As we mentioned here, the bedroom is “still looking rough and we’re not sure about a lot of things – just waiting for inspiration to strike – which might involve repainting and rearranging furniture along with refinishing the floors”). We even elaborated a bit in the comments when folks started asking what we meant by that or if we hated the current color by saying: “We love the paint color but something is off about the bedroom and we’re not sure we can rule anything out – including the paint color. Everything is a suspect until proven innocent. Haha. Something is limiting us, so we’re not opposed to changing that thing once we pin it down (it might be the curtains or the art or something else!) just to get things to “click” for us. Who knows where we’ll end up!”
You can relate to that feeling, right? The whole something’s-off-but-I’m-not-sure-what-it-is thing? Moving the art together above the bed on Friday was a start, but we actually have a bunch of changes on the agenda for this week in the hopes of cracking the case and making “that room where we sleep” feel a little more like “that room that we love!” Of course we know that a big ol’ transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but we also have seen firsthand how a few updates and switcheroos can go a long way in remedying that “hmmmm, something’s just not right” feeling that has probably popped up at least three dozen times in our last five years of DIYing. So we know it well.
We’ve learned that the only real way to get any closer to something that feels right is just to play around and see what you like and what you don’t. The ol’ trial and error approach. Because if you’re sitting there frozen in fear or over-thinking things to the point that you’ve lost all momentum it can get sticky. So without further ado, let’s get into the first tweak, which has already taken place. And it’s kind of a biggie. It all started when we saw the rug on the bottom of this picture at an outlet liquidation sale…
We weren’t looking for a bedroom rug, although we weren’t ruling out the idea of changing anything in that room (because remember, everything in there was guilty until proven innocent- haha). I had actually said to John “the jute rug in the bedroom could always move out to the dining room since we’re planning on getting a natural fiber rug in there for under the table and it’s definitely big enough” – so I guess you could say we were open to anything. So when there was a big tent sale at our favorite lighting outlet (The Decorating Outlet), which also happens to sell rugs (it’s where we got the thick wool rug in Clara’s bedroom along with her blue capiz chandelier and the big glass pendants in our kitchen), we had to check it out.
And that’s when we saw the patterned blue rug in the picture above this one. And it was all over.
We love all of those colors (gray, navy, teal, white!) and the geometric pattern was totally calling our name. By now you know we’re suckers for a geometric rug, right?
They just do something to us. They make us feel alive. Oh yes, we live dangerously.
But back to reality. Since it was a thick 9 x 12 wool rug, we were nervous that even on sale it would be $700 or more, which is sadly way out of our price range. But when we checked out the tag, we almost couldn’t believe our eyes. Did that really say “was $1287.00, now: $250” ?????!!!!!
That’s not 40 or 50% off – that’s over 80% off! So we asked the guy what was wrong with it to make it so cheap, since the tag said “soiled” as the reason for the discount. We hoped if it had a stain we might be able to hide that part of the rug under the bed or try to remove it with some crazy scrubbing ritual, but he actually told us it was ripped. As in, there was a hole right through it. Eeks. But thankfully the placement of the rip was in a corner, and although it looked like this if you picked it up and put your fingers through it…
… it looked like this when it was laid out on the floor. See the big gaping hole?
We didn’t either! The thick pile of the rug was so dense that the rip wasn’t even visible, let alone obvious. So you know what we did, right? We thanked our lucky stars that it was there. It was the only reason that we were able to get over $1000 off (!!!) and take home a $1287 rug for $250. We shoved that sucker into the passenger seat of the car faster than you can say “will-that-fit-in-an-Altima?” and I rode in the back with Clara, happy-squealing my way home.
To save you some scrolling, here’s a before pic of the old rug for ya again (remember we’re still missing major furnishings, like something in that nook, art on those bare walls, etc):
Next we pulled out the old rug that we’d love to relocate into the dining room under the table. We laughed at how naked that yellowed old floor looked. Someday we’ll refinish it, but until then our new rug will be in charge of de-naked-ifying things.
First John did some cute vacuuming to remove any dust/fibers leftover from the tent sale. Look how fast he is. He’s like Edward except he doesn’t sparkle in the sun or bite me for sport.
Next we shimmied it carefully under our bed. It probably took us a good twenty minutes to get it centered – just inching it back or to the side a little bit at a time.
