I've always been a big believer that good design should be accessible to everyone—you just have to know where to look. For furniture, I'm all about the Goodwill. For flowers, I like the grocery store. For china, silver, and linens, it's the flea market. For fabric, Calico Corners. And for rugs, one of my favorite sources is Dash & Albert from Annie Selke. Annie I've known for years now, ever since my days at House Beautiful. Not only is she a talented designer and entrepreneur, she's also a longtime friend and mentor. A couple of months back, just before Jaithan and I made the move to greener—well, from the look of it, whiter—pastures, I had the great fortune of catching up with Annie at the Gift Show in New York.
While I filled her in on everything new with me, including going out on my own after Martha, she brought me up to date on all the exciting things at her companies, especially Dash & Albert. It really is such a great resource for beautiful, well-made rugs in a mix of modern and traditional styles. And what's more, Annie is so involved in the creative process behind them that every one of their designs just feels so authentic to me because I know Annie played such a huge part in creating them. One of my favorites is Gatehouse, a beautiful and durable cotton woven I used for a Weekend Shopper article back at House Beautiful. With an old bamboo furniture set from Brimfield, first we painted it a punchy coral, then covered the cushions in Gatehouse for a casual but elegant look. Now who wouldn't to kick back here with a margarita or two? On the rocks, please. No salt.
This one I like because it feels both traditional and modern. The color palette, a mix of pale blues and browns, acts almost like a neutral. Overall patterns like this are especially great for layering because they add depth and drama to a room without overpowering it.
For a thoroughly more modern look, I love this circle fretwork pattern in a palette of pretty grays and creams. It's inspired by a vintage design from the 20s. And how great is it with the wide-striped paper?
Their striped runners too are perfect for adding graphic punch to a hallway. Talk about options! And for a 2 x 3 rug, we're talking 28 dollars! What a great way of bringing color to a bathroom or kitchen that won't break the bank.
Photos courtesy of Laura Moss
Speaking of, now that Jaithan and I are beginning to settle in to new digs here in the country, we've got some decorating to do! We already tackled the butler's pantry, so for our next project, with all these gorgeous options for the floor, I'm definitely feeling inspired to run a little something fabulous up our own set of stairs.
They actually open up onto the dining room, so we're leaning towards a more neutral palette, just so whatever runner we choose doesn't clash with table settings. But that doesn't mean we can't be convinced! Won't you help us choose?
A. Chocolate Ticking Cotton Woven
B. Caravan Stripe Cotton Woven
C. Captain Stripe Indoor/Outdoor
We need your help, everyone! Which would you choose?
I love B!
Very cute options, but B is my favorite!
Definitely the vanilla sky! A touch of sky blue adds such warmth and fresh air!
Option B… for sure!
B for me…
They’re all lovely, but I love the Vanilla Sky Woven. It’s a little more polished than the others and a good juxtaposition to all the rustic woodwork. I can’t wait to see the final result!
i’d definitely choose “a”. it’s so totally neutral, but is still interesting and would go with everything.
A – very neutral and ticking patterns are good in contemporary or antique settings.
I like the D option. Is the blue stripe similar to the color in the butlers pantry?
I love Dash & Alberts rugs and have used several in projects I’ve worked on – always to great success!
I’m voting for Vanilla Sky (A) as well. I love that it’s mostly neutral, but has the pop of blue. ADORE the stairs.
I really like D) Vanilla Sky, but if you want to put down a runner that will tie into the natural wood trim and floors in the house, I would have to vote for C). It’s neutral enough that you won’t get the urge to change it 3 years from now, and no matter what other colours you choose for the dining room, it will always work.
I love ‘B’! Very fresh and spring like! But I think ‘A’ would be more versitle for all seasons! Choosing is sometimes the hardest part.
Vanilla Sky is my choice!
I also love B but I think D may be your best option for the space and neutrality that you’re going for. It’s hard to tell color-wise what’s going on with D, but I like it. There’s some dark stripes (is this dark brown?) but also the light blue and creams.
B! I love blue and green, separately and together.
I have the caravan stripe in my house, and love it!
A please!
I am a D&A fan and agree, these are really well made rugs at such a good value! In my family room I have the cotton woven in vanilla sky and as much as I love it I would caution you to use one of the cottons in a high traffic area; though we don’t wear shoes in the house somehow the stains appear! The indoor/outdoor rugs are BRILLIANT – these are in my kitchen and take a beating, then wash up brand-new every time. For your stairs I would go with option C, love the stripe, I think it will be a standout on those stairs.
