All About a Rug

Admittedly, I've been thinking a great deal about our living room and analyzing what does and doesn't work. Besides just changing out the pillows, I also have a wish list of a million rugs that I'm considering for when I finally pull the trigger. I go over the list with our stylist as much as she'll let me. An area rug is the make-it-or-break-it part of any room and let's face it... right now, my measly sisal just doesn't make it.

I've learned so much about rugs in the past year and a half and have an amazing amount of respect for the artisans who are keeping their craft alive by hand knotting and hand tufting area rugs that truly last a lifetime. But I'm also all about a flat weave and sisal.

So until I figure out our living room rug dilemma, let's take a look at some beautiful living rooms that work with well-appointed rugs in all shapes and sizes.

In the sitting room below, a good sisal sets the stage and defines the area.

I love Jamie Meares' eye- that girl can mix pattern and color in her sleep. The layering of the rugs in the room below adds an extra visual element that surprisingly doesn't take away from all of the pattern.

Fur rug? Sure... why not? Except that the person that lives in the home below must not have a brown dog named Emma.

I loooooooove this room. The orange and white striped curtains paired with the slip-covered furniture and brown tufted velvet bench works. Period. And so does the amazing patterned rug (carpet?).

Celerie Kemble is hands down my favorite designer out there. I love how she can mix and match pattern and texture, top it with a stuffed peacock or life-size knight in armor and end with magic. The geomtric-patterned area rug doesn't detract from the rest of her living room.

The two rooms below are from of the same home - and I love everything about this home by Windsor Smith. I'm a big blue person and this is how you do blue and white right (without turning into the crazy blue person).

Mustard yellow. Swoon. The sherbet and mustard work surprisingly well with the more traditional reds in the rug.

Barrie Benson knows her color. I like how this room is a modern take on traditional. This is definitely my style.

This room had me at the leopard couch. And then at the green velvet chairs.

Images via.

So I hope that you enjoyed my round-up of to-die-for living rooms. I'll keep you posted on when (if?) I pull the trigger and finally buy a new rug.