I vote for a sober darkish turquoise/teal with some texture but no pattern. The coffee table is too dark for a black rug, and the sofa is too patterned for a patterned rug. You could go with plum (which would help your walls decide whether they want to be gray or purple), but then your room risks becoming a purple theme park. You have plenty of warm wood to balance the cool turquoise.

Love that sofa, nice choice! Definitely neutral..I'm thinking jute grey tones. West elm has nice ones (although the price has gone up significantly since I purchased mine 2 years ago). I went with the basic jute which you could buy anywhere (overstock has better prices) or if you do go to west elm their chevron knot rug looks gorgeous (but is on the higher end).

I would go with something cream and textured. Beautiful room!

Love the sofa! If it were my room, I would repaint the walls a soft white to really let the wood work shine as well and let the pattern of the sofa really pop (but I've always been one to shy away from color). As for a rug, I would go with something solid - maybe a flokati or some other neutral toned rug to balance the coffee table and sofa. Good luck and enjoy your space!

I just wanted to say how jealous I am of your fabulous mantel. I looked at a rental several years ago that had one very similar, but it had hidden "stash" compartments all over it. So bleepin awesome.

I think a creamy flokati/shag of some sort would be lovely. Costco has some good deals right now on sheep skin or faux flokati. I have one and love it.

The room looks lovely without a rug.

But if you really want one, I'll second Bee for Brian and suggest a dark, non-patterned teal or turquoise.

The room looks so nice the way it is that you can take your time and wait until you find the perfect rug.

Hi Keri -
I like the look you're going for - classic but with a modern feel. The color palette is on the cool side which I think is actually making the room come off as a bit cold (which for some folks may translate into "uninviting"). So whatever rug you go for, keep in mind a rich texture / deep pile that projects warmth / coziness (unless you live in, say, Florida). Another "warm addition" would be to have the coffee table candles in clear glass - not masked by their black screens.

Secondly, does that fireplace bug ya? It kinda bugs me. All the other pieces in the room are squat and low, with detail at the floor level (via the curved legs). Whereas the fireplace has its "two-story" mantel is a giant - and a warm brown at that. So if it were my call - and its certainly not - I'd rip down the upper story - and the mirror - and do something else.

Lastly, where are You in the room? Perhaps you cleared away any personal items for the photo, but a happy, well-framed photo of you grinning with friends or family would also really convey that a real person lives here.

Don't worry so much about getting it perfectly right (do you really love the blue thing on the mantel or does it simply provide another echo of the turquoise accent color and the shape of the couch legs?) if you love it, it'll look great.

Lisa
Virginia

I like the above suggestion of dark teal...I was instantly thinking of that or a deep, dusty olive green. A goldy-green might even work, with the lilac and purple. I agree it should be plain, as your couch pattern could make it too overwhelming otherwise.

Deep plum would work too, but I tend to think too much purple is a bit same-same and the green complement would be more interesting if you can find the right shade.

I think a light, neutral (cream + grey = greige)shag rug would look fantastic in your space... it would add super texture and a bit of a retro touch to tie your furniture with its beautiful surroundings.

(Oh, if you go for the green, I think you might consider changing the blue accessories out too)

Here are some (mostly) affordable options to consider:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Lavish-Plum-Floral-Rug-8-x-11/5651324/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-World-Classic-Bluish-grey-Wool-Rug-8-x-10/5599305/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Rojan-Wool-Rug-79-x-106/3355485/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Peacock-Sage-Green-Wool-Rug-8-x10/4386499/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Safari-Grey-Wool-Rug-8-x-10/5070655/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Talara-New-Zealand-Wool-Rug-8-x-11/4401388/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Handmade-Soho-Zen-Grey-Ivory-New-Zealand-Wool-Rug-76-x-96/5309876/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Handmade-Alexa-Neutrals-and-Textures-Plum-Wool-Rug-8-x-10/5260886/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Handmade-Alexa-Pino-Purple-Floral-Fantasy-Rug-76-x-96/5673093/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Alexa-Euro-Purple-Floral-Rug-8-x-11/6023262/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Int-Wool-Rug-7-x-10/6412110/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Int-Wool-Rug-7-x-10/6412110/product.html

Ah the West Elm Essex sofa! I'd go with lighter colors on the wall as well and I think Wyatt.White's suggestion of a cream/grey/greig shag rug would look great. I would go with a solid color. That means you can have fun with the window treatment too.

