rug

Missoni is so well known for their bold designs and vibrant color schemes that it seems anticlimactic to choose one of their more staid patterns from the Missoni Home line. The Missoni Carousel Rug is anything but staid. The circular rug is 100% wool and is available in three different kaleidoscopic color combinations, a red/blue (pictured), a green/brown and a neutral. Each measures 86-inches in diameter and would make a great focal point for a sitting area. Price: £2,686.

Can a floor covering still be considered to be a rug if it is made of wood? West Elm's Wood-Block Rug is an indoor-outdoor "rug" made of natural dark ebony-colored wood. It comes with a poly-PVC coated pad to prevent the rug from slipping against other surfaces.

It actually reminds me a bit of those orthopedic wooden bead car seat covers that were popular for a time, so it probably feels nice against your feet when you walk on it. Sizes and prices vary, but a 5' x 8' rug is $299.

The Dots Then Dot Rug is part of Van Der Hurd Studio's Follow the Dots collection, which seems to have been inspired by dots, drops and all the different ways that they can be showcased. Even in this simple pattern, you can see how the arrangement of the dots leads the eye from side to side, following them around. The rug is hand-knotted and made of 100% wool. Its muted tones will add some color to a room, but will not be obvious or detract from other design elements. It measures 6' x 9', but custom sizes are available. Price: $5,500.

[via Elle Decor]

Winter isn't actually here yet and already we're getting a little bit tired of seeing so many blacks and dark browns in stores. We don't mind those colors, of course, but things just seem to get a bit drab in winter, especially when compared with the vibrant colors of summer. This Cross Hatch Rug from Emma Gardner can add some color to your decor without going over-the-top. It features seasonless tans and neural colors to balance the richer pinks. The rug is hand-tufted 100% New Zealand wool and is available in three sizes: 6' x 8' ($1,776), 9' x 12' ($3,996) and 12' x 16' ($7,104).

Are shag rugs experiencing a revival? They seem to be cropping up more and more frequently, as consumers look for decorative touches to add to their homes that look "lively." The Seagrass Rug is made with hand-tufted New Zealand wool and is made with great care, with precise stitching and knot work. It is available in small and large sizes, as well as in red and blue. Nancy Marquina, the creator of the rugs, works with nonprofits to fight child labor in the rug production industry, so the purchase of a rug like this one helps to support an entire movement. The large size measures 7'x10' and is $2,798.

Measuring eight feet in diameter, the round Noodles Rug makes a great focal point of a room or a sitting area. The rug is made from New Zealand wool with soft cut piling as well as heavy gauge looped pile. The design is an ever-swirling array of red on red that manages to look comforting, rather than chaotic, even in spite of the bold color and busy pattern. An ideal location for this rug would be to spotlight a dining area or an intimate seating arrangement in front of a fire place. Price: $1,998.

One shows an owl perched on a tree during the day (orange) and one shows him at night (navy), but both of these Night Owl Baby Zoo Rugs have nightlights built into them. These rugs are 100% virgin wool and are colored with natural vegetable dyes, so they are durable, soft and safe to have around kids. The floor light runs on 3 AA batteries and matches the rugs' coloring. They're $500 each, but that seems like a small price to pay to alleviate fears of the monster under the bed. Think about it: to a child, whatever it costs to get rid of the boogieman is worth it. He's a scary guy.

I am trying very hard to resist using any phrase from the Austin Powers movie series, but it is taking a lot of self control to not describe this rug as "shagadelic!" because I never thought that I would actually want a shag rug again. The Shag Rug by Ron Arad is the grooviest-looking shag I've seen. It's smart, funny and probably even softer than it appears to be. It's available from The Rug Company, but even priced at £4,850, they won't last long because there are only 10 available.

Associated with a rug because of its shape, this very unique Hardwood Rug is made from thin beechwood and cork. It is so thin, in fact, that it can roll up for easy portability and storage. When unrolled, it covers a 30x59-inch area. The "rug" is designed to add a touch of elegance to spaces that have industrial or concrete flooring, or even to apartments where it is not worth the hassle or expense to lay down full hardwood floors. Price: $249.