Sooo… yesterday we talked about the look of worn rugs acting as a neutral background for a slightly more traditional living space…

While we’re on the topic of rugs, let’s talk about animal print… kind of the opposite of “traditional”

I mean if it’s good enough for the editor of Real Simple…

Red is a color I stay away from in our own home…

Perhaps it’s from seeing a few too many homes in the 1990’s look like this:

Woof.

There’s a lot of red, and a lot of brown… and all together it equals… just a lot.  Too much.  I call this look “faux elegance”.

That said, I have a real appreciation for this loud color when used in the RIGHT way.  For me, that would be in accessories.  More specifically, I could really see myself incorporating this color through a Persian rug… but not an uber traditional rug – one with more of a tribal print.  I swear I’m not trying to be vague!!  If you’re not entirely sure what I’m talking about, check out Jenny’s (of the Little Green Notebook):

She had this great little rug: from in her New York kitchen.  See what I mean?  With a less traditional pattern, that is more graphic and “chunky” it really makes this space come alive!

Here are some other good examples of using red Persian rugs without going overboard…

This hallway had me at hello… white adobe walls, substantial wooden beams.  It’s classic Spanish style meets the middle east, and the punch of red on this flat woven rug is absolute perfection…

Again… here we have a nice neutral kitchen, and the red runner just wakes things up a bit (plus, whatever gets spilled on this rug will disappear instantaneously with all the dark colors and pattern)

I love this pair of rugs in the library.  With a full wall of books, it’s hard to go wrong here, but they just add a global element, and having a more simple, large diamond pattern in the area rug isn’t too busy against all the book spines.

This rug isn’t Persian – it’s more southwestern, but I love it.  Again, who would think to put a large rug like this in a kitchen??  Not that many people, but with so many spills, it’s genius!  Just don’t put an heirloom in there…

So what is my conclusion about red?

When done in small doses, it’s amazing!

I’d go for red rugs with a global feel (Persian or Southwestern seem the safest).  More graphic patterns are also easier and at all costs, stay away from any red rug that looks “faux Tuscan villa”, or “old European” in any way shape or form.

Ahh the bedroom – all talk, no action on my end so far!  I swear, this room really is next on my list for a makeover said the girl who cried wolf.

Do you remember this inspiration board I had put together for our bedroom??

I still love it, BUT… the rug is going to end up being too small!  It took me oh… six months… but I finally took measurements, and the 5×8′ rug that used to be in the living room is not going to work in the bedroom!  You literally won’t be able to see it from underneath the bed.

So, I’ve decided to sell it, and get something larger.  With the option to choose a new rug (which by the way, RugsUSA is having a 60% off sale that ends today) my options for the room just got a whole lot more exciting.

You all know how much I ADORE a creme colored upholstered headboard with nail-head trim… but after months of thinking, I’ve come to the conclusion that a headboard in this color won’t stand out against our off-white walls and it won’t add much interest to the room (sad).  I’ve shifted gears, and I’m going to be brave with color!

What color??  Navy!  I am now thinking of a lush navy headboard that will be the room’s centerpiece.

Taking a look on RugsUSA, I’ve narrowed down my choices to these three rugs…

Amazing right??  Not only are all three of these available in 7.6’x9.6′ measurements, but all three are below $300 – one of them is even below $200 (can you guess which one??).

I can pretty much guarantee that Kris will veto the zebra print rug immediately, even though it looks so soft, the grey is so pretty, and I love a good zebra print if it’s not too crazy.  I’m not even going to pick that battle…

I love the bold pattern and the rich color on the navy rug, but I worry that it will be TOO graphic (is that possible?).  On the other hand, if we go for a navy headboard, this rug would really tie everything together.

The third option is a pretty neutral trellis rug.  This rug (like the zebra) looks incredibly soft, and I love the colors, but while it will be versatile no matter how much I change up the room, is it boring?  Also, is the trellis pattern too similar to the rug in our living room?

I need to make a decision today since the sale ends today – if I’m not getting 60% off, I can’t justify a new rug.  To help me make this decision, I’ve put together two new inspiration boards for the bedroom.

Here is the first one…

I like this option… I yellow and navy look so great together, so I could use the extra fabric from the roman shade in our hallway to make a few pillows, and whip up a quick navy chevron lumbar pillow as well.  I keep coming back to the fact that the rug is simple, and that it will go with everything, no matter how many times I change the accessories up.

I also like the idea that I can move it into the living room for a very different look since these rugs will be the same size!

Next up, is the inspiration board with the navy rug…

This just looks awesome, right??  Aside from looking super styled and tailored, the navy rug is also less expensive!!  It will be just $200 with taxes tacked on!  I think I am leaning a towards the navy rug, but my head keeps telling me that the neutral trellis is the “safe” choice.

Ive seen several rooms where zebra is used as a neutral and I love it!  Look at it in this living room!

June and Bear

And here again!!  I think I’m not crazy… and I think I might just end up with a rug on it’s way in the very near future…

Decorpad

I’m also loving this pale blue chevron printed rug….

This modern damask rug…

Oh I have some serious decisions to make!  The discount code for 50% off your RUGSUSA order through Monday is Private50!  Happy shopping!