I think the rug looks nice — maybe it’s just…. different? It wouldn’t take long in our house before it would no longer really be white… per se…. And, if that were our house, the dog would be off-gassing too and the room would be virtually untenable.

Off-gassing!

OMG, I want your bathroom! It’s gorgeous!

As for the rug – Riley could have a reaction to it. When I first moved into my new house, I had no furniture for a week. Hence, I slept in my sleeping bag in my camping mattress on the brand-spanking-new-carpeted floor. I wound up with the WORST case of laryngitis and a sinus infection. Ugh. Consider yourself warned.

I hear you on the rug issue. We wanted to get a rug for our living room for similar reasons and I swear to god I must have looked at 1,245,654 hideous rugs (approx.). Is it really so hard to make a nice low key rug for under $1,000? Answer = evidently yes. Your tub and shower, on the other hand, fill me with envy – they are gorgeous AND huge. My tub is tiny and white. So jealous…

The tile is absolutely gorgeous!!

We’ve gotten a couple of large, pretty decent, non-ugly rugs from Lowes & Home Depot b/c they’re fairly inexpensive, so I don’t feel bad about replacing them often (due to excessive pet hair/pet vomit tracks). Of course, not as nice as the $900 ones, but I’ve been happy with them just the same.

I think it looks great. Dog obviously agrees. I have always loved the area rugs at Target if you are still going to look. So, how do you keep Riley out of all that electronic business? Johnny is currently into licking the DVR/VCR combo, and bashing his head on it repeatedly which is just about as fun as it sounds.

I like the rug – but if you’re still looking for replacements, have you tried IKEA?

I also love the bathroom – you and JB have good taste…and yay, you’re almost done!

LOVE your tiles. JEALOUS of your soon-to-be-installed tub. Will you be taking said bath at night with lit candles lining the edge of your tub? Cuz that’s how I’d take it. (Re: jealous) Maybe you should have gone with the rough texture on the rug; that way you won’t have to brush Dog anymore.

Carpet’s different because they glue it down. Rugs aren’t as bad, as far as off-gassing. (Unlike Dog. Heh.)

That giant tub is only slightly smaller than my coffee cup, which has the name of my husband’s ex-company on it and is definitely pretentious and soothing.

I don’t think the white looks bad at all, but you have a dog and a cat and a child. Ain’t gonna stay white, is what I’m getting at here.

I think the rug looks good (though I’m inclined to roll around on it like Dog). I went with a light color like that, soo, and it took me some getting used to. Of course with 2 kids, 1 dog, 2 cats and a husband, it’s not exactly the same color anymore, os maybe that’s it.

And the bathroom looks awesome! I want a big tub like that – I love the five hour baths! Actually, I a tub like they have in mineral spas, where the water overflows and keeps pumping in so it’s always the right temperature.

Do you have Marshalls stores in Seattle? If so, the ones near my house have an awesome selection of ginormous wool rugs in all kinds of patterns and sizes. I saw one like the one you linked to in the 9′ x 11′ size for around $300 not too long ago.

Sex tub! Woot!

holy shit! that bathroom is gorgeous. i totally covet your tub. also, the white carpet looks just fine to me…although maybe i’d be less fond if i could, er…smell it?

also…strangely soothing. definately.

Have you looked at Pottery Barn? They have some really nice, plain-ish options for around $400 or $500. That’s where we got our living room rug. You might try a khaki-like color instead of white? Although the white doesn’t look bad… and I kinda like shag, to be honest. It’s comfy.

Here’s a place I’ve been looking at for rugs for my little newly mobile guy:
http://www.naturalarearugs.com/

This one might work for you, though it’s wool, but wool doesn’t mean scratchy like most people think. And it has other great properties I won’t bore you with:

http://www.naturalarearugs.com/wool-royal-treasures-lightan.php

I love your new tile and that new tub area? I’m so jealous!

loooove the tile. i also think the rug goes nicely. you’ll get used to it.

And look! PB is currently having a rug sale! http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=shpcprwrugwoo%7Crshop%2Fshpcprwrugwoo%7Crshop%2Fshpcprw%7Crshop&pkey=cprwrugwoo&gids=p7113

What is it with men and shag rugs? My hubby wants one too. I love the rug you picked out but if you are sticking with shag, I would recommend a beige or sage color if you don’t want white, would go great with the red floors. (Plus, the boy will make a mess with it like you wouldn’t believe, think juice or PBJ sandwiches smooshed into shag! Good times when it’s cleaning time). I too just love your tiles. Very nice job. We’re currently tiling our master bathroom too but have gone with a more neutral palette this time.