I’m partial to A or C- the browns would play nicely with all the wood and keep it neutral to accommodate for seasonal accessory changes.
PS Huge fan of your blog- enjoy upstate, the land of my youth!
I like D, because it’s neutral, but still has a touch of color to keep it exciting. And those colors will go with just about anything.
But, depending on how you attach them (or not) to the stairs, you could get two and switch them out for warmer/colder seasons.
I’m liking vanilla sky for your stairs. I myself chose stone soup for our original orange painted stairs at our farmhouse.
Call me practical but I would be wary of stains and marking on the gorgeous lighter fabrics and would probably go with something that would be suitable over all seasons. While B and D would be gorgeous in the spring, I think I’d go with C.
I’d select “A” – I love that staircase!
If you’re going neutral, I’d pick A- otherwise, I love, love, love D.
I absolutely love D because it’s neutral enough but has a touch of color.
I love A! And, what a great resource. Thanks for sharing!
A or C
I’m worried about how “right now” the colors of B are and if it would last 2 years even.
Are you keeping that woodwork? Then whichever looks best with it.
I am flipping out!! Thank you thank you thank you for the comment on my blog! OMGosh…I may have to print it and frame it! I like Numero A….but then I’m lovin neutrals right now as evidence in my house! I’m also a big fan of Good Will…in fact I bought a Basset sofa there last week for the lake house. Now I just need a good slip coverer! Or learn to make one. Eddie could you do us a video please!? LOL Thanks again for taking the time to leave me a comment! Ya made my day!
Bless Ya!
Patti
My conservative side says chocolate to mask any dirt but my fun side says caravan because there is too much wood already so the green would make a nice statement.
No doubt about it, “D” it is.
Those shades are still neutral, Country and definetely elegant.
Whatever you choose I know it is going to be stunning!
I really like D (Vanilla Sky). I thought Caravan Stripe at first, but I think the paler colours in D are lovely! (And I’m more partial to the larger stripes).
These are all such amazing rugs, I can already visualize them in so many rooms throughout my home!
My vote is for D – hands down- that Vanila Sky Cotton Woven color pallette is to die for & the generous width of the stripes gives a richer, more expensive look.
What fantastic selections?!?! Good luck with the stairway runner : )
Best,
Arlynn
Long time no comment, I know, but it’s been a treat to catch up with you on your blog, Eddie.
I love your second choice, the Caravan Stripe Cotten Woven. The colors are just beautiful. Not to mention I can’t help but think back to your wonderful butler’s pantry re-do when looking at the splash of blue.
The entire thing makes me think of the outdoors and when in the country…it would be a simple way to bring what’s out, in.
Take care and have fun in your decision making. Oh, the choices!
I vote for D!
A or C
The chocolate ticking stripe! I agree with a neutral so that you can mix things up in the dining room. But if you decided to go with something else the Vanilla Sky one is definately my 2nd pick…
Option B please!
I love Vanilla Sky, but I do know it is awfully hard to keep pastel rugs clean and tidy…
I like C.
I just bought a Dash and Albert rug this weekend in Margarita but I chose the wrong size and color of course, lol so I returned it but the wonderful shop owner is ordering the Vanilla Sky for us! So I guess that would be my vote since I just *love* it! 🙂
I’m voting for D! It’s perfect, but if you want to keep it neutral then I like A as well.
I gave you a little shout out on my blog today Eddie. Just wanted to give you a heads up!
i have to say-indoor/outdoor- because the one question i have with dash and albert is how the heck do you clean those big rugs? the indoor/outdoor rugs are rough and tumble! I have to say the chocolate ticking one is awesome though. You will probably have better luck at keeping it clean than me.
Gorgeous. I’d go with D – Vanilla Sky. Neutral, but still with a little bit of color. Love that minty blue/green/gray with the cream and brown. Yum!
They all are great. Too much white space on stairs is a problem. My heart turns towards the blues and greens in B.
Remember that you said you want five dogs so probably A would be the best.
That being said, whatever you use is a winner.
ABCoroville
I am a B or D kind of girl…love the hint of blue.
