Both floors and ceilings often are referred to as the fifth wall. But what's on the floor has more gravitas in the design scheme. Rugs can warm and complete a space. They can draw the eye as a focal point, with texture, color and pattern, potentially creating a major impact. And the best designs are so much like art, you almost hate to walk on them.

At international shows, in showrooms and in galleries, you do get a better sense of the rug as art, as very large examples are hung dramatically on walls or displayed prominently on static or movable wings. Like a painting or textile art, it is easier to appreciate this way, stepping back from it and then leaning in to absorb the weave and pattern, especially their subtleties.

One of the most talked about introductions at Maison and Objet in Paris was a collection by Juan Montoya by Stepevi. A showstopping rug called Moon Island is rich in geometry, intersecting and layering circles with extraordinary depth, matte and sheen, some with an almost lacey overlay.

Much of the beauty at the high end of rug design can be attributed to the marriage of Old World tradition and modern thought and technology, as well as new ideas about materials and how to use them. Besides wool, which can range in quality depending on its lanolin content, silk, the silk-like synthetic viscose, cashmere, linen, hemp and even metallic threads may be woven in.

"We revere the history, which goes back hundreds and hundreds of years," says Shea Soucie, principal with partner Martin Horner in the Chicago-based design firm Soucie Horner. In 2012, they launched Shiir with purveyor Oscar Isberian. "We don't want to simply recreate. We want to innovate. That's why we embroider, we oxidize, we mix materials. We take the best of tradition and then use it as the basis of something new."

Designers like Soucie and Horner, who visit some of those tradition-rich rug factories in Nepal, Turkey and India, come away with a better appreciation for the craft -- as well as inspiration for what is possible.

For a time, worn rugs overdyed in brilliant hues such as teal, emerald, cobalt and magenta were trending. Some of the threadbare rugs are repurposed vintage; others are simply distressed to appear well-aged with desirable "patina." This look especially suits boho style and resonates with a younger audience, who appreciate the modernity of bold colors on traditional motifs.

As in furniture trends, a modern aesthetic has gained followers. Now some of those faded looks actually are woven into the rug itself, creating the feeling of a fresco painting, watercolor, a photographic image that's barely there, or a pattern with an ethereal or misty quality, like a veil of fog. In a new collection for Tai Ping, from a distance, one rug reads as a solid coral red. But close up, there's movement, in fact, inspired by an urban landscape. At nanimarquina, the Shade collection takes its palette from the sunrise and sunset, in an ombre effect on a wool flat weave.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are rugs startling in their realism, like a larger-than-life dark-ground floral from fashion designer Alexander McQueen (Sarah Burton has been at the helm of the brand since McQueen's death in 2010), for The Rug Company. The bouquet seems to jump out of the rug's center. Some imagery is the result of photography and digital technology that provide patterns for weavers.

And to suit mid-century modern and emerging art deco decor, graphic geometrics have never been more robust. At cc tapis, a new collection was inspired by an 1884 novella that explores dimensions as if they communicated with one another, with a graphic of overlapping geometries.

Other modern rugs are like sophisticated patchworks or samplers, including Italian architect Piero Lissoni's Hunua, which mixes solids and patterns like herringbone, and German designer Sebastian Herkner's linear planes with gridded checkerboards for The Rug Company.

In the past, lush thick rugs were considered the creme de la creme, and in antique rugs, thread counts are coveted -- the more per square inch, the finer. Though thread counts still are quoted, there are many factors that translate to value. It can take thousands of hours to weave small portions, so lead times can range up to six months for some custom rugs.

"A lot of people equate thickness with luxury, but that misses the mark," says Soucie." What's luxurious to you might be a high-pile cashmere rug; what's luxurious to me might be a thin, flat, oxidized silk rug. Thickness is not a barometer of luxury.

"From our perspective, a luxurious rug results from two things: the artistry and the soul that comes from a handweaver who learned his craft at the knee of his parents and grandparents."

Mixing yarns and threads adds nuance and luster, as do pile variations. Soucie says that she and Martin actually lead with fiber instead of design. "We take cashmere or silk and play with it. How does it move? How does it respond to light? What's its sheen and its hand? Once we've explored the inherent qualities of a fiber, only then do we begin to think about design and how we can create a pattern that best exploits those qualities. That results in rugs that truly are, as we like to say, art underfoot."

