I'd suggest a large Oriental/Persian rug.

They're classic - neither "Masculine" nor "Feminine" - and quality Oriental rugs will last a lifetime.

Aside from the black-haired-dog issue, I would go for a creamy-colored rug with some texture (I am tempted to say shag rug, but as I already survived the '70's once…) which would make a soft textural contrast to the masculine furniture. However, the furniture is FABULOUS, so keep your guy happy and don't toss it! Just add something a little cozy underneath - large enough to fit under the entire grouping in the photo - and it will look very, very sharp!

Just my 2 cents…
(As for the dog, brush him, vacuum the rug… don't sweat it -anyway, she'll probably prefer the black sofa!)

Brush HER, I meant! :)

It's funny bepsf...I consider Oriental rugs feminine (even though I know that they are classic and not). Probably because I associate them with flowers and older female relative's fussy rooms that aren't my style at all.

Not sure these would be the right colors for you and your husband, Seren, unless you accent using brown or orange too....but I would go for something like the West Elm Circle Rugs -- something that's a bit gender neutral...

http://www.westelm.com/products/r371/?pkey=crugs-flooring

If you look at the "in room pics" of it, you will see that it's staged in 2 different rooms one -- that would be considered feminine and one masculine.

The reason I like these something like these rugs for you is they mix a relatively cool color (blue) with a warmer brown. The geometric shapes keep it from being overly girly, but the circles add a bit of softness to the geometry. So in my opinion you get masculine/warm AND feminine/cool! That to me is the perfect compromise!

"It's funny bepsf...I consider Oriental rugs feminine"

I agree that when they're predominantly in certain colors such as pale greens, pale blues, ivorys, corals and yellows they can be...

...I guess I was visualizing some with more of a balance that these two might agree on - navy w/ red and ivory, red w/ cream and black, brown and cream, etc.

You already have pale blue walls, so I wouldn't choose more cool colours. An Oriental rug would be great, or something more neutral, grass material, a rug like this one here:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/emily-jacobs-poetically-photographed-home-house-tour-096740

...and make the space more feminine by adding flowers or pillows in purple colours.

Bepsf -- you're totally right about the colors. I'm sure they could find something in the right color scheme. And you're dead on...the rooms I see in my head when I think Oriental rugs are pale green, blue, ivory and coral. I will have to get past my misconception.

I'd get some delicous Rug Company type-thing with nice, sexy swirls and neutral tones.

your floors & furniture are so cool, don't ruin what you've got going on right now... I have never seen a rug that I liked & would appropriate considering circumstances.

That said, if you feel you must, perhaps consider an irregular shaped & colored cowhide?

http://cowhidesinternational.com/asccustompages/products.asp?LargePic=ALL&productID=6412&fav=0

I think this one would look great in your place.

My husband and I just agreed on a rug from Angela Adams. I think this one would work, and it's on sale:

http://www.angelaadams.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=0047&keywords=all&template=PDGCommTemplates/Header_Footer/Storebuilder_Type2.html

Oriental rugs are made in a variety of styles, depending on where they come from. They're often graphic and geometric, and they come in masculine colors like inky blue, or dark red and black.

Look at Caucasian and Afghan rugs. They're not froufrou or pastel at all.

What people see in granny's house usually aren't real oriental rugs at all -- they're department store knock-offs made in trendy Western colors that no tribal craftsman would ever dream of using in his own home.

Look at the Stripes collection from Ruckstuhl

http://www.ruckstuhl.com/en/rugs-carpets/stripes/capra-zand/capra-zand-img1.html

How about a geometric Kilim... or a Native American rug... or sisal, bound in black?

I agree with bepsf. An oriental rug with rich, earthy colors would balance out the more modern furniture as well. And if you guys decide to transition to more traditional decor, then there's no need to find a new rug (which you perhaps could not do with a shag rug).

agreeing with shirley: a kilim is the way to go.

The problem with kilims (which are flatweaves) is that they don't last as long as a hand-knotted pile carpet. (Traditionally, kilims were used for walls, not floors.) You can find Central Asian oriental rugs in similar patterns and colors, and they'll last decades longer than a kilim.

(Again, don't assume that all oriental rugs are the pink flowery things at grandma's.)

I agree with all the oriental rug suggestions. I never thought I would go there until I actually went to a rug dealer and he allowed me to bring a couple home to try out! You will be amazed by the richness it adds to your room. I also have contemporary, mid-century type decor.

Lisa, I won't argue that a Kilim may be a bit less durable than an expensive, good quality pile carpet, but you are wrong in your assertion that the textile was originally reserved for walls only. The weavings were employed for a number of uses, ranging from bedding to saddle blankets to wall hangings and yes, floor coverings by the original nomadic weavers who created them. Depends on specific technique and materials used. SO, again, while you may be correct in that a new Kilim may not last as long as a good quality pile carpet, your history lesson is lacking.

Regardless, I agreed with Shirley that a Kilim would be a good solution for this particular room because they are FAR more affordable than a quality oriental rug (this is a first home for newlyweds, no?), and, IMO, quite beautiful - I have seen some gorgeous kilims with more loose geometric, asymmetrical or abstract designs than what you'd typically find in an oriental, therefore lending itself well to the existing modern furniture - softening the room up a bit while keeping it casual and minimal (as I gather the couple likes, based on the items in the photograph) better than an oriental might.

Cute room! I'd consider a geometric print like Madeline Weinrib's stripes, zigzags, etc. They're whimsical enough to add some femininity but not frilly.

Search ebay for a vintage persian with black in it. There aren't a lot of them, but they do show up, especially in rugs of the 1930s and 40s for some reason (I've got loads of different colours in my house, but black is my 'anchor'. I too have a black sofa. . . and a black dog! Coincidence? I think not.) Many of these old rugs have some small amount of pale blue as an accent. And their other colours are always a wide range of terracottas, reds, browns, golds that will go well with timber floors. And, even the floral rugs from this period aren't really what you'd call 'frilly'. More funky/early modernist/art deco/tribal.
Here's a link to a persian baluchi from a reliable dealer, that shows what I mean--flowers and animals, but no frills:
http://cgi.ebay.com/c1930s-ANTIQUE-ANIMAL-SUBJ-PERSIAN-BALOUCH-RUG-3-7x6-7_W0QQitemZ290366902512QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRugs?hash=item439b3750f0
And here's a really old kurdish one, that won't cost much because it's in rough shape. But IMO even faded and worn rugs like this pack a visual punch on timber floors, especially in contrast to newer, glossier bits and pieces like your furniture. http://cgi.ebay.com/Pre1900s-ANTIQUE-PERSIAN-KOURD-KURDISH-RUG-3-7x6-4_W0QQitemZ220505878832QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRugs?hash=item33572cb130
Personally, I'd avoid the kilims, as dog hair--especially the water-repellant hair of beloved black labradors--gets stuck in the weave, whereas it stays on the surface of napped carpets, where it can be (eventually) swept up.

oops that second sentence doesn't make much sense--should be "they do show up; you'll find black backgrounds especially in rugs of the 1930s and 1940s"

I think a contrasting cowhide rug would look wonderful. Something with a majority of white and then darker brown & black spots. And goes great with the dog too!

http://www.brazilian-cowhides.com