Updated Classics: Exotic Rugs

Discover fresh alternatives to popular design trends in our online series, Updated Classics.

Classic Pick: A handsome, Persian-style rug is a decorating staple for good reason; adding one to a space is a surefire way to bring pattern, color and soft texture to a room. They look perfectly at home in traditional spaces, like this elegant dining room designed by James M. Davie, while adding richness and depth to more contemporary ones.

Fresh Spin: Overdyed rugs — a designer and editor favorite — are a stylish alternative to the ubiquitous Persian. They’re made by saturating antique carpets in colorful dyes, obscuring some of their flaws and giving them new, more vibrant life. Here, designer Jennifer Worts went with a hot pink one from Elte to add a jolt of energy to her mostly-white living room.