Why This Controversial Oscars 2023 Red Carpet Moment Deserves a Spot in Our Homes

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rihanna walking red carpet
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Hands down, the red carpet at the Academy Awards is the biggest one there is. Except this year, the literal carpet that Hollywood’s elite walked on before the main event was noticeably not red—it was “champagne.” The decision to change up the hue stemmed from another major shift: The entire area was covered with a tent, in part to protect the stars and the cameras from potential rainfall but also to make the setting feel like a true nighttime event, since the celebs began to arrive at 3:30 p.m. PT. The addition of the tent ultimately affected the scheme of the rug. Creative consultant Lisa Love told the Associated Press that the goal was to pick a shade that brightened up the space. Plus it was a welcome opportunity to break away from 60 years of tradition. 

The champagne carpet sparked mixed reviews online. One Twitter user equated the setting to IKEA (which isn’t necessarily a negative in our opinion), while another suggested it looked like a hotel conference room. What did become clear was the surface was in desperate need of a good Roomba-ing by the end of the evening, so we suspect the sand-hued mats won’t be making a return in 2024. That said, the controversial move got us thinking about swapping out our snoozy gray and white rugs for this more dynamic neutral. Minus the flashing cameras and heavy foot traffic, any one of the Oscars-inspired pieces, below, would absolutely shine in a bedroom or living room.

The One That’s Like a Painting

No paparazzi is needed for this rug to glisten: The mix of viscose fibers creates an alluring pattern as light moves across its pile. 

The Scandi One

This option crafted by Danish textile company Linie Designs has a shimmer to it, but it’s crafted from 50% wool, which makes it extra-durable.

The Graphic One

For a touch more visual interest, go for this hand-knotted rug that features a repeating square pattern. 

The Splurge-Worthy One

Available in three sizes, this wool rug is like ASMR for your floors. The soothing striations you see in its surface are a result of a unique weaving process—no two products are alike. 

The High Pile One That’s Marked Down

Run, don’t walk: This shag version is 50% off right now. You might not be able to steal Lady Gaga’s Versace look for less, but this is one Oscars moment you can get on sale. 

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Lydia Geisel

Home Editor

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.