#2 I'm Shopping for... The Perfect Rug

This week's "I'm Shopping For" is about finding the perfect rug for a client of mine. (FYI- I'm patting myself on the back right now for doing an "I'm Shopping For" two weeks in a row.)   My client, Ashley, is young & stylish and lives in a beautifully redone old condo in DC.  Her style is sort of an updated traditional.  She's drawn to rooms that have an interesting mix of patterns with furnishings on the traditional side and bolder, more vibrant colors.  She's collected some pretty antiques over the years- both family pieces & on her own, and her place has great bones.  When I first came to check out her living room, it looked great already.  (And I'm thinking- are you sure you need me?! ;)  She, of course, wanted to keep her antiques & we decided on using a few other pieces she already owned that we loved for the new design - one of them being a patterned soft pastel area rug- and I got to work.

{We immediately decided the coffee table was staying.  The sofa too, and the slipper chairs could stay or be reupholstered.}

When I first dig into a design for a new client, I pour over their inspiration images, noting similarities and patterns in the various pictures.  With Ashley's pictures, I was a little stumped though.  I wasn't seeing the connection between what we were working with in her current living room and where we needed to be feeling-wise.  The one thing I noticed in Ashley's inspiration rooms was that they had bold mixes of patterns & colors and some of them had that sort of laid-back "undecorated" feeling so many of us strive for (vs. a more refined, planned out one)  yet they still contained some more formal & sometimes glammy pieces mixed in with more casual ones.  There was an energy about the spaces she loved.  And one recurring element I noticed: many of the rooms had antique graphic-patterned rugs.  The rug Ashley & I had decided to keep (above) was beautiful, but the more I got into what I thought was "her," and what she wanted out of her new living room, the more it seemed the washed pastel rug wasn't right for the design.  I initially tried to work out a scheme that felt like "Ashley" out of soft colors that were beautiful with the rug, but it just wan't quite jiving with what she wanted.

As a decorator, I feel that it's my job to push my clients a little out of their comfort zones so that I can create spaces they'll really & truly love & be excited by, but not to push them so much that they're unhappy or really uncomfortable with anything like budget, style, etc., so it's sometimes hard to know when to speak up and say something that might possibly push your client too much.  Anyway, I got in touch with Ashley and she was very open to moving the rug to her bedroom (which btw will be perfect in there with its soft blues- yay!) and trying out a new one in the living room  (= dream client! ;)    She totally got what I was saying about needing to go a little bolder with our colors & style and I was able to move forward on the project in the right direction.  Thus began the hunt for the perfect antique(ish) graphic rug. 

Rugs can be tough because you're looking for the perfect style, the right feeling and colors that work.  In some cases I found rugs with great patterns but their colors weren't right for what we needed or vice versa. 
To find the perfect rug, I look through hundreds of rugs, but I'll only share the ones that caught my eye for the project.  Anyway, here's the story of the rug hunt:

I came across this little beauty from French Market Collection, but it was still too soft-feeling for what we needed.  I did like the central pattern though:


This rug (below, also at FMC) is definitely going to have to go somewhere for someone whether it's me or a client.  I looooove it:

.... It still wasn't what I was looking for though.


I loved the graphic pattern of this David Easton rug but this wouldn't work for our colors:


I'm also gaga for this rug by Megerian, but again, the colors weren't right for the project:


{must find a home for you my rug love!!}

I started getting more into the neighborhood of where I wanted the rug to be when I came across this one, (below) but it just didn't quite have that teensy edge I was looking for and is a tad too "pretty" for what I wanted:


And then I  found this beauty also by Megerian (my new obsession btw):
{It is perfect!!!  Absolutely perfect!!}

I presented the design plans to Ashley yesterday (she loved the rug) and we're tweaking fabrics this week & should be ready to roll by next week.  I can 't wait!! I'll be sure to share more when I can!! :)

Does anyone else know of some great rug sources for rugs similar to this one that they'd like to share?  If so, just be sure to leave a link in the comments section :)

xoxo, Lauren

ps- If you have any questions, be sure to check back in the comments later, because that's where I'll answer them :)

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

25 comments:

Leslie said...

Thanks for sharing a little bit about the process! It's interesting to read about.

Lindsay said...

Such a gorgeous rug! I'm having so much trouble trying to find something just right for our dining and living room. It has to be perfect! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness. You found some incredible options! I think I'm gonna have dreams (good ones!) about the navy and rust Megerian one tonight!

savvycityfarmer said...

please don't make ME chose ... haha

Erin @ The Impatient Gardener said...

