Texture, color, geometry
I have only two rugs: a long rya rug beside my bed, and a slate gray rug in front of my sofa. Both of these are examples of what I look for in a rug--the rug's texture, color and geometry. The soft texture of my rya is a good feeling when I put my feet on it in the morning. And of course that's sensed just by looking at it. In front of my sofa is a 4x6 slate rug whose color contrasts well with my red sofa, absorbing some of the strong color. The geometry helps define the space as distinct and separate from the adjoining space where I have a couple of Eames shell chairs and a Selig chair and ottoman.
Fifth Wall
I know it's a cliche...
my personal preference for rugs are less patterny, more colorfield-ish, (imagine a Rothko on the floor) which can make it pretty tricky - especially with 'contemporary' rugs. Most are just horrible collages of what people imagine Modernism to be. Even someone decent like Angela Adams has some real stinkers in her collection.
However, not to be totally negative, she also has some amazing pieces. I've got her Stone rug (in grey, not brown) in the livingroom - beautiful neutral color, quiet pattern, but still some movement to it. CB2 also (occasionally) has a good design or two on their site, but i've never seen them in person to know how the quality is.
I'm really in love with Chris Farr's work. DWR has one called Slade that I just drool over every time I see it. And his website shows some very interesting designs by Pawson, Panton, etc. Unfortunately they are usually priced as nicely as the designs...
I also have a big ole oriental in the dining room, to help soften the modernism that runs rampant through the house.
http://www.christopherfarr.com/about.htm
Robert, good point
I don't want it too retro-tastic. I'd prefer something subtle with a little interest to it, but not so much that it demands fill attention.
And as someone pointed, most "modern" or "contemporary" rugs today are hideous .... just really random collages of ugly geometric shapes with no real focus....
I love oriental rugs. Never seem to find the right one though...
If it helps you visualize -...
If it helps you visualize - the room will have an Eames lounge + ottoman, a Steelcase sofa (like the tufted Knoll) in taupe, a Kofod Larsen bent-ply backed lounge chair with metal frame (birch back), saarinen side table in white, and a nelson bench....
oriental
I'd go with the first one, whitespike. I think the second one is a very trendy style right now and will look very dated before it's worn out. It's nice, though.
My fave is an extra thick, extra long flokati that I got an an auction for $3. Unfortunately, it doesn't really work anywhere in our current house so one of my kids has it at her house. One of these days I'll get it back. And then I'm going to find a laundromat with a 200-lb capacity washer so that I can finally get it really clean. The bathtub just doesn't cut it.
West Elm has fairly reasonabl...
West Elm has fairly reasonably priced rugs.
http://www.westelm.com/online/store/CategoryDisplay?storeId=17001&langId...
No offense
to rug designers but i like a simple solid wool.
A floor frame for you furniture. A soft spot to frolic with
pets and children. Or a nap.
Too much visual clutter in most rugs. I would tire of the designs.
I also have a flokati i got cheap at auction. Maybe 10$? I cut it up into 4 squares
so i can toss them in the wash. Super thick because i put them in the dryer.
Shrunk a bit but didn't require any stitching.
I use them as dog beds and tossed all over, even out on the deck.
I have a new wool shag that i must have posted 6 months ago?
Still shedding like a husky in summer. It's a bitch but thick and soft. Has a stiff
and firm backing that will not bunch up or slip with dog play like a flokati.
I have not thought about its cleaning : ( but i keep a couple of the 4x4 flokati
squares on the favorite dog napping area. Similar color in natural off-white.
Choices
Yes, a nice Rya rug would work, a kilim, or a geometric Berber rug. Or a flokati, or a uni colored wool carpet.
Yes indeed, most "modern" carpets for some reason, are bloody awful. Haven't got a clue why.
Sorry, Whitespike, but you may want to think twice about the two blueisch rug choices above. I have seen some of the things you like featured on DA before, and I fear you may end up regretting either of these if you were to buy them. It's just a totally different style from your usual preferences. It's up to you, naturally, but are you sure you will continue to like these carpet styles featured ?
Actually, if cost is also an issue, and/ or you are a bit unsure of your tast in carpets (and you do not want to risk spending a whole plonk of money on a potential mis-
buy), there is a a pretty, fairly neutral, wool rug in IKEA you might like. (I plan to check it out on my next visit). Worth a look I think.
http://www.ikea.com/be/nl/catalog/products/30141715
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