Painting Rugs

We currently have PB's Collette rug (wool) under the dining table, but I've been planning to replace it for sometime with something a little more durable/stain resistant.

I scored a great 8x10 Ballard seagrass rug for $90 (including shipping!) thanks to this post from Copy Cat Chic. So that will probably be going in the DR since I love seagrass and I think it holds up really well in dining rooms.


BUT before I bought the seagrass, I had stumbled across this post from a google search on "painting rugs."

The blog author used a very cheap (like $12) 9x6 outdoor rug, taped off a simple design and rolled on some paint.


I think the blue she chose is cute for the outdoors, but for a dining room, I would stick with black or white on the taupey gray rug base.


I think the possibilities here are pretty awesome: stripes! zigzags! Greek key! Trellis! Let your imagination run wild. Maybe try an over sized stencil from Whitewall & Co.?


And just in case it's bugging you a little (like me) that the edges aren't finished, you'll be happy to know that most flooring stores will bind carpet for less than $2 per linear foot. For a little more, you can get thick twill tape, like they use on natural fiber rugs.

I'm sad that I don't need to use this idea. Someone in need of a cheap, stylish and kid-proof dining room rug, please get creative and show me what you can come up with!!

A circus themed little boys room...

Some people despise themed rooms but I actually don't mind them. Inspired by the new range of wallpaper and rugs by designer extraordinaire Catherine Martin, introduced to me by Shannon Fricke and Home Beautiful magazine, I have become so smitten with her Circus Silhouette range I couldn't help but put a virtual inspiration board together for a proposal to my sister. My pregnant sister and her husband already have one 2 yr old son - Zach!, and we all just found out last night at a family dinner they are expecting a second son! *YAY*

Unfortunately my own son is now 11 so I doubt I could convince him to allow me to attack his room with my new found love lol. If I were to design a circus themed boys room this is how I'd do it -

Example one: I would paper one wall with either the red or the blue CM circus design and paint the remaining walls white.

Example two: Like the images, I'd paper all the walls the CM circus design and corresponding stripes design.

Example one: I would use a stripe design fabric for the window treatments such as the Alvine Smal fabric from Ikea or another along the lines of this stripes fabric from Pottery Barn kids.

Example two: I'd use a plain primary coloured fabric.

This absolutely GORGEOUS circus silhoulette design rug also by Catherine Martin to coordinate with the wallpapers, sourced through Designer Rugs would go in both example rooms.

(realestate.com)

For both example one and two the bedding would be a very similar pattern to the window coverings and I would choose perhaps a black iron or timber bed.

It's at this point I get to show off the AMAZING work of Kris Langenburg of Mystico Designs.

Kris is yet another extremely talented artist and fellow francophile who specializes in wall murals and handpainted wall hangings. I was blown away as I toured around her site at all her stunning whimsical designs and I was thrilled to see she even had a circus themed wall hanging you can have custom named. This would make such a wonderfully personal feature in my circus room. Check out her new blog as she takes us on a journey of her life, loves and work through her storybook eyes :)

For both example one and two I love this Hensvik bookcase from Ikea and I would probably attempt to paper the back with again either the circus silhouette or stripes design, however opposite colours to the walls. I would then fill it with with some must have accents such as...

A carousel...

A jack in the box...

And of course what childs circus room would be complete without Dumbo!

Finally, one last detail I thought would make a great addition would be a rocking lion as opposed to the traditional horse. I can just picture the little tacker riding away and roaring his lungs out lol.

Now as I am only a student I welcome constructive criticism. What do you all think of my virtual boys circus inspired room? Yay or Nay? lol

Happiness is....

(All pics courtesy of vintage*pretty*and*pink @ Ebay)

Winning an Ebay auction!

My first Aubusson style rug, I'm so excited!

This little beauty will be going in my daughters room :)

A love dedication to Aubusson tapestry...

(Melissa Levinson @ 1stdibs)

Ok so lets tick the checklist....My favourite elements of what I consider to be the perfect home consist of a piece of tufted furniture, the colour duck/robins egg blue, a beautiful bathroom, flea market finds, forged iron and now to add to my love dedication list - Aubusson tapestries!

As it's sunday and I'm just too darn lazy to retype it in my own words, here I have copied and pasted a brief description of the history of Aubusson and it's AMAZING weavings ;)

The history of tapestry weaving is continuous. In the 5th cent. A.D. and in the centuries immediately afterward, monasteries and convents were the centers of the craft. By the 15th cent., tapestry weaving had reached a high degree of perfection, and from this century date many great Gothic sets rich with gold thread. A fine specimen is the set of Burgundian Sacraments; a late 15th-century example of a verdure background is the Lady and the Unicorn set (Musée de Cluny). Fine weaving was done at Beauvais in the mid-17th cent. Weavers at Aubusson, France, began in the 16th cent. to make a textile that was gradually improved. The baroque style dominated the 17th cent.; the rococo and classical styles appeared in the 18th cent. Fine examples were woven from the cartoons of François Boucher, who worked both for the Beauvais and the Gobelins looms. The history of the tapestries from the Aubusson regions were well-known for its tapestry and carpets, which have been famous throughout the world since the 14th Century. Its origins were born with the arrival of weavers from Flanders, who took refuge in Aubusson around 1580. There is a famous collection of Aubusson tapestries at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. The style of the tapestries produced have changed with the centuries, from scenes of green landscapes through to hunting scenes. In the 17th Century, the Aubusson and Felletin workshops were given "Royal Appointment" status. A down turn in fortunes came after the French revolution and the arrival of wallpaper. However tapestry made something of a comeback during the 30's, with artists such as Cocteau, Dufy, Dali Braque, Calder, Picasso being invited to Aubusson to express themselves through the medium of wool. Aubusson Tapestry still thrives today, preserving a range of traditional skills.

(Porchlight interiors)

When it comes to formal living rooms this heavenly space designed and owned by Hayley Hayes an Interior Stylist and blog author from Brisbane (featured in Australian Home Beautiful magazine oct 06) is pure perfection. I absolutely adore the ornate pasterwork on the ceilings, the neutral walls and louis style furniture, the scattered Rachel Ashwell cushions, the contrasting dark timber floors and of course the piece de resistance, that - too die for - aubusson rug!

From this photo it looks like the background on the rug is blue but in the magazine it looks more cream. Which ever colour, it's stunning!

(Antiques on old plank road @ 1stdibs)

(Jacqueline Adams Antiques @ 1stdibs)

Oooh as much as I LOVE that pillow I also love that louis settee!

(Marcoz @ flickr)

You may well have noticed I have a penchant for aubusson tapestries in PINK! ;)

Who wouldn't love this gorgeous hall runner?

(PrettyPetals @ flickr)

(Manhattan Rug Warehouse)

After mentioning my affection for pink rugs this duck egg blue rug took my breath away. I have to have it!! lol

(Lifestyle Antiques)

An antique pair of pink silk and aubusson feature cushions - Let us pray! ;)

(Kathleen Rhea of The House Of Rhea)

(Hollyhock @ 1stdibs)

How adorable is this little stool? Well for a measly $3,800 US it can be YOURS! hehe

(Candice Olsen via Cote de Texas)

(The House That A-M built and AtticMag)

I currently have 6 gorgeous aubusson cushions but no rug as yet. They are all packed in storage awaiting their special day when they can be displayed and admired in the room they so royally deserve.

If any of you have a piece of aubusson tapestry please email me the link to your pics cause I would LOVE to see them :)