The Search for an Asian inspired Blue and White Rug

1. Today I have been doing a little online shopping for a client- trying to find an Asian rug with shades of blue and white in it. These were my four favorites of the day.
2.

I thought Asian and blue would be easier to find together than they were. Anyone seen any that you can add?
3.

What do you think? Have a favorite?- I numbered them for an easy vote. The headboard is tufted upholstered blue- bedding is yet to be selected- so I can make things come together there. We are using these cool stools from Wisteria.

4.

A Rug For Heather

Hi Christine-

I came across your blog and you mentioned if your readers had a question to email you.... so here I am :)

My wonderful husband has spent the last 4 weekends in a car with me driving all over North Carolina trying to find a rug for our new dining room. When it comes to rugs I panic and become very noncommittal.

I am going to reupholster my dining room chairs as soon as I find an area rug. Attached are pictures of the dining room table with chairs in our old house and pictures of the new space (I am changing the lighting fixtures and the pulls & knobs in the kitchen & paint color) but first I need a rug. I want the new space to be less formal - an understated comfortable elegance and super stylish - is there such a thing? I keep looking at hand knotted wool rugs, but they all look the same. I look at rugs that are more transitional, like http://www.westelm.com/products/r543/?cm_src=oldlink
but don't know if that will go over well. I am open to any color, but want to be able to change the look of the room by changing curtains, pillows and accessories to freshen it up as time goes by. If you have any suggestions or would like to post my pictures on your blog, feel free. I am sure that you can use my picture of the table with the red chairs as a "what not to do" for your readers. I am moving away from "old world" or "French country" or whatever that style is.

Thank you in advance for any guidance you can give me,

Desperately seeking rug in NC

Heather

#1- Impressions Collection
Dear Heather,

You can change a lot when you reupholster your chairs, but they are still going to be too formal a look for the rug from West Elm. You have beautiful wainscoting, a traditional dining set, and beautiful wood floors. You can definitely go more "transitional" - but I would still bring in a pattern and color. I feel like your setting would really welcome that type of look. I selected a few rugs - different styles, but all styles that would work well in your home, and with your furnishings. The rugs that I selected for you are all from Momeni. I numbered them so that other readers can share their favorites.

#2 Imperial Court Collection

#3 Imperial Court Collection

#4 Dorado Collection

#5 Dorado Collection

Problem Areas

Today's post is a continuation of Fridays- we are still on Angela's bedroom. This is the room from another angel:

This is what Angela had to say about it:

Problem area- Don’t you think we need a couple of chairs and a rug? What can I do with this space? A Seating Area? All I do is stack accessories and laundry in the dormers.

Dear Angela,

What a great example of a "problem area." Whereas I am sure the dormers look great form the outside, inside.... not so much. In an area like this- remember who is boss. You! Take control! First- let's add some wall decor- not a picture- we already did that above the bed- how about some metal- let's add some texture and interest! While we're at it- let's take down the valances, and put in some soft sheers. Use two panels on each side, so they are nice and full. I would pull them to the sides as seen in the picture I drew.This will still let the light in, but add a touch of romance that every master bedroom needs.

Now that you just paid $100 for sheers on the right dormer, let's cover it up :) The depth of the dormers creates an awkward feel. Let's put a screen in front of the one side.

I love this antiqued mirror screen from Uttermost. It adds a different texture, and reflects light and color.- Now- in the other dormer area- put a nice large plant. This will add balance back into the room, as we just took it away with the screen.

Add a rug next. This will give your room more pattern, and yes, again, texture. (I feel like I keep using that word:) The one below is Serengeti by Momeni. Notice that I am remaining consistent with the style of the furniture and bedding that we selected in Friday's post.

Then add a couple of chairs. The slipper chair below is from Restoration Hardware. Make sure you select chairs that are a good scale for the room.

There we go- a problem area no more! We have changed the awkward visual shape of the area. We have added texture, color, pattern, and created a seating area. Forgive my sloppy drawings- I have breakfast to make for my four kids- I don't have the time to be a perfectionist :) Don't forget to vote! (at the top of the blog) See this post- and help me choose my baseboard:)

For My Husband's Cousin's Wife

A few weeks ago, I went to a family reunion in Idaho, on my husband's side of the family. The reunion was at my husband's cousin's beautiful home. I got to talking to his wife about their basement, which she was wanting to make some changes to. I have been working on it this week. Today's post is my advice for her. She has a large open basement. It is used in part for her Pilates. (she has her own reformer- how cool is that!) The basement is also used for TV watching, children playing, and sometimes the entire area is used for large gatherings.