I love D. And even though there’s a little bit of color I think it’s neutral enough to go with whatever dining color theme you use.
On a totally different note, do you happen to know where the turquoise chair in the 3rd picture is from?
Thanks!
A, way too much white in the others. I love the dog on the Dash and Albert web site.
A or C
I seem to be in the minority here. I totally am digging C. Captian Stripe. I think any table setting would be accented by this rug. But what the heck do I know? I come here for inspiration and the “know how.” LOL
BTW, the circle fretwork patterned rub is delicious! I think my Southern Taste is showing, huh? lol
My last post has a type. It should read “rug.” Sorry…I was just amazed you asked for our opinions.
I like A for the interesting brown and the more common old time ticking with a twist in size. I can’t help thinking of the dirt. It will show less with the 5 dogs bringing in mud. For myself as an old lady with always clean feet, I would select the vanilla sky, D. Thanks for letting us input, you sweet thing. Barb
A please.
I am all for D
I think the touch of blue will add a little bit of color to contrast with the dark wood
The Vanilla Sky is my favorite, hands down. However, the Chocolate Ticking would go with everything and probably hide a bit more dirt. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, a decision like this is when I would probably turn to you! 🙂
A, C, or D…
The “indoor/outdoor” is the most practical~coming from a mother with 3yr old twins. But since we won’t be running up and down your stairs with who-knows-what on our feet, I would go for CHOICE “D”. Lovely, lovely!
🙂
I love color so B but the indoor outdoor one might clean up easier on a high trafic area.
A it is. I think it is the perfect neutral!
Beautiful options. My first choice is D, my second C. But all are gorgeous. I can’t wait to see what you choose. 🙂
I’m gravitating to “D”. It’s a shot of something unexpected. I like the airy feel and the different widths of the stripes. They play off each other very well.
Vanilla sky is just beautiful! I would choose that one, no doubt!
I prefer (A). It gives you a more neutral canvas that would compliment any other colors around it. It’s in the same family as the current walls and wood trim yet not exact which is what I see in C & D. However, B is my favorite for adding a subtle punch.
Definitely D! It will keep the stairs light. It screams country house. And of course you are not wearing shoes in the house so it will not get dirty too fast.
Love Option D. Thanks for entertaining me daily on the cheap. I love being entertained for free. 🙂
I am voting for D – I think its enough of a neutral that it wont terribly clash with anything and it will add some light to the staircase.
I like D. The little touch of blue would tie in nicely with the wall color in your butler’s pantry!
While I love all of the stripes, I’d go with something totally different. Those stairs look kinda steep to me – I’d worry about slipping. I’d go with a sisal runner, you’d get a good grip with that:) and I think the rustic, natural material would look good with the dark wood.
C!!!!!
I love B. Definitly my colors! You’re the pro though, you can’t go wrong!
I love D but A gets high marks too! I am all about some Dash and Albert and can’t wait till I can get few for my little casa!
I would vote for D, because the dark brown stripes tie in the color of the floors and woodwork without being overwhelmingly matchy. It’s a good balance of light, airy colors with the grounding dark brown.
I have a long hallway with ivory walls and brown linen curtains (on the door) and I plan to do a brown & blue & ivory striped. It is very basic, but I think the touch of blue will warm up the plainness of the brown & ivory.
I am a little concerned about the ivory stripe getting dirty, so I will look for a narrow ivory stripe.
I’m getting a carpet company to make me one since I need 16ft. Assume you will have to do the same for a stair runner.
So, maybe consider a stripe of blue in there to brighten up the brown and white of your stairwell?!
For some reason I am fixated on brown and blue and white these days… 🙂
xo Terri
D gets a drumroll and a “duh-dah”!
I’m loving option B! Deana
ooh … D!!! can you imagine that with the silver and a gorgeous bouquet of peonies in the spring?!
I love D, but with a dog and a three-year-old, I would pick A in my house. Although my son will eventually learn to wipe his feet, I haven’t been able to teach the dog that trick.
D~D~D~D~D~D~D~D~D~…. oh.. and by the way did I mention “D”…. love it!!!
D matches much more with the color of the wood while not being too dark to blend into the wood. Definitely the last one!
DDDDD, BUT GO WITH YOUR FIRST PICK. IT ALWAYS WORKS FOR ME.
