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Born and bred in the Midwest, ranging through the high buttes of Sedona and crossing the Mohave into California is a whole new decorating concept as wild, varied and beautiful as the creatures that inspired the motif.

The Argos Manor Equestrian Palette brand of wall colors, coverings and keys to interior décor is based on the colors patterns of horses. Each color and color combination recognized by the various American Horse Associations is represented in a palette. Currently there are Bay palettes, Chestnut palettes, Arabian gray palettes, Dun palettes, Piebald and Pinto palettes, Roan palettes and even Appaloosa palettes. On the drawing board are Smoky Cream and Silver Dapple palettes.

The key to the palette is the dominant color of the horse. A sorrel for example describes a horse with a copper red body color and a same or lighter colored mane and tail. The body color can actually range from a reddish-gold hue to a deep burgundy or chocolate shade. The mane and tail can be of the same shade or a much lighter shade ranging almost to a creamy white. All the tones accepted by horse breeders as “sorrel” make up the base colors of the palette and are so indicated. Complementary colors are then selected and added to the palette, as are accent colors and trim. Designs, and furniture patterns and colors can all be selected with reference to the palette.

A coppery red sorrel palette can transform an ordinary room into a Southwestern showpiece decked out in the red and yellow hues of the Sonora desert. Cactus green and lapis lazuli are all complementary to the Sorrel palette as accent colors. Saddle and bridle leather hues are also included in the palette to use as trim, as the main color or as the colors you use to select furniture. Metallic tones of bridle and saddle hardware are also represented.

Consider the Arabian gray palette. Washed over mudded walls the pale white standard of the Arab is the perfect backdrop to granite tiled floors and ebony accent tables. A vintage oriental area carpet adds a splash of vibrant color to the scene. Comfortable sofas and easy chairs in soft grays or bold black or red are possible selections. Brightly hued tasseled throw pillows complete the arrangement.

The palette is not for use simply in selecting wall paint colors. A leopard appaloosa wall of white background and helter-skelter black or brown spots might be too busy for some tastes. Area rugs can be selected that are woven from the colors represented in any of the Equestrian Palettes. Area rugs are the perfect accessory to keep a room from becoming overwhelmed with color on the walls. Keep the walls subtle and bring in a burst of equestrian color through a modern area rug.

Complementary shades would then be selected to grace the walls and guide the choice of bedding, rug and furniture selections. Consider a young girl’s bedroom painted in the palest beige/ochre tones of a leopard appaloosa’s muzzle and trimmed with white. On the bed, pink linen peeks from beneath a chocolate brown quilt would look exquisite. On the floor lies a free form area rug of white with brown spots made from fibers as ermine soft as the coat of new born foal. Highly varnished knotty pine furniture selected in a deep ochre hue completes the room.

You followed all the design rules in the book, invested in quality materials, and even splurged on designer décor. But why does your room still lack that punch? Chances are you need some personalization. Your design may make the room attractive, but it won’t give you that personal connection with something you truly own. To do that, you need to accessorize. Here are seven accessories that can take your room from drab and impersonal to stylishly cozy.

End tables. What makes end tables great is that they take up unused space—little nooks and corners where no other thing would fit. Not only do they make great room accents, they also double as display racks. Use them to hold your phone, a vase, or some books and magazines. At night, it can hold a night shade or a lava lamp.

Area rugs. Protect your floors and jazz up your home by laying out some area rugs. Natural fibers are the trend these days, so look into wool area rugs, bamboo area rugs, jute area rugs, and seagrass area rugs. Look for one that suits your home décor. Busy patterns can get out of style fast, so go for classic designs if you’re using it as floor protection.

Lamps. Lamps are both energy-saving and pleasing to the eye. Instead of using the overhead light, flick on the lamp and get a warmer, more subtle light that creates a warmer mood. Table lamps are the popular option, but if you have room, try getting a floor lamp to add some variety. Use halogen bulbs to save energy and prevent overheating.

Window treatments. Blinds and curtains allow you to control the amount of light that gets into your room. Since they’re a major room fabric (along with rugs and sheets), they are a great way to unify your color theme. If you have blue area rugs, complement them with blue curtains in a different shade or pattern. Look for thick but airy fabrics that let in enough light to warm the room.

Indoor plants. Once associated with Asian design, indoor plants are now a staple in every decor theme. By bringing part of the outside into your home, you can make your room seem more open and airy. Pair them with other natural materials such as wood and stone, or to get a Zen look, use them to soften man-made materials like metal, glass and marble.

