New LR Rug Progess

I've been rug shopping for about a year now, trying to find a pretty persian for our loft living room. The <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/02/abc-carpet-clearance-basement.html" target="_blank">striped rug</a> suffered from a red juice incident and has never quite been the same. It is a lovely rug, but I've pretty much decided across the board that I prefer that graphic patterned rugs with any white in the pattern go in a bedroom or an office. Any time I choose a jute or a persian rug for a living room project, it just works better and looks better for longer. Function trumps form for me, but only by a little bit. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/Picture1.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/image196_thumb.png" /></div><br />I am SO picky about rugs now. They are the hardest design decision for a room I think. Just like clothes, fit is everything, so often you should be buying a rug for a specific room's needs. And since rugs should be so big, the color can really change the feel of a room. And because of lighting, you almost always have to try a rug out before buying, which is a nightmare. And rugs are so gosh darn expensive. And if they're not expensive, you can tell. Tricky! (<a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/11/no-rug.html" target="_blank">going rugless</a> seems better and better by the day!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/bron_3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/681095d1344b1.jpg" /></div><br />I've decided to go with a jute rug in our brownstone's extra long living room. I love the texture of natural fiber rugs and I think the jute will hold up well against the residual dirt I'm sure will get tracked in from <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/05/yard-advice-please.html" target="_blank">the garden</a> (although I do know there are cleaning challenges that come with natural fiber rugs).<br /><br />I used <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/Merida-Meridian-Bengal-Bora-Bora-Volcano-Contemporary-Rug-MDA1423.html" target="_blank">Merida's Bora Bora jute rug</a> in Volcano for a client project recently and it is just natural fiber rug perfection. It's as cushy and soft as wool. The color is a lovely driftwood gray, not yellow like most jutes (so over yellow rugs for a while!), and it comes with a braided edging option.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/BengalBoraBoraVolcanoContemporaryRug.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5271.jpg" /></div><br />The <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60050172/#/80050171" target="_blank">IKEA Tarnby</a> and <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/jute-boucle-rug-r038/" target="_blank">West Elm jutes</a> are great rugs, but they are not nearly as soft as the Merida and I don't like that they are borderless. It feels a little unfinished and the edges have rolled up for me even with rug tape. The closest second place to the Merida rug I've seen is this <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/flat-braid-jute-rug/?pkey=cnatural-fiber-rugs&cm_src=ideas" target="_blank">Pottery Barn rug</a>. But again, it's not as soft and the color is very light and yellow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/img18m.jpg" /></div><br />We need a long, narrow rug for the brownstone, and the quote back from Merida was out of our budget (almost $4000 for the custom size. Ouch!). Then over Memorial Day I did a little shopping in the ABC clearance basement, and what did I spy over in the jute corner? A handful of driftwood gray braided jute rugs.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5386.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Turns out these are not Merida, but a company called <a href="http://www.fibreworks.com/products/main.php" target="_blank">Fibre Works</a>. Look how similar the color and weave is though!</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5273copy.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Full price, their rugs are not all that much cheaper than the Merida jutes. But they just happened to have some in the clearance basement. So while they weren't IKEA-cheap, they ended up being more like PotteryBarn-cheap with the sale and my designer discount. </div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5400.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I ended up buying two 8x11s that I'll use to make a big 11x16 rug. I'm thinking about blind-stich binding them myself with some jute twine and then the seam will be invisible. But even when they're separate and just sitting next to each other, the seam is not all that noticeable. It would be super easy to do this with the IKEATarnby if you need a big rug for super cheap. The weave of jute provides a lot of give, so you can sort of morph the edges into each other.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The tape measure marks out the LEE sofa here.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5401.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And here's where the chesterfield will sit.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5405.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I want to layer a smaller (like 6x9) persian on the jute under the seating area for a little bit of color and pattern on the floor, like the inspiration photos at the top of the post. I saw this pretty turkish rug at the flea market the same day I bought the jutes. Aren't the colors fantastic? It was not super cheap, so I was a good girl and passed. I'm sure eBay will come through for me like it always does.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5378.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So what are your thoughts about my new rug philosophy (no graphic white in the living room rug)? Feeling a little like I should get off <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/07/discussion-topic-can-you-have-children.html" target="_blank">my high horse</a> here! :)</div></div><br />

New LR Rug Progess

I've been rug shopping for about a year now, trying to find a pretty persian for our loft living room. The striped rug suffered from a ...

