LOooove the look of layered rugs!  Such a great way to freshen up a room, personalize and add texture.  The BEST part… when you tire of the combination, switch the positioning of the rugs, or add a newer piece or take a rug away, and the look, shape and color emphasis will be completely different.

Sisal rugs are a perfect way to start the layer, especially for pattern and color-shy types.   Toss an animal skin, an oriental rug, a patterned dhurrie, something thick and shaggy, or bright and geometric over the sisal to provide interesting texture and a new shape.

southernexposure1.squarespace.com

southernexposure1.squarespace.com

studioten25.com

My personal preference… the more, the merrier!  I’m crazy about the color, pattern, texture and shape that comes from a combination of rugs.  Orientals, flat weave dhurries, animal skins and more more MORE! 

rugdesignblog.com

rugdesignblog.com

plazarugs.com

Some prefer a more serene and subtle combination and color scheme.

hgtv.com

studioten25.com

studioten25.com

Others might like the layered LOOK,  but don’t want to pile rugs on top of one another. These patched-together area rugs are a perfect solution, and such a wonderful way to recycle bits and pieces of vintage wool rugs that are frayed, worn or stained.

housebeautiful.com

AND…what about over-dyed patchwork rugs?!  These rugs are chemically neutralized, which allows them to still retain their individual patterns and designs, then dyed a single color.  Be still my heart!

worldmarket.com

goto.interiordesign.net

You can also find over-dyed rugs which are solid and not patched together. Spectacular!

simplystated.realsimple.com

simplystated.realsimple.com

What are you decorating your floors with these days?

I never get tired of looking at pictures of my children.  I bet you don’t either! But at some point, all of those pictures, showing the kids at every stage of growing up…. birthdays, school, sports, vacations, proms, graduations, weddings, grandchildren, pets and on and on and on….become, well, just a little TOO much!

Such was the case in my lovely client’s home.  Her grown up family is a large and extended one, and the pictures were everywhere.   Enough, she said!  Let’s edit a little, clean up this place and decorate.

Family room before

We decided to start with a family picture wall in her hall way.  Keeping a selection of favorite pictures on one large wall of a home just makes sense.  It’s fun when you can compare, notice similarities ( wow…Sally really does look like Julie did at that age….) and enjoy changes. Everything is in one place and can be updated as time goes on.

All the best

Now, to the family room.  Out went old pillows, rugs, art, lighting…all in bad condition and from another era.  The walls were painted, the carpet cleaned, and new window coverings ordered. (yet to arrive in this photo)

A blank slate

The furniture was pushed into a more inviting arrangement, conducive to both conversation and TV viewing.  In came art, lighting, pillows and throws, a rug, and a selection of fun new pieces to mix with some of her old things to create pretty vignettes around the room.

New lightning and accessories

She didn’t want fancy or even elegant…just warm, comfortable, colorful.

Color on the mantel

Something beautiful to look at, besides family photos.

Coffee table vignette

The final product!

Ready to enjoy!