HUGS FROM MAINE
http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/
At first glance, I would say D, hands down. After looking at the catalog views on the company’s website, D is gorgeous, but I think I’d go with A, the Chocolate Ticking Stripe – it has a softer feel and it is easier to look at.
At those prices you could almost buy one of each and change things up periodically.
Can’t wait to see what you do with your lovely home!
I like “D”, especially if your newly decorated butler’s pantry is anywhere near the stairs. Just a hint of crisp color will go well with the aged patina of your stairs.
D Vanilla Sky! So many possibilites with that pallette.
D is the best!!!!
Without a doubt, D! And I don’t know what’s on your walls, but that wide blue wallpaper might even coordinate well with it. Liked the bamboo furniture & flamingo painting too!
I choose D – Vanilla Sky. It’s traditional with a modern, fresh look to it – just like your pantry!
Love option “D”! (Though you can’t go wrong with any Dash & Alber rug, honestly…love Annie Selke!)
I would go with beautiful B, I just think that D may be too matchy matchy with your fabulous pantry. Also, the white in D will get dirty on the first day! You are brave giving us choices! Hehe
Definitely D, the blue immediately reminded me of your butler’s pantry.
I love B. Te colors are so soothing.
However, like a PP said, C with its indoor/outdoor nature may be easier to clean. The light colors in the other choices may really show dirt/dust.
love Dash & Albert. “North Star” (the second image) is on my wish list for the bedroom.
I love option D, but they’re all great, really. I love a striped stair runner, no matter the colors!
I like C, the Captain Stripe
D! It complements the butler’s pantry, and I have a feeling you’ll be doing that blue somewhere upstairs also. Hey — if it doesn’t match the table setting, just close the door to the stairs! Oh, and people should wipe their feet at the front door anyway!
Any of the choices would be wonderful….and now all your loyal readers have made you completely crazy!
xoxo
Evy
The ones with blues or greens would tie in with your butler’s pantry, especially the blue one. Have you considered seagrass with a border? I’m loving seagrass now and it’s so classic.
Oh, and while I’m commenting, let me say that the margarita on the rocks with no salt is how I take mine!
Love ya,
Judy
My first choice was “A” and that’s what I would use in my little cottage…but after more thought, I went with “D” because it is still pretty neutral and it ties in so well with the pantry!
P.S. I love Dash & Albert!
B would probably hide the most dirt (I’m always too practical)I’ll anxiously await the finished product because I have been contemplating a striped cotton runner for my stairs too. Something so old fashioned about it, but also unexpected and sassy.
Oh, dear. I think it’s a toss between A and D, with me leaning heavily towards A. I do love that shot of blue in D, but A would just melt away into the stairs, making it cozy without really shouting out at you.
Whichever you decide upon, I know it will be the right choice.
D/Vanilla Sky looks the freshest.
It’s light and young. The others look dowdy and drab.
For the stairs I’d go with the captain’s stripe. Great contrast of brown and white. I’ve actually been looking at the Swedish blue and white one (for weeks) and LITERALLY minutes ago decided on it! I guess this is a sign. I love Dash and Albert.
I have a couple of Dash & Albert rugs and love them! One is Cabin Stripe. We had it at our lake place and just brought it back home last week, to use here, for awhile.
I forgot to add my choice. There are two, A or D.
DEFINITELY GO FOR C
IT IS THE MOST GRAPHIC OUT OF THE BUNCH MAKES A STATEMENT -WHILE ALSO REMAINING NEAUTRAL!
LIKE YOU SAID – YOU DON’T WANT THE RUNNER TO DICTATE THE ENTIRE DINNING ROOM! GO WITH C
YOU WON’T REGRET IT!
I vote B Eddie….but whatever you choose will be gorgeous we know…can’t wait to see!!
I would pick D. I love the carpets.
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
D. Vanilla Sky, Darling!
I love C- and thats probably because I have 3 sets of little feet and four paws that would track alot of the great outdoors in on it! Cant wait to see what you pick!
Ok, they are all nice….but I think “A”, finally…classic and timeless! Use the others somewhere else. You won’t get worn out with A running the length of all those stairs.
