My husband and I just bought a 1910 Craftsman in a neighborhood full of bungalows: <br>http://www.megancooley.com/ournewhome.htm <br>Does anyone have suggestions for area rugs in the living room and dining room? I know you don't get a great shot of them here, but any decorating advice I can get would help. We're Craftsman novices. <br>By the way, do you think our house is a bungalow? The second floor is about 3/4 the size of the first floor. <br> <br>

I have a similar question. I am looking for a rug for our dining room. I don't know where to begin finding period rugs, but I am wondering if new "kilim" rugs provide a similar effect and are a acceptable replacement. <br> <br>For examples of kilim rugs at http://www.rugsrugs.com/search_results_ ... onst=kilim <br> <br>Kathleen in Oak Park

Kathleen & Meg, <br>All my rugs are new rugs and they look great. I think there is a real resurgence in styles that look appropriate in Arts & Crafts houses and bungalows. I bought my rugs in a variety of places. I got a 2-piece set on sale at Sears (of all places) and put them in different rooms (1 in the living room and 1 in a bedroom). They had a wonderful selection and were very reasonably priced (I think the two of them were about $150). The colors were perfect for my house. I got another one for my living room at a rug store ($250) and for my dining room ($350) at a furniture store that was going out of business. I also bought a 3 piece set over the internet for $89! Those aren't the greatest quality, but two cover the low light front entry and the big one is at the back door where the pets track in and out. I didn't want (and couldn't afford) to spend a lot on those rugs. I put pads beneath them to kind of beef them up and they look and feel just fine. I think you may be able to see them (or some parts of them) in the photos on my web page, but I'm not sure. Anyway, there are bargains to be had out there and I would say to pick whatever warms your heart and home. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Meg, your house is definitely an Arts & Crafts style house. I couldn't really see enough of the exterior to say that it's a bungalow, but it's certainly got some great features! <br> <br>By the way, Kathleen, I'm in Oak Park, too! I don't suppose you bought the cool A&C bungalow down the street from me?! <br>Bec

Hey, who's the accordion player? I couldn't help noticing the one on the bench next to the fireplace. Is that an old Hohner? (I hid all my button accordions when I took my music room photos to be posted on the web! I mean after all, being a banjo player is bad enough...) <br> <br>Your new place looks like it will be great! <br> <br>Iowa City Craftsman <br> <br>-Mike in Iowa <br>

Congratulations on your bungalow purchase. <br> <br>A great source for area rugs is the Craftsman Home in Berkeley. <br> <br>You should read the "Things I Learned from My Bungalow" thread currently going on in the Restoration/Maintenance forum if you are thinking about doing any restoration or improvements on your house.

Welcome Meg! <br> <br>Everyone is going to laugh (I have a reputation as a purist)but I purchased my area rugs from Home Depot....I know, I know. But I found three different gorgeous rugs in three different styles and colors, including one of William Morris', that are made out of polypropolene - I know THAT's even worse. But I'm and artist married to an actor and things are done on a budget or we do it ourselves. <br> <br>In my own defense, these carpets are marvelous when you have children (or nephews) who spill and cats who always gack in the middle of our carpets. They were quite inexpensive for the look which is very plush and thick and feel great under bare feet. I also liked the idea that they were made from recycled soda bottles-pretty amazing! <br> <br>Barbara

Welcom Meg, <br> <br> My wife and I have one rug. It's a 9 x 12 Persian, machine made in the 1920' and in primarily deep reds. It goes well with our dark woodwork and the Mission furniture that we do have, which is not much, Yet. I prefer the older rugs. From what I have seen the colors are crisper and deeper, although the rug itself may seem thin when compared to those more plush current ones. It's all in our choices and pocketbooks though. Keep in mind that a rug is like furniture, an investment. I don't know that we need be overly concerned about whether it's truly an "Arts & Crafts" rug, but rather, do we like it and feel good about it. I am the furthest thing from a rug expert that there is, but I do suggest making sure that the asthetics appeal to you with any rug, the way it fits the room (how much floor shows around it), the color (will it go with your choice of furniture and wall color), and mostly, will you look at it down the road and smile, thinking, "yeah, that looks good." Good luck Meg and have fun - that's the main thing. Rick

