There’s only one way to put together a room in my mind…
Start with a centerpiece.
It’s pretty much how I’ve decorated every room in my house.
In my bedroom, it’s my lovely four poster bed and a framed print I bought years ago of a woman in a red dress looking out over what I imagine to be the Mediterranean. While I love browns, taupes, and neutral colors, that print inspires me to add splashes of blue and red in an otherwise earth-tone room.
In my office, it was the wall color. I knew my own working space was going to be eclectic so I started with a wall color I’ve always wanted: purple. (Think more like a soft silvery lilac. No vomit-inducing colors in my house!)
In the kitchen, it’s the countertop. I didn’t pick it but I have lovely maple cabinets and a mottled granite countertop. Finding the right paint color and tile backsplash to make all that work isn’t easy.
In most of the other living spaces, I have all the flexibility in the world. Sometimes, it’s the furniture that defines the space. Like my olive green sectional in the family room. It’s kind of a drab color along with the tan carpeting. But with the stone fireplace and lots of natural light, I picked shades of brown for the wall and red accent pillows for the couch.
Where my creativity really comes to life is when I’m working in a room without carpeting. I never thought I’d prefer a room without new fangled “wall-to-wall carpeting” but dealing with stains and dust and everything else makes rugs not only a more practical way to keep a room fairly clean, but it can also serve as a centerpiece for the room.
Here’s how it worked in two rooms in my house.
Living Room
Most people will admit to not really using their living room but I actually do. It’s got an adult vibe and some high end decorator items I snagged at a furniture auction. And that’s where my inspiration started. I bought this print.
I don’t know why I like this architectural style print. Maybe it was the frame or the colors or just the symmetry. But I planted that right above my brown leather couch that I already had and from there I picked my paint color: orange (again, a subtle pumpkin-like orange – nothing obnoxious).
And I bought a simply patterned wool rug to accent the room. (Dog not included.)
Add the lamps, some inexpensive curtains, and coordinating pillows and the room came together. It’s where we retreat for a little grown-up time. (Again, dog not included.)
But I had another space that I approached in a completely different way.
Sunroom
Because my house was newly built, this room was a blank slate. White walls, white(ish) tile and lots of light. I knew it could handle lots of color and I liked the idea of bringing the outdoors in. So I started with a rug that had all the right colors for me.
From there, I bought my couch, from Wayfair, of course, added an old trunk as a coffee table, parked some lamps I picked up when a model house was closing up shop, and picked my paint color. I bought a throw blanket and pillows to bring it all together. It’s still a work in progress but I’m liking the way it’s shaping up.
So if you’re in decorator mode right now, or just looking for a quick way to refresh a room, consider paint, new lamps, some pillows, and a rug! I’m especially digging the jute and sisal rugs in a high traffic, indoor/outdoor space like a sun room. (Side note: Cats looooove to claw jute and sisal ANYTHING.)
Exclusive Wayfair Promo Code
If you haven’t even bought home decor online, today is your lucky day. Wayfair, the sponsor of this post, is offering a special code for YOU, my readers. No, really. You’ll only find this code here. And it will give you 15% off ALL AREA RUGS. But only until August 4th.
Promo code for All Things Fadra readers:Â RUGLUV16
So get shopping and share with me which rug you pick to decorate your life!
Disclosure: I have been compensated for this post but all content and opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links in this post. Just a really good deal on rugs.
4 comments
Your sun room has such amazing light. The rug and trunk look perfect in there.
I love that room! It has 6 windows and a french door (that will eventually lead to a deck). I’m planning on painting the end tables a distressed ivory and maybe adding an armoire. And definitely a ceiling fan! Yea. It’s a neverending process.
I was just thinking about how I need to get an outdoor rug for my patio. I’m going to measure tonight and see if there’s something that I like. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Oh, yay! And the promo code is a rarity so definitely take advantage of that!