E~ (Am NOT going to read what OTHERS think, or I MIGHT be influenced~ YOU can afford to be, tho!). Think “A” is great ~ it’s neutral, subtle, uncomplicated & will not compete w/ whatever you choose to do in the DR. Second choice WAS “D”, but upon a quick re-glance, I think the white is just “toooo” white…Don’t think you want to call “ATTENTION” to the rug, for sure, but EITHER WAY, you MUST get a dog like the one shown in this blog, as it is a German Shorthaired Pointer, and they are WONNNNNDERFUL, gentle cutie-patooties(AND hunters)!!! (Yes, one rules OUR life… but she does it soooo gracefully!)~~~ Best, Linda/ aka RMS’s “Mom of a German Shorthair”
Oh I love D…they are all fabulous, but I totally see you using D!
B – pulls out the color from the Butler’s Pantry wall!
A. Chocolate Ticking
For a totally neutral look (without having to worry about clashing with anything), I would go with A. Whatever you choose, I’m sure it will look terrific. Joanne ~~ glamourgirljoanne@yahoo.com
A. Chocolate Ticking
I can’t wait to see the runner in place!
♥Rosemary
Oh Eddie, too much beauty to choose from! We carpeted our stairs in a print carpet last year and absolutely love it. There’s nothing worse than looking up a flight of steps that are stained and dirty looking. I urge you to go as dark as you can get away with. That Captain Stripe would be very handsome.
Hi, Eddie & Jaithan–
Jan here weighing in with a vote for B or D–and not just because I favor blues and greens. I think you have so much wood trim already in the house that there is enough brown without adding more. D is lovely with just a narrow brown stripe to pick up the colors of the wood. I think it would update the house more than using a natural/brown stripe rug.
No question….Vanilla Sky!
I’m in love with “D”. It is so stylish and crisp and a little more formal for a stairway entering a dining room. If you get that dog that someone suggested in the picture…don’t go with anything with white. When the spring thaw comes and you have that dog you’ll regret it!
B is my fav choice. Something bright and cheery 🙂 Bring in a bit of the green outside and the blue of the pantry! So good to be included in your journey! 🙂
I think Vanilla Sky with it’s cream, beige, browns and greeeny turquoise will work with just about anything you put on the table. Can’t wait to see you transforming this wonderful old house.
I love Vanilla Sky! It will certainly provide a cheery footing to all your days!
I vote for B. When I think of Dash and Albert, I think of beautiful, lively color palettes. I’m afraid the brown palettes would compete with the gorgeous tones of the wood.
Vanilla Sky definitely gets MY vote!!!! Can’t wait to see which you choose! Pinky
I’m lovin’ vanilla sky cotton woven!!!
Vanilla Sky!
Wow so many comments!! I hope you’re still reading! hahah I choose D because of your butler’s pantry. The blue is still pale enough that you can do whatver you like for table settings but it’ll be a nice tie-in with the pantry & i love it when things flow beautifully.
and more— I didn’t know that bamboo outdoor set was your article!! It was what I used years ago to convince my dad to let me paint his set a bright cherry red! (for the front porch at the lake house)
and finally- the german shorthaired pointer in one of the pics is my favorite dog haha. we’v always had them & the one we have now it white with a brown head.
xoxo,
lauren liess
Vanilla Sky for me too! It’s beautiful!
D if you don’t wear shoes in your house (we don’t) or A if you do wear shoes. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
Love the Bamboo set. Beautiful color! It is just perfect!
Oh and I like the vanilla sky, luscious!
Vanilla Sky (D) — enough color to be interesting against all the wood, but not so much as to visually compete against whatever china / dishes / flowers / linens you might chose to use on any given day in the dining room.
Vanilla sky….delicious:) See you on Sunday in Pasadena!
Wendy
I love the vanilla sky!!! What fun!
My vote is for ‘C’ Captain Stripe… goes good with county grime and stains that happen on a daily bases even in bare feet. And my guess is these are the stairs that will be used the most 24/7… interesting that this choice got the least votes to date 🙂
You guys ROCK!
Wow! Eddie it’s a toughie. I think maybe chose two that you really love and as the project progresses, the right one will speak to you. It’s hard because once you guys start incorporating other things in you might dislike what you picked for the stairs…not to mention are you going to sand the floors and change the stain at all? I do like D and A…whatever you pick it will look fab 🙂
Christie
ack
D on first thought!