Nature still is probably the go-to muse, whether it's a landscape, a river stream or Cotswold moss or the sky -- sunrise, sunset and the constellations.

Colombian-born Juan Montoya, a highly regarded modernist who has had a design practice in New York since the 1970s, developed a collection around the moon. "I love circles," says the interior designer. "I love geometry. So the moon was inspiration -- contemplating it at different times of the day, and how it moves, as well as the constellation of the universe. Just a shift in colors and sheen gives the carpets extraordinary depth."

Artists also have inspired rug design. One pattern in Larry Hokanson's Istorii collection features a rich art nouveau motif. It's a homage to Gustav Klimt, whose shimmery paintings sometimes had touches of gold leaf. Hokanson was captivated when he saw the works at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he was a student.

As with art, rugs can be a powerful tour de force in a room's design.

"Rugs are very important," says Montoya. "Not as an object by itself. It's a composition that integrates architecture and interior design and decoration. And yes, it can be hung as a tapestry."

"We always encourage designers to begin with the rug," says Soucie. "It's a natural starting point because it is, after all, the foundation of a room. When you're talking about a completely handmade custom product, you've got to allow enough lead time for it to be woven. It's so worth the wait in every way. There's really nothing like a rug that's uniquely suited for a particular room."

True luxury.

Sources

-- cc tapis, www.cc-tapis.com

-- Edelgrund, www.edelgrund.com; website is under construction, contact info@edelgrund.com

-- Golran, available through Moroso, New York, 212-334-7222, www.golran.com

-- Hokanson Inc., 616-954-3200, www.scottgroupstudio.com

-- nanimarquina, 646-701-7058, www.nanimarquina.com

-- Soucie Horner, 312-775-0202, www.souciehorner.com

-- Stark, 844-407-8275, www.starkcarpet.com

-- Stepevi, 212-466-0400, www.stepevi.com

-- Tai Ping, 212-979-2233, www.houseoftaiping.com

-- The Rug Company, 646-762-0701, www.therugcompany.com

At the recent Heimtextil, the largest international show for home and interior textiles at Messe Frankfurt in Germany, one booth at the annual trends exhibition got a spirited conversation going.

It was about color -- warm and cool, and specifically red and blue -- and the conclusion was one that surprised. Red was framed as a relaxing color, with evolving spectrums from pink to saturated oxblood, creating a warm glow in interiors, "wrapping inhabitants in a comforting blanket that promises relaxation and calm."

Blue, conversely, was described as stimulating. "Washes of clear, cool blue tones imbue designs with clarity and purpose. Gradients of the color are applied to materials that trap, refract and reflect light, enhancing their ephemeral impact, in order to invigorate and awaken."

Exploring trends from all over the world -- colors, patterns, materials, topics like micro home or remade upcycling pavilions or craftsmanship ateliers -- is part of the must-see Theme park organized each year, says Thimo Schwenzfeier, director of marketing communications for Messe Frankfurt. This year's message: The Future is Urban.

One trend and design studio, Franklin Till, studied research on circadian rhythms and how they relate to sleep and stress. The firm's insight: "It has been suggested that blue light negatively affects the production of melatonin, a hormone that plays a key role in regulating sleep patterns, while warm red light aids its production. So, contrary to popular belief, scientific research has proven that blue light stimulates, while red light calms us -- which is why we are always advised not to go near blue-light screens before going to bed."

Curious, then, are some of the choices for color of the year. On one side, Pantone led with Ultra Violet -- a mix of red and blue. Paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore opted for red, specifically, Caliente, AF-290.

A team of seven Benjamin Moore researchers visited 30 cities in 12 countries, attended 23 industry shows and reviewed more than 42,000 pictures to come to this pick. Here are the words they use to describe this color: Radical. Dramatic. Happy. Smart. Desire. Primary. Symbolic. Confidence.

"Caliente is the signature color of a modern architectural masterpiece," says Ellen O'Neill of Benjamin Moore. "(It's) a lush carpet rolled out for a grand arrival; the assured backdrop for a book-lined library; a powerful first impression on a glossy front door. The eye can't help but follow its bold strokes. Harness the vitality."

