Isn't hickory wood flooring rather knotty and boldly grained? If so, I wouldn't put a zebra rug on top of that. I'd suggest something with less pattern, even solid or very lightly patterened i.e. heathered.

Throw a couple of zebra toss pillows on your red leather sofas (where they would look fantastic) to bring in that pattern if you really want it.

You could also bring in that pattern (maybe gray/white rather than black/white) on some panels to frame the windows.

(The sage green walls are throwing me off with your red leather sofas... can't picture that.)

We have engineered hickory wood flooring, and it doesn't have a bold grain pattern or knots. I think it would all depend upon the stain - our flooring wouldn't look that attractive with a zebra rug, since it has too much nutmeg coloring to work well, but a really dark stain, or really light stain might look pretty good.

Can you show us a photo of the room so people could visualize it better?

Thank you both for your quick replies! I LOVE our new floor. It doesn't have knots and the color is mostly dark brown with some lighter streaks, but no nutmeg color. The walls are so, so, light that you barely notice the green and the 2 leather couches, we kept since they were (Expensive!) Actually the tables haven't been delivered yet. Supposed today? We bought a rug that's a light color with some gold and little color of the walls since the chair I was looking at had these colors, but I haven't bought any chairs yet. I will try and send a picture. Know that would be best! I was thinking like "Old English Den" type room since our house is very formal and traditional.

I think a zebra rug could look very good and add interest to the room. The best idea is to get one on approval, try it out in the room and return it if it doesn't work.

I've seen this used in pictures before and looked great. Never thought about getting on approval, but fantastic idea because the new rug is really not big enough to me and can't return it. I'm good friend of furniture dealer and can return and exchange any furniture I get there and he has 1,000 patterns for chairs. Think I should have room re-painted to off white like molding, doors, cabinets and wet bar?

Love the sound of your new furnishings, Char, and I REALLY love that you are calling it a den.....there is so etching so much more cozy and intimate about "den" than "family room."

A zebra print rug would be wonderful, but based on your description I'd try one in a chocolate and cream colorway instead of black and white.

We are going shopping again next weekend and I've decided that a chocolate cream instead of black and white would look great and the color on walls will blend nicely. Now on to what to do with 2 windows?