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Bower Power

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I’ll Take Strip-ers For $200

OUR 2nd HOUSE

That’s stripers…not strippers.  Mom, stop shaking your head.

You can imagine what this post is about….stripes.  I am a stripes kinda girl.  A stripes meets polka dots gal.  I’m not great choosing florals or damask or perisian print…but stripes?  Oh yes…I can wrangle me a stripe.  So it comes as no surprise that when I saw this bold striped navy & white rug at the Pottery Barn outlet over Memorial Day weekend, I was gungho-bring-it-on-die-hard excited about the notion of bringing a nautical striped rug home with me.  Here’s the tan version listed online:

And you can imagine my excitement when I realized that after all the holiday discounts, this baby rang in at around $200 including tax!  That’s a savings of $260 off the original online price.  And it’s big.  Like 1988-Oprah-hair big.  And that my friends had it’s own moon.  I swear there is still a lost Astronaut in there.

Okay – so maybe the rug isn’t that big.  But it does measure 9×13 which is perfect for our living space.  Remember how we recently rearranged things in there?  Well, I felt like the lack of rug in the space made things un-kid-friendly.  That floor was just one big bully to Will.  Constant scraped knees from the uneven boards, splinters, and the occasion trip on the warped planks made it pretty hard on the littlest Bower.

Jeremy, my sugar-lump-lump, disagreed with me about the rug choice.  He didn’t like the bold look of the rug (he thought it clashed with the stone fireplace) and the style (flatweave)…but in the store, he told me that he trusted my opinion (okay it took us a solid thirty minutes of talking for him to get to that point but we were there eventually).  He also confessed that as much as he liked the look of the new family room layout, it stifled his movie watching style.  In short, he wanted to be directly in front of the tv.  And since he was willing to compromise, so was I. 

Back to the former layout but with a few twists and our new striped rug.

Now Jer feels at ease for all things reality tv.

I also switched out the playtable rug…the previous muted green version just didn’t work with the new bold navy and white.  Since the playtable rug was red, I decided that red would be a great accent color.  Sure, it’s very patriotic…but since it is summer and I’m American, I don’t mind. 

It is still nice to have the two side chairs in the room…and I also liked the armless dolce chair in there to balance out the arrangement.

Oh and I whipped up the little quilted style pillow for the corner chair outta old clothes and some scraps…

Obviously this room still has things that need to be tackled.  Those back built-ins need shelves for books (I hate the cluttered look!).

And the coffee table needs a couple coats of paint (actually this has already been done and I can’t wait to reveal it!).

Oh and that back wall needs a shelf and art.  Like yesterday.

So there you have it…our living room switchup. 

Anyone else buy a cheapo rug lately that changes the way you live?  This puppy makes me so happy.  And it really is the best for Will.  When he trips, I don’t have to worry that he’ll get a shard through his hand.  Although it’s still perfectly a legitimate fear during anytime I give him those pallet scraps to play with 🙂

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Comments

  1. Ugh, I love this room – that is summer right there. I was sitting in bed moping, and this post turned my frown upside-down. Thanks, Bower Power (and Google Reader for instantly updating me)!

  3. I admit, I’m a little safe when it comes to color, but I LOVE it. The nautical feeling is so crisp and fresh. Great job and what a deal!

  4. Adorable! Perfect for summer! I’m digging navy stripes right now too. Can’t wait to see the table redo.

  5. wow – this looks fabulous!! I just love the new look, makes me want to change everything around at my place yesterday! (only problem is I just forked out for solar power so need to hold off on those dreams)

    just wondering how you find the armless chair? I’m thinking of getting a couple for my new little house (emphasis on little) as they appear to be less bulky than other arm chair options. I’m hoping to one day get myself a chocolate brown leather couch, and love the colours of your armless chair – not sure if they would be friends though?

  6. I’m so lovin’ the new rug!! The living room set-up looks great too. I can’t wait to see the coffee table make-over!

  7. Woah!! Love it! Its so bold it really makes the room look fresh and different..
    One thing though, how will it be for getting stains etc off. The white bits?
    I’m the sorta person who would trip over and spill my tea lol

  8. Ahh exciting!! I love a good bargain! The navy is so crisp and refreshing in there – I’m in awe of how you keep all your classy white furniture white. No doubt bleach doing it’s best. Or the Bowers just don’t spill nutin’!
    The tan version would suit the existing decor in my house. Pity that New Zealand doesn’t have amazing stores like Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Walmart, Target, Goodwill, Craigslist… 🙁 how am I supposed to decorate? ::sob::

  9. Absolutely adorable! If you’re sure about your color scheme, maybe an accent color painted in the built-ins would be cute. 😉 Also, the wall is screaming for Georgia O’Keefe poppies– large scale, happy, and red.

  10. Love, Love, Love it! I’m a huge fan of stripes as well – I painted 3 wide ones on our coffee table and on a canvas for the entryway, in the nursery, and more. This looks Amazing. You don’t get an overly Americana feel though (I mean its not obnoxious but very well put together).

