Hello all, and Happy Easter and Passover weekend to you! I’ve been spending waaayyyyyy too much time on-line browsing through sites looking at various rug options for the living room lately. I started out looking at RugsUSA where I found a few I liked, then switched over to Wayfair. I can’t believe how many rugs they have! Thousands it seems, and I feel like I’ve looked at them all. Seriously. My eyes are now crossed eyed from looking at just about every geometric, floral, abstract and any other pattern or design ever made.
If you’ve ever found yourself in a position where you have a million and one choices, you know after a while your brain turns to mush and you end up more confused than you might have been in the first place. That’s kind of where I’m at, so I’d welcome an opinion or two…or three.
I’ve had more than a few people say how lucky they think I am because I have a log home. But here’s the thing; with a log home, you have a lot of inherent texture before lifting a finger to decorate. I’m a person who loves texture, but even I have my limits. Too much and it can start to look busy.
There’s also the challenge of color. I love white, but bright white looks a little jarring and unnatural to me in most log homes. If I’m going to introduce white at the cabin (which I have as you can see) it’s going to be a creamy white. Earth tones, especially dark ones, can get lost. Oranges and colors with too much yellow in them don’t work well since the logs have an orange tint to them, and pastels look washed out, so that leaves a couple of the primary and secondary colors like reds, blues, greens, etc.
Currently, I have very few patterns in the living room. Whatever pattern exists comes from a throw, one pillow and the wall hangings in the next picture.
I’ve taken pictures from virtually every angle in this room to give you a good idea of the layout and the existing elements. In this next one, I’m sitting in my Frazier chair (the one in the above pic on the left) while taking the picture. The doorway leads to a bathroom on the left, a closet and an exterior door on the right.
In this next picture, I’m standing just in front of the above mentioned doorway.
So now that you’ve seen the lay of the land, here’s some of the rugs I’m considering:
Number 1 is neutral, and #3 brings in a subtle shade of green. The middle one, #2, echoes the colors in the wall hanging and has what looks like two shades of green in the mix.
If my goal is to bring color into the space, #5 is the clear choice, while #6 has color, but some neutrality at the same time. The sofa and chair are sort of a burgundy brown, so those leaves would blend nicely.
If I decide to keep things neutral, both of these rugs would work, but I’m favoring #7. So what do you think?
I’m also looking for a rug to place under the dining table, but my vision for this is a lot clearer.
The first one is the same as #8 above, but happens to come in a round shape which is what I’m looking for.
Which is your favorite?
I really thought this year I would be focusing just on the outside, which definitely needs LOTS of work, but I’m becoming more and more dissatisfied with the living room and I’m itching to make some changes. I’m going to start off with a rug and see if that scratches my itch. If not, I might consider saying goodbye to my oh-so-comfortable Frazier chair and maybe the brown adjacent recliner as well. I could picture that space having two matching chairs, but it’s super important they be recliners as that’s where I spend a lot of time watching tv or surfing the internet. It’s not easy to find good looking recliners that are comfy, and I don’t expect to find one as cushy as Frazier, but here’s a couple of frontrunners:
I prefer the one on the left for color, but I’m not crazy about the exposed base. The one on the right doesn’t really come in colors that I’m happy with, but I like the overall design.
This one is from Bassett. I like that this one has the same legs as the existing sofa/chair, but I don’t see it on their website anymore.
Maybe the rug will be enough of a change…
In other news…
Aside from looking at endless decor sites, I’ve been spending time researching and booking next year’s RV trip. So far I have January and February booked and a couple of weeks in March. After coming home to snow, snow, and more snow, we’re definitely looking to expand our time away next year. (If I haven’t been by as often to visit, now you know why.) Oh, and yesterday we picked up the RV to have it checked out by a mechanic, and everything looks good! There’s a few rather minor issues that need to get taken care of, but the dealer will fix those. Fisherman drove it from the dealer to the mechanic both ways (an hour each way) and did great. No hydrants, stop signs or trees died in the process. Next time, my turn :/. Yikes!!!
On Thursday I spent part of the day making some chocolate to-die-for cookies. They’re delicious, and I was hoping to share them with you, but they look like I sat on them. I’m bringing them to a friend’s today, and I’m going to call them ‘chocolate wafer cookies’ so she’ll think I made them look like that on purpose. Don’t tell, ok? I think I know what I did wrong. I’m going to try again, because if you’re a chocolate lover, you’re going to want to bookmark these for sure.
We’re going to NY today and visiting the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx then it’s on to nearby Arthur Av. for some dinner. Whatever it is you’re celebrating this weekend, enjoy!
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carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Happy Holiday weekend Dear Lady!! Hope you’re having lots of fun!
