SF Good Questions: Where Do I Find a Rug Like This in Blue?

AT:SF,

I just moved into an apartment that, unfortunately, has some boring light tan carpet, so I'm in the market for a new rug to add some much needed color. I read the Jonathan Adler's Marrakesh Rug...and Some Alternatives post, and while it's difficult to find a modern Moroccan rug in green...

...I've come to the conclusion (after much shopping online and in stores) that it's nearly impossible to find a moderately priced aqua or peacock blue 5'x8' rug in a modern Indian motif, despite the recent popularity of this color in home decor. I love CB2's Tangier rug (both the style and price point) but the colors are wrong for my place. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

-Tania

Well Tania, we feel your pain. Finding rugs is really hard, and it's especially frustrating when a particular style and color are very in vogue, but apparently nonexistent for purchase. We know what you're looking for -- if Om Home (from this recent post) carried rugs, that would be the first place we'd point you to -- but while we didn't find anything exactly like it, here are some runners up:

• Anthropologie is among the first places we'd look, due to their more daring colors and designs at relatively reasonable prices. Turn-of-the-Century rug from Anthropologie, $348

• Perfume Bottle chenille rug from Brocade Home, $299 (on sale)

• You mentioned peacock, and with this one we went literal: Tomas Paul Feather tufted rug at 2modern, $676

• A little further away from your desired motif is the Seasons area rug from notNeutral, at Velocity $500

• Ikea Hanna Rund rug, $179

If all else fails, we'd suggest going neutral or closer to a solid on the rug (see the Ikea option above), and pulling the motif in on the pillows or a throw blanket. Anyone else? Chime in.

Image: CB2's Tangier rug

Comments (13)

I am looking for a blue rug, too, although I'm looking for a more traditional persian, turkish, or even tibetian pattern in a dark blue ground with rust, olive, taupe, and ivory motifs. I'd buy the CB2 rug Tania found, too, if it were blue!

I'm glad this question came up, because it relates to something I have been wondering. I was reading a book by an interior decorator in which she advises against laying a rug over carpeting. She said it would be dangerous (I guess by increasing the trip factor), and it would look like you are covering something up, e.g. a stain or damage. I tend to be fairly clumsy myself, so this gave me pause. What do you all think of this advice?

Pteetsa,

A rug on carpet tends to shift and move. This can be fixed by adding a rug underlay. This is a thin sheet of foam like material that is slightly tacky. It keeps the carpet in place and helps prevent tripping. You can buy this in the carpeting or rug section at Lowes or Home Depot. It may be a bit tricky to find but it's worth it.

The reason you won't find peacock or aqua is because when you're doing natural dye (as is Traditional for a Middle Eastern rug), those colors come from lichens. Northern European lichens mostly. Greens are a similar problem, since most of the easy greens are not light fast, take several steps or don't grow anywhere useful. (Olive greens are somewhat of an exception)

Pink to burgundy, with a side trip through true red and orange red are easy. All shades of indigo blue are easy. And lemon yellow to golden yellow is easy. If you've got your heart set on a monochrome color scheme that doesn't involve those shade ranges, you're probably stuck.
Since the best quality rugs tend to be most traditional, that can make it hard to find a specific color.

let me b a bit self promoting here:
www.indib.com

:-)

OH My! I must have the Orange and Kahki rug pictured in the SF Good Questions. Anyone have any information on it? Brand? Website? Pretty Please!

There are some similar Thomas Paul rugs in blue here:
http://www.re-modern.com/product/TP-8X11.html

And if you're concerned about too much thickness over carpet, take a look at these Flatweave versions which won't add much height:
http://www.re-modern.com/product/TP-3X5.html

Not exactly sure what color of blue you're leaning toward, but check out this painted canvas floorcoth: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8315243. There are lots more at http://www.canvasworksfloorcolths.com, and they'll make custom sizes, designs and colors as well. You could have that one that you wanted in the blue you want too!

Floorcloths are great in heavy traffic areas- fun, easy to clean and last forever!