To be called 'on the
carpet', i.e. for reprimand by superior, is likely an early 1900's,
American colloquial, from one's uncarpeted work area to carpeted
offices of one's superior.
During the early 1700s it also referred to a cloth (carpet)
covering a conference table and therefore came to mean "under
consideration or discussion." In 19th-century America, however,
carpet meant "floor covering," and the expression, first recorded in
1902, alluded to being called before or reprimanded by a person rich
or powerful enough to have a carpet.