Oh I love giving my 2 cents worth – especially regarding decorating so you asked for it! Lol
For the living room I really like #2 and #6 as they both bring in some color (which I like a lot) and they both have some element of the blue/gray that would tie the fireplace in with everything too. I know #5 has those elements too, but personally I don’t like things that look like stripes or too geometric in a space that isn’t more purely modern. I love that #2 and # have a natural feel that fits your style just lovely.
I also like the last photo club chair (the one you said they don’t show anymore – darn!). I think it’s so beautiful for also being functional. Love that color too!
I also like #8 for the round rug for same reason – I like the more natural and earthy feel to it as opposed to something more geometric.
There’s my nosy opinion and thanks for letting me share it! Lol I LOVE decorating and interior design – so fun!
And yay for booking your RV journey!! So jealous! Best of luck with your test drive! I would love to hear how it goes as that’s the only thing I’m terrified about us getting one (is if I have to drive it!!).
xoxo
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
OH and I forgot to add that if you do chose to go neutral for living room rug I LOVE #7 too! Lol
Cyn says
I can’t even believe that 2 of those rugs (1 & 8), I’ve been eying on my quest for my LR too! We took a quick trip to the beach on Thursday and came home with a textured hemp from HomeGoods that we really love. lol Of course I hadn’t even considered them in my search, but he wanted a bearskin that most definitely would NOT have gone in this house (but maybe yours?)
I’m no help since I wanted and got a neutral. I have a small space and most patterns just seemed too busy to me. I wanted one from Orian called StormFront, but it seems pretty popular and is out of stock in many places. Oh well. With a munchkin here a few days a week whose biggest joy is washable markers, I wanted something we could use for more than a few weeks.:P
I did my Easter decos in all white and I already feel claustrophobic.
Happy Easter and enjoy your day!
Poppy says
Decisions, decisions…!!! Okay, I really like all those primaries in the striped rug, but I think it’ll be too much in this space, competing with the lines of the logs, and all, but as a pattern, it’s my favourite. #2, on the other hand, echoes the colours of your wall art, and accessories throughout the room, with a more subdued, delicate pattern. #6 basically has the same colours, but its bigger pattern of the leaves, I feel, would be too much with the bricks on the fireplace. I like #8, as you do, for the dining room, feeling that the others would be too busy. As far as the recliner goes, that Bassett is perfect, and I would search for something similar on another site, and maybe in the olive green or pale blue/grey of the little leaves in #2, as beige can be kinda ‘blah’, and brown would completely blend into the woodwork. You want a light contrast/complement, to highlight the overall colour in the room, which is the honey brown in the logs, and the ones I mentioned would do this.
Great news re: the RV, both about its clean bill of health and your planning for next year! Good thinking about extending your vacation to make certain you don’t return to snow!
Happy Easter, Doreen!
xo
Poppy
Feral Turtle says
I love all your choices! Happy travels to you! Hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
Beverly says
I also love #2. I can’t decide on a second choice so it’s #2 all the way!
I just finished decorating a small condo in Florida. It was a huge challenge for me after living in New England for many years in an 1820’s house filled with antiques and vintage items. Plus, I bought everything online. The living room rug presented the most difficult decision, however, I am happy with it. Good luck with your project.
Doreen says
It’s quite a change to go from New England to Florida, not only is the weather quite different, but what works in one home may very well not work in the other, as you found out. Rugs are one of the most challenging decisions because it’s often the largest element in a space, and they can be thousands of dollars so it’s important to make the right decision. Fortunately for me none of these rugs are anywhere near that!
Beverly says
Doreen, you can say that again! Having a house in New England with an abundance of furnishings that I love, I believed I could do some “curating” and use some of my stuff in Florida. WRONG!! I am ashamed to admit how much I paid to have my STUFF shipped to Florida and then shipped back after I realized my Stuff would not work. I tried to quickly and completely change my mindset regarding Florida style decorating and I believe I succeeded for the most part.
I would like to make a suggestion regarding your search for the recliner. Call one of the furniture companies in North Carolina. If that chair is out there, they will find it. Another option would be to contact the manufacturer directly.
Donna says
love the dining room choice and you may want to echo it in the living room to tie together but also love 2 and 3 with color….oh my so hard….the other round ones have shapes that are very “in” these days…seen lighting and tile with these shapes as well as fabric choices. glad ur having fun. hope Aurthur ave was not too crazy….tis Easter…cu soonnnnnnnn. loved this post…
Doreen says
It was definitely busy, but not too bad. Dinner was great (Roberto’s).
Thanks for your input!
(Hope your radio interview went well. See you soon!)
Pat says
My humble opinion is just that. The vision and decision has to be yours. I’m a big fan of the cool colors with the log cabin walls so anything red or yellow doesn’t work for me, even as a pop of color. I agree that too much pattern and/or color clashes with the horizontal texture of the logs. I think the fireplace really sets the tone for the entire space – blue, gray and cool. Everything you have included that is blue, green, gray or off white looks great and my choice of rugs is #8. Colors of nature seem to work best in log cabins. Love your house ….
