Pattern Play

I was recently asked to create a collection of rugs for a company who focuses primarily on bedding . On my desk last week sat 2 of their best selling pillow shams.
Both fairly traditional motifs that appear frequently in many of today's well known catalogs.
The first being a blend of various patterns and colors that evokes that warm, welcoming home feeling and remains to be somewhat of a timeless style. The second drawing upon the recent Mediterranean style trend with bright white and blue and pops of green.
Here is a quick glimpse. . .

So this raises the question. . .what kind of braided rug coordinates with something so packed with pattern and color?
Each pattern is beautiful and the options for coordinating rugs seem endless.
The answer, ultimately lies in the taste and style of the end consumer. However, I think there are 3 key areas we can focus on that will help make that choice easier.

1. Neutral and Natural with texture for dimension.
The natural color palette continues to be a strong trend that is mixing with texture to pump up an otherwise bland rug. The play on texture gives a simple rug the extra dimension needed to keep the floor from falling flat when combined with various patterns and colors, but maintains that natural and earthy feel.
This style is seen in many of the most popular home furnishing catalogs today.

West Elm - Greek key duvet cover and shams shown with natural textured rug

Pottery Barn - butterfly poppy quilt shown with natural textured rug

By mixing various braid constructions and patterns, these rugs create a texture that provides style and comfort

cmi rug - air-entangled polypropylene rug in alternating flat and cablelock braid constructions

cmi rug - naturalized polypropylene rug in a wide stripe design using flat and cablelock braid constructions

2. Soft and Understated
To bring color into a space that already seems to have a lot going on can seem like a challenge if you tend to shy away from too much color.
Selecting a softer hue or tone of the color in your bedding or using one of the less dominant colors can work to create a soft and complimentary color palette that will not challenge those in your bedding.

Garnet Hill - Spot on Quilt with soft green rug

Pottery Barn - Neena patchwork quilt with soft blue rug

cmi rug - soft blues and taupes in a flat braid oval construction

cmi rug - muted brown and neutrals in a flat braid contoured rectangle construction

cmi rug - grays, taupes and pale green combine in a flat braid tweed design

cmi rug - all natural wool in a herringbone tweed

3. Bold and Linear to add the perfect amount of contrast

One more approach that is a bit more daring for some, but certainly pays off in creating some fun and inspiring spaces.
By adding color in a geometric and linear dimension, you are creating a contrasting design to the pattern play that is happening in your bedding selection. Using a stripe or geometric design gives the eye a nice diversion to the various patterns and colors that repeat themselves in the a floral or paisley motif. It provides you with that clean line that creates order and draws your eye to the other areas of the space.

photo via Elle Decor - interior designer Michael S. Smith

photo via Elle Decor - designer Sig Bergamin

photo via Lonny Mag - designer Bunny Williams

William Sonoma - block printed medallion duvet with red stripe rug

cmi rug - heather-ed gray and white stripe alternating flat and cablelock braid

cmi rug - blue and white stripes in an oval construction utilizing both flat and cablelock braids

cmi rug - diagonal stripes using heather-ed yarn 

cmi rug - Allure Haystack wool blend stripe

cmi rug - Portico Chile polypropylene stripe

Patterns can certainly provide you with various looks and styles and rugs can help to accentuate the design and bring the space together.
Enjoy!
-Meredith