  11. Can’t believe you got that big a rug for that cheap. Keeps the room looking fresh and light, which I love.

  15. Ohhhh LOVE it!! What if you painted the backs of those built ins (love doing that — they will POP!) or even used a grasscloth wallpaper? Sorry, I rarely “suggest, I’m so excited for you — it’s coming together so beautifully! 🙂 Nice job lady.

  16. I love your new rug! It looks great in the space. We just discovered hardwood floors in our house and had them refinished last week. I’ve been rug shopping like it’s my job and already have two of the needed three purchased!

  17. I love it! I love the color and how well it goes with everything. But is it just me or does it look a little to close to the fireplace? I almost feel like i would like to see it pulled back a little so you can see a few more inches of wood floors…just an idea. Love it anyways!

  18. Congrats on three years! *throws some confetti* the room looks amazing, love the colors and WOW that rug! btw, I almost died laughing at you casually throwing in that Will gets to play with pallet scraps XD

    ~ have a good day, Anne.

  19. I love the navy and white, it looks fabulous. My only concern would be cleaning the white portion (stains and such). It is pretty easy to clean?

  20. I love pottery barn! I actually have a striped bedspread which is light yellow and white.. very similar. I love stripes too.. they are just so simple but they somehow add flare. I do love how you have mixed offwhite and white in the room… it totally gives me more confidence to do that. I have offwhite trim EVERYWHERE (even the lightswitches are offwhite)… but I love white.. so I have been hesitant to mix it. However, your house looks so great with the mix.

    http://www.portugalponderings.blogspot.com

  21. Love it! What a fun room. I so want a white couch, but people think I am crazy. My khaki colored one get’s beat up with my boys, but it also isnt slipcovered and easily washed. Are you able to leave the table decor out with Will? I envy table decor. My son would be on that like white on rice- so annoying! I cant even keep anything on the dining table! He climbs on a chair and onto the table and takes the shells and candle out of the hurricane vase! Our tv is above our fireplace as well and I have my couch in front too. I was thinking of adding a chair on the sides as well. Your room is much much bigger than mine, but it would still work doing one chair. I like to show my hubby how it would play out by showing him your pics,lol!

  22. Hi Jane,
    The armless chair is from Target. It’s called the Dulce chair I believe. I scored it with my old credit card points a long time ago but I think they still have them for a very affordable price!
    xo- kb

  23. Love the rug! And love that you have the boldness to get that rug! I always tend to go with a neutral color rug, and just add some brighter accents. I wish I had the courage to try a rug like this! I’m an obsessive nautical-theme girl, so this rug is PERFECT to me!

  24. So far so good on the stain front. We accidentally tracked mud in there and we used our vacuum followed by the carpet cleaning spray and it came right out. It’s probably good to note that the stripes are not bright white so it doesn’t show everything.
    xo – kb

  27. I thought about doing the painting thing Sarah (great minds think alike!)…but I think that the books will cover most of the backs….although the grasscloth is genius because then it can nod to the fabric that is the covers of books….hmm. Consider myself officially hunting grasscloth!
    xo- kb

  28. I felt the same way – it was too close. But my little guy was climbing on the hearth and I was aware of the fact that if he fell, I wanted a rugged-landing spot for him…it’s gotta be functional too, right?!
    xo- kb

  30. Love the rug and the layout! It looks so summery! My only concenr is that in the pictures the walls look like a light green? Any plans to change those?

  31. No hazardous cleaning probs yet Karen…it’s flatweave which means it is a bit thin….compared to a wool rug anyway. So far, we have only had a little mud incident which came right out with a vacuum and carpet cleaning spray.
    xo – kb

  32. Love it! Are you going to keep the walls that light green color or paint them?

  33. WOW! I love how the rug made such a difference! You transformed that room. I really love your blog and the amazing things you are able to accomplish.

  34. I love the look of the rug, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that it’s not too difficult to clean. Last time we had a rug with white in it, I vowed never to get a light colored rug again.

    P.S. So happy that my hubs and I will soon be going to the Dawsonville premium outlets – I know the PB outlet there is one of your faves!

  35. LOVE that rug! Then again, I am a sucker for a striped rug – we have the black & white Ikea Stockholm one! In case you get anything on those pretty white stripes, check out Woolite Pet Stain Remover with oxygen. We swear by that stuff, and it has taken some pretty nasty things out of our rug.

    Also, happy blogiversary!!!

  36. I love the look!! But am I on the badlist if I side with ur hubs and vote to paint the stonework white?

  38. I love the rug! Question: What type of rug pad are you using? I have a rug that I think is similar to that – kind of on the thinner side – on my wood floors and it slips and bunches. I have a rug pad specifically made for wood floors, but I am still not happy with it.

  40. Looks awesome!!! The rug totally defines your space now!!! Have to agree with Jeremy the couch looks better in front of the TV. It’ amazing how something like a rug can start motivating you to tackle the room!!!!!

  41. The rug looks great! Love the blue and white, and the additional colors on the cushions. Very nautical and patriotic at the same time.

