Stark on Modern Family last night

We didn't watch it yet (it's still on the DVR at home), but Stark Carpet was mentioned on Modern Family last night.

That is a Stark rug on the show, but contrary to what they say, it can be cleaned.

(Wool is the easiest carpet to clean)

Cowhide Rugs

Right now, I'm slightly obsessed with cowhides...

I am thinking that a cowhide would be nice under our kitchen table.

Of all the different "colors", the one below is my favorite.

I know of a company that treats their hides with a silicon type of finish, which helps with cleanability.

Do any of you have a cowhide rug? What do you think of them?

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Any big plans??

Patterned Carpets

Wall-to-wall patterned carpeting...

What do you think?

Both pictures from Massucco Warner Miller

Opinions please...

Which type of these rugs do you prefer??

Do you like more traditional Oriental rugs?

More modern?

Natural colors?

Zebra stripes?

Ethnic patterns?

Sisals or seagrass?

Flatweaves? Geometrics??

Depending on the style of your room, these are all great choices. But what is your favorite? I'm really interested for work. As I'm sure everyone knows, the economy is not the best right now, and we're trying to come up with some different and popular designs to show on samples to help sales.

So, if you were in the market for a new rug, what would you want to see?? If you don't see something here - feel free to suggest it! I'm totally open to all of your opinions. And remember, anything is possible!

Wallpaper lust

If I had the money, I would cover my entire bedroom in this wallpaper! Probably our bathroom too!! Too much of a good thing, overkill, love - call it what you want, but I am drooling over this wallpaper.

The bright green color is so fresh and happy. I'm not normally a "green" person, but this wallpaper is doing it for me.

Awesome money-saving trick: not using the expensive wallpaper in the nooks where you wouldn't see it anyways! They just matched the green background with regular ol' paint!

This month's Southern Living magazine is all about Charleston, and this is super-lucky interior designer Jenny Keenan's living room. This room is gorgeous. Not 100% sold on the purple rug, and would probably use a slipcovered sofa, but love all the rest.

You can see the rest of the photos here.

Let's talk about rugs

I love this room.

When I think of decorating a room, rugs can be such an important component.

I think this rug would look beautiful in the room above, with it's washed out and faded design of cool tones. This is a new rug, made to look antique.

There are so many choices out there for rugs, made out of many different materials.

Cowhide rugs don't have to be hide-shaped. This rug is constructed with small rectangles, like a subway tile.

But you don't have to have a real animal skin. Here is Mrs. Blandings wing chair and boots on top of an antelope print carpet. Antelope print is really popular as an alternative to leopard or zebra.

Of course, striped carpets are a great pattern to work with (and look especially good on stairs!)

Brightly colored rugs can make a huge impact on a room.

And they can give you a color palette to work with.

But, neutral and softly colored rugs can really be beautiful too. I love really graphic patterns rendered in soft neutral colors.

Natural fiber rugs like sisal, seagrass, or jute are awesome. So so popular now because of their go-with-anything look and affordable price. They are great on their own or layered with another rug on top.

I love this picture from Country Living last fall! This is a flat-weave rug that was cut into pieces and put on the stairs as a runner. When you're installing a stair runner, it doesn't have to be one continuous length of carpet. Each step can be a separate piece, as they are either attached with tack strips or glued down.

Don't forget about your floors! Rugs and carpets really add to your room - bringing color, softness, and defining a space. Just please don't get an ugly one...

I hope you all have a great weekend!!