Throw pillows. Lounge around in style by dropping a couple of throw pillows on your sofa. They’re a great way to introduce color and variety, especially if your furniture is the room’s focal point. Use them to contrast or complement your room colors—whatever the theme calls for.

Wall art. Your choice of art is said to define your real tastes, because you choose solely based on appearance instead of function. So bring out the you in your home by putting up your favorite painting or photograph, or displaying something you made yourself. If you have the walls to spare, try creating a feature wall with all your favorite pieces on display.

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One of the most difficult parts of the current economic crisis is the lack of disposable income. Suddenly, everyone must stick to a budget, and they don’t have the cash to browse the home stores or upgrade their living spaces. If you are one of the many who has a limited budget but big dreams for your home, you may need to invest some time and thought into budget decorating. A little effort and limited amounts of money can go a long way when altering your space to suit your needs.

Paint is the most inexpensive way to change the look and feel of your home. Paint can make a bold statement that allows you to spend less on accessories in your room, or to place the focal point on one particular piece that can carry the entire space. In a recreation room, you could choose a dark, eye-catching color on the walls that will complement your current couch and reclining chairs. Add a few new throw pillows, a large soft blanket, and contemporary area rugs that are contrasting color or pattern to your walls. Immediately your room will have a completely different feel for much less money than purchasing new furniture. Invest most of your budget on larger items, such as the area rug, for a more expensive feel to your room.

Flea markets and swap meets have been a fun weekend activity for many years, but the recent surge in popularity shows how budget conscious the general public has become. Searching the junk stalls for a new dinette set for your kitchen? It’s easy to take some flea market chairs of different styles and colors, and then paint them a glossy color to complement your current kitchen or dining room décor. Don’t be afraid to mix and match styles of furniture. By sticking to one central color, you can create a unique theme that will be much more attractive than a matched set you purchased at a home store.

Wall art does not need to be expensive, and you can often find assorted knick-knacks at flea markets that can liven up your home for next to no cost. A collection of bottles, old picture frames, or antique kitchen utensils can create a visually interesting wall display that may cost you less than $20. For picture frames, keep to the same color but don’t worry about maintaining one set style. Grouped together, many different frames of the same color will be much more appealing than frames of the same color and style. Although wall stencils were once a hot trend in wall art, wall decals are now replacing stencils in popularity. You can find wall decals in a variety of graphics and styles to complement almost any décor.

Home decorating is based on current trends and your own personal taste, but budget decorating is based on your ability to stretch your money and your imagination. Don’t feel hampered by your lack of spending cash; use your limited funds as a reason to let your imagination run wild with possibilities. Often, the results will be well worth the effort.

Whether it’s contemporary, traditional, casual or eclectic, choosing the right window treatment that is in keeping with the style of the room can do much to enhance the look of the room. After all the trouble you’ve taken to achieve a particular look in every room in your home, don’t stop at the windows.

Rushing out and buying fabrics for your windows could very well turn out to be a mistake as fabrics that look good in the show room are not necessarily the best choice for your windows. Buying fabric that matches the decor of the room is by far more important. A tapestry curtain, no matter how fabulous it looks, would be completely inappropriate in a room that is designed in a contemporary style.

Here are some suggestions for different window treatment options that will help you maintain the decorating style in any room.

Traditional Décor

Typically formal and fussy, traditional decorating style is reminiscent of old world European design where even furniture styles had monikers like Queen Anne and Louis XV. Here are a few window treatment ideas that complement the traditional décor of the room:

• Chintz, velvet, damask, tapestry, silk and linen are the fabrics of choice that will you achieve the traditional look.
• As a rule, heavier furniture calls for curtains made from heavier fabric. If you are determined to have sheer curtains, use them as panels that can be seen when your formal draperies are tied back.
• Draperies and curtains should be long enough to touch the floor and even beyond. Extra long curtains that end in a heap of folds on the floor is tres traditional and romantic to boot.
• Decorative tiebacks, tassels, bows, elegant braids and swag cords add elegance and drama to the curtains. Add extra flair to the curtains with jabots and swags.
• Shades or blinds should be included beneath the draperies and curtain for light control and privacy.

Contemporary Décor

Contemporary decorating style is absolutely non-fussy; the emphasis is on minimal décor with clean lines. These few window treatment suggestions will blend well with a room that is designed in a minimalist fashion.

