What do you think?: Will an oriental-design rug work in my tropical-theme Mahalo Lounge?
I have thought for quite a while that I would use an oriental rug in the lounge:
- I love oriental rugs — and they look fantastic in midcentury homes. They are timeless — they have been be around forever…
- I think that when chosen correctly, they (1) blend, (2) accentuate, and (3) make a statement all their own — all at the same time…
- And I love mashing things up. And, the more pattern the better. But it’s gotta work; I know it when I see it.
I found this rug at my favorite used furniture store. The colors were right — the slightly muddy coral field! — and so was the price. The back is flaking (I’m reading online that that’s old latex delaminating and can be repaired), so it’s not perfect. But I was itching to get something on the floor, so I took a chance and carted it home.
I waaaaaant it to be right, but I’m not sure. I think it’s going to fight the upholstery of the sectional.
Like I said: I love mashing things up, and I love lots of pattern. But: I am not a professional interior designer who has done scores of rooms. I still need to experiment… to take risks — and ack! spend money… to see if what’s in my head will really translate into a room. This one: I am not sure. What do you think?
- Browse >> all my stories about my Mahalo Lounge << to get sneak peeks of the various elements and how they’re starting to come together.
Tammy1749 says
Its the blues. the rug is fighting with the blue in the fabric. If you don’t mind some bickering from time to time from them, it would work. But me, I’m sensitive to that blue making snarky remarks to the rug. I agree with above that it could be a place holder until something better comes along.
ineffablespace says
I voted “no” tersely from my phone, but I wanted to come back and go through my thought process.
First I have to say that my own taste is very eclectic. I lived in a house built in 1838 and had mostly modernist furniture and some antiques. Now I live in a mid-century brutalist house and have more traditional midcentury, and more antiques than I had in the antique house. My stuff spans three centuries from the late 1700s to the late 1900s. (nothing millennial yet). So I get it, it’s my preference.
That said there is really nothing eclectic or “mash-up” about this particular project, as much as you may do that in other rooms. This is a theme room pure and simple.
(Ok, technically there is some electicism here because of your architecture. Your fireplace and dentil moulding aren’t tiki, they are colonial revival…but you are suppressing that by faux graining it all).
But really there isn’t anything about this particular rug that says “Tiki” , eclectic, sure; timeless, sure; suitable with mid-century, sure. But tiki is such a specific look. Say this wasn’t a rug, say it was a late classical period sofa with rolled arms and hairy paw feet. Would it work mixed with mid century furniture in an eclectic room? Sure. But would you even think of putting it in a tiki room, especially with traditional upholstery on it? Probably not.
That’s my test: Right now you are looking for a rug, you used your leopard for the walls, you may be running low on budget, so you found a great rug that you would use in general at a great price. Bingo. (?)But, if it was a sofa you were looking for and an antique sofa fell in your lap would you say “This is it?” I think you’d pass.
Pam Kueber says
Yes, I am fatigued with spending — and I still have to pay for the sectional!
Jay says
Think of this as one of those cheap and easy, done moments. You had lighting work to do also.
Jay says
Right now, I think the rug is the denouement; the expensive permanent aspects such as the drapes and sectional have been chosen. It’s an inexpensive area rug that could be the first of many.
JaneH says
I think it’s beautiful with the draped fabric but could holler at the sectional a little.
lynda says
I say try it out for awhile and see if you like it. You can always sell it on Craigslist if you don’t like it. The rug would hide dirt and stains and the colors are right. Sometimes you can only see if you like something after the room is totally done. The colors you have chosen already are so crisp and bright, you may need a more nuetral rug. Perhaps one of the indoor/outdoor rugs would be a good choice.
Heart says
Yep, agree with most here (kind of you to ask 🙂
My first thought was sisal too but as some have stated 1) not comfy 2) stain-able 3) Not sure if you have a ‘shoes off’ policy in your house but heels can reek havoc on sisal (cats too).
Polynesia is a mix of the orient so an oriental ‘could’ work.
Try it for now (who can pass up a bargain?), You will know after it’s all together & you live with it awhile. The right floor covering will come along, but for now try it out.
Paula Webb says
I say yes. To me it gives the room an British/East India Co feel.
Vic says
I love oriental rugs and think it looks great with the drapery fabric and the couch. The wild card is the wall covering, you will need to see it all together to figure if it is just too much. If you still had the pale wall covering there would no question in my mind that it would be perfect.
LuAnn says
It’s so hard to say without seeing everything in context. It would definitely be a juxtaposition of styles, but sometimes that works. I say try the rug and see how you feel about it then. Can’t wait to see the finished room! ????
Jay says
Go with it! I think you need to see it with the sectional in place. It has a nice tropical/botanical feel and does not scream formal oriental style. The colors are muted and will let the sectional speak for itself. You obviously like the rug and the size must have been correct or you would not have bought it. Funny, you show the upholstery swatch against the drape pattern (pillow) but not the rug. You want something soft underfoot if you are in stocking feet or bare foot; not sisal, the room still has formal bones. If you’re not happy with it think of it as a placeholder until the next best thing comes along.
Pam Kueber says
Hi Jay, I showed the upholstery on the pillow adjacent to the rug for that purpose…
Jeanne says
Okay, I’m so blind! I can’t see the upholstery sample and the rug together in any of the photos…
Lynne says
Google “tropical area rugs”. I saw several that might work. Black backgrounds with the greens and corals. Also check Millikan. I think that’s the brand. They used to have a lot of printed carpet. Even plaid, the last I knew. We had a floral piece bound to our specs in the 1909 house we had. Wore like iron.
You know, you might even reconsider that leopard print. It might be nice to pull that pattern from the wall down to the floor. Sort of ties the room together to repeat a pattern.