In a large area like your basement, it works well to visually break it up. One way to do this is with an area rug. Under the seating area, put an area rug (get a nice large 9 x 12). This is also a good place to start with a color pallet. Find an area rug that you love. The one pictured above is from Momeni's Odyssey collection. This is a great place to start. From here you have colors and a style to use in furnishings, wall color, wall art, everything else.

Hang the TV on the wall in between the two windows. (OH- yeah- first get a flat screen TV if you don't have one already.) Under the TV- put a media cabinet like the one above, from West Elm.

Find, or have made, some nice, simple drapery panels. Pull them to the outside of the windows, farthest from the TV- so the wall will go like this: drapery, window, TV, window, drapery. Use the SAME drapery to create a room divider, where your room separates. Get a drapery rod that is ceiling mounted, in an L- shape, like the floor plan that I drew for you. Here you can have the drapery pulled, to create a more intimate, spa atmosphere in the Pilates section, but easily pull it open along the wall when you want to open up the room, and use it as one. Make sure the drapes are to the floor- otherwise this look will be more like a shared hospital room, :) rather than a luxurious spa, and soft living area. You can also partially open it and draw it back on a hook for a great look on an everyday basis. I hope that was clear; let me know if it wasn't. Select a fabric that looks good from both sides, or have double sided drapes made. The photograph is of Restoration Hardware's textured Belgian Linen drapes. Frequently a linen material looks good from both sides, and would work well in a situation like this.

At the end of the room, where the wall angles, mimicking the shape of the bay window on the floor above, have a built-in bench made, to follow the line of the wall. Have it be chair height, with lift up storage for children's toys, blankets, etc. When you use the room for large gatherings, a bench can serve as a good amount of seating. In front of the bench, put two 36 inch tables, side by side, like the drawing. Use two tables instead of one big one for a few reasons:

1. It is a different, unexpected, a cool look.


2. One table can be pulled out and all four chairs put around it for a great card game.


3. When you need to clear the area of the tables for large gatherings, it will be less cumbersome, and easier to move.

This table (above) pictured is from West Elm. It also comes in chocolate.

At your two tables use this Legato Tub chair from Padma's Plantation. Isn't it great? When you walk down the stairs, and look across the room- this is what you are going to see- the back of these chairs. and your large piece of art- what a great view. (I would have them upholstered in a more practical fabric color.)

The far wall, above the built-in bench and two tables, will need a nice large piece or collection of art. This piece below is from Uttermost, (Landscape with Trees) and is a large 80 x 42. Something this size would be great.
Select a great sectional- the largest one you can comfortably fit. You want it to seat a lot of people, as well as fill the space. Check out the Bixby by Nathan Anthony. (I can send you fabrics if you want). Nathan Anthony is a great source for sectionals. They have a lot to choose from- and very cool styles. (as well as great prices)

For a "coffee table"- use two Congo drum end tables, from Padma's Plantation. Approx- 24 x 24 x 28 each. This will add texture and be a great height for your large sectional.

You have a long wall to your right, as you enter your large room. Long walls are just asking to be "broken up". One way to do this is by putting a console table on part of the wall. I am suggesting the portion of the wall in the "Pilates" area. (The one above is the Tanner Console table form Pottery Barn.) I liked how it had stools under it, giving you extra seating for your large groups. You then hang something (perhaps a mirror- the one below is Bahari- by Uttermost 39 x 43) above the console, and then treat the other part of the wall separately, perhaps with a grouping of family photos, like I talked about in this post. Notice that I have a single item above the console, and a grouping on the wall beside it. This can be reversed, with one large picture on the wall, (make sure it is large enough) and a grouping over the console- but don't have two groupings on the same wall.

In your Pilates area- you have a set of bookcase wall-units that you said were keepers, as they were built by a family member. Perhaps, however, you could have them painted, and update the hardware. (Wood guys cringe at this- is the family member still alive?) This would give the unit a more updated clean look, consistent of our "spa-Pilates" atmosphere that we have created. Decorate the wall unit with candles, pottery, well-chosen clean books, plants, and sculpture. Give it a very deliberate, beautiful spa type look. This is the type of thing I feel like I need to do for my clients. Maybe I need to come back to Idaho for a visit :) Also- add a comfortable chair and floor lamp, giving a more intimate area for reading or studying. Add some plants: a large one in the Pilates section, and two matching ones on the two tables in the other are. Add a floor lamp next to the sectional, and two sconces above the console table. Add directional eyeball lights: two above the wall unit, one above the art by the two tables, and one above the collection of photos. For the best look, replace your florescents with can lighting (on a dimmer- for best TV watching) Put an up-light by your large plant, have it on a timer, so it comes on and goes off every evening. Your lighting MAKES your atmosphere! Don't just have overhead lighting. Feel free to ask any questions, or call me. (since you're family and all :)