It's very interesting reading about your process. Rugs perplex me. I'm not sure if it's because I realize they are maybe the most important thing in the room or because the options are almost limitless. I love the rug you've chosen.

Kristy @ I Design Love said...

Those rugs are gorgeous! I love the Megerian rug. The pattern and colors are so rich and beautiful. I can't wait to see what rug your client selects.

www.idesignlove.com

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I want them all!!!

Thanks for the post!!

Travis


Travis-wellappointedhome.blogspot.com

Pursuit99 said...

You know, I like all these rugs but they seem to be variations on the same theme. How about a bold zebra rug or a graphic of some sort? Kick it up a notch. :)

Allie & Chris said...

rugsusa.com

cats said...

I love these posts! It would be amazing if you could include links when possible, too.

Megan Bennett said...

Yes, links would be great. I just searched the whole Megerian website and couldn't find the navy and rust one.

Could you tell me where you found it?

Thanks!

Sarah said...

So cool to see your process! What a beautiful rug. I recently found a beautiful kilim at Herat in Alexandria - you probably know about it already, but the owner was wonderful and SO helpful. Huge stacks of gorgeous rugs everywhere, and he walked directly to the rug we were looking for, then showed it to us in three slightly different colors. Sorry I sound like an ad but it was great fun!

Anonymous said...

I agree, the rug you picked is indeed perfect. I would have choosen that one also out of the selection. I found a run on the Megerian website that I love ane would be perfect for my family room. Great post!
Dawn

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Love this series, Lauren!
I always struggle with rug shopping. I don't love the sources here in Philadelphia and online shopping can be tricky. Definitely checking out Megerian, though.

Lacy said...

I'm really enjoying this series...very glad it's come up two weeks in a row :)

Lauren said...

The rugs are both in "Armenian" from Megerian

Thanks!!
-Lauren

Acquired Objects said...

You have such wonderful taste and I love your choices. Sorry I can't help you with a source since I suck at picking rugs, I always go to bold!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

I love the rugs in Restoration Hardwares Big catatlog....and my current forseeable GaGa is West Elms Beni type rug!

Mary said...

Love this whole post. Here's a tip for you, Lauren...my husband is in Afghanistan and all the military people know this guy


www.Kabul-carpet-gallery.com


He takes inspiration photos, goes to market, and procures hand made silk or wool rugs for the troops (well, their wives). He takes digital photos and send photos that he thinks will work. these are the real deal/one of a kind. Almost like art. The soldiers roll 'em up, put them in a bag and ship them home. My friend has two...gorgeous.I am sending him the blue rug that you posted above so thanks for YOUR inspiration.

Let me know if you want a hook up! Fun, huh?

Linda in AZ * said...

*** Wow, you found some SUPERB rugs, Lauren... and so did I ("darn it!")...

****** Just left TRACERY INTERIORS, & the FIRST PIC IS A FAB SPACE WITH THE WALL-LAMPS YOU WANT!!! ... Thought you'd want to SEE IT~~~ they are SOOOOO COOL~~~ no doubt YOU WILL LOVE THEM!!!

Best n 2012,

Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Gwen Driscoll said...

Great pick & I'm sure you looked at least 100 other rugs that aren't on this post. Loved seeing the process & knowing I'm not alone! Best to you!

Jen Adair said...

Great rugs! I love the flair, we mostly use Safavieh as our rug source, lots to choose from and lots of price ranges:)

Jen @ Opal Never Shouts

Lumen Drops said...

The living room isn't bad as is as she has nice foundation to start with, IMO it would look much better with taller lamps, less clutter on the coffee table and some type of window treatment. Looking forward to seeing your vision become alive!

Pretty Inspirational said...

Hi Lauren,

First I want to say thanks for adding my blog to The Locals section! I've been a subscriber to your blog for over a year now and love receiving your posts by email. The rugs in your post are great. Here are a few more sources you can check out...The New England Collection - Zagros Collection (http://www.necrugs.com/category/list/id/9). They are great about sending samples. Loom (http://www.loomrugs.com.au/?page_id=554#1). ABC carpet (http://www.abccarpet.com/) - I love their new aqua silk collection but that takes you in a whole different color direction. Good luck with the project. I look forward to seeing the finished result. -Melissa

Anonymous said...

I love 'What I'm Shopping For'- such a super idea. It is great to share sources. I also like Surya, Merida Meridian and Jaipur for rugs that won't break the client's budgets!

I hope you make it to week 3!