But B looks like it would take more wear without looking worn so soon and its also a nice way to add a good welcoming splash of spring colour that would hit you year round as you open those stair doors! (if that sentence made sense)
I would pick the first one because you can build off of that with lots of different color choices. The others may be too cold. I love Anne Selke…she is one of my favorites along with Mary Carol Garrity…Something warm and inviting about their sense of style.
Brown ticking my friend! It’s gonna look GREAT! Will go with more than the other two.
xx
Kara
Visually, I adore the vanilla sky. But, with practicality in mind, it’s definitely the captain stripe. It’s crisp and clean, with enough dark areas to keep the eventual dirt buildup less noticeable. Are you having fun at the new house? How exciting to have a brand new space to play with and in.
D’s stripes are a bit more uniquely spaced, and I, myself, am in LOVE with those colours. I pick D.
Vanilla Sky, it presents the most options for tie ins.
I would pick “Vanilla Sky” because the color references back to the color you painted in the butler’s pantry (at least from what I can tell by the photos). Oh, that and it is simply gorgeous!
I would say C. It blends with the woodwork, unless you plan to paint the wood. I know most people cringe at painting wood, but I love the way crisp white or cream moldings look.
D. Please! However I think none of those would be the best choice. You need something more elegant! The Coral furniture made my day btw!
I do love Vanilla Sky but am going against everyone by voting for the indoor/outdoor stripe (c). High traffic area, so I think that will live a longer life in the spot.
I like both B and D. B is brighter and would show less wear and D has more subtle color.
I love the wide stripes on the walls and the stripes on the rugs. The Dash and Albert cotton rugs are extremely affordable, and so eye catching! I like choices A- B- C & D!! But since I do have to make a choice it is D, vanilla sky, it looks cheerful and seems a bit brighter than the others!
Thanks Eddie!
Ciao
They are all good, but D Vanilla Sky is the standout.
How dashing.
I’m delighted with A or D. All depends upon your future color scheme. A is very warm, but I know you love grays. Are you still doing grays or leaving that with the city? A would keep it neutral enough and allow your punch of color to come from other areas.
D would be striking and is probably my fav. But would you turn into Mommy Dearest if Jaithan accidentally got mud on his shoes and walked up the stairs? Ha ha ha….
xoxo
Hard to choose, but I like A. It is very neutral and will got with any other color.
E & J
Oh my! I think I would go with A as 1st choice and D as 2nd choice, whatever you eventually pick will look fabulous..
Check out Cote De Texas blog http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/ the Octagon House — the lovely muted colors and unlined fabrics brick floors and more great fabrics and ideas
Off the kitchen is the breakfast room, the brick floors continue through here and into the mud room, seen through the arch. There is another muted, flat weave rug from Creative Flooring. The curtains, designed by Owen are a loose weave unlined linen.
They were stunning!I never thought I would like such muted colors and brick flooring well I do now.
enjoy,
Joanny
I would have a dark carpet…black with some old floral pattern. 😀
Have them custom make the circle fretwork carpet for the staircase for you! The The rusty coloured stars would go well with the wood! 😀
I’m leaning towards “B” it is ties in with the butler’s pantry and adds a splash of color on the stairs. I’ll be anxious to see which one you pick.
A is gorgeous but I quite like C too!
I like D…but am worried for you, and the dirt that may accumulate, especially on stairs (well not THAT worried that I am losing sleep…)
I REMEMBER that bamboo furniture re-do and thought using the rugs was clever,clever,clever! I evenended up buying a Dash and Albert bag made of the same fabric!
The first one! Beautiful, inspiring, fabulous blog! I joing you every morning with my coffee – thank you!
Sarah
P.S. Can you tell us where you would get such lovely runner options?
To B or not to B is my vote.
Looks fresh and a bit feminine.
I love feminine floors.
So much brown already – I vote for B!
A nice punch of color for those long, long northern winters.
For a farmhouse — C (better for dirt and animals) 🙂 Thanks for letting us “vote!”
Hi Eddie,
I vote for D. Vanilla Sky Cotton Woven.
It’s got a little punch of color but is still neutral enough not to clash with whatever colors/place settings that you use in the dining room.
I think the Caravan stripe is great, but it’s a little too bright to go with anything. The chocolate and the 4th option are nice, but they look like they’ll blend in with the stairs.
ttfn
D Vanilla Sky, hands down. it gives you some beautiful colour options.
Love, love A!!!!!!
