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.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
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.
Sabina Missana
Just another thought, could you share the name of the flea market too?
Sabina Missana
Love the rugs! Thanks for letting us know about Christie's! I will be finding an excuse to attend, if for nothing but the french fries!!!
Linda in Illinois
Shutters !! I love them and the idea of inside.. I can't wait.
marilyn meagher
Love the colours!!
Karen
Me too! They're very different than the Turkish rug colours I'm used to seeing. ~ karen!
ronda
HA! like THAT will happen! buy nothing????? hahahahahaha
Mary W
My tables are piled high with art supplies and projects and grandkids junk so I'm no one to listen to but - I would take everything off the round white table except the plant. I'd put the head on the tree trunk without the current piece. Love the layered look but what keeps you from tripping on them? I would be 'fallen and can't get up' - continually. The white buffet(?) looks really good with the bare windows - they kind of mimic the squares. I think I like your bare windows unless they are ground level and you walk around half dressed a lot. I can't wait to see the art you selected - over that white buffet would be an excellent choice between those lamps. Your always thinking, doing, planning. It sure is fun to watch you/it evolve.
Karen
I definitely need some kind of window treatment. ;) ~ karen!
Deb Mac
Those are lovely; not sure I'm into the laying as Id probably end up on my arse or toppling over the table.
Love your flooring.
Karen
Thanks Deb. I like my flooring in photos much more than I do in real life. :) ~ karen
Marna
Beautiful!
Leisa
Picked up three at Christies last year and I'm addicted. Love them!
LM Brisco
It looks fab Karen! Do you not trip over them though? I only have one rug in the house & I'm always tripping on it! I could see myself tripping on yours & gouging out an eye on the horns of your Bull! :)
Karen
Yeah. I've tripped a few times, lol. I just have to get a bit of non slip stuff to put at the corners. :) ~ karen!
Sally
Man alive - will you please stop showing us photographs of those lamps, I want them so badly!
I vote for clearing off the tulip table down to one glorious large bowl or similar and leaving everything else alone.
I would also like some Canadian french fries, please.
Karen
Okey doke. Canadian french fries on their wayyyyy. ~ karen!
Brenda
When you took the pic from another angle it didn't look cluttered ... make people stand there is an idea
Karen
LOL. Yes. Yes, it's an idea. ~ karen!
Kim
Looks great! I'm just waiting for my Turkish rug from an Etsy seller to get to me. It's just a small one, as I am nervous about buying FROM Turkey. But they are cheaper from the source and the reviews are great. If all goes well I will be buying a much BIGGER Turkish rug. And of course I will layer: of course
Laura
Beautiful!
Nancy Blue Moon
I like it...also they go well with Cleo!..So by my calculations you will be bringing home 3 Turkish rugs from the Christie Antique Show...Have fun!
Karen
Entirely possible. ;) ~ karen!
Susan
Beautiful and inspirational! Im going to give it a try.
Karen
Thanks Susan. I"m happy with it. And if I get sick of them in the front hall, I can move them to the living room or just about anywhere else because I can change their size and shape in an instant just by layering the more or differently. :) ~ karen!
TucsonPatty
Awesome layering! I love it and never thought of layering in this way. Beautiful.
Tina
We (ex and I and kids) used to go to Marrakech each spring and every year I could find an excuse for "just ONE more rug". And I loved the way they layered them! For some reason I never thought to do it myself. Congrats!
As for the clutter, as I've gotten older, I like clutter far less. I'd clear off the credenza, except maybe the bull.
Lisa
They are gorgeous! I too am addicted to Turkish wares - but mine are more the couch (and me) covers. :)
On another note - how do you get your wooden floors to look so wonderfully glossy? I used to use a particular brand of polish but I can no longer get it (old floors in the house I've been renting for 29 years now). Any suggestions - very grateful. PS: Love your cat too.
Paula
They look wonderful! What a lovely idea. I can't wait to go to Christie's this Fall, I haven't been before because it is a bit of a journey.
FYI- I heard on the news tonight that Idris Elba is going to be at TIFF.