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My Pantry and a $500 Give Away

<script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/489087?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script> <i>This post is sponsored by the makers of <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B255138129%3B78530611%3Bg&k4=3605&k5=489087" target="_blank">Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes</a>, the quick and easy way to clean and disinfect your home!</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div>My pantry serves as our laundry room, storage room, cleaning closet, china hutch and tool shed. It can get a little crazy up in here. There's lots going on. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8251.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We have two huge bookshelves (twice the width you see here) for holding everything, as well as the big filing cabinet, which holds all of our bigger tools.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8272.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8277.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A while back we installed two pegboard panels above the tool cabinet. I usually say that everything should be put away for a clean, uncluttered look. But sometimes, especially in a small space, things can get buried quickly. Making this pegboard has made my life so much more efficient.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8265.jpg" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Since the pantry door is usually open I wanted the pegboard wall to be as clean and simple-looking as possible. I thought about painting the pegboard a cool color at first, but I didn't want it to stick out more than it already does, so I left the white. But I did spray paint all the organizational hardware the same rose gold color.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5727.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's subtle, but I like the little bit of shine.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8283.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I also use about a dozen clear tupperware bins. I bought them at Home Depot for a dollar each. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8274.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have them labeled with these cute chalkboard labels from Martha Stewart's label line for Avery. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_5719.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Each bin holds something small and specific, like upholstery staples or tape or wall anchors.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8278.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing that helps keep this room running smoothly is my little whiteboard. I jot down things on this board that we're running out. They're usually things I wouldn't remember while making a shopping list (like laundry detergent or light bulbs). </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8266.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Other things that make the room special to me- the persian rug I bought in Belgium for just a few euros (I think it was only three!) and the pair of porcelain animal hooks I got in Delaware at the Amish flea market. We usually hang aprons from these and the girls adore them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8284-1.jpg" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/IMG_8288.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The pantry is sort of like the command center of our home. It's been surprisingly good to us these past two years (not that I won't be excited for a little more space when we move!). I think this room was a great learning experience for me and reminded me how well a space can function when it is well-organized.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/500-1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So, I'd love to hear about your best organizing tip. What do you do to keep your challenge spaces tidy and running smoothly? Share your tip in the comments section for a chance to win a whopping $500 in gift cards! <b>$250 to Target AND $250 to the Container Store!</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Contest ends June 24. <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ep_5fVOBcVUXv4Hv5TL2aCjF7mNupEJdCbeHKrXXj0Q/edit" target="_blank">Rules can be read in full here</a>. Good luck!</i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div>

My Pantry and a $500 Give Away

This post is sponsored by the makers of Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes , the quick and easy way to clean and disinfect your home! My pantry se...