Love the Vanilla Sky, just lovely!
Hi Eddie and Jaithan,I am a purest when it come to old wood with great patina.I would leave the wood and paint the runner and maybe add numbers or letters,you know me and typeography.If you want neutal I would go with A.I worry about two things,dirt and tripping,just a little heads up,Can’t wait to see what you do.hugs Kathysue
I love B and then C as my second choice – the blues are beautiful and will look great against the dark wood!
Tabitha
http://www.fromsingletomarried.com
I live in the country . . . in the mountains actually, and none of them looks practical enough to stand up to day to day living in the country. They’re all lovely and I like every one of them, but (and it’s a big “but!”) the background colors are too light IMHO. If the stairs just led to an attic, used only for storage, I’d vote for #1, but I have to assume that they lead to the bedrooms and perhaps at least one bathroom as well. In my mind, that kind of foot traffic will leave a dirt trail within a month. I don’t care if you’re all taking your shoes off at the front door, dirt in the country gets in and you’ll be tracking it up those stairs, be it on your shoes, your socks or in some Japanese house slippers.
My vote is for a lovely neutral striped runner with a medium-dark background, preferrably a brown.
Lynn (who’s lived in the mountains outside Santa Fe for the past 15 years and knows dirt!)
i vote D. i think it will be a great contrast against all the brown wood. 🙂 can’t wait to hear what you all decide.
A for versatility!
I’m so not into patterns on stairs, they detract from the architectual element. Perhaps a light neutral that does not cover the entire tread leaving a stripe along each side that is painted or stained. The placement of the stairs leading off the dining room is not so great, maybe the door could be embellished in some way to take away the attention from the steep staircase. Ann
So sorry I am late to the dance….they are all lovely Eddie, but I think I like A best…
All the best,
Kathy 🙂
ps Eddie I take mine on the rocks with no salt too LOL
Kathy 🙂
I am drawn to Vanilla Sky! Eddie don’t let the negative comments bother you, livable chic is wonderful to me!
B or D for sure! And don’t you adore Annie’s new fabrics for Calico Corners? I’m in love!! I plan to make window treatments for three rooms in my near-the-beach home!
A is very clean and not too dark (like C is) Although beautiful, I think with B or D would be limited due to the colors. D is too “bright” in the whites
Caravan Stripe are my colors! Love it!
I love “D”, plus who could resist the name Vanilla Sky? The display of white linens in the newer post was perfection -we love you in Kentucky!
Yep, I lean towards D as well. It brings in the color of the wood, while adding more fun colors.
how about leave it as is? it looks great already without any color.
I like “C”. It fits in with your neutral colors, it’s indoor/outdoor (which is good when it snows or rains) and it’s dark enough that “farm dirt” won’t show up as much.
Caravan Stripe Cotton Woven
Shame on me! I haven’t visited your blog in a while and I just figured out you bought a new place!!! We just found out we might have the opportunity to move to the country as well…I spent all day looking at old turn of the century farmhouses online. I can’t back track past Feb. on your blog? Do you have archives where you posted photos of the new digs???
d – vanilla sky –
it’s your palette!
I like Vanilla Sky as well. It feels more modern than the rest with its fresh color and varying stripe widths and I appreciate that contrast with the lovely old setting of your farmhouse.
Vanilla Sky (D) is the most beautiful, hands down, but I worry about what it would take to keep it clean. What would you do for paint colors on the stairs and the dining room? The cream (with a hint of yellow) stripe in the Vanilla Sky pattern would make a versatile paint color, great against the rich dark sheen of a formal dining table 🙂
I vote for D – vanilla sky – because of the colors match the blue in your butlers pantry and it is a happy combination of colors. You are so inspiring! I loved watching you on Top Design.
Definitely B, so it won’t show dirt!
get down on that wood, strip it, refinish it, give it the integrity it deserves. Ann
Hey E& J!
I was sooo busy i didn’t even see this post. A is boring, B is busy boring, C is just plain dull like a dish cloth, D is da bomb! I love that one! It is refreshing and clean most of all, it says, we took care in choosing this for our home.
I can imagine it will connect the lower and upper level color schemes. Come on guys, do it up now, I am expecting great things.!
vanilla sky (d) is great! i feel like the dark brown ties in the dark wood around the house, and the pastel yellow and green add a vintage-y feel!