  42. I’m curious about the Dolce chair also! I’m considering buying two of these for my little house and I was wondering how you find the quality, fabric, comfort, etc? They will be accent chairs next to the sofa until we can splurge on a big chair and ottoman set. Thanks!

  43. OOOO….how the wheels they are a spinnin’ now!! I have a nautical theme in my bedroom (not overtly…very subtle) but I am NOT a subtle gal, and I think this rug is just what I need to WAKE up the space. Thanks again for a wonderful idea.

  44. Love Love Love that rug! I think it + the color scheme makes the space feel so cohesive and put together!!! My hubby hates watching TV from an angle also- glad to see he’s not the only one:) haha! Also I think the new arrangement of furniture is the best of both worlds. Better than either of the previous two ways for sure. And conrats on an amazing deal for that rug and 3 years blogging! Yay!

    -Rachel H

    PS the pic of will and clara over on YHL is adorable! So fun to see my 2 favorite blog babies in a picture together 🙂 So cute!

  45. It’s great…I love it. I don’t think it’s the most comfortable chair – because it’s armless…but the fabric is nice…as was the construction and the lines. It is definitely worth the money when it’s on sale (which it does go on sale regularly!)
    Happy Shopping…
    xo – kb

  46. The new rug looks great! so cheerful and inviting! I would be freaked out to get a giant striped rug, but you pulled it off nicely. : )

  47. I’m in love with that rug and the red/white/blue combo. I would have totally walked out with the rug as well. 🙂

  48. Very striking, what a find! I’ve admired a bunch of flat-weave rugs for my family room but wondered about the cushy-ness factor for my baby. Did you use a rug pad under it? Do you think the combination of wood floors + rug pad + flat weave rug is comfortable enough for a crawler?

  50. Not my taste, but I respect your boldness! You have shown that its ok to go casual with a house even when the bones are so formal. You are brave to just go with whatever you like, regardless of what’s expected or what the house style would suggest. That’s the fun part of home ownership~ you can do whatever!

  52. We didn’t get a rug pad yet Alison…but it is definitely more comfortable than hardwoods. I would definitely think that with a rug pad it would be perfect for crawling…I mean, if they fall on even a cushy wool rug it is going to make them cry…so this is definitely a good option especially if you can find one for cheap.
    xo – kb

  53. I definitely find it hard to work with the more formal features of this house…and for now with our lifestyle, this casual stuff works well. But eventually I definitely see this space going in a different direction…less slipcovered couch, more pair of leather sofas or formal sectional…definitely more shmancy 🙂
    xo – kb

  54. LOVE the rug and the room layout. I’m so diggin’ the Americana look. I dressed in red, white, and blue yesterday.

  55. I LOVE this rug!! Totally love blue and white. What if you moved the rug back from the fireplace a bit…to show more of the wood floor? I really like the natural colour’s in there…like the rope ball things and the pillows. What if you did only the natural pillows on your couch and that blue and white polka dot one. Oooo..and a small pop of red on your coffee table would look great.
    Can I just say it is truly amazing how you pulled of this room so fast!

  56. This rug is absolutely perfect for this room! Thank GOD for husbands who trust wives with good taste!

  60. Way to go…such a great and big rug for an incredible price! I love the way the room looks so relaxed and so polo! Great style! 🙂 Enjoy your American summer! I have white couches and now I’d love to add some navy blue and red pops of color or pillows! Love it! Thanks for the visual inspiration and creativity!

    ~ Ali

  61. Oooooh I love love this! I wonder if i can talk my hubby into getting one for our living room. The bold pop of color is sooo good and my mother in law would be so proud (and that is always worth it!).

  62. I’m so late on my comment! Not sure you’ll find this one, but! A few years ago, I wanted a run and found a 9’x12′ at Pottery Barn on sale. I had a gift card for $75 and found a free shipping code online. I got a $800+ rug for just under $200!

    The bummer is, that when we lived in a modern apartment it was perfect. Now, in our 1923 house, the rooms are too small. BUT I am saving that baby for our next house!

  63. I love the new rug! It makes your living room look so bright, airy and beach…and it just looks so much more ‘together,’ too. So inspiring!

  64. ummm I LOVE the new rug!! It really ties everything together and makes the feel seem chic, yet inviting. Well done, my friend! 🙂

  65. Jeez, I was wondering when the Katie mojo for this room would kick in…I luv the white/blue/red/summer/beachy vibe! Yes, it is patriotic, but not in your face. The rug was a great inspiration (and a DEAL too!). And, as much as I hate to admit that a man might be right, I think the sofa’s real home is facing the tv and fireplace (focal focal focal), that’s just the way it is (as Bruce H. said). Loverly!

  66. I just wondered over here from YHL and I had to say, I love the transformation that rug makes! As soon as I scrolled down and saw it, I thought “oh my god, so awesome!” 🙂

  67. katie, that rug looks amazing in your living room! makes such a huge difference! seriously beautiful! and i love those chairs…i need to find me some chairs like that 🙂

  68. It’s 3 years later…I still can’t find a rug this cheap that looks like that and I’m dying to have one! I’ve even stalked that Pottery Barn outlet. Want to sell it yet? 😉

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