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So Fresh and So Clean

When I was in college I bought my first dinnerware - eight place settings of really simple <a href="http://images.replacements.com/images/images5/china/D/dansk_tjorn_celadon_dinner_plate_P0000147707S0002T2.jpg" target="_blank">Dansk dishes</a> in the prettiest shade of jade/mint. I still have, use and love those dishes. They look great mixed with vintage jadite plates. Green will always be a favorite color of mine, so it's fun that mint is having a major moment right now. So many pretty things to chose from!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/MINT1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ONE</i> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934429465/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=littgreenote-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1934429465" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Kelly Wearstler's Hue</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=littgreenote-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1934429465" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; text-align: -webkit-auto;" width="1" /> - the limited edition of this design book comes in the prettiest shades! My favorites are the bright purple and this mint.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>TWO</i> - <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/simone-bench/furniture/ottomans/11721?listIndex=16" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Bench</a> - This Ballard piece is a favorite. The price is right and I love the oak leg option. So pretty with the Suzanne Kasler mint linen!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>THREE</i> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essie-Winter-Collection-Candy-Apple/dp/B002ULRAQE" target="_blank">Essie nail polish</a> - I usually stick with reds/pinks/neutrals for finger nail polish, but toes are fair game for something really fun. I'm wearing this shade from Essie <a href="http://instagr.am/p/LLHd93QW_P/" target="_blank">in this photo</a>. (PS You can follow me on Instagram at jennykomenda)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>FOUR</i> - <a href="http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=4339187&langId=-1&categoryId=&searchTerm=mint%20flats&pageSize=20" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Topshop ballet flats</a> - I've been wearing these like crazy lately. They're not the best made shoes, but they are pretty soft and comfy. Mostly the color is spot-on perfection.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>FIVE</i> - <a href="http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Olivia_Area_Rug/310/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Persian style rug</a> - I am so intrigued by this rug! Does anyone have it? It would be so pretty layered on a large natural fiber rug in a living room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>SIX</i> - <a href="http://caitlinwilsontextiles.com/?p=product&sku=47&d=1&pre=p!category%7Cc!pillowcovers%7Cpatt!%7Cs!%7Cfabric!" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Mint Fleur Chinoise pillow</a> - A year or two ago, Caitlin and I had street crepes (nutella and banana - my favorite!) and chatted about colors while she was finalizing her fabric designs. I remember talking about how much we both loved mint. So glad the color has a staring role in her <a href="http://caitlinwilsontextiles.com/" target="_blank">textile line</a>! That girl is so sweet, gorgeous and talented. Couldn't love her more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>SEVEN</i> - <a href="http://baublebar.com/index.php/spearmint-bauble-bib.html?source=pjn&subid=73861" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Necklace</a> - Bauble Bar nails it again with this gorgeous statement necklace. Perfect with a plain white tee and colorful cigarette pants or a maxi skirt.<br /><br /><img src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/album%202/MINT2.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>EIGHT</i> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZLQHRO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=littgreenote-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005ZLQHRO" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">iPhone case</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=littgreenote-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005ZLQHRO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; text-align: -webkit-auto;" width="1" /> - This is my case du jour. Cheap as can be and a great color! I love that it's bright enough to make my phone easy to find in my purse, which I'll confess is a little on the messy side lately.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>NINE</i> - <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/swahili-lidded-basket-c289/?pkey=e%7Cgreen%7C210%7Cbest%7C0%7C6%7C24%7C%7C10&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-OSS%20Green%20SUM%20D2-_-" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Lidded basket</a> - Thinking my girls need this basket to hold their dirty laundry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>TEN</i> - <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23417066s&cm_mmc=Performics-_-Affiliates-_-rewardStyle-_-Primary&clickid=0004c16eeff2df940ae02a041b3c69a0#BVRRWidgetID" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">UO high-waisted jeans</a> - These jeans are super-flattering, but also crazy long - like a 34" inseam. So unless you're a super model, you'll need to get them hemmed. I'd go for ankle length to make them more summer-friendly. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>ELEVEN</i> - <a href="http://www.minted.com/product/art-prints/MIN-J5M-GNA/peonies-in-vase" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Peonies print</a> - Some pretty little art from Minted's new art collection.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>TWELVE</i> - <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sugexp=chrome,mod%3D9&q=robert%20abbey%20pistachio&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=TkbJT6yJBaX20gGUt_mbAQ&biw=1434&bih=648&sei=UUbJT8qhJ8jn0QH96piiAQ" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Robert Abbey pistachio lamp</a> - I love any of Robert Abbey's lamps. I like the more modern lines of this lamp, especially since the color is a statement itself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>THIRTEEN</i> - <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/939176" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Fretwork fabric</a> - Oh, Spoonflower designers, you treat me right!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>FOURTEEN</i> - <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Braemore-Ikat-Style-Small-Medallion-Fabric-Green-Turquoise-/160652750710#vi-desc" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Ikat style cotton fabric</a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> - I've never seen this Braemore fabric in person, but it sort of reminds me of the style of Raoul Textiles fabrics, which cost a million dollars a yard, so yeah, I like it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>FIFTEEN</i> - <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/073882.jsp" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Bud vase</a> - I like vases like this one, with a decorative flower on the vase itself, to be used with greenery or just left empty on a display shelf. Don't you agree that coral and mint were meant to be together? Just gorgeous!!</div>

So Fresh and So Clean

When I was in college I bought my first dinnerware - eight place settings of really simple Dansk dishes in the prettiest shade of jade/mint...

Read more »