A New Season: The Rug Layer

Something I've noticed in this 10+ year journey to creating our home, is best described as "seasons" in design.  Unlike trends which tire quickly, seasons are like layers that build on what is already there...changing very little...but adding a new element which creates a new impact.  I really don't have an explanation for why a new "season" starts, but usually for me there is something nagging me in the back of my mind that something is missing or not working like I would like it to.  (None of that is technical information, by the way, it's just the best way I can think to describe my process! :) )

My latest season was all about rugs and the introduction of red as a subtle accent color.  While I love the color red, I've learned to steer clear of red for myself because it is such an intense color.  I need soothing colors....blue, green, grey, tan...and lots of white.  These colors keep me calm and help me breathe....seriously....  That may sounded really weird, haha, but it's true.  There really are a lot of different ways these colors can be layered together to keep it interesting, but sometimes it still feels a little limiting.  I really wanted to break it up a bit and be able to include some of my hidden favorite accessories that didn't fit into my "calm colors only" rule.

What prompted all of this you ask?? Well....for a long time now, I've been in a search (albeit not aggressively) for a new rug in the entry.  The rug we are currently using is one I acquired at an antique auction.  The people at the auction had used it to wrap up some dishes I purchased, haha, and I must have seen more value in it than they did because I decided to put it to use rather than put it in the trash.  :)

This rug is on the right track as far as the persian-esque style goes, but it really needs to be a bit larger to be functional in this space.   More recently, I've added a runner for the kitchen to my list of rugs to hunt for...also in a similar style.  The space by the kitchen sink is begging for some patterned rug love.

Why red??  We had some wonderful family pictures taken last fall and for some reason I used red as one of the colors in our outfits.  Did I not realize that I had NO red in my house and that it would bug me to display these pictures when they clashed with everything I had going on?  Obviously...if you are a normal person, you now realize that I am completely unhinged.  Yes, I know.  There is clearly something wrong with me.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not all about the matchy, matchy, but colors in a room have to play nice together and adding a random photograph with a red dress wasn't working for me.  I don't know what I was thinking when I dressed our family in those colors, but it turned out to be one of those happy mistakes.  (Made a ton more work for myself...but happy nonetheless)

So, to sum that up.... Need rug + Need place to introduce subtle red = Search for rug with red accents.  

One of my favorite resources for persian-type rugs is esalerugs.com.  I went on a search and picked out a few of my favorites.  I find it to be a bit tricky to pick out rugs online with the variance of colors, but because they have such an easy shipping and return policy I decided to take a chance on a few and try them out!  I was so pleasantly surprised when they arrived!  The colors were great...even better than expected!  

Exhibit No. 1...

This rug was a game changer for me.  I rolled it out in the living room, simply because that's where I had the most space, and it never left!  The "red" is a rust red/brown and not at all bright, but just red enough that I feel like a few red accessories/art can be pulled in and not look out of place! (once again...hard to tell in the picture!!) And with it's blue and brown accent colors, everything ties together nicely.  

Wait...wasn't I looking for an entry rug??? Oh yeah....  Isn't that always how it is? You find the item you're not looking for first?  And it's perfect...but you still haven't reached the goal that you set out to accomplish in the first place??  Story of my life :)  

As it turns out, I still have not found that perfect rug for my entry, but I did find a rug for the the kitchen (pics to come!) and the bedroom. (you may have noticed it here!)

xo,