There always have been avid aficionados of both red and blue, whether it's in clothing or interiors. And each color, solo, can be explosive -- think Yves Klein blue, that electric signature shade of cobalt, or fire engine red.

Is there any other color but red that says Ferrari? And how about a red cocktail dress in a sea of safe black? And though hot peppers can be green, we mostly think red when we hear "caliente."

Couture rug designer Emma Gardner is on board with her new "Splash" rug, a romantic and painterly pattern with a watercolory look emphasized by the combination of silk with wool.

"Lucky for us, a rich range of reds is back, bringing energy and vivacity to interiors," she says. "Chili red is caliente. When combined with muted tones, it can happily play an accent role, blending graciously into a softer overall environment."

When Chicago designer Elissa Morgante of Morgante-Wilson Architects worked with a client who was "all about color," for the interiors of her home, there was one room she was set on.

"She wanted a red dining room," says Morgante, "because the color is very active, gets your juices running." The walls are painted in a flat finish, and Morgante used a shade of red for the velvet drapery ("a soft touch") and in mohair seats ("used in a taut way").

Morgante, though, admitted it's hard to get people to jump into using a lot of red. "There's more comfort in doing a red pillow than a red sofa."

Caitie and Maureen Smithe of Walter E. Smithe Furniture in Chicago are excited about incorporating reds. They see Caliente as bold and seductive, radiant and reassuring. For those who want to embrace the trend but not fully commit, they recommend painting your front door red "for the most inviting entrance in the neighborhood."

"Pair red with trendy golds for a glam look," say the Smithes. "Or tone it down with subtle grays or neutrals to bring out its warm undertone. Spice up your eating area by bringing in some of the hue with table linens and accessories."

While a red kitchen counter might be an option, some might be more comfortable with a red-striped towel. Here are some other ways to introduce red:

-- Consider appliances. It can be a small one like a mixer (KitchenAid offers the largest range of hues) or a toaster. But reds have been part of a larger appliance line at Bertazzoni and BlueStar. The latter pays attention to fashion colors (its other big introduction this year is Pantone's color of the year, Ultra Violet). Their colors extend to range hoods and now refrigerators. Of course, Wolf ranges offer the option of its trademarked red knobs, a signature since 1933. These can be a launch point for materials like tile, hardware and accessories. And Smeg, which features red across its line of 1950s-inspired small and large appliances, recently teamed up with Fiat to produce a beverage refrigerator using actual Fiat 500 parts (one color choice, of course, is red). Fair warning: It's no novelty, and meticulously crafted with a $12,000 price tag.

-- Choose a piece of furniture. So many are leery of integrating bold red seating into a room. But a single chair, sofa or cabinet can be a fabulous statement piece. Consider the medium, as well. Stained or lacquered wood, matte or with a sheen, even high-gloss, as in an angular cocktail table from Roche Bobois or in a red combined with clear acrylic Chinese-inspired bench at Pagoda Red. Powder-coated aluminum is another option, one also suitable for adding a jolt to the outdoor room. One handsome bench designed by Russell Woodard for Woodard Furniture is available at Design Within Reach. Or you might be seduced by a more traditional tufted sofa called Alexis from Walter E. Smithe.

-- Light up with red. Glass, resin, metal or even paper shades can be striking on wall sconces or pendant lighting. Or use a mobile or a red mirror, especially in an unusual shape, to introduce a little fun.

-- Think about the bath. Imagine the wow of a red faucet. Architect Arne Jacobsen actually did 40 years ago when he designed the Vola faucet -- still timeless and energizing. The recent popularity of freestanding tubs also has inspired some dramatic color combinations, such as red on the outside and white inside.

-- Step on it. An area rug, solid or patterned in red, can engage, even in smaller sizes like doormats or runners.

-- Tile or solid surfaces lend pizazz. A shower wall, backsplash, floor or countertop in red is dynamic, even in geometric or patterned compositions with other colors.

-- Add art. Draw your attention to the walls with art, from monochromatic to red-dominant.

-- How about windows? Use stationary draperies to frame windows or Roman shades -- this expression can be very dramatic, played with a neutral cream, gray or even navy interior. Repeat the hue with strategic accessories for punctuation.

-- Accessorize. Art glass, bowls, flowers or a large bowl filled with red apples works.

