? That usually feels cheap to me, but perhaps there's a good reason for it I'm not aware of?
Of the suggestions so far, I think the black-and-white Marimekko looks the best, but it's way too small--it has to be an 8x12 to fit the table properly.
posted by jewzilla at 2:21 PM on March 30, 2009
I liked that it was thick and dense, but the colors clashed. Also, it was more Southwest-ish than I expected.
I generally like geometric designs, and nothing very busy--simple is better.
Yes, those are red walls. thinkpiece, Why do you recommend low pile? That usually feels cheap to me, but perhaps there's a good reason for it I'm not aware of?
Of the suggestions so far, I think the black-and-white Marimekko looks the best, but it's way too small--it has to be an 8x12 to fit the table properly.
posted by jewzilla at 2:21 PM on March 30, 2009
Similar to the Marimekko, big enough, but alas, this one's only in green. (Red and green are complementary, but it might just scream "CHRISTMAS!" all the time. Which might be awkward.)
I've heard good things about Flor tiles—you wouldn't get a large pattern, but if you're into checkerboard, you could mix and match and come up with something interesting. (And this Tuxedo Stripe rug kit looks cool.)
posted by ocherdraco at 2:56 PM on March 30, 2009
I've heard good things about Flor tiles—you wouldn't get a large pattern, but if you're into checkerboard, you could mix and match and come up with something interesting. (And this Tuxedo Stripe rug kit looks cool.)
posted by ocherdraco at 2:56 PM on March 30, 2009
Unless you have servants, low pile is easier to keep clean and aesthetically, it gives a dining room a more grounded feeling than a floaty cushy feeling (plus less invisible bread crumbs, etc). I have lots of guests and I like a more solid base when you're eating, entertaining, etc. You can set a side table near the dining room table, or a wine bucket in a stand with a low pile rug. There are very well-made ones around -- height doesn't necessarily equal quality. Look for a really good wool with a tight weave. I actually have really pricey 8x10 -- it was a remnant and I had the edges finished to make it an area rug, and it's low profile. I love that you picked a color for the walls, don't be shy about the rug. I myself don't love the trendy pottery-barnesque abstract-y rugs, I'm a fan of a very abundant table, so I like the anchoring palette of the room to be blocks of color, tone, texture, minimal distractions from the food and guests and grandma's mismatched china! Anyway, it looks great, have fun with it! Of course, scour the mags, pull a picture you look and hunt away.
posted by thinkpiece at 3:23 PM on March 30, 2009
posted by thinkpiece at 3:23 PM on March 30, 2009
I think this one would be nice - its neutral, but not too plain, and the pattern looks vaguely japanese-y. (Also, i think neutral tone on tone patterning would be ideal for that room - create some visual interest and 'movement' among all the sold colour, without competing too much with the walls.)
posted by Kololo at 3:47 PM on March 30, 2009
posted by Kololo at 3:47 PM on March 30, 2009
Best answer: Some of the rugs at CB2 are interesting.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 4:12 PM on March 30, 2009
posted by otherwordlyglow at 4:12 PM on March 30, 2009
Have you thought about tatami mats? It would provide something on the floor, Japanese style, a different texture but not a lot of color (although you can get the edges in different colors).
posted by Houstonian at 6:42 PM on March 30, 2009
posted by Houstonian at 6:42 PM on March 30, 2009
Modern and/or Japanese interior? Say no more; you want an Angela Adams wool rug. Not cheap, but perfect.
posted by Asparagirl at 9:21 PM on March 30, 2009
posted by Asparagirl at 9:21 PM on March 30, 2009
Nthing a neutral tone...but what I was told when I was looking for a dining room carpet is that stains in grass fibers are permanent.
posted by brujita at 10:47 PM on March 30, 2009
posted by brujita at 10:47 PM on March 30, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 1:52 PM on March 30, 2009