We love it more than words can say. Although, to quote Tim Gunn, it’s a lotta look. Haha. Still missing major furnishings/art of course, but we’ll get there. So some folks might go for something less patterned or colorful for their bedroom, but we think one of the main “what’s wrong with this room” issues for us was that it didn’t feel happy or fun or “us” at all. And now it does. Oh happy day.
See how this room could almost be anyone’s bedroom?
And see how the room above it probably couldn’t be most people’s bedroom? Haha. That’s the beauty of a room that feels like you. It almost feels like it couldn’t be anyone else’s. So I’m sure there are lots of folks out there who would pass on this baby, but we decided when we moved into this house that we were going to make a playful, happy-go-lucky little love nest for our family. So we’re cool with waking up to a room that “smiles” back at us. Sort of like how we love our chipper living room and guest room (which have those other colorful geometric rugs going on):
I know, I know – things in the bedroom look a lot less polished or finished than those two rooms above. True dat. Look at that naked nook and those bare walls. But things always look crazy in the middle. Heck, sometimes things don’t really click into place until the very last tweak has been made, and I’d say we’re at least a dozen tweaks away from the final tweak (the pillows, curtains, and lamps might be the first to get some tweak-age now that there’s a new rug in town). But we’ll get there someday…
Nothing is safe when we have our tweaking hats on. Haha. But thanks to the new rug we’re invigorated and excited to play around a little more and see where we end up. So expect a few more changes throughout the week as we try our hand at a few other switcheroos and snap pics for you as we go. Some might fail, others might work- so it’s all about playing around in the name of figuring this room out a little more.
And can we talk about how plush this guy feels underfoot? Excuse me for mentioning the original price again, but have you ever walked on a $1287 rug before? We hadn’t either. It’s what we imagine the carpets in The Donald’s house might feel like. Super super plush. Like double thick. Burger even lounges on the rug now (he used to lounge exclusively in the bed, so it’s funny to see him sprawled out on the floor these days). It’s nice to know that we have the doggie stamp of approval.
What did you guys do this weekend? Any deal hunting, rug rolling out, or super fast vacuuming? John also ran his buns off at the James River Scramble (it’s sort of a rocky trail run/10K) and we loved cheering him on. We also squeezed in a stroll around the art museum (Clara loves VMFA) and dropped in on a new doughnut shop that opened. Good times. What were you guys up to?
Casey says
LOVE, LOVE, L.O.V.E. the rug. You had me at “gray, navy, teal, white” … seriously, is there a better color combination? Our lower level (read: basement, no windows) family room is painted Behr’s Marine Magic with white wainscoting, dark woods, and then grays and teals worked in everywhere… it’s my favorite space in the house.
Whenever you post pictures of your room I always think the only big thing that doesn’t work is the floor. Refinishing that will make a HUGE difference someday! Dark mocha (I’m assuming)… ahhhhh. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, dark mocha someday! Can’t wait!
xo,
s
Maud says
Love the new rug! Have you contemplated a darker color for the walls? I think something like a moody gray-blue would really make the white bed and lamp *pop* while still making the rug the star of the show.
YoungHouseLove says
Since the rug is dark and the floor will be dark mocha someday when we refinish it, we don’t want to go too dark on the walls since the room doesn’t get much light, but who knows where we’ll end up!
xo,
s
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
OMG Gorgeous!!!! I love the way it looks in your room. It really grounds the room. Awesome decision and AWESOME price!!! You guys always seem to be sooooo lucky. Can’t wait to see the other rug in the Dining Room. :)
Meg says
That rug is so Petersik!! The room definitely looks a lot more like y’all now. I especially like the whole-room shot with Burger on the bench. And yes, super-plush rugs feel so luxurious underfoot!
I’m actually a sucker for naked wood floors, but I know that is not everyone’s cup of tea. (I live in a small-ish house so your bedroom looks expansive to me – I can’t get enough of the naked floor shot! Haha!)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that you like that naked shot. Haha.
xo,
s
Jana says
As I first started reading I was commenting in my mind “its the rug…they need a different rug” And I was planning on commenting that…and then I scrolled down lol! I LOVE the new rug! AND what a bargain! YESSSS!
