Return of the Shag Area Rug

From Guest Writer: Megan

Finally I have been vindicated, and my not-so secret shame is a shame no more. Yes, I am talking about the return of the shag area rug. My personal style mixes the slightly over-the-top with the muted and sophisticated.

I like the duality that can be present in interior design, and I think few things are so synonymous with the wild side as shag rugs.

Years ago I made my boyfriend carry this ratty old orange shag rug across town on the bus. The whole way home he complained about the smell, how difficult it would be to clean, and how it was shedding a trail behind us as if it wanted to escape us as much as he wanted to abandon it. I didn’t care – to me, it was beautiful.

And eventually my boyfriend loved the way it looked against our navy and orange couches, even if it did stink, and shed, and was impossible to clean.

But now, that orange rug is sitting on a shelf in my laundry room as we speak, replaced by a modern rug.

My modern cream-colored rug is thicker pile that never leaves bits of itself stuck to my clothing, doesn’t clog up my already under-duress vacuum, and smells just like any other carpet. And, the modern rug is shag.

When you think shag area rug, you’re probably imagining this:

Or maybe this (yes, it’s a bathroom):

Sorry to disappoint, but modern shags are sleek, sophisticated, and resemble real carpet instead of fun fur.

Technological advances in weaving are a beautiful thing. Now it’s possible to dress shag rugs up and take them out.

 

L.A. Rugs is doing some great shags right now, harking back to the heyday of the rugs with patterns. Their Ultra Shag Style Espresso Jolt Rug (above left) uses a geometric design that is synonymous with 1960s mod, while Janis Joplin and Patty Smith would have surely decorated their pads with the Ultra Shag Style Aperture Rug (above right).

 

L.A. Rugs also has a new line of ultra thick shags, called Super Shag. Again, using modern technology, it remains true to a 60s and 70s color palette, coming in black (above left), brown, wine (above right), beige and white. Try out the 2’ x  8’, or commit to shocking your friends with the 8’ x 10’. For those who want something in between saucy and scandalous, opt for the 5’ x 8’ rug.

 

That isn’t to say that they’ve forgotten those who want the feel of shag, with a modern update. Part of L.A. Rugs’ Ultra Shag Collection is made up of more contemporary designs, like their Cappuccino rug (above left) and Twilight Mirage rug (above right).

 

Some may not find the shag adult enough for their tastes, but why not for a kid’s room? Little ones cannot resist curling up onto the soft pile, pulling at the strands. Above are the Fun Shags by Fun Rugs in pink and blue.

Even if shag area rugs aren’t for you, and they are an acquired taste, let it be a lesson to you: Absolutely any trend you love enough will come back – if you don’t believe me, check out the nu-rave runways this past year.

Megan

This entry was posted on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 4:12 pm and is filed under Living Room Furniture & Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.