The fireplace is rather overwhelming to say the least - especially the top half. I would start buy changing the wall color, paint the wall trim the same color as the walls, live with it for awhile and then decide on the rug. You can't make the rug too "busy" or it will clash with the sofa. Right now, the room looks lifeless and disjointed.

Chartreuse.

Yellow, with one of those trellis patterns: http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-moroccan-trellis/light-blue/200HJHK03E-508.html

First, LOVE your room and sofa! Second, well my first thought was something light colored and natural like maybe a jute rug. But then when you mentioned plum or turqiose then I can immediately see that too. It depends, if you want a room that is somewhat dark and somber yet relaxing then I would pick a plum colored rug, like the pillows on the sofa. If you want something bright, cheery and energizing then I would pick a turquiose one. Or if you want something neutral and have the pops of color be the other less expensive accents then try, like I said something natural, like a light colored jute. I hope you post after pictures! :)

I think a traditional Persian/Indian rug with purplish-red, teal and black among the colors.

Oh, and no pattern for the rug, keep it solid and simple. You already have a great pattern on the sofa and too much may be distracting.

I'd say a rug with very thin, regularlyspaced stripes, in black and white or grey and white or navy and white (or cream). The paisley (is that Les Indiennes?) on the couch (love!) is a real look -- but too precious without other pattern in the room. The overwhelming fireplace requires some competition from the rug. But not too much. Maybe something like this.. it would give it a cool British island feel -- all that dark wood and cotton.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/printed-capri-stripe-rug-sale/?pkey=cdecor-cotton-natrual-rugs

pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

Also, please do something about the lilghting. A reading lamp by the sofa, a table lamp near the firepalce. That overhead light is harshing my British colonial buzz.

pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

Would you consider a "lighter" looking coffee table? It would considerably increase your rug options. A table with Shaker lines could help!

The room would look fabulous too, painted a deep, jewel colour (mustard or aubergine) with a fluffy sheepskin or Moroccan rug.

A cream rug would do wonders for picking up the room a bit, and counteract the heavier fireplace. I think the whole idea is great, though I'm not sold on the turquoise pillows... it's almost too matchy with the vases you have, and in the photo it reads a little out of context, I might replace the turquoise with a chartreuse. You do need some lighting, though!

I also second (third? fourth?) the dark teal rug idea. It would have to be fairly muted to work, but it could balance out the woodwork as well.

If this was my room, I would go with a nubby, texured cream/ off white rug- that way it would help anchor the space, but the couch would still be your focal point.

Whatever you do, PLEASE don't follow the advice given to rip out the upper part of the mantel with mirror. That kind of character (1890s, I'd say) can't be replaced!

i know you didn't ask, but how about green walls?

file:///Users/kelly/Desktop/green%20walls

one more try
file:///Users/kelly/Desktop/Snapshot%202012-01-06%2011-53-06.tiff

Beautiful fireplace and sofa!

I like the idea of neutral with texture, maybe something like this:

http://www.therugcompany.info/contemporary-collection/the-rug-company/cowhide-morocco-white.htm

or, if you want to go bold what about a vintage overdyed patchwork rug?

http://nomadictrading.com/index.php/reclaimed-rug-collection/8x10-1/pw689-blue-patchwork.html

http://nomadictrading.com/index.php/reclaimed-rug-collection/8x10-1/pw606-purple-patchwork-633.html

With light purple/gray walls, I would look for a rug that has yellow/gold/cream elements with some charcoal or silver gray. Since the only pattern shown in the room is the sofa, I think you could have a patterned rug if you like, the walls and other furniture are big solid pieces. If you do select a rug with a pattern, the pattern should be scaled either smaller or larger than the pattern on the sofa. Thin stripes could also work. A solid rug would work, too, but then you might consider incorporating a little more pattern elsewhere, with drapes or a throw pillow or blanket on the chair, etc. I love your turquoise accents but I don't see how a turquoise rug would work with that wall color.