Stacy says
The carpet is gorgeous! It is so “you.” Good job guys!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Stacy!
xo,
s
cara says
I LOVE it! My husband always says I pick the boldest rug/art, etc there is so the rug looks perfect to me. I really want to get a large rug for our bedroom. Amazing deal! When decorating my nursery I learned to do your largest most bold item first whether it is art, rug whatever. I learned that the hard way. I painted this huge multi canvas mural but it looked crazy with all the pattern I already had in the room so it is sitting in the basement now.
Lindsay says
LOVE the new rug! As for my weekend, we had our gender reveal party… and it’s a GIRL!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooo!!! SO exciting!
xo,
s
Sabrina says
What a great deal! I am now trying to figure out what rug to put in our livingroom. We are using an indoor/outdoor rug because with 4 cats, 1 dog, 2 kids, and a messy husband I have to be able to just rinse it off outside. There is one I love on worldmarket.com but the review was that it was nice but felt like plastic straws lol
Erika says
I love it! I like rooms that reflect people’s personalities.
Awesome bargain, too!
Gina says
I think you guys are great, Burger and all. This is pretty random comment on my behalf because it has nothing to do with your post, but here goes anyway. Have you guys heard Spoon’s song ‘Me and The Bean’? I thought you all immediately, lol. Happy Monday!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- never heard of it! Will have to check it out!
xo,
s
Megan says
That rug is amazing! I love it. And such a great deal!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Megan!
xo,
s
heathyr says
I love that rug! Once you tweak the other things you mentioned I think the room will be rocking!
I have been wondering for a long time, though… why did you ditch the West Elm duvet? Are you not using it any longer?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s sitting in the playroom for possible future projects/rooms. It just competed too much with the Alaskan prints – and John was never a huge fan so we liked the idea of lightening up with a clean white duvet.
xo,
s
Alison M. says
Dang. I can’t lie, I am so green with envy for your rug deal! I scour tent sales for one of those fab geometric rugs at a great price. Good find, y’all!! It’s gorgeous & even more so for that price!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, I hope the perfect rug finds you soon Alison!
xo,
s
Jessica says
Love the new look! FYI – coincidentally, saw this morning that your rug is being featured on Rue La La! Rizzy Home “Fusion” Hand-Tufted Rug / $49.90 – $999.90. Various sizes available.
To answer the post, we planted flowers and finished furnishing our front porch! It officially feels like Spring at our house! :)
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! We hear it’s $999 in the size that we snagged – what a small world!
xo,
s
Angela N says
What a fantastic find!! I bought a rug (with a whole in it too!) from PB when we first moved into our current house at a SUPER discount like yours. I used some duct tape on the bottom of the rug, just in case and you would never even know it was there! Love the rug in your space! I would die if I had that outlet near me. You have found such great bargains there.
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo,
s
Amy @ a new old house says
That is one FANTASTIC rug! Love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Amy!
xo,
s
Wendy says
Congrats on the rug find!
This weekend we made progress with packing and donating stuff before our cross-country move (which is approaching fast!).
I also made the BEST batch of granola this weekend! ($2 to make as opposed to about $20 in the store for the quantity.) The stuff is simply amazing, and so far most of it remains (for now..).
YoungHouseLove says
Mmm, sounds so good!
xo,
s
mribaro says
I like the idea of putting a white armoire into that niche (to balance the white doors). If in doubt what to keep in it, it might be a good place to stash all the pillows from your collection that are not in use.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahah, I love it! A pillow palace tucked away in the nook!
xo,
s
ASH says
Your rug’s name is definitely “Penny,” ’cause that’s what you spent on it. Great find!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I love it!!
xo,
s
Penny says
I approve this name. Haha. :)
JoniB says
I looove that new rug! And such a great deal. This weekend I made a raised garden bed out of some left over 2×12 boards, my first time with a power saw…still have all my fingers YAY! I even painted it to match the trim on my house. Got it filled with planting mix and yesterday the veggie starts went in. I’m kind of proud of myself.
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Go Joni!
xo,
s
Kelly says
I am so jealous!!!! This rug is on Rue La La today, and I so wanted it for my son’s nursery. (He’s due in August) The rug was $900 on Rue, and I was hoping to find it cheaper, I googled it and saw your fantastic room and unbelievable price!!!! After seeing your room, I want the rug even more! Your room looks fantastic! A few tweaks to pull the room together, but I’m loving it already as is. Nice work.