• Minimalist and non-fussy, blinds or wood shutters are perfect for a contemporary room. They provide adequate privacy and light control without detracting from the atmosphere of the room.
• If you must, add side panels and a valance of sheer fabric.
• Windows that are architecturally beautiful are best left unadorned. A simple border stenciled around the window could add extra drama to the window.

Casual Décor

Typically, anything goes in a casual style. There are no rigid rules to follow; only guidelines.

• Cotton curtains go much better with casual décor than curtains made from more formal fabrics such as velvet or tapestry.
• Colorful printed curtains that are shorter in length convey a mood that is informal, relaxed and playful.
• Add life to a plain window with Roman shades made with geometric pattern designs or different types of stripes.

Eclectic Décor

Eclectic décor is a nifty blend of two different interior decorating styles. The window treatment you choose should reflect this blend of décor styles in a non-garish way.

• Use a single swag to add an element of drama to the window
• To add a touch of romance to your windows let your drapery panels flow to the floor in a folded heap.
• Simple metal blinds provide privacy and light control.

In order to feel comfortable in your home living space, decor is an important step in ensuring this happens. You want your home to be a place that you enjoy and are comfortable spending most of your time there, whether you have just bought your place or are renting. Taking the time and money to spend decorating your home is not a top priority, however, if you have to live on a budget. To make your home a more comfortable place to live in will require you to find ways of doing this, even if a strict budget is necessary.

Looking through thrift stores, garage sales and discount warehouses is a great way to start your experimental decorating techniques. These places may contain everything from retro artwork and albums for wall hanging, to reversible braided rugs that someone no longer wants. An area rug is a great item to help decorate on a budget because it helps provide a color scheme for the whole room, as well as acting as a heating or cooling item during the extremes of winter and summer.

Another way to decorate on a budget is to make decorations out of common items. Buy cheap frames from a dollar store and fill them with things that are not traditional artwork. Items that make you smile or think contribute significantly to filling a space. They express your personality in your living environment.

Painting may not be an option if you are renting a home. As an alternative, you could brighten the colors in your living space by hanging artwork on the walls. An option could be to hang a colorful rug on a wall, thus covering an area that you may previously not have liked so much. This type of coloring can brighten a dim room and make it a far more suitable living space for you.

An important aspect is finding ways to make the room feel more fun. Being given furniture can be a bonus as it means you don’t have to buy it. Conversely, you may not like the look of it. The perfect solution is to paint such pieces of furniture to make them work with your space. An old bookcase or coffee table can be transformed to fit your ideal environment, by simply choosing the appropriate colors.

It is really important to remember to have fun when decorating. You also need to make choices that you can live with happily. Avoid the temptation of doing something that is going to become old quickly and only make purchases that you are going to be able to live with.

Decorating on a budget need not be restrictive or boring. Indeed, by considering the re-using and recycling of items you already have can be far more interesting than purchasing ready-made items. In doing this, you not only save money and reduce your budget, but you also can let your creative side free and create something unique for your living space, whether this is solely for you or for family and friends to also enjoy.

Original Design by http://adetacher.com/

(image :http://bromeliadliving.blogspot.com/2010/01/detachers-rose-pillow.html)

Immediately when I saw this cushion I fell in love with it – and I know it would look perfect on my red leather lounge – in fact it would look perfect on any lounge anywhere!

But at $175 it’s a bit steep – so let’s make our own flower cushion.

I’ve searched around for some great sewing instructions:-

To make one like the cushion below from an old skirt Click HERE – they provide full instructions to create a rose cushion that looks like the one in this photo. So it you are good at sewing I bet  you can create this and be the envy of all your friends.

Have you always wanted a stylish rug or carpet, but couldn’t get one because of your allergies? You’re not alone—a lot of people have to live with various conditions that limit their options for home decorating. But the good news is that it’s all changing. These days, you can find area rugs in a much wider range of materials, many of them completely safe for people with allergies. And if you’re thinking of dull, boring designs, think again—these rugs come in so many designs that you’ll find it hard to choose just one.

So what makes an allergy-friendly area rug? It’s actually a combination of lots of factors: material, thickness, maintenance, even color and pattern. Since every allergy is different, there’s no single standard that applies to everyone. In most cases, you’ll have to examine each rug to see if it’s safe for you. Or if you’re not sure yourself, you may have to ask your doctor for specifications. However, there are some rug characteristics that are always good to look for, whether you’re allergic or not. Here are some of them.

Go natural.