I would play up the black/cream, abandon the turquoise and stay with the purple/lavender accents. If you want a second accent color, find one that is a better fit with the wood than turquoise. Cream rug with a black border or embellishments - the flokati or shag suggestions would help soften the room a bit.

Right now it seems you are planning the room so very carefully, you've sucked the personality out of it. Cozy it up! (New design show catchphrase.)

something shaggy with color.

Definitely a solid coloured rug. I agree with the earlier suggestion that it should be something in the aqua colour palate

I'd go with a red traditional oriental rug. And lose the accent pillows on the sofa and chairs--they cheapen the look of your room. You don't need them to tie in your wall color or blue glass pieces. Group your blue glass together and let then 'pop' on their own.

I'd go with a rug something like this...

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/couristan-rugs-kashimar-nomad-red?ID=135984&CategoryID=16905&LinkType=PDPZ1

I agree with Pearmelon. I see chartreuse with these colors. Maybe something like this...

http://www.cb2.com/rugs/rugs-and-pillows/satellite-rug/f6888

I would do a warm white or ivory flokati or shag type rug, something light colored and solid colored but with a lot of texture. I agree that the space could use a bit of light and warmth, and I think that will do the trick, as well as contrast nicely with the black elements in the room and show off the shape of the coffee table. I would not do a teal or grey rug (and def. not purple), because I think they are all too cool, dark, and samey.

Also, I have a mantel that is very similar, and I find it a bit imposing and hard to style/decorate around. I'm often tempted to paint it white, but I just can't bring myself to. As a way to lighten it up and tie it in to the room, I have found that it works best with mostly white or metallic objects on it.

Love the wood tones. Not too crazy about the fireplace. Too heavy and Victorian. So, why not lighten things up? I like the color chartreuse as well. Or how about something with orange, peach or tangerine in it.
Or do what designers do. Get a bunch of options and try them out. One of them will speak to you.

i think a dark plum rug would look great. there's already pattern in the sofa so a solid rug is your best bet. i'm not too crazy about the wall color. i think an earthy tone would work best. maybe a bennington gray from benjamin moore. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-architects-and-designers/color-gallery?cd=HC-82&col=HC

I think a fluffy sheepskin would be a nice juxtaposition to the formality of the fireplace. What I think is more glaring, as it were, however, is that you could use a dimmer on that overhead and a bit of ambient light in the form of a table lamp.

Yikes... read through the comments and I can't help but wonder if you're not feeling any less lost now...

Cream + textured or a jute/seagrass rug.

What about a Beni Ouarain? (They are black and white shaggy Berber rugs). They come in different patterns, I would go with a larger, less busy design.

A traditional Oriental rug with a rosy-colored red, NOT a tomato red.

I can't make out the colors exactly (wall or couch), but first I'd make that wall more of a neutral color. A soft gray. I would't go darker because of all the wood in the room. It would make the space really heavy. And if you plan on keeping the furniture pieces than a dark rug would really overwhelm under that table. I agree with the person who suggested a gray jute rug. I'd bring in color with pillows, long curtains on the windows, and artwork flanking the fireplace. Some fresh flowers would look great on that mantel.

I'm very interested in everyone's advice because my living room looks almost exactly like this with very dark wood trim & mantle against lovely light oak floors and a bay window (and couch) in the same location. I'm not able to paint so my walls are creamy white as are the floor length curtains.

I gave up on my old black rug with grey swirls, because it darkens the room so much. If you've never had a dark rug, beware because they need a heck of a lot more vacuuming than lighter rugs - every speck of lint, thread and dust shows up immediately. A dark rug in combo with the dark coffee table would anchor that room too much.

I would go with a lighter rug, some of the morrocan patterns from Mamachilanga look like they'd fit in nicely (or the second grey one). I was considering a small scale leopard print for my own strikingly similar room since the tone matches the oak floors.

