Although we finally managed to finish our staircase restoration last week (yep, we still keep running into the hallway to just stand there and stare at it) there are still a lot of things in the hallway that need sorting. You can read more about our staircase restoration here.
We still haven’t made a final decision on the staircase runner, the laminate flooring is in an awful state and the hallway still needs to be replastered. Although our stairs are finished our hallway definitely isn’t .
After your carpet feedback last week (you can read about it here), we’re still really undecided and have decided to go back to a final vote. It’s going to be one of the most expensive purchases in the house and we’re still really nervous about making such an expensive purchase and obviously want to be completely sure. So, to give you all a better idea of the carpets, we’ve taken some more close up shots of the different options.
The top contender so far is ‘Rainbow’.
We think that the purplely colour works really well with the colour of the treads which has a slight purple tint. It’s definitely one of our favourites, too.
The lightest carpet doesn’t have a name so for ease I have very creatively named it ‘Noname’ – so clever, I know. It’s probably our least favourite out of all of them.
It lacks the punchy colour of the others and we’re also worried that it might be too light and show up marks and stains more easily.
Two of the carpets on the short list are really colourful. The first one is called ‘Mississippi’.
We love the bold colours but it’s really expensive.
The second really bright carpet is called ‘Roxanne’.
We love the vibrancy of red in this carpet, but are still worried that it might be a bit too much.
It also goes really well with the stained glass tulip in the front door.
The final short listed carpet is called ‘Respect’.
The brown obviously goes well with the stained brown stair treads and the red strips adds a bit of colour and interest.
It’s just so difficult to decide and worst of all, Jan and I prefer different ones!
As the carpet has to go around a few corners, we would like mitered edges so that the stripes continue all the way around. We’ve done a bit of research and, while we will be having our carpet fitted for us (we like to tackle as much as possible ourselves, but it’s something that we feel should only be done by a professional fitter), we have been advised that mitered joints can wear quite quickly.
Let us know what you’d do!
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Which carpet should we choose? Do you have any advice or experience with mitered carpet joints? Has seeing the close up shots of the carpets confirmed your preferences or made you change your mind?
jessica says
I really like Rainbow with the mahogany, but I chose Respect because it looks like it has more red, and I really, really think you need some red in that runner, to set off that amazing tulip (but maybe not as much as in Roxanne….)
Christine says
Thanks for voting Jessica! That’s a very good point with the tulip! As soon as we manage to replace the window at the stop of the stairs, we’ll have another tulip there, so we should definitely take it into consideration!
Cx
nope says
I voted for Respect, too. Even though they’re sort of similar, there was something I don’t like about Rainbow, until you pointed out the red. The red in Respect definitely compliments the stained glass more. And I like the browns with the mahogany. It also feels a bit less busy, I think.
nope says
Sorry, that wasn’t clear at all. I meant to say I couldn’t figure out what I didn’t like about it, and then you pointed out how the red was more prominent in Respect. I think that’s what was putting me off, too.
c says
I vote for Respect! I love how it goes with your front door but is a bit more subdued than your other red options. My second choice would be Rainbow, because I agree that the purple tone looks gorgeous with the treads. Excited to see what you choose!
Christine says
Yay, Thanks for voting! I can’t wait to see which is the most popular! Just checked and it’s still soooo close!
Cx
Monika says
Rainbow is the safest and most practical choice, although I rather prefer how Mississippi picks up the stained glass colours.
Have you considered encaustic (cement) tiles for your entryway, to replace the laminate? They would have been traditional in a house of your vintage. You may wish to consider what you are doing with that flooring before deciding on the stair runner. For example, emery et die has a wonderful mixed option for the tiles which I think looks amazing and fun. Or you could go with a traditional pattern… Either way though, it will impact how your stair runner works in the space, so it may be useful to decide everything at once to ensure that all the materials and colours work well together.
I think a random black and white approach would look stunning in your entrance, given the black and white stairs:
http://mechantdesign.blogspot.fr/2012/09/mix-up-cement-tiles.html
With tiles like this, a plain stair runner — natural or black sisal, so similar — might look best. Or the red ones… Depends on your design approach to the rest of your house.
Christine says
Hi Monika!
Thanks for your vote on the carpet. Yes, we have been considering encaustic tiles in the hallway. We’ve already done a bit of research and have found a few designs that we really like, they are sooo expensive though! You’re right, we should definitely decide what we’re doing with the floor before deciding on the runner!
Cx
susan says
Rainbow is my choice as well. I love the colors, the fact that it is not terribly bright but also not dull. I think you’d get really tired of carpet that is too colorful and bright after a while. Also, rainbow just looks so darn good on the stairs!
Christine says
Thanks Susan! Yep, Rainbow does look good on the stairs. We’ll be revealing the results of the poll next Tuesday. It’s sooo close at the moment!
Cx
Kerryn Hewson says
Rainbow! Mark thinks so too do I am trying to make him come by and vote. :-)
Laura says
I chose rainbow. While I really liked the brighter swatches (especially Roxanne) from the small swatches, I think an actual staircase-full of that brightness might be a little too much for me. The stairs are already so elegant and pretty-I think the rainbow rug would accent instead of overpower that.
Christine says
Hi Laura! I really like Roxanne, too but share your concerns about it possibly being a bit too much.
I can’t wait to see which carpet will be the most popular!
Cx
Jess says
I think Rainbow looks best! I think the colour isn´t too bright and you would have a bigger choice in what to do colour wise in the hall!
Christine says
Hi Jess! We will probably be painting the hallway white, so don’t have to worry too much about the colours in the carpet.
Jan’s favourite is Rainbow, too.
Cx
Jess says
Oh ok! I would still choose that one though! ;-) Which one is your favourite?
Christine says
Will reveal all next Tuesday, including the results of the poll!
Cx
[email protected] says
I voted Rainbow. I like the name (I’m shallow, aren’t I?) and I love how the colours are bright, but not too bright!
Christine says
Thanks for your vote! I like them all so have decided I’ll just pick the one with the most votes. Then I can blame you all if it’s not right! ;-)
If I can’t decide between paint colours I will choose the one with the better name, too!
Cx