Doreen says
Thanks Pat, and I agree with you about color choices. The idea of greys actually never occurred to me, but it’s an interesting thought and one which I’m going to consider.
kelly says
I love your rug choices. I think #2 for the living room would be my pick since it has all of your colors in it. I like the #1 round rug for your dining area too instead of the geometric shapes. it would coordinate with #2 nicely. Regarding the recliners, have you tried Lazy Boy? I read on someones blog, not too long ago, that they have a nice selection and they don’t even look like recliners! That would be my first choice. LOL! Plus I think they make good quality chairs. Hope you’re having a nice Easter today.
Doreen says
I did check out lazy boy on line, but not in person. If time permits, I may try that this week. Thanks for your input Kelly!
cathy@my1929 Charmer says
I like the first middle one or the second last one. I think it would make the wood in your room pop. I have the hardest time making decisions, and it’s why three room are waiting to be painted? I just can’t decide and when i do I don’t’ like it. So I sit here indecisive. I’m sorry I don’t like any of the round rugs, just no color, and I love color! So I’m no help here. Good luck!
tammy j says
first…
i LOVE your fuchsia accents! perfect. and the art work. love it!
i would go with #8 for both living and dining area. . . but still round for the dining area. very elegant.
and less busy than if they were each different.
but in the living room i would select #8 to be a larger rug than the one currently there. it’s such a huge room…
it would unite all the elements better.
and the bassett chair looks heavenly! surely there’s one somewhere!
my comment sounds very pushy now that i re-read it! but you DID ask!! LOLOLOL!!! ♥ what fun to re-do a room!
Doreen says
Hey there Ms. Pushy! lol
I made the artwork Tammy, so your comment made me smile because drawing has never been my forte, but I have to say I am proud of that project. This room is actually quite small, so I’m not sure I could go much larger than an 8×10, but I like your thought process :).
xxx
Jane says
I can’t see me being much of a help with this…I simply would furnish the main room with a big furry, shaggy rug in cream. I would use lots of simple neutral curtains. Yum! I love leather and I love what you have…I thinks so much of what you have is perfect! 🙂
Jane xxx
Doreen says
Thanks so much Jane! A shaggy rug would definitely look great, but I think I want something less ‘wintery’ feeling since we won’t be here in the winter for the most part. I imagine soon enough you’re going to have lots of design decisions too?!
xxx
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Egads, that’s tough! I think my fave is #5, but I’m not sure how it will look with the lines of the logs. Either it will be great, as it mimics it, or it will be too much. So, I think I’d choose #2 because of the colors, and softer pattern. Then I’d go with #2 or 3 for the dining room. I really like the Basset chair – hope you can find it – hey, maybe it’s on clearance! How fun to be planning out your RV trip! I can’t imagine driving one!
Cecilia says
Doreen,
I love your number 7 & 8 choices. Eight is my favorite – I love the scroll pattern. I think decorating a log cabin would be challenging. You’ve done great.
Are you just super excited about the RV? It will be great to have to escape the winter. Come visit! We have a plug for RV plug in. 🙂
Doreen says
We ARE excited Cecilia! Can’t believe it’s finally happening, and who knows? Maybe someday we will visit!
xxx
Manuela@ACultivatedNest says
My favorite is #8! I hope you had a lovely Easter!
Emily says
Hi Doreen, You have made fabulous choice and I love your style. I think your space is spot on, just enough and not busy at all. Your choices for the rug will be hard, I like 7 and 8. I love the chair you can’t find but I also love the dark one. The first choice for the round rug was my favorite. Have fun!
rue says
I like 2 and 7. For the dining room I like the same one you do 🙂
That last recliner is pretty and it looks like a regular chair. I hope you can find it, because I think it would be perfect.
I hope you had a great time this weekend!
xo
Pinky says
I really like #1, esoecially for a log cabin but since they don’t have a match for the dining room I would go with the ones you like. You found some very pretty rugs. We LOVE Wayfair and have furnished alot of this new house with stuff from them!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Gosh, it is hard to tell from small swatches…I would lean toward the more natural/nature feel to lend with your home…love cool greens and then again I love neutrals with the pops of color in the accessories…So happy that you are planning and looking forward to your next adventure….
Dewena says
My eye was immediately drawn to #5 but I’m not surprised to be in the minority on that one! I love the chair in that last picture as it looks so comfortable and yet very stylish too.