I would go for a light grey or ivory rug with a tiny bit of detail: textured, striped or a subtle pattern. Like one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Farmhouse-Stripes-Gray-Contemporary-Rug/dp/B003YC099I
http://www.efloors.com/area-rug/5725/nourison-calvin-klein-home-prairie-pra1-sil.htm
http://www.nilimahome.com/area-rugs/area-rugs-by-color/black-and-gray-rugs/surya-spectrum-gray-contemporary-rug-spe5302.html
http://www.nilimahome.com/area-rugs/area-rugs-by-color/black-and-gray-rugs/couristan-everest-graphite-sea-mist-contemporary-rug-6033-6323.html

First off, I think you should repaint the purplish walls a neutral cream color, which will give you many more options and look cleaner and more dramatic against the dark wood trim and great sofa. The floors are beautiful, but, if you want a rug, go for something solid and bright colored, like yellow, orange, turquoise or any color that you like. Good luck with your lovely room!

lovely west elm sofa! i say pair this with the new SOUK RUG from the 2012 spring line. and while you have teal and violet as accent colours.... it would feel a lot better if you picked ONE of the TWO and added MORE of it... think 80/20 with prints in neutral tones. i like the jewel tones as accents... but really the percentage of your accent colours is too 50/50... and nothing reads well.

also ... if you pick violet... you should go all over the shades (darker) and tones (lighter) of the colour... it will add depth to your room.

Lovely room.
I think a Pop of Color is what I would want.

Yellow!

I'd use something with color and an interesting pattern that is non-repeating. Something like this would be great: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Thomaspaul-Purple-Feather-Hand-tufted-New-Zealand-Wool-Rug-79-x-106/5654734/product.html

dark turquoise if you want a strong color to ground the room and be able to compete with the dark woods. silver or grey if you want more a floating feeling. I wouldn't use a patterned rug because it would clash with the couch unless you got a very specific pattern that was modern. there are so many traditional wood elements that you probably don't want a traditional rug especially since your furiture isn't.

Also don't listen to anyone who says tear down the top part of the fireplace. it's beautiful and priceless. if you are worried about the height add other elements, a tall standing lamp, art work or floating shelves on the walls to balance it out.

Don't tear down that fireplace or the mirror.

Do consider lightening the walls.

If it were me, I would go for a very pale grey rug (possibly with a lavender tone to the grey but not a purple rug) or a cream cowskin. Something light and non-combative.

However it if it were for my sister (who is into a more bohemian aesthetic) I would be scouting for an oriental rug with a purple element to the pattern. She would also be totally enraptured with your fireplace.

Either way I think the coffee table is a bit heavy for the space. I might consider a much lighter piece, i.e. glass, acrylic, silver detailing, something to make it feel less imposing and one less dark heavy wood element. Even a solid metal trunk like some of the ones Restoration Hardware is fond of, but in a silver finish, so it was at least a change of tone and material.

that fireplace is terrific, and how nice that the wood trim & floors are natural. the wall colour seems a bit off for the period & the sofa pattern. how about creamy walls & a dark (black, maroon, navy) persian or aubusson rug, the kind with a medallion in the middle & big enough to anchor at least the front legs of the sofa & chairs on it. some of those rugs have little diamonds/flowers in the field that lighten the look & hide fuzz. adding drapes in a solid (black, maroon, navy), hung at the ceiling, would frame the sofa & balance the height of that fireplace, as would some art placed higher on the wall.

I would def go with something grey or ivory, besides grey being my favorite colour right now.. I think it really pop with your dark floors and furniture. I think that a bright pop of colour may be cool for now, but it sort of limits the colour scheme in the room. I currently have a jeweled toned rug, and I'm so over tying everything into the colour of the rug!

I'm new here but do people ever come back and make updates? I always wonder which design options the original poster choose or if she struck out on her own.

Thanks, everyone, for the comments! I actually didn't even realize my question had been posted until today when I did a google search for pictures of gray walls and dark wood trim, and my post came up. I have actually been considering changing the wall color, as some people have suggested - there's just too much purple in there right now. I'm leaning toward an olive color for the walls, in which case I would abandon the turquoise accents and just go with purple accents. I think this would work nicely because my adjoining dining room is deep purple with some green accents. Any thoughts on this color scheme?

Specifically, I'm thinking of Sherwin Williams Basque Green for the walls.

Actually, I think I've decided to go with Ruskin Room Green. Here's a pic of a kitchen done in that color.
http://www.favoritepaintcolorsblog.com/2011/04/ruskin-room-green.html