I like the rug, but light colors are my down fall. Especailly when the cat vomits up hairball/cat food concoction.

Quick question and I was wondering if you could e-mail me with the response. Are you putting in whirlpool tub? Just curious because we are doing the same thing (tile surround) but stuck wondering how to do the access door to the tub.

Your remodel is looking wonderful. So jealous. Ours is at a standstill since it is 90+ degrees out now. Will readdress that “idea” when it gets to be -30 in MN!

Thanks Sundry!

I thought of Pattery Barn too, but after doing a search online, I read they have some of the worst off-gassing rugs out there. Heh.

Though this one would look great in your living room:
http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=shpcprwrugwoo%7Crshop%2Fshpcprwrugwoo%7Crshop%2Fshpcprwrugwoo%7Crshop%2Fshpcprwrugwoo%7Crshop%2Fshpcprwrugwoo%7Crshop&pkey=cprwrugwoo&gids=p7349

You might try Overstock.com or kohls.com for the rugs. I like the white rug, but wonder how long it will be white.

Love, love, love the bathroom.

great entry, thanks Linda

My! I think you are very brave to choose white. (I wasn’t a big fan of patterns — especially faux-oriental — until I realized how much sin they can hide.)

I like the white, it hides dog hair well and can be bleached. :)

That tile is gorgeous… If I had a tub like that I’d never get anything done.

Just had to bring up jellybeans, didn’t you? Our receptionist has a big dispenser up front for everyone. I’m thinking that the exercise of walking up there and back should count.

I have *such* tub envy it’s ridiculous.

We have a tub like that – not as gorgeously tiled, but as large.

Sundry, it changed. my. life. I do not exaggerate. The whole world is brighter because I have a standalone tub! The sun shines a little more often, food tastes sweeter and the birds, they sing just a little louder. And bath products have a whole new meaning. In fact, I have a thing of JellyBath headed my way that I can’t wait to use. Would I have spent some ungodly amount of money on ONE BATH before this magical bathtub? Nope. So it is both a blessing and a curse, you see.

($25 for one bath. I’m nuts. I won’t spend $100 on a decent pair of shoes, but I’ll spend $25 for A SINGLE BATH. Or at least I think it’s one bath. I’m not sure. I’m a little scared of the stuff, frankly, but the curiousity got the best of me when I read it in a magazine. I am a marketer’s wet dream.)

You won’t know what to do with yourself, I swear. And since two of you will be able to fit in, well, it’s rather cozy in that respect as well.

my friend has this rug from ikea, that looks similar to your coveted rug: http://tinyurl.com/pm7ad
…and it doesn’t require assembly.

renovations are looking splendid!

Love the rug and love, love the tile/tub. I am having remodel envy (for results only, not the experience). If you are thinking of replacing the rug, I really liked the rug I ordered from Home Decorators Outlet. There’s plenty of fug, but also some decent ones at great prices: http://www.homedecoratorsoutlet.com/Rugs/S/Rugs/

I actually think the white looks good. But then, I saw your alternate, which I LOVE. I bet you can find one at home depot or lowes in your price range. I TOLD you, DOG HAIR!!! No one listens to me doggone it. Your tile is so, amazingly priddy.

I’m a little surprised no one else mentioned this, but try Febreeze on the rug. When I got new living room furniture, it smelled chemically too, so I spritzed it two or three times with the Febreeze and no more smell (the smell got more faint each time).

The rug looks okay. I hope you made good use of this opportunity to go rug shopping by using the words “rug” and “carpet” as often and as dirtily as possible. I know I did when I got to go rug shopping a couple of weeks ago.

Dude, IKEA for rugs. BF works there and they are surprisingly stylish and inexpensive. Fun!

LOVE LOVE LOVE your tile! Great choice!

The rug is fine – much better than spending $759,997 for something to walk on. We’re looking for one, too, and having a hell of a time.

I’m shocked the rug you linked to is $900. I got a 6X8 Persian wool tribal rug that is plush and gorgeous and one of a kind (and not filled with chemicals) that is easy to clean (just vacuum) for $895.00 on sale at a very reputable dealer in Vancouver. Nothing pseudo about it. I don’t know if Seattle has an East India Carpet company but if you’re ever in Vancouver, BC, you might want to visit them

http://www.eastindiacarpets.com/

They have a discount store across the street filled to the brim with gorgeous bargains.

You’re a wise woman – rug color = dog color = less vacuuming for everyone. :) Great tile, btw!!!

I like the rug. But I the bathroom tiles are too greenish for my taste.

