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.
Nigel says
The rug does not need to match anything, merely coordinate… Your specific concern regarding the Knoll Rivington fabric: this shall read as a solid, and texture rather than “pattern”. (Love this choice, have had a small sofa in a lighter colourway.) The stria or stripe effect shall recede into the background, as say a small scale pattern would (like the wall covering). Trust your visceral reaction! Beautiful carpet, you may be able to use elsewhere if you don’t like it all together in situ! Sometimes designers even change their minds once it’s all together…. You have great taste, and I’m sure you can pull it off!
Melissa Hansson says
I love it. It’s perfect.
Laura Ainsworth says
The colors are fabulous, but I don’t think the pattern complements the barkcloth. I know that particular barkcloth well and have it in my own “midcentury rainforest” tiki-style living room. I might be very tempted to put that rug in my own tiki room but am sure I would decide against it.
But, wow, such a beautiful rug. Will it work anywhere else in your house?
Allison says
I think the oriental would be perfect in a British Raj/tropic colonial motif, but I’m not sure it works with the very 50’s vibe of a tiki lounge.
But as an earlier poster said… leave it on the floor and it will soon either delight you or irritate you, and you’ll know what to do.
FYI; tried to re-latex some area rugs and it wasn’t a success. The latex/cheesecloth backing just dried kind of hard; not grippy. But it did encase the crumbling latex, so in that respect it worked.
Katie says
I think either a jute or sisal rug. I think that in theory a oriental rug could work with tiki decor, but in this particular case the stiff, stylized floral of the rug is fighting with the naturalistic florals of the the rest of the room.
Emily says
Don’t rethink your vision in the middle (unless maybe you see something MORE perfect). Just see how it looks at the end — you bought it either way, right?
Nancy says
Go with something plainer than Oriental. Just doesn’t seem like the right vibe. You don’t want to compete with the Tiki themed prints. Love how the room is coming along though!
lexi says
I think the idea of an oriental rug is great for this room. From what I’ve seen I think a lot of times Asian/middle eastern/tropical decorations sort of got jumbled up in the US before there was as much cultural contact. I mean look at chinoiserie, it’s not Asian so much as fake European Asian. That being said, I’m not sure about this particular rug. I don’t think plush is the right way to go. What about those oriental rugs with the flat weave? (I’m really sure what they’re called). For some reason that seems more appropriate
Kristin says
I think as oriental rugs go, this would be a good one for your purpose. I don’t think you necessarily need to go “tropical” with every single object and texture in the space. But. With your curtains you have a lot of pattern going on so I’m curious to see how well they play together.
Thomas Imdieke says
I love it! The first thing I thought when reading the post was that it would look great with some dark browns, perfect with the Barcelona chairs. It also looks great with the live green plants. Polynesian look is all about Eastern designs and influence so that works. And you love it which is what really matters. Elvis would approve.