Time To Get Cozy

The season has changed. It feels cooler in most parts of the country. There is nothing more cozy than a rug underfoot.  Adding an area rug is a quick and easy way to add a  huge visual lift to any room.
My Guest Picks at Houzz this month shop the top trends from high to low prices. Go check it out.

In the meantime here's a look book to inspire you.

Designer rugs are a hot trend if you can afford them

Missoni Missoni Missoni! Go to my post on Houzz to see a low priced version rug you can afford!

 

The over dyed rug - It comes at all price points from wool or silk vintage rugs stripped of color and then over dyed, to affordable new rugs with the same look

The beauty of the over dyed rug are the distressed areas - no need to worry about wear and tear

The over dyed rug mixes well with every decor style - the contemporary color make the traditional oriental rug more modern

Rugs from Anthropologie ignite the dreams of the Bohemian rich hippie, but if you are on a budget go to my Houzz post to see some great stylish options

The Beni rug is the darling of decorators - They look good in every room and mix well in traditional, modern, or vintage rooms - Check out the options I found and posted on Houzz

Zebra print has always added a certain chic to any room

Zebra is always in style

Nowadays you can find faux zebra in synthetics and wool - Go to my post on Houzz to see what I found

A printed cow hide is considered a faux zebra, but if you don't want animal hide I give you a couple of options on my Houzz post to choose from

Sheepskin rugs have been trending  big time - They are perfect for the cool months ahead - I have some great options at Houzz

Sea grass is so affordable - I have had one in my dining room for years, and it has worn really well, and sea grass or mountain grass is not scratchy underfoot - It's great on its own, and perfect to layer other rugs on top of it

The flat weave rug with a geometric has become a classic - I love it in gray and give you three good options at Houzz

The top trends in rugs:

• Over dyed
• Bohemian luxury
• Moroccan Beni
• Zebra
• Sea Grass
• Designer print
• Sheepskin
• Flat weave geometric

Which one do you love or have?

I have zebra hide under my breakfast area table, faux Beni in my living room, inexpensive over dye in my office, mock Missoni in my bedroom, mountain grass in my dining room! And I love them all!

Zebra print on hide in the breakfast area - Valorie Hart - photo by Sara Essex Bradley

Beni style in the living room - Valorie Hart

Over dyed in the office - Valorie Hart - photo by Sara Essex Bradley

Mock Missoni in the bedroom, sheepskin on the chaise - Valorie Hart - photo by Sara Essex Bradley

Mountain grass (very much like sea grass) in the dining room - Valorie Hart

Check out Valorie Hart Guest Picks October 2013 at Houzz

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Designer Rugs You Can Afford

I recently took my five year old cow hide rug that I had in the living room outside and hosed it down and washed it with soapy water. When it dried, it was clean, but still not as bright as I wanted it to be. And it puckered. I was annoyed, and thought, maybe it's time for a change.

My new Moroccan Beni style rug from Overstock

I went to Overstock and started looking around. Overstock is a great source for very well priced rugs. I finally settled on a Moroccan Beni style rug. I chose not to go with wool, but rather man made fiber.
I find that sometimes man made fibers are easier to keep clean, plus the price was halved. It's great looking, shaggy and soft, and I couldn't be more pleased.

Rug Collective Moroccan Trellis shag rug at Overstock

When I buy an area rug, my two favorite sizes are 8 x 10, or 6 x 9. Nothing smaller. I chose the 6 x 9 for the living room, because I wanted the floor to still show. If I use an 8 x 10 in my smallish living room, it takes on a wall to wall look.

Here are a few faves from Overstock. When you are at Overstock check out the category nuLoom rugs. Most of them are wool and very style forward.
How many of you get stuff from Overstock?

Overstock has a huge collection of sea grass rugs -  I like this 8 foot square because the size is different and looks custom

Sea grass done by Joni Webb - Love the little zebra rug on top of the sea grass

Overstock has this adorable wool zebra rug for that Joni Webb look

This Boho look from Anthropologie is gorgeous but costly

A client of mine loves Anthropologie, (but doesn't have the budget) and is going for the look in her master bedroom - She chose this rug from Overstock

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Beni Round Up

Like Suzanis and Ikat, and Oushak rugs, the Beni rug has become entrenched. You can poo-poo all these things as been there done that, but really these classic global designs have been around for hundreds of years and they are not going anywhere.

Beni 1

I recently recommended a purchase of a repro Beni for a client, an eBay score of a discontinued Pottery Barn one. Now stop your groaning. Pottery Barn-groan. Repro-groan. eBay-groan.

Beni 2

The rug is brand new and perfect. I like the standard room size (9 x 12) for our purposes. The authentic Beni is woven on narrow looms, so the rug sizes at best are like super runners. And the authentic Beni rug can soar into the thousands of dollars.

Beni in the bedroom where I would like to put the one we purchased

Beni 3

Mrs. Client loved it, and while Mr. Client liked it too, he did not understand how it is relative to the contemporary design he is particular to. So I made this little round up for him.

Beni 4

The Beni is a chameleon, a rug that looks great in all settings from Trad to Mod. And it is hear to stay despite the petulance of trigger finger bloggers.

Beni 5

Beni 6

Beni 7

Beni 8

Beni 9

Beni 10

Beni 11

Pottery Barn Beni - It looks great in person

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