As you might expect, natural area rugs are the best choice for allergy-prone homeowners. Luckily, manufacturers have been using a growing number of natural fibers such as sea-grass, jute, sisal, and bamboo. Bamboo area rugs are particularly favored because they’re surprisingly sturdy yet very cheap to make. Often, it needs very little treatment to strengthen the fiber enough for regular use. And since it’s a sustainable material, it’s also a popular choice for those who want to keep things eco-friendly.

If you want something softer, you may want to go for organic cotton or wool. These are more fabric-like, so they’re more comfortable underfoot and are much easier to maintain. Wool is especially ideal because it’s naturally hypoallergenic and has anti-bacterial properties, which means it’s very low-maintenance. Often, the only work it’ll need is occasional vacuuming, about once or twice a week depending on the amount of traffic in the room.

Avoid heavy pile.

The main reason rugs and carpets cause allergies is that they tend to gather dust. The little knots in the fabric make it an easy place for small particles to settle, and these get carried up every time you step on it. For low-traffic rooms, choose light, thin fabrics such as those from Prairie Cotton Rugs. Prairie Rugs specializes in hand-made, eco-friendly rugs that use only natural materials, from the soap used to the final treatments. Even their dyes are completely biodegradable, so they’re as safe as you can get for allergies.

One thing you’ll want to avoid is thick, heavy pile. They may be more comfortable on your feet, but unless you’re willing to clean and vacuum every day, the environmental effects are hardly worth it. As a general rule, the thicker the pile is, the more likely it is to attract dust and other allergens. Limit your choices to short and medium pile, and just choose softer fabrics to compensate.

Choose washable materials.

Occasional dusting and vacuuming is usually good for the long term, but sometimes a rug needs more thorough cleaning. That’s why it’s important to get one that’s washable, and won’t wear out with repeated wash and dry cycles. If you like wool but don’t like the heavy washing, go for braided wool rugs—they’re much lighter than the usual knotted type, and most are safe to put in the washer. Braided wool is more expensive than other braided materials, but the quality is often more than worth it.

Some synthetic materials are also washable, and in fact hold up better to frequent washing than natural ones. One example is polypropylene (also called olefin), which is made from a plastic-based fiber. Polypropylene rugs look and feel much like wool and cotton, but offer a tougher, more low-maintenance construction. Look for those with little to no chemical treatments to avoid adverse reactions.

Get professional advice.

As mentioned above, the best way to go is to get a recommendation from professionals. If you have serious allergies it may be best to consult your doctor to see which rugs work best for you. If you’re more concerned about maintenance, you can ask your dealer about recommended cleaning products or professional cleaning services. A designer can also give you some decorating with area rug information, taking into account your specific needs.

Another thing you can do is look online for people who have the same allergies or conditions as you. Forums are a great source of firsthand information, and you can share your opinions with others in the same situation. Many designers and homeowners have set up area rug blogs designed for various audiences, which can come in handy when you’re looking for specific information. Besides rug advice, they can also give you tips on where to find the best deals or what the latest trends are.

For the past few decades, area rugs have been designed to protect the flooring and add a decorative touch to the home. But for a growing number of designers, they serve a new purpose: to accent existing décor, dramatically changing the look of a room in a single step. In an economy where jazzing up their home is the last thing on most people’s minds, accent rugs offer a great opportunity to get creative without going over budget. If your home looks drab but you can’t afford a makeover, shopping for rugs is definitely your best bet.

But what really sets an accent rug apart? For one thing, they’re not meant to stand out like conventional rugs—their purpose is to highlight what’s already there and draw attention to bigger elements. You can use them to draw the eye to your focal point, such as a window or a piece of furniture, or simply bring out your current color scheme. It takes a good eye to see which rugs will work at a glance, but with the range of designs available, you’re sure to find one that fits. Here’s a quick guide to give you a few ideas.

Complementary colors

One of the best ways to use accent rugs is to complement your room colors. Sometimes a room has all the right color combinations, but lacks that visual kick to make it really stand out. By throwing in a rug in a complementary color, you can make your walls, floor and other surfaces look much brighter without actually changing anything. As an example, consider a room with solid white or beige walls. The colors might look plain on their own, but with a few red area rugs on the floor, they’ll look a lot more attractive.

They don’t necessarily have to be strong or bright colors. For some rooms, neutral-colored rugs do a better job of accenting the color scheme. This is especially true when the walls are already an unusual color, such as purple or green. An equally bright accent will only compete for attention rather than direct it to the walls. But with a plain white or black rug, you can frame the colors more strongly and make them more noticeable.