I actually think that rug looks nice, I like the color… I have to agree w/ JB too, shag is comfy looking, and comfy feeling! :) Buuuut… You should be happy so–>

Have you checked Overstock.com? They have tons of rugs… I like this one, it has the same sort of feel as that one you like but for less :) http://overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=1524482 There are tons on here, you’re bound to find something!

Although, if you want to be sexy you’d totally get this http://overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=1717364 Yesss! Grrrowl! :) -h

The Roomba is NOT going to like the shag. It’s going to gag on the shag.

Love the tile in the bathroom and I don’t think the rug sticks out too much! So great!

Sundry, Re: Jelly Beans

I’m a marathon runner, and one thing that we do eat on long runs (over 18 miles) is jelly beans, because they are easy to eat, offer a boost of sugar and won’t upset your stomach. I’m actually rather pshyched that you mentioned these new jelly beans becuase I had no idea that they made them. Thanks.JB

Why ARE rugs so expensive? Even the ones at Ikea that aren’t hideous are close to $1000. Ikea!!

We splurged and bought an expensive (oriental-looking, but I swear it’s pretty) rug a few years ago for our living room. My cat liked it about as much as Dog seems to be enjoying The Shag. Except, cats show their affection for rugs by scratching the hell out of them. Lesson learned. Never will I buy an expensive rug again.

Girl, get thee to Costco Home in Kirkland. 84,000 rugs, some unbearably expensive, some value priced. Or Pier 1, especially the outlets.

I give the white maybe two weeks before it is more brown.

Before I read the post, I spent several long seconds looking at the picture of your living room (?) and thinking “oh, how pretty!” I was quite surprised to learn it looked wrong to you. I suspect it’s because there’s so much of it, and it changes the feel of the room. But damn, it looks lovely.

I had pretty much reconciled myself to the fact that cheap rugs will off-gas. (And by cheap, I mean under $25 per square foot.) I remember reading a children’s book about industrial England and the rug makers’ factory, and my impression was that cheap rugs use lots of glue. I imagine manufacturing processes have changed somewhat, but I think that it’s probalbly still true that woven rugs don’t smell, while ‘pressed’ rugs do.

I bought my area rug at Cost Plus years ago, and it stunk for a couple of weeks. Maybe less. The smell does go away, though.

I covet your bath…

Ooh, purty tub and shower!

The white offers a good contrast to your floor, looks good. I wouldn’t have gone with the shag myself. It’s going to be a bitch to clean. Your living room looks comfy.

I had the same issue as you; new light wood floors and I needed a area rug. The couch and chair had a subtle pattern, our walls are a dark terra cotta… any pattern looked bad. A tip: I took some home from a shop here in Bend that let’s you “try them out” for color, etc. I took pictures of them from the same vantage point(s) and took a day or so to mull them over. I also showed the pix to a couple friends and got their opinions. Somehow it was easier to decide with a picture to stare at, you should try it. In the end, I ended up at Lowe’s and got a Jute rug. Since it’s natural I would assume there is no off-gassing (at least I didn’t notice any) and it was only $200 for an 8×10. The natural color blends in well and since we have 2 adults, 2 sheddy and lovable 70-pound dogs, a cat, and a little one on the way — if we ruin it, we’re not out a ton of money!

And, by the way, thanks to you I’ve been obsessing about a Roomba since your posting a few days ago. I keep trying to talk the husband into one. He doesn’t think we should spend the money on it. I’ll keep slowly chipping away at him. ;o)

Your tub and shower are beautiful. I am so jealous. We have a yellow tub enclosure thing in our master bathroom. It is hideously ugly from the Brady Bunch days. When we can afford it we are going to get a new BIG bathroom with a pretty shower and HUGE tub and a nice vanity with 2 sinks so I don’t have to brush my teeth in the sink with all the facial hair in it.

I too think the white rug looks nice on the dark floors. It pops, as they say. But if you are worried about the VOCs and off gassing (which in my house is a serious worry – both husband and I have reactions to chemicals that include migraines and terrible respiratory stuff) you should check out the Gaiam website. We buy most of our earthy-crunchy-chemical-free stuff from them, and their products are really nice. Look, rugs! http://www.gaiam.com/retail/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=gai&category%5Fname=l3%5FRugs (Too bad, no shag though.)

The tub is lovely. You should invite people over and charge admission.

*hugsnort* I love you!

I think the shaaag carpet does seem a little off, but it make the house seem more like a home. Like a, “this is the shag rug that comes in tandem with having a small child,” home. Home-y.

Home-y shaaag rug.

I think it works.

And I’m all for the tub par-tay! I’m officially RSVP-ing. I’ll bring the rubber ducky!

Also: I have NEVER clutched my pearls.
Heh.