Yes I have seen a rug on top of that as well in several pictures. That would get rid of the grime element but the room is pretty small, i can get away with an 8'x 8' square. I am not sure that it would make sense to put a small area rug on top of something that small. I did get a rug that is jute chenille mix from pottery barn which is really pretty, the chenille adds texture and softness and so far it is not showing much grime, it is in a lower traffic area and has enough natural variance in color that dog hair is invisible! I am considering that one as well.

I'd go solid because I think the horizontal stripe will fight with not only your chair rail, but your table and chairs.

I like the first Caribbean, but really love the second. Would you consider using the braided rug in the entry, and getting the Caribbean for the LR? The braided rug seems to fight with the furniture arrangement. It feels like a narrow strip running down the middle of the furniture, rather than encompassing all the pieces in the central space of the room. Perhaps the Carribean could be sized so that the rug could turn the other way in the LR, and both the chairs would sit on it, the trunk opposite, and the large cabinet would be connected with it as well. I think all the wood furniture in there could also use the interest of the colors in the rug, whereas the entry is just a pass-through and perhaps needs less pattern and interest. Or use the braided rug in the office, where it would seem a perfect fit turned the other way. Then use the Caribbean in the LR, and get a simple sisal with a solid blue trim for the entry hall. You have a very pretty home, cheery and welcoming.

I don't think I would use a stripe rug and stripe material for the chair seats... are your chairs the kind that could be slipcovered in white linen/cottom or are you keeping the wood frames visible? Does the line of sight compel you to look through the dining room into say...the kitchen...or is it more off to the side so that is not not that much of a visual distraction?