Solids and patterns

Patterns are also a great way to make accent rugs complement your décor. The key here is to go for contrast: if you have a plain floor or walls, use a patterned rug as your accent; if you have patterned wallpaper or floor tile, a solid-colored piece may be more appropriate. Putting two patterns side by side is a big no-no—the two will only confuse the eye and make the room look too busy.

If you’re going for a modern look, something like the Dynamic Rugs Nolita 1310 beige and natural brown area rug can be a good option. Featuring classic animal stripes in a fun geometric pattern, it adds a lot of movement and texture to the room without being too overpowering. Placed against a bare floor or under a coffee table, it adds a warm, intimate look to the room while keeping that hip, stylish mood.

Sizing and proportion

Since they’re not meant to be the focal point, accent rugs often have to be in smaller sizes. Or if they’re regular-sized, they usually come in less prominent designs meant to work with the existing room décor. Whatever the style is, accent rugs have be proportional in size to the room. An oversized rug may overpower the rest of the elements, while a small one will hardly get noticed. The general rule is to keep at least 18 inches free on all sides of the rug so that it doesn’t work as a wall-to-wall carpet.

Bamboo rugs are great for keeping accent pieces in proportion. Since they’re lighter and easier to work with, they come in a wider range of sizes—often from as small as 2 by 2 feet to pieces large enough to cover the room. Most bamboo rugs also come with a cotton or nylon border, which provides a smoother transition and helps it blend better with the rest of the room.

Unique shapes

Rectangular rugs may be traditional, but accent rugs aren’t made to follow conventions. In fact, many accent rugs are purposely made to break this rule, offering less-common shapes such as circles, ovals, octagons, hearts and flowers. The shape itself draws attention to the space, so it’s a nice, subtle way to accent surrounding elements.

If your room has an unusual corner or alcove, try making it your focal point by placing a shaped rug against it. Sharp edges can make a room look cold and uninviting, but pieces like round area rugs can soften the look and add a soft contrast to the space. Round rugs can also be used to accent furniture sets, highlight a spacious floor, or frame a sculpture or wall art.

Ask any designer and they’ll tell you the same thing: this season’s must-have piece is an area rug. Think about it: they’re colorful, easy to install, and offer a lot of creative choices. Area rugs have come a long way from their early days as Persian and Oriental pieces. Today, you can find modern, country, contemporary, and classical rugs all designed to suit a different kind of home. If you’re looking for a quick way to liven up your décor, you can’t go wrong with a well-placed area rug or two.

Of course, the main problem with rugs is that they don’t always come cheap. Many people have spent hundreds of dollars on designer rugs, and while they do look great in the room, not all of us have that much money to spare—especially for just one piece of décor. Well, the good news is that they don’t have to be so expensive. With the range of materials and designs available today, you’re sure to find a rug that fits your budget without sacrificing style or quality. To help you find the best deals, here are some simple buying tips.

Look for multipurpose rugs.

For home décor to be cost-efficient, it has to go beyond aesthetics and actually be functional. That’s especially true with area rugs. If you want more out of your money, look for rugs that can work for two rooms at once, or offer padding and color at the same time. The Rhody Rug Pilgrim navy blue braided area rug is a good example: it’s neutral enough to suit various color palettes, and has a simple pattern that goes with any décor theme.

Reversible rugs are another great way to stretch your dollar. Usually braided and multicolored, reversible area rugs can be used on both sides, so it’s like having two rugs for the price of one. The braided construction also helps it stay flat and eliminates the need for rug pads, even if you’re placing it over a carpet. If you’re going for a reversible rug, make sure to choose a compatible color scheme so both sides will work for your home.

Place them in the center.

Area rugs create a much stronger effect when they’re centrally located in the room. Sometimes just one rug can carry your entire décor theme, even if the rest of the room is bare or toned down. For a more interesting visual effect, think beyond squares and rectangles. Round, oval, and flower shaped rugs all add a softer dimension to an otherwise straight-edged room, and also add some dynamic and movement to your space.

When using central rugs, make sure there’s enough bare floor space around to frame it properly. Remember, you’re not trying to cover your entire floor—you want it to draw attention to your area rug. A good rule of thumb is to keep at least 18 inches of floor space free on all sides of the rug. If you’re putting it under your furniture, make sure it’s big enough for the sides to show through.

Get cheaper rug materials.

Materials and construction are the biggest factors in rug pricing. Naturally, the better the quality of the material and the better it’s made, the more expensive the rug will be. That’s why genuine wool, organic cotton, and hand-knotted Oriental rugs often command the highest prices. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get much for a small budget. In fact, some of the longest-lasting rug materials these days are also among the least expensive.

