apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'm saying "not" but it's a conditional "not." If the rug is done in good colors that make all the difference in the world. All the ones shown above look a wee bit too country for my taste.

I'm saying "hot", but it's also conditional. I love the look of handmade decor, but as long as it doesn't get too rugged (hah!) or awkward looking. It can be done in a very appealing fashion, if used carefully.

I like rag rugs, but my first impression of them was in Shaker museums, not faux-country 80s kitchens.

It's hard for most people to judge things separate from the associations they conjure up. But if these rugs were in the Anthropologie catalog, instead of in their grandmother's homes, I bet everyone would be drooling over them.

I think braided rag rugs, like gingham checks, are almost immune to brilliant new applications. They are what they are, and they ain't gonna cooperate.

Done right, I think the rag rug could completely come back into fashion, its something anyone can make out of old clothing (although many would not have the time to do it), thus it follows the recycling trends too

I bought a well worn rag rug runner (now try it 5 times fast) several years ago when I was into an old lady/shabby chic aesthetic and it (along with the rest of my then-decor) was definitely cliche. Now it brings just the right softness to my mostly modern/white/clean-lined decor (again, a cliche- but at least my cliches are evolving). As noted above, beware the garish color combos.

I think it would be fun to make these out of different material. Using strips of chenille or velvet would give a totally different feel from what's seen above. Picture white chenille on a bamboo floor with some vintage danish modern furniture. It could be very organic, modern, but down to earth. I'd have to see it to be sure, but conceptually I think it could work.

I have one of these in my child's bedroom (the color palette is a bright rainbow of saturated colors) and it makes a fantastic playspot:

http://www.crispina.com/crispina_site/potholders_rugs.html

The nice thing about a old, traditional, shabby but not chic decor is that a new rag rug looks right at home. Not for everyone, but definitely for me. The rugs made from blue denim scraps are actually quite lovely.

i have 1 big one in my living room, 2 in my kitchen, and 1 in my bathroom. my grandma made all of them and they definitely look better than those pictured above.

how funny! i just spent about 30 mins on etsy yesterday, trying to decide that very question!
i decided that for my home, they're definitely a "not", but i still like the idea...

Hot; when created by Boston based fabric artist Claudia Mills

http://www.claudiamills.com

It's also conditional for me. I like them in theory, for they are made from recycled materials, and something I can make myself. However, my mother had a bunch of these (that look like the giant blue one above) in her 'country decor' days, and I just can't disassociate them from that style.

See, my grandma had several really old ones that were mostly black (the staple clothing color 100 years ago) and i always though they looked fab. Much better than the modern (80's at the time) kitchens.

My mom had geese, then sheep in her kitchen... then she swore off themes for 10 years, now she's into roosters, she even has chicken wire wallpaper above her picture rail.

My MIL is into kitchen-roosters too, roosters are totally hot right now in middle ameria.

Hot. I love me some rag rugs. (Of course, as with everything, depending on the context.)

I've seen these look really great in many different environments.

There are a bunch of different sizes styles available with free shipping through Mermaid Hut:

http://www.mermaidhut.com/Cat-17-1-74-0/Braids.htm

I've never liked these...they always get so dirty and are impossible to clean. I get icked out everytime I have to step on one....to me, this question is like asking if toilet rugs are hot or not...

i think I just threw up in my mouth a little...

I remember making these when I was a kid. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

Authentic retro - hot for sure. Capel rugs are great - there are a gazillion colors/styles/sizes - all braided. You can get them 100% wool or with some poly. They are indestructible - and used well in a room, can absolutely soften it, warm it up, give it a totally loving character.

http://retrorenovation.com/2007/11/17/braided-rugs-suit-50s-and-60s-style-perfectly-i-like-capel/

wow, amiencc, i don't know where you get your info that these are impossible to clean, but my family just threw them in the washing machine & either hung them outside to dry or threw them in the dryer. we had tons of them because we knew lots of people who made them. if they're done correctly, they last forever, too.

i like them.

oh. and sister parish might call these "American Country" style, but my grandparents came over on the boat from eastern europe, and they must have been pretty common there.