New Living Room Rug

I was sad to see it go, but we decided to replace <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-lr-rug-progess.html" target="_blank">the jute rug</a> this month. I loved that rug, and still think jute is a great option for some people, but those people are not pet owners. :/ <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-dog-new-pillows.html" target="_blank">Linus</a> had two throw up accidents on the rug and I scrubbed and scrubbed and vacuumed for hours both times and there was a bit of unfortunate discoloring. Big bummer.<br /><br />Also, the rug had dried up a bit during the winter especially the part that sat over the floor grate, and it was starting to shed a little bit. It wasn't a huge deal on its own and actually I think I was supposed to be misting the rug with water once or twice a month to prevent the over-drying, and I never did. But between the shedding and the discolored spots (which you can sort of see in <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/03/new-art-in-living-room.html" target="_blank">these photos</a>), I felt like it was time to start looking for something else.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0390-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0390-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />So here was my thought process.<br /><br />1) While I loved the pop of red from the persian I had layered on the jute, I knew I wanted something more neutral. I'm going to bring in a bright orangey red or a hot pink on new pillows I think (I loved <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/baker-sofa-upholstery.html" target="_blank">that combo</a> with the green velvet sofa).<br /><br />2) This rug needed to be a wool or wool-like pile for clean up purposes. For stain-hiding, I am a big fan of persian style rugs, so I was hoping to find something neutral but with a bit of an irregular pattern.<br /><br />3) In apartments especially, where 90% of the action happens in the one living room, it's pretty inevitable that spills and stains are going to happen with kids and pets in the house. During my search I actually found a completely gorgeous antique silk Oushak in beautiful light colors from one of my dealers for about $3500. Pricey, but it was seriously worth every penny. I thought long and hard about investing in that rug. It was stunning, but what happens when someone sneaks juice over into the living room or when Linus has an accident? It would be hard to not freak out, and that's just not how I want to feel about the stuff in my house. So I passed on the Oushak and I kept looking.<br /><br />I had my eye on this rug called the <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-adileh/natural/200VBVI2A-53076.html" target="_blank">Beaumont Adileh in Natural</a> from Rugs USA for a couple weeks. I was sold out in the 10x13 size that I wanted, but they have this feature where you can give them your email and they'll contact you if/when more comes in stock.<br /><center></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 200VBVI2A.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/200VBVI2A.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The reviews were good and they were having one of their famous 50% off plus free shipping sales, so when I got the email that the large size was back in stock, I moved fast. And I'm so glad I did! I love it. (Just checked - the latest sale is <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-adileh/natural/200VBVI2A-53076.html" target="_blank">60% off</a>!)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0267.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0267.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love the range of colors in the rug: cream, gray, taupe, black, brown, even a hint of apricot. It's totally one of those rugs that changes colors in the light.</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0272-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0272-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0366.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0366.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And I think it actually looks kind of worn and old. Or at least, it doesn't scream out cheapy fake rug when you walk into the room. My only complaint is the binding on the edge, but <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-adileh/natural/200VBVI2A-53076.html" target="_blank">for this price</a>, you win some, you lose some.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0401.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0401.jpg" /></div><br />Man, I love the black in that border!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0378.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0378.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />The rug is 100% Viscose, which surprised me with its softness, even though the rug is pretty thin. And it's hard to tell in the photos, but the viscose gives the rug a really silky look. It honestly looks so much like the sheen of the Oushak that I loved, I just couldn't believe it when I rolled the rug out. And just like silk, it totally changes color when you rub your hand against the pile.<br /><br />Oh, hello, soft and pretty rug...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0287-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0287-1.jpg" /></div><center></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0353-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/DSC_0353-1.jpg" /></div><br />So while I miss the texture of the jute a bit, I'm totally in love with the new rug. It is bright and airy and it cleans up like a dream. I'm a very happy customer and now I'm thinking of getting <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-overdyed-grove/violet/200DIRE1F-508.html" target="_blank">this one</a> for my office... :)

New Living Room Rug

I was sad to see it go, but we decided to replace the jute rug this month. I loved that rug, and still think jute is a great option for som...

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Concrete Planters

It's going to be sixty degrees today! What-what! Looks like yard work weather is upon us. I went to the garden center this weekend to pick up some flower beds and a few new planters for the balcony (<a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-balcony-floor.html" target="_blank">this is <i>finally </i>happening!</a>).<br /><br />I found a few big boxwoods on sale and some pretty flowers for planting around <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-playhouse_28.html" target="_blank">the playhouse</a>. And I wasn't sure if I had gone crazy when I was tempted by these flamingos.  #notAprilfoolsing<br /><center></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo flamingos.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/flamingos.jpg" /></div><br />There were some really beautiful concrete planters at Lowes that I loved, but they were pretty pricey. So I bought a bag of concrete instead thinking I could come up with a DIY. When I got home I found <a href="http://www.bhg.com/gardening/container/plans-ideas/make-concrete-planters/#page=1" target="_blank">this easy tutorial</a> from BHG. It's just too good not to copy. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 101894832jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/101894832jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The basic idea is to use an interesting container for the outside shape with something basic and smaller inside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 101904188jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/101904188jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><center></center><br />Aren't these pretty? I'm really loving the sort of corrugated edged ones especially.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 101904191jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/101904191jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 101904194jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/101904194jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 101894830jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/101894830jpgrenditionlargest.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever done any concrete work? I've not done much yet, but I have at least three big projects using concrete planned for this year so I have a feeling I'm going to get a lot more comfortable with this stuff before long. :)</div>

Concrete Planters

It's going to be sixty degrees today! What-what! Looks like yard work weather is upon us. I went to the garden center this weekend to pi...

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Happy (Spring?!) Weekend!

It's the weekend! We are <i>so</i> ready for spring around here. This winter has been cold and long. Lately we've been trying to stay outside all afternoon to combat the cabin fever we've been suffering from basically since Hurricane Sandy in October. :/  It's so fun now that Evie's old enough to ride her scooter and we don't have to take a stroller down the subway stairs. It feels like the city is our oyster. My little scooter gang is coming to get you this spring, NYC!<br /><center></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1855copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_1855copy.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1949.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_1949.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2130.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_2130.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1980.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_1980.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2132.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_2132.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(This photo cracked me up when I found it on my phone (Gracie's becoming quite the little sneaky photographer). Do your kids climb inside your jacket when they get cold? I secretly love the extra snuggles (and warmth!), but now I'm thinking it must look a little weird to passersby? ha!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2126.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_2126.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Linus and I have been going out for runs together along the Promenade and I'm remembering how much I love this place. I was talking to another woman in my church about how sometimes we just want to move somewhere easier and cheaper to live. She gave me some wise words: Never make any decisions about moving away from the city in the winter, or your emotions will get the best of you. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2147.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_2147.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Well, I think spring must be just around the corner because all the fancy brownstones in the Heights are putting out <i>cut flower arrangements</i> in their window boxes. Talk about luxury right? There's some major wiggle room in your budget if you can afford weekly flowers for your neighbor's sidewalk viewing pleasure.<br /><center></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2168.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album4/IMG_2168.jpg" /></div><br />Have a lovely weekend friends! If you're celebrating Easter, I hope it's a great one for you and your family. xo

Happy (Spring?!) Weekend!

It's the weekend! We are so ready for spring around here. This winter has been cold and long. Lately we've been trying to stay outs...

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