Let’s talk about rugs baby, let’s talk about you and me, let’s talk about all the good things, and the bad things that may be – let’s talk abouuuuut rugs. This week we’re talking about rugs – choosing a rug, caring for rugs, why I chose this one, and a few little One Room Challenge updates. If the One Room Challenge // here // had proceeded as normal this would be the point where we all reveal our rooms and be done with it. But because of the extension I’ve got an extra week to wax lyrical about my love of rugs. Before I launch into my update this week, I want to take a minute and remind you to go check out all the official spaces // here // and check back on Thursday for the linking participants. This week I’m talking about our rug choice and how it ties the room together.
Catch-up on // week 1 // week 2 // week 3 // week 4 // week 5 // The Reveal
*Behr Paint, Rugs USA, Wayfair & Parima Studios sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.
For the dining room I chose the Bosphorus Tecumseh Tribal Tale Triptych Rug // here // available on Rugs USA.
Unfortunately I’ve only got a few pictures of the rug in situ because I don’t want to spoil the surprise. Next week you’ll get to see the whole space, so I’m keeping it all under wraps until then.
But first, I’d like to take a minute and thank all my sponsors, without whom this ORC would not be possible! This week’s update is especially thanks to Rugs USA.
So lets be frank, choosing a rug is kind of a daunting prospect. There are usually a few unassailable questions that race through your head, and upon which your purchase hinges: Will it be of good quality? Will it work with my existing decor? Will it match my other rugs? What about shipping from another country?
All of these questions are made even trickier when buying online because you don’t get to see the rug beforehand, you have no way of knowing what it actually looks like and you won’t get to touch it until it arrives.
This is now my 5th Rugs USA purchase, so I want to take a minute to lay-out a few things that I consider each time, and help answer any questions you may have. After all, I’m practically an expert at this point.
- Mixing and matching patterns
I’ve got a lot of patterns going on, so when I’m looking at a new rug I not only have to consider the incoming rug’s pattern, but how it will look next to the new ones. Because our home is so small, you can usually see one rug when standing on the other, so not only is cohesion key, but contrast is also important. I don’t want the rugs to all look the same. This is why the Bosphorus Tecumseh Tribal Tale Triptych Rug is perfect for the dining room.
Compare the Bosphorus Tecumseh Tribal Tale Triptych Rug to the Chroma Mosaic Medallion Rug.
I also look at the range of colours, the key design elements, and pile.
When you look at the living room vs. the dining room rug, you can see there is a medallion, a boarder, a mirrored pattern, and blues, greens with warmer accents.
The two are similar enough to be complimentary without clashing, or looking so similar that you wonder if it’s the same rug in a different color.
- Understanding the rug in context of the home
It’s not enough that two of the rugs match, the new addition has to fit with the rest of the house. When you look at the Bosphorus Tecumseh Tribal Tale Triptych Rug next to the other ones, you can see that the principles of mixing and matching hold-up on a house-wide scale.
Pictured: the Bosphorus Tribal Crosshatch Medallion, the Beeda Triabal Octagon Medallion Rug, the Bosphorus Tecumseh Tribal Tale Triptych Rug, and Chroma Mosaic Medallion Rug.
- Judging Quality
How do you judge the quality of a rug you’ve never seen? That’s tricky AF! I’m not going to lie, taking a risk on my first Rugs USA purchase was just that- a risk. But it paid off. With that first purchase I was not only able to judge the quality of the weave and the pile, but also of customer service and the ordering process. I can only show your pictures and tell you how much I love it, sometimes you just have to judge things for yourself. I highly recommend you take the plunge though, worst case you return it.
- Sizing
Choosing the right size is the second most important thing to consider. You don’t want to dwarf the room with a rug that runs from wall to wall, but you also don’t want to put something so small that it doesn’ t even fit under the couch and a chair. The general rule is that you pick a rug that will define the space your furniture will fill, with a little bit more on each side to give you some wiggle room.
- Wear & Care
The pile on the rugs I’ve ordered so far has been top notch for the price. The one in our living room has withstood a year of heavy foot traffic and pets, and you wouldn’t even know it! There’s no discolouration, no wear, no tears, and no theads have come lose. The same can be said of the rug in our bedroom, my office and now the runners in the staircase.
The one I’ve chosen for the dining room checks all the boxes on my list for the space. It’s a great match for the rug in the living room (less than a foot away), it’s big enough for the room and furniture in it, it fits with the rest of the house.
As you can see below, I’m playing around with the styling and figuring out where everything goes!
To Do List
- Paint the walls – CHECK
- Instal new light fixture – CHECK
- Paint (or maybe reupholster) the dining room chairs – CHECK
- Acquire and instal art – IN PROGRESS
- Lay new rug – CHECK
- Make roman blind for the window – CHECK
- Swap light switch-plates – CHECK
- Accessorize – IN PROGRESS
Susanne says
Oh Ariel!!!! I LOVE that rug!!!! All the colors are so beautiful and great words of wisdom on how to chose one to fit in with existing rugs in your home. I am trying to find one for our family room and it is hard to find one to coordinate without being exactly the same as the one in the living room. I can’t wait to see it all together next week!!
cassie bustamante says
oooh i dig this choice!
Emy says
Love the rug!! It’s so hard to figure out how to pair rugs. These are great tips!
Tammy says
The Chroma mosaic is one of my all time favorite rugs. Love it!
Susie says
Oh how I love that rug! Your tips are great, too! Looking so forward to seeing your room! Susie from The Chelseea Project
Susie says
Love that rug! Love the tips, too! Looking forward to next week! Susie from The Chelsea Project
sarah says
Love your eye for bright colors!! Great tips for selecting a rug.
jen@jenron-designs says
Ariel I love both the rugs above, they are so bright and colorful. I agree it can be daunting to choose the right one for a space. Great tips for choosing the right one.
Kristen says
The rug looks SOO great! You picked a gorgeous one! So excited to see this entire room. 🙂
tim@designmaze says
oh I love your rug choice and thanks for the tip!! this one is less formal and more “hip” … perfectly suitable to your eclectic room and those art pieces are fun! can’t wait to see it all next week!
Lisa Moody says
Ive been a designer for 20 years and choosing a rug may be the mist difficult for me! especially online. Youve done well!
Maggie @ Maggie Overby Studios says
great rug! bringing it all together, can’t wait for next week!
mary says
Those rugs are beautiful! I have heard a lot of good things about Rugs USA and will have to check them out.
Jessica Vanderveen says
Love it! everything about that rug is perfect. can’t wait to see more next week!
Nicki Parrish says
That rug is just gorgeous! Great choice. can’t wait to see the full reveal!
Delia Gibbs says
So, so pretty! I love the rug as well. I just know your completed space will look awesome.
Emily Vanderputten | chez V says
Loving all of the colors. Have always had great luck with my RugsUSA purchases. Highly recommend as an affordable source. Can’t wait to see your room!
Ariel says
Same! I love when everyone knows about a good spot for online purchases. Can’t wait to see your reveal!
Jillian says
I like that rug! The colors are perfect and I can’t wait to see the bright reveal!
Ariel says
it’s live now! You’ll have to go check it out
Dianr Rath says
love the rug you chose, great colors and pattern. Ive used Rugs USA many times in the past- for personal use and In the homes (and even commercial spaces) of clients- and I’m continuously impressed!
Ariel says
same! The company sells good rugs! no way around it
Casey says
Looking good! I love all your rug choices
Ariel says
thanks! I try to make them all cohesively.