Rugs are a big thing for me, I think they can make or break the room. <br> <br>It is important that you LOVE your rug. Cost is not important. My favorite rug in my house was the cheapest - a real, hand knotted, wool 6 x 9 Persian tribal rug for only $395.00. I found it in an antique store that usually has good prices. Antique stores are great for rugs. The real deal Persian rugs are definitely coming down in price, especially if it's "used" (as opposed to "antique"). They last forever and hold up to all kinds of abuse - and if you have kitties, fear not because they are not hooked and not subject to claw destruction. The vegetable dyes are softer than the chemical variety. And whether you get a "kilim" or other pattern, all tribal rugs with their natural colors and geometric patterns work great with Arts & Crafts style. Frank Lloyd Wright loved them! <br> <br>And PS I think your house is not only a bungalow but an adorable bungalow. Is the sink original or just a terrific repro? <br> <br>For a story on the wrong rug (large RED Bokhara) vs. the right rug (small Moroccan), you can take a peek at my trial and error: <br>http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=160897174543_85500081305&collid=90162900305&page=1

Wow! Thanks everybody. What speedy, helpful replies! <br>By the way, Mike_in_Iowa, neither of us play it, unfortunately. We move in in a couple of weeks, so the stuff you see in the photos belongs to the woman we bought the house from. Pretty funky looking thing, though, huh? <br>Thanks again. <br>meg

We were very pleased with a rug we ordered from www.jaxrugs.com, specializing in Arts & Crafts designs. For the most part they are 'way too expensive for us, but the looped pile ones are more affordable and we got ours (American Beauty, a Dard Hunter design) on sale for about $500. It arrived amazingly quickly and it looks great in our DR. <br> <br>Other than that, we have a Home Depot rug in our den, and a seagrass rug in the LR. I think the seagrass looks really great in a bungalow setting, but I have a feeling we might replace it when our little anke-biter starts crawling around (it's not particularly soft).

I've purchased a number of rag rugs from the nursing home gift shop...made by the residents. I have one I use in the kitchen...and one in the entryway. They are great because you can throw them in the wash. The colors go perfectly and I get many compliments on them <br> <br>My largest/favorite rug was purchased for a song on a trip to China. I threw away much of my clothing and carried that huge thing around for a month in my backpack. I'm not sure if my house accidentally matches it....or if I bought my house because it matches. Fond memories every time I step on it.

Llove the Frank Lloyd Wrong comment. Maybe the stained glass will help....but OMG, am I seeing things or is that Bradbury & Bradbury paper in your LAUNDRY ROOM!!!!!!! If it's not, will you please tell me where you got it....haven't worked the B&B into the budget yet [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Try this company for period carpets, www.jaxrugs.com .... absolutely GORGEOUS!!! If I could afford one these rugs I'd buy it in a New York minute! But until my sweetie gets his first sitcom or Academy Award......it's the bargain route for me. <br> <br>I may be a bit of a purist when it comes to plaster, flooring, trim etc.. but I'm of the ecclectic persuasion when it comes to furnishings. If you like the rug and it looks good with the colors in your house - fabulous! Kilim's are gorgeous, why not? <br> <br>Barbara <br> <br>

I can't take credit - the guy who sold me the window coined the phrase! The wallpaper is NOT B&B, but a more affordable and easier to use version - prepasted, precut. I bought only one roll and it JUST MADE IT! Seriously. When I ended the roll, I ended the wall. No cutting, no trimming, no stretching. Perfect fit - by sheer luck and Zero planning. I recommend you spring for an extra roll - it's only about $23 so it's definitely more economical than B&B, but alas, not as much pizzazz. I purchased it at American Wallpaper Factory, www.decoratetoday.com, and it's in the "Arts & Crafts Collection" book. Great book - I just love the peacocks. When you visit the site, go to the "wallpaper/borders" section and search by NAME of book, or else you'll get too many selections. <br> <br>I have another border from the same book in my kitchen, you can see the photos at: <br>http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?UV=687459479822_63894391305&collid=32468900305&page=1 <br> <br>OH, and if you look at my kitchen photos, check out the Little Piggies cannisters! (I think Kitchywoman will like them too!)