Beautiful rug! Our island is 8ft long and I really wanted a 7ft runner but that was hard to find but all in all, Im glad I went ahead and purchased the 6ft and apparently so is my bird as he always makes his way over to the rug now when hes out. Our Alden counter stools are a light blue and the rug border brings that out nicely but still has the colors that transition nicely into the family room. Could probably use a rug pad but Im fine without one.