-- Grab your paintbrush. Of course, the easiest way to make a significant change is to paint a wall or a room. The impact of a color like Caliente is totally affected by what you team it with. Shades of white really make it pop and keep it light. Red walls work in just about any room and make doors lively.

Whether you think of salsa when you think of red -- hot hot hot -- or perceive it as mellow cocooning hue that's more chill, with all the choices in so many areas of design, it'll be a cool one.

Sources

-- Alessi, 877-842-2224, www.alessi.com/us_en

-- Anthropologie, 800-309-2500, www.anthropologie.com

-- Benjamin Moore, 855-724-6802, www.benjaminmoore.com

-- BlueStar, 610-376-7479, www.bluestarcooking.com

-- Currey and Company, 877-768-6428, www.curreycodealers.com

-- Design Within Reach, 800-944-2233, www.dwr.com

-- Emma Gardner Design, 877-377-3144, www.emmagardnerdesign.com

-- Michael Amini Furniture, for more information, go to www.amini.com

-- Pagoda Red, 888-878-8628, www.pagodared.com

-- Roche Bobois, 212-889-0700, www.roche-bobois.com

-- Smeg, 212-265-5378, www.smegusa.com

-- Sub-Zero Wolf, 800-222-7820, www.subzero-wolf.com

-- Vola, through Quality Bath, 800-554-3210, www.qualitybath.com; www.vola.com

-- Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design, 800-948-4263, www.smithe.com

Whew! Made it through the holidays. And now, there are those pesky resolutions.

Who doesn't have getting organized on their list? Besides dropping pounds, many people are hoping to shed all kinds of stuff. Most of us have too much of it, and not enough places to stash it.

The cover headline for the January 2018 issue of Real Simple magazine says it all: "More Calm, Less Clutter: Pro Tips to Stay Organized All Year."

A good place to start is the master bedroom closet. In recent years, custom and semi-custom designs have ramped up. One reason is that they are smartly designed, highly functional and they look good and neat as they handle tucking everything into its proper place. There are niceties such as dividers to section off T-shirts, underwear, socks. And jewelry trays. There are special hooks for ties and belts.

These built-in systems may include pull-down rods, glass front doors, laundry bins, full-length mirrors, electrical outlets in drawers, as well as USB chargers.

"From the little clips on the shoe organizer that hold sandals to the laundry hamper you can grab with one hand, these are components designed with everyday usability in mind," Mae Holler, product manager for Hafele America Co., says about the company's Engage modular system.

Hafele, a German manufacturer most known for its efficient hardware (hinges, drawer slides, soft touch and close mechanisms), also teamed up with EcoDomo to produce a beautiful collection of drawer fronts made from recycled belts.

And just as kitchen cabinetry has stepped up with furniture-like doors, drawers and finishes, so has closet cabinetry. There are matte and glossy lacquers, wood veneers that look like real luxury woods, such as burled walnut or macassar ebony, and good-looking hardware, too. At the high end, luxe makers such as Poliform, Lema, Mutina and Boffi offer stunning clean-lined systems, some appointed with leather-clad interiors.

Some, like Lema, actually suggest a shift in focus from container function to wellness. If your personal space looks good, you will probably feel good, too.

The ads for some of the most glam dressing room/closets look like boutique shops. All the clothing is impossibly color coordinated, stacked or hung perfectly, with elegant bins and cubbies. Linings are linen, velvet or leathers.

The association is intentional. And a lot of the impetus has come from blogs and Instagram postings that spotlight beautiful closets.

"It absolutely is having an impact," says Erin Hogue, vice president of custom closets for The Container Store. "Our customers want their closets to feel like a luxury boutique that they essentially get to shop from each morning. Lighting and glass are very popular additions to our TCS Closet spaces to help our customers showcase their shoes, handbags and accessories."

It was a natural segue for The Container Store, which expands its offering of beautiful storage solutions yearly, including baskets, containers and multicolored hangers. The company described the new venture as "not just a custom closet ... it's an escape to the way things should be. It's the promise of an organized life."

More consumers are also seeking a wider range of finishes. While white laminate was an industry standard for so long, now there is more versatility, and style preferences seem to go hand in hand with what's trending in furniture.

"Light toned wood grain finishes are especially popular right now," says Hogue. "They lighten the space and help with visibility, as most closets are not always well lit."

