Cottage Grove

I gave the Master Bathroom a little refresh over this past week by painting the cabinets a new color.   This green just spoke to me at the hardware store. It's called Cottage Grove by Magnolia Home.     

It was my first time using this type of paint.  I have to say, it has it's pros and cons.  The pros are that it seemed to level well and not show the brush strokes.  The color is beautiful. The cons are that it took me three coats to get it completely opaque.  The verdict is still out on how well it will stay on. I did sand the existing painted cabinets but I did not use a primer.   

The green cabinets really feel fresh in here and go well with my existing rose artwork.  I also updated the bathroom with a new rug and Green chenille mushroom stool.  

A new soap dispenser in a pretty pink glass and toothbrush holder add a bit more color to the counter. The black and white hand towels from Rachel Zoe are fun too.   I would like to save up and replace the faucets in this bathroom eventually and the light fixtures above the mirrors.  That is on my to-do list.

Seating in the bathroom, it turns out makes the whole space feel more cozy.  

xoxo

Cathleen

New Year, Old Rugs

Happy New Year! 🥳 2024 is going to be the year of color! Who's tired of Beige? Greige? Grey? All things monotone and natural?  In my humble opinion, your house should bring you joy and comfort. It shouldn't subscribe to some Shea McGee standard of decorating where you bought everything at Target to decorate your house. Get out there and pillage your local thrift stores and FB marketplace. Decorate your house the way you want to and not succumb to what Instagram thinks looks great. Buying things second hand also eliminates purchasing items made in China and has chemical off-gassing.   This year, spend less, and give your house the color and character is so drastically needs.  

My new old Rug is from the 1920's, a Persian Spartan Antique rug with lots of Navy and Maroon/pink wool. It's 9 x 12 and I snatched it up from my local Restore. It had been donated by The Persian Carpet Company across the street.   I got it for an embarrassingly low price.   I saved even more money by laundering it myself with the good ol' garden hose, a bucket of dish soap and water, and a scrub brush.  It air dried for several days in my garage with fans running.  This corner of the room needs more color or perhaps I leave it neutral and let the rug shine.

I purchased the rug in late November and it took several weeks to launder so I had time to give my lampshades new pleated fabric from Joann's. I wanted to add even more color that would go with the rug. I also found this beautiful wool throw blanket from an Etsy seller called SultansGem.  

My vintage knitted Peacock feather tablecloth works so well in here and I have new books to read for the new year. One is called the Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds. A place I'd like to visit some day.

Does anyone else leave up their New Year's Eve lights all through January?  It really helps me cope with the loss my Christmas decorations. 

Also I don't care if my living room/house makes me look 80 years old.  80 year olds know what's up. 

 Happy New Year, now who's down for Thrifting??

xo

Cathleen

Vintage Karastan rug

One of the great things about living where I live is the tremendous Estate Sales that pop up.  For whatever reason there are hardly ever any lines and people have nice things.  At a recent Estate sale for example I had my eye on a rug that was in their preview photos. I zoned right in on it and stuck a "Sold" sticker right away.  I don't really think I even looked at the price tag.     

I scored this beautiful vintage Karastan rug for a mere $250!   The colors were perfect for our dining room and the pattern very pleasing. It has a thick wool pile and even better after I put a 1/2 felt pad underneath it.  It's 8'8" x 12' Antique Ivory Medallion Kirman #781 American wool.

When I brought it home I went to work cleaning it.  I used my water hose, a bucket with soapy water and a scrub brush.  I hand scrubbed it and then rinsed it.  I also used my Bissell cleaner to suck out the dirty water. Unfortunately the amount of dirt that was coming out if it was too much for my little Bissell. I think it even started smoking at one point! I decided to let it dry and I rolled it up and took it to a great Persian Rug company that gets great reviews online.  At $3.40/square foot to have it cleaned, which for a 9x12 rug ran about $370 + tax. But in the end, it's nice to have a rug that feels brand new, yet from the 1950's with all the charm of a vintage rug. 

With care, this rug should last another 70+ years.  It's so well made and just absolutely stunning. 

I have been really drawn to cozy English style homes, so I've been wanting to incorporate more pattern, more mismatched furniture and having everything work. I have a ways to go to get that feeling, but I'm enjoying finding things that I love to fill our home.

 

I was ready to get new end chairs, but I think these Cheetah print Parson chairs go really well with the new rug. 

Happy New Year! 

xo

Cathleen