If you’re after durability more than comfort, you can go for cheap natural materials such as bamboo. Bamboo rugs can cost as little as $20 and still give your home the visual kick it needs. You can also look into jute and seagrass rugs, which add a light, breezy feel to your space. They may not work as well as wool in heavy traffic, but with proper care and maintenance, they can last just as long.

Look for low-maintenance pieces.

Rug maintenance can be expensive, especially for pieces that need frequent cleaning and drying. But while all rugs will need the occasional sweep, some of them require less work than others. If you live in a busy household with kids or pets, you may want a no-frills, low-maintenance rug that stays in shape with a quick vacuum run every week or so. Outdoor area rugs may be your best bet—they work both indoors and outdoors, and they’re designed to take abuse from everyday traffic. Most of them are made from synthetic materials like polypropylene, which offers the same comfort as wool or cotton but is twice as durable—not to mention a lot cheaper. Polypropylene also comes in all sorts of colors and designs, so you can easily find one that suits your décor theme.

Most designers agree that neutral colors play a key role in home design. While they don’t always take center stage, they help your main elements stand out and become the room’s focal point. That’s especially true when it comes to area rugs, as they’re often used to enhance your existing theme. White, beige, and brown are some of the most popular colors. But few people consider black an option when they shop for rugs. Some think it’s too dark, others think it’s too strong a shade. But modern design is changing, and many homeowners are discovering the appeal of a black rug in their homes.

Like other neutral colors, black goes with pretty much every color, pattern and décor theme. But unlike the rest, it doesn’t have a calm, relaxing visual effect—rather, it makes colors more vibrant and provides an eye-catching backdrop to your design. That’s why people who want high-impact visuals always go for a black base. It’s also why modern designers make use of a lot of black—it adds life and impact to an otherwise plain theme. If you’re not sure how to make a black rug work, here’s a quick guide to help you out.

Use it for contrast.

Black has a way of increasing the contrast between two or more colors in a space. Since most themes involve a color combination, a black rug helps tie them together and enhance both colors at the same time. For example, if you have a pink and blue theme—two fairly contrasting colors—something like the Dynamic Rugs Allure 1907 grey-black area rug allows you to use items from each color even within a small space. The use of grey and black makes it more varied, and the hand-carved pattern gives it a nice sense of movement. This works very well for homes with a stark contemporary theme, where sleek, harsh lines and sold colors tend to dominate the space. There are lots of ways to use it—you can put it in the middle of the room as a centerpiece, or under a piece of furniture with a brightly colored slipcover.

Create a touch of elegance.

Black is one of the key colors in fashion—stylists often say every woman needs at least one black piece to go with all her accessories. The same is true when it comes to home design. You just can’t go wrong with a hint of black, especially when it’s well placed. For example, many designers are creating oriental area rugs with black backdrops, which help them blend better than the usual reds or blues. Black also makes the detail on oriental rugs stand out better, so viewers can really appreciate them.

Sometimes, you don’t even need a pattern to make a black area rug elegant. A solid-colored black rug can give your home a warm yet elegant touch, if you know where to place it. Solid-colored rugs usually go best under furniture, such as a couch or a coffee table. Use it to make an already eye-catching piece even more attractive—the contrast between natural wood and dark cloth creates a really striking visual effect.

Modernize your design.

Most people would consider black a bold color, and that’s exactly why it’s popular in modern décor. Modern homes are all about making bold choices, especially when it comes to color. Add a touch of black to a bright surface to make it really stand out. To see how experts are doing it, check out blogs or forums on rug decorating and interior design—you can even find some pictures to help you better imagine the effects.

Patterns often play a big role in modern rug design. Since black can be quite dull on its own, you often need a patterned piece to keep it from dragging down your décor. Modern area rugs often come in bold geometric patterns such as polka dots, stripes, and checks. Patterns won’t work for all homes, of course—if your home already has lots of patterned pieces, a solid black rug may be more appropriate.

Make your space more intimate.

Dark colors tend to have a warming effect on a room. For years, experts have been using deep browns, bronze and similar shades to make spaces look cozier and more inviting. So there’s no reason you can’t use black to the same end—as long as you do it right. Since it’s a strong color, it’s usually best to combine it with softer shades, particularly pastels. If your room is big enough, try getting two or more smaller rugs instead of one big one. Black rugs usually go well with pink rugs for a young girl’s room or baby blue rugs for a boy’s room. With black there are lots of possible combinations—just mix and match until you find one that suits your tastes.