But even lighting is changing. In custom walk-in closets, it's not unusual to see a combination of light cans and a central fixture -- an elegant crystal chandelier or modern pendant. And even if lighting is not integrated into shelving (and even some pullout drawers), manufacturers like Hafele make it available with add-ons.

Closet design certainly has become more of a priority in high-end, custom-built homes, where walk-ins can be as large as master bedrooms. Plans even include windows, where natural light is a huge asset. It's hard to imagine filling all those cubbies and drawers, but in most average-sized closets, a good mix of drawers, shelves and hanging space is required -- especially if you're sharing space with a significant other.

High-end systems, much like kitchen cabinets, can range into the tens of thousands of dollars. You can even purchase a carousel, like the ones dry cleaners use, starting at $2,750 for a roughly 4 1/2-by-6-foot space (Closet Carousel by White Home Products, www.closets.net).

But if you want the look and don't have the budget, you can hack the fancy by studying some fancy features of such pampering closets.

In a walk-in closet, you may choose a wood finish or look that echoes the furnishings in your bedroom. Wood veneers like dark anigres, even macassar ebony, medium honey tones, and taupe or cappuccino are popular in today's decor.

But think outside the box, too. You might consider covering panels with fabric or wallcovering. Leather and faux skins also are options. EcoDomo is one company that offers a range of leather, including textured croc looks, which you might consider for covering door or drawer panels to add panache.

Pullout drawers, which have become de rigueur in the kitchen, are also a boon in closet design. So are built-in laundry bins (the next best thing -- a laundry bag on casters), and pull-down or pullout ironing boards.

Interior fittings have evolved not only functionally, but aesthetically. Acrylic often is used to divide everything from underwear to socks to belts. There are special dividers for jewelry -- kind of like jewelry boxes for your drawers. Often these are lined in velvet or velour, but suede and leather also are used. Linen is another great look for liners, as well as for baskets and boxes.

In a room-sized closet, islands are another desirable feature. The surface is great for laying out an outfit, or for placing a beverage while you're scouting out something to wear. Now benches also are integrated into some ends.

The most important thing to remember, says Hogue, whether it's a standard-sized reach-in or a larger walk-in, is the footprint -- "that it's laid out well to maximize space and efficiency."

That means you should certainly inventory your clothing and your needs: Are you stacking sweaters, hanging jackets and skirts, trousers, dresses, gowns, robes, pajamas, which require heights ranging from 20 inches to 70 inches. How many drawers do you need? How many shelves? What about special tie racks (some love those battery-operated revolving ones)? Belt hangers? Some closet-maker brands now offer safes -- even in stylish colors like aqua.

"If garages are the man-cave, then closets are the she-cave," says Hogue. "Customers want to make them as beautiful as the other rooms in their homes, and be able to show them off as they would a new kitchen."

Many men may actually desire the same thing, though, and would gladly give up some garage time for some quality time in these closets.

Sources

-- California Closets, 888-336-9707, www.californiaclosets.com

-- CHI Steam, 844-882-9038, www.chisteam.com

-- EcoDomo, 301-424-7717, www.ecodomo.com

-- Hafele, 800-423-3531, www.hafele.com

-- IKEA, 888-888-4532, www.ikea.com

-- Lema, www.lemamobili.com/en/

-- Poliform, www.poliform.com

-- The Container Store, featuring TCS Closets and Elfa, 8888-266-8246, www.containerstore.com

-- Wellborn Cabinet Inc. 256-354-7151, www.wellborn.com

Sidebar

Getting Steamy and Clean

No matter what the size of your closet, here's an accessory that's huge. It's a way to get the wrinkles out of your clothing -- without an iron. The CHI Easy Steam is basically a garment bag (but a cool-looking gray one with red trim) that has built-in magic. Simply place one item on the hook, zip up, then hang on the back of a door, a closet door or shower rod. Then fill up an easy-to-access water reservoir, tap the button, and the steaming begins. In less than two minutes, done!

Meanwhile, as we continue to be concerned about air quality, Lema introduced a proprietary product actually developed to sanitize aerospace environments, at the last Salone del Mobile show in Milan. The air-cleaning system can be fitted to the top of a wardrobe, and it decontaminates and removes bacteria and odors, using dust-free photocatalytic oxidation technology. This may be the next best thing in closets.