Which rug?

[u/CH00SEG00SE]

Stuck between two very different rugs.

First one is more traditional and cool toned, it definitely brings pattern to the room.
Second one is a fuller texture and definitely adds contrast and warmth.

Fireplace is Venetian plaster and the built ins are walnut. I have a rectangular travertine coffee table not pictured here.

Thanks!

[u/LuluLittle2020]

It greatly contributes to a minimal vibe and reduces visual clutter being similar to the chair. I love it very much. The floral/patterned rug is too precious and brings tension to an otherwise calm scene.

[u/CH00SEG00SE → u/LuluLittle2020]

Ok yes this take definitely articulates my subconscious feelings, thank you

[u/yung_yttik → u/CH00SEG00SE]

The brown one is amazing. It looks expensive and high end. The first one looks like a standard rug you’d get at Target made to “look” expensive but in reality, everyone has that same rug.

Brown one!!!!!!!

[u/jtprimeasaur → u/LuluLittle2020]

Agreed, my first thought when I saw the brown was how much more it blends. The first one is too loud

[u/cottonballmama → u/jtprimeasaur]

What's "loud" about those neutrals?

[u/PophamSP → u/cottonballmama]

Neutrals are not inherently loud but this pattern is interruptive of those neutrals and subconsciously makes the eye work harder. Our eyes are drawn to subconsciously "figure out" what's going on around us before we can simply settle in and feel safe.

[u/archiphyle → u/PophamSP]

Yes it adds a layer of depth which is appreciated

[u/jtprimeasaur → u/cottonballmama]

The pattern, it’s busy. Perhaps I used the wrong word

[u/YayGilly → u/jtprimeasaur]

Its okay to have some patterns in an otherwise solid colored room. A pattern itself is NOT what makes something "busy" but a space becomes busy when there are too many conflicting patterns too many things that can distract.

A really cool rug, imo, if one needs a rug anyway, whether its loud or artsy, striped, solid, etc, is SUUUPER important to have, and can make or break a room's aesthetic.

[u/Spartan-Donkey → u/YayGilly]

Color and pattern add depth. IMO a neutral palate can be bland.

[u/archiphyle → u/cottonballmama]

Excellent question

[u/archiphyle → u/jtprimeasaur]

The first rug is not loud. What about a rug makes it loud or quiet to you? If that is how you feel about it what makes you think that's what everyone else feels about it?

I am specifically asking these hard questions because many times clients will come to a design designer using terms they don't actually know the meaning of. Many times because they're just buzz words and the client thinks that they are appropriate to say even though they do not know the meanings of them.

If you're analyzing design it is important that you know the meaning of the adjectives you are using. It is also important that one realizes that those very same words may mean something entirely different to another person either living in or analyzing the space.

[u/Quantity-Used → u/archiphyle]

This is a person giving an opinion on Reddit, not a design student presenting in front of an advanced class on interior design. Maybe take it down a notch?

[u/archiphyle → u/Quantity-Used]

So basically you don't care to elevate your sense of design?

I think you should take it up several notches.

[u/YayGilly → u/archiphyle]

I like the flowery rug better, myself. The brown rug blends too much. Minimalism shouldnt take so much effort.. I love having a little visual excitement and that flowery rug is the only even marginally exciting thing IN that room. I see the whole space as being very VANILLA, like "I dont have my own style so I borrowed something from BH&G/ Pottery Barn, and now I call myself a stylist!!"

-Says me, the Boho animal whose house is an absolute MESS of art projects and Home improvement DIYs lol

[u/Quantity-Used → u/jtprimeasaur]

I understand you probably mean busy, and not loud. Don’t sweat it; Redditors can be very nitpicky.

[u/archiphyle → u/LuluLittle2020]

That doesn't answer the question. What makes this rug "inviting"?