Let's start things right out of the hopper with my great big photographic lie. My windows are bare here because I still have my ugly curtains that I am unimpressed with, so I took them down before I started shooting photos. My plan for the late summer or fall (which typically means late winter or early spring or maybe even in 10 years from now) is to build solid wood, interior shutters for my windows. So it isn't so much a lie to take down the curtains as it is a preview of how things are going to be. Kind of. Whatever, I took 'em down cause they look like crap. Suck it.
You may remember in the spring I went to the Christie Antique Market and bought a Turkish rug even though I wasn't looking for a Turkish rug, wasn't sure where I could put a Turkish rug and in fact only brought enough money with me to purchase Canadian french fries.
I kind of wandered around the house with the rug and finally ended up putting it in my bedroom. Then my front hall. Then my bedroom. Then the upstairs hall. You know how that goes. You buy something, you love it, but you can't find anywhere that it actually works.
The very same thing happened with my favourite flea market lamps. I owned them for 10 years before I my house evolved enough that I had somewhere to put them.
So this rug. I loved it but couldn't find anywhere to put it that was perfect. Enter the weekend flea market. A few weeks ago I went up to a flea market that takes place in this area from May until October. I went looking for a small ironstone bowl to replace one that broke.
I wasn't looking for a Turkish rug, wasn't sure where I could put a Turkish rug and in fact only brought enough money with me to purchase one ironstone bowl and Canadian french fries. Again.
Yet again, out I walked with a Turkish rug. And another Turkish rug. 2 Turkish rugs. I now had a total of 3 Turkish rugs and no real plan for them. As it turns out that's exactly what I needed to make my original impulse Turkish rug work make sense in my house. It just needed some friends.
Layering Turkish rugs is now my new favourite thing. I might just cover my entire first floor in them. Walls and furniture included. And yeah, a tiny little one for the cat.
In real life it looks good, but looking at the photo above now, I can see I need to declutter a bit. The table and buffet were fine before I had the layered patterned rugs, but now it's a few too many objects. I'll either clear off the tulip table and just put one single thing on it, or simplify the buffet. I already have an idea for that as I come excitingly close to buying my first piece of original art from a local artist.
The Turkish rugs have a feeling that other rugs didn't have, which is why I've never got around to buying rugs. In, like, 17 years. That's not true, I bought a shag rug from Costco once only to lose a ring, 14 Cheezies and a friend's baby in there once. The baby was recovered, the other items were almost immediately digested by Shaggy.
Nothing's hiding in these rugs except my savings account. Each of these Turkish rugs were about $350 each which makes the entire rug that measures around 6' x 8' a total of just over $1,000. A big investment but that's what they are. An investment. They're 100% handmade, with natural hand dyed wool. I'll own them forever. They won't end up in the dump, they won't fall apart, they don't even stain when the cats throw up on them because wool is naturally stain resistant, which is why I always say fingernails should be made out of wool.
The next big Christie Antique Show takes place in a few weeks. I plan on going. And I plan on only buying french fries.
Beautiful! As for the windows, I like the clean/minimalist naked window. (Unless you're concerned about the view out, or people looking in! That changes the dynamic.)
Oh, I like that. A lot. Beaut.
I never thought of layering the way you've done here, Karen, and must say, the three rugs add immediate character to your entrance. They truly are an art investment and will last forever. I hope to get up the road to Christie's this Fall - thanks for the reminder. I love the many interesting artifacts laying around your home and, of course, your beautiful cat. I'm so glad to hear you're going to add shutters; they will add (again, more "character") to your home. Whenever I see photos of them used in decor magazines and such, the images transport me back in time to driving through the lovely villages of Cape Cod.
This is turning out to be a bit "wordier" than I intended but I must compliment you on another subject. I used to read a LOT of decor blogs but have been losing interest lately. The reason is I find the homes are all starting to look alike. They all show the same cushion patterns, or wreaths on the door, or antlers on the coffee table or the same interior colors, etc, etc. While they are all very nice homes, the blogs have, sadly, become all very predictable! Your decor is unique and has its own personality.
Looks very nice Karen.
I may have to follow suite.
Thanks!
I'm eager to see your photos of Christie's, whether you buy anything or not. Your flea market photos are my favorite thing in your blog. I miss going to such events, and you allow me to enjoy them vicariously.
They look perfect!
Just beautiful! I love all the colour!!! But I too would be tripping since I'm in such a small house and I'm a big klutz who lately can't seem to lift up my feet probably due to my arthritic hips.... oh stop it Annie... anyhoo....
I FINALLY got to Christies fall market two years ago and it POURED!!! almost the whole time we were there. I felt so badly for the vendors 🙁 But me and the hubs still enjoyed it... it was a day out 😉 I think we had French fries too 🤔 I'm gonna try to get there again... but only if it's not going to pour. Hopefully I'll find ONE Turkish rug for the end of my bed.
PS... who's the local artist? I happen to know a few around Dundas.
For now my secret artist is ... a secret. ;) But you can see his work at the Oswald Gallery in Hamilton right now. ~ karen!
I'm glad you are pleased with the look. Personally it doesn't work for me. I would probably try to hang them on a wall somewhere.
Ha! That's funny because that look wouldn't work for me. :) I'm not big on things like rugs and tapestries being hung on walls. I do like them draped on couches or tables though. Not these ones. These ones are staying under foot. ~ karen!
I like the couches and table idea!
LOL. Well that's our happy medium I guess. ;) ~ karen!
this is gorgeous! I love all the stuff because it is interesting,each piece generates a question-where did it come from? was it expensive...etc. I agree with the comment about some of today's decor is so copy-cat. Give me the person with some clutter that has individuality, beauty and style versus the sort of sleek bare rooms of greys and little art and even less furniture.
I'm just staring into my foyer right now and I can tell you that the shiva statue on the buffet is the only expensive thing on it. The tulip table has a buddha head that belongs to a friend, an antler, 2 drumsticks from separate Ramones concerts from years ago and an antique Monk's begging bowl that I bought in Thailand. Although I think the bowl is actually from Burma. It was moderately expensive. There you have it! ~ karen
So...Turkish rugs do not show cat puke = Good! Always a selling point for my house. How well do they hold up to cat claws? (I may or may not be still finding random wool strands from the last wool rug I bought that went threadbare because our cats are crazy....)
I can't guarantee because I've only owned them for 4 months, but so far so good! No rips, runs, pulls or anything. ~ karen!