I’m sure whatever your choices will be they will be unerring.
andi says
I’m in love with geometric patterns, but for your big rug, I like #1, #3, and #7 (in no particular order). 🙂 I like the subtlety of the pattern and color, and they’re woody, so they goes with your woody house. 😉
-andi
Vicky Hunt says
I love them all, but 1, 5, and 8 are my favorites. I also love the second round one. I love geometric shapes. Those recliners are really nice looking. We really need to replace the hubby’s and I like the way these look better than a regular recliner. Much more stylish. Your log home is beautiful and so cozy. Have fun planning your trip!
Hugs, Vicky
Southern DayDreams says
Hi Doreen, your log home is gorgeous. I know what a challenge it is to pick a rug. I love #5 with that pop of color and the design reflecting the log pattern. I think it allows you changes of color yet it still feels solid with your furniture.
Sounds like you are planning a wonderful adventure in the future. Enjoy and have fun.
Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment.
Have a great week.
Hugs, CM
Jemma says
Hi Doreen,
I finally found a way to get over here! Wow, you have received some great decorating ideas and naturally I have my own two cents to add, for whatever it is worth. 3.7. and 8 are my favorites. I think these neutral colors will allow you to accent your room with pillows and or whatever your heart desires! Lane furniture has some sharp looking recliners that you might want to take a peek at.
You have been busy and so savvy too-staying out of those long cold Winters is so good for you and your fisherman.
I am so looking forward to seeing where you travels take you!
We had a great Easter, great service and it’s a Happy Day because He has Risen!
xoxo
Jemma
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
#8 in the round! 🙂
Julie says
Hi Doreen, I love #2 & #7! I hope you have fun picking out the furniture and rugs! How exciting to decorate your lovely house! I hope you had a nice Easter. Wishing you a nice week.
Julie xo
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I really love #3, but if you’re going for some colour, then I’d choose #5. Your room is really nice and cosy, I’m sure the rug will make it even better!
SharonFromMichigan says
My vote is for #5. It adds color and the pattern mimics the lines of the logs on your walls. Have you considered having your Frazier chair reupholstered? I was looking for a chair for my living room for 2 years (doing kind of the Goldilocks thing). I found an old Flexsteel one that they don’t make anymore in Salvation Army and it was just right. I bought it for $20 and I’m having it fixed up and reupholstered by a small local upholstery shop. After its TLC is complete the price will be similar to buying a new chair, but I couldn’t find any new ones that I liked.
Doreen says
I’ve actually considered reupholstering the chair, but it’s too big and bulky for the space so I don’t think that’s the direction I’ll go in. I saw a chair on Monday that I liked, but it’s not what you would call stylish. It LOOKS like a recliner, but it’s a good size and super comfy. The problem is I was hoping to replace Frazier and the brown recliner next to it but doing so with the chair I found wouldn’t result in the kind of look I’m after. So I can just replace Frazier and see how that works, or keep looking.
Eight weeks and counting till retirement Sharon!! I’m sure you’re excited!
Sue says
Yikes to driving the RV next too. I’m so late here you probably already bought a rug, but I like 5 and 6 for the living room. For the recliners I do like the style of the brown chair with the piping and also like the legs on the chair from Basset that looks like corduroy (?) which is soo nice. The rugs for under the dining room table all look good. We need rugs and I look online to get ideas too.
Doreen says
I haven’t bought any rugs yet Sue, but not for lack of trying. I decided to start with the round #8 rug but it’s out of stock until May. I’m still not 100% sure which direction to go with the living room. I’m usually not this indecisive!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
1,2,3 or 7 and the chair on the left. I don’t think that base will stand out and I like the brightness of it. Hope you’re enjoying New York and the Bronx – Amy
Luanne says
So many choices, I am sure whatever you pick will look wonderful. I just love the artwork on the wall of the flower in a vase. Are those window shades? A very clever idea!
Doreen says
Thanks Luanne! Here’s the post on the wall art if you’re interested in seeing the process http://foxdenrd.com/diy-wall-art/
kimberly says
Doreen
I really like the colours that you introduced into your log home. I would probably choose rug #5, but then if you want to change your accents at a later date I think your choice is neutral and would work with any colours.
We still have tons of snow here and I sure wish I was in the south were it’s warm and sunny. I don’t blame you for planning on extending next years trip a little longer!
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest says
It is hard to decide when there are so many good choices! I was looking online for round rugs to go under our dining room table. So many to choose from and then I found one at Ikea last week. Not the color that I would really like but this backyard is so muddy that we have to have something dark (I lean more to the light colors with pattern like the ones you showed).
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
I love rug #3, Doreen. All 3 recliners look good but my fave is the brown one, as far as design, but you’re right, I would prefer it in the off-white better.
You guys are smart, you and your hubby. I’ve always told my husband that I much rather spend my money on experiences rather than things. An extended RV trip sounds fantastic.
I miss the New York Botanical Gardens. Next time I go up I’m definitely going to visit. 😀