Tuesday, January 25, 2022

The Kitchen Runner - Yes or No?

Mark Sikes

 

Many of my favorite kitchens have runners. Especially with indoor/outdoor rugs that can be washed down with a hose and rugs that can be thrown in the washing machine, this seems a lot more practical nowadays. Oriental rugs with their typically dark colors and patterns hide the dirt, are made to last, and are also great choices.

Other sizes besides runners can of course be used in the kitchen, but I prefer the look of a runner. A long runner can make a small kitchen look larger. Runners look cozy, add a stylish design element, and feel soft underfoot.

Here are other lovely examples.


Mark Sikes 


Gretchen Black


St. Barts, West Indies

I very much like the look of a runner on either side of a kitchen island. I am starting to think about this for my little kitchen renovation.

I am considering this Annie Selke Dash & Albert rug that I love. This is an indoor/outdoor polypropylene rug. I have one of her runners in the Catamaran Stripe and have found it to be indestructible. Dash & Albert rugs are not the cheapest, but I think the quality is great. And I find that most indoor/outdoor rugs look and feel like plastic. Theirs absolutely do not. You would absolutely not know that they are polypropylene.


Dash & Albert Journey Indoor/Outdoor Rug in Blue

It reminds me of Chanel.


Dash & Albert has a line of denim rag rugs made out of recycled jeans that I really like. They are also really well priced. Since they can't be machine washed, I would get a darker color. I have the Catamaran Stripe in the denim and white colorway, and one of these would work well with it.


Denim Rag Rugs

Do any of you have a rug from Ruggable? I find them very intriguing - they come in two pieces - a rug cover and a rug pad and you just peel the rug cover off and throw it in the washer and dryer. Seriously.


Ruggable Hudson Stripe Black Rug

I also like their vintage looking ones.


Ruggable Sarrah Blue Quartz Rug

There are also tons of well priced runners at places like Target and Overstock that look like vintage rugs like this pretty one. 


Damask Tufted Vintage Wool Rug


Etsy has hundreds of beautiful vintage runners under $300. These are made to last, and with spot cleaning and occasional professional cleaning would be a lovely and durable choice.


Vintage Turkish Runner

Do you have a runner in your kitchen? I would love any advice you have. With two dogs and kitchen spills and such, I need practical as well as stylish.





22 comments:

  1. I have a Ruggable runner that we use in our travel trailer. It's perfect for that. It's a great concept, but it can be a bit of a battle to get it to lay smoothly on the pad. Easy to launder, but the binding doesn't seem to hold up as well as the rug's fabric, possibly due to the friction created by the Velcro-like pad.

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    1. I have not had one, but I love the idea of a washable rug.

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  2. I have Chilewich runners in the bathroom and kitchen. It can be cold on my floors and we do not wear shoes in the house so the runners help especially in the winter months. The runners clean up with a vacuum and keep in place.

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    1. I love their placemats but haven't had a runner.

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  3. I love my Dash & Albert runner in my kitchen between the stove/oven and island. Easy to maintain (drooling bulldog) and lays flat. For holidays and special events I put out my antique Persian runner for "dress up" since it won't see as many day to day spills.

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    1. That's a great idea. Most Persians wouldn't show spills anyway with their colors and patterns.

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  4. I have an oriental in my kitchen and it never seems to show anything.

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    1. I agree - I had one in my last kitchen and it stayed in place and didn't show dirt.

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    2. I have a Persian in my kitchen, too, and the fact that it never shows anything is starting to make me very afraid of what is actually going deep in its fibers...

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    3. It might be time for a professional cleaning!

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  5. I have had a Dash and Albert striped runner in my kitchen for the past 12 years. I periodically hose it off.

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  6. I like runners and area rugs, but got rid of them when my late father was alive, as they were just too much of a tripping hazard. Love that kitchen by Mark Sikes, but I'm wild about the Gretchen Black kitchen. She is either a single lady, or has a husband who is very open to her feminine design sense.

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  7. I've had a nice outdoor rug that didn't look platicy, a sisal runner and a fabulous leopard print carpet runner in my kitchen between the counter run and my island. They look amazing 5 minutes after i starighten them. BUT, I live with a big dog (he's forgiven -he doesn't know better) and 2 other people and it is never ever ever straight and it drove me crazy so they are rolled up. If you live alone and with small dogs (sounds like you!!) then a kitchen runner could work!

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    1. I think I'll be fine with my little baby pooches. I had a heavy Persian runner before with no issues I think because of its weight.

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  8. I love the look. But I'm a very sloppy cook and they would be dirty in no time. I'd always be washing them.

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    1. These are designed to be hosed down, or thrown in the wash, or to hide dirt.

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  9. Definitely yes to runners! Not only do they provide ease to your feet and legs while in the kitchen, these rugs will protect your flooring from spills and other messes. I have two Samson runners (Bunny Williams design) from Annie Selke that I love! Made from recycled plastic bottles, they clean easily by dragging them out to the driveway and spray the down. The sunshine will dry them quickly. Incidentally, the Samson rug gives the appearance of a wool rug and is very durable. I recently received Annie Selke's latest catalog. AS is really getting into custom rug production with many beautiful options for materials.

    best, teaorwine

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    1. I love Dash & Albert - I will check it out. I love all my Rothy shoes made from recycled plastic bottles.

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  10. Curious if you happen to know what Paint Color is on ceiling in that Mark Sikes kitchen ??

    Blessings & Thanks

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    1. I don't and interior designers are generally tight lipped about sharing paint colors like they are trade secrets.

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