Oh, my. lol...well, nobody else is going to answer this, so I'll try:
basically, it's saying that the room in its "dull" colors, its lifelessness of tone, etc. is overwhelming. The pattered rug, maybe once less frayed and a bit more dynamic was probably always a little "intimidated" by the other bland colors in the house. But now, after years of wear and tear, the poor old rug doesn't stand a chance at overcoming the "deadness" it lives around. It's one spot of color in the house has been weakened with time and the more "bland" effects of the surroundings have "won."
does that help? or did I make it worse?
lol,
J