Emily says
I really like it! I am still not totally comfortable mixing patterns and colors (though I really want to) and love seeing how you guys do it. My family and I are moving to a crazy small and cheap student apartment in August and I am dying to find ways to cozy it up and make it “home” (especially our daughters’s room). Thanks for the inspiration!
Ryan says
DUDE! That rug is off the hook! I want to make snow angels on it (that sounded far less creepy in my head).
Steph says
What an awesome steal, I love it! I think it definitely brightens up the room and just looks so YOU! The pattern really seems to fit in with the mirror by the window too :)
Not that I have any need for it, but the rug above it in the store is gorgeous too!
Pamela says
LOVE the new rug! Nothing against the previous floor tenant, but this new bad boy? Woohoo!
Harper says
I swear this rug is on sale at Rue La La today (is the designer Rizzy?) . Even on that site, the 9×12 is $999. You got such a great deal!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, isn’t that funny?! What a small world!
xo,
s
Katie says
love it! where did you hide the hole?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s on the corner near the door, but when it’s rolled out it’s totally invisible! We plan to reinforce it with an iron on patch from the bottom to hold the fibers in place (a great tip someone commented with!).
xo,
s
Clare says
Your new rug is amazing! I love it and want that in my house :) I have heard great things about that outlet (I’m also a Richmonder) and have a good friend who has some amazing finds in her house from there! I can’t wait to hit it up myself!
Andrea says
I love it (and score! for you guys) but if it were me, I’d rethink the green striped pillows, and maybe go for a more neutral color (like gray). Just sayin’ !!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, as we mention in this post, we’re planning to play around and swap out the pillows, the curtains, even the lamps! Nothing is safe from our tweaking craziness!
xo,
s
melinda says
Bravo!!
Catharine @ Your Modern Couple says
Wow what a steal!! I just love a good geometric rug, and that color combo is to DIE for! I can’t believe you got a rug that big for so cheap! I also can’t believe that Burger is such a good model. My chihuahuas will pose perfectly for you until you hold the camera up, then they instantly look away like they’re avoiding the paparazzi. Divas.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, picture us shouting out things like “was that a monkey? Or was it a doggy?” to try to keep his gaze. Haha.
xo,
s
Christy Niebaum says
Congrats on the rug find! I’d really like to buy a few area rugs for our home, but I just don’t even know where to start. I did a few little home improvement projects like painting our door jambs in the basement and replacing a broken lighting fixture in our entryway. Also took a cue from you guys and bought some ORB at Menard’s yesterday. There are some ugly brass lighting fixtures just waiting to get ORB’d.
Natalia says
That rug is beautiful!! Love those colors, you guys find the best deals!
linda says
WOW! i really, really LOVE that! and talk about a deal!!!! WOOT! (burger looks like you’re holding out on a treat for him “i sat for the picture… now give me the treat!)
Amy says
Great find; the colors complement the other elements in the room really well!
Can I throw something out there for you to ponder (or, of course, ignore)? I feel what the room is missing is another window. When you are in the room looking at the bed, that end of the room reads as a dead-end space. When someone stands at your front door, they are looking down a long hall at either a closed door or into your room at a blank wall. In both cases, there’s no sense of movement; both perspectives are “dead”.
You could “box in” the alcove space (to basically make the back-yard wall flat across) and install a window precisely lined up with the bedroom door. The window would have a super deep sill and so could function as a small window seat/nook. Then pivot the bed so the head was on the back wall and still centered on the light. Thus, more light, more openess, bed not in direct view, inviting walk down the hall, and added design complexity (in a good way) are all achieved.
Just my .02
YoungHouseLove says
Fun idea, but we couldn’t because from the back yard that window would look crazy! You can see that the alcove is actually part of the window in our living room, so it looks so balanced and pretty from the back! Here’s a pic to show you what I mean. That bumped out large window is part of the alcove (in the nearby living room) so another window shoved into that space wouldn’t work). http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2011/05/Outdoor-New-Back-Pic.jpg
xo,
s
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
I love the rug choice! And what a deal. You are right that the place isn’t “you”. I am interested to see what you do with it. Safe to say more pillows should be in your future…
Caitlyn says
I’m not sure if this is something on your end or mine, but I cannot see any of the pictures on any of your posts! They are showing up as little red x’s. I’ve been on your website thousands of times from my laptop, in fact this is the only way I access your website! So I’m not sure why now all of the sudden I can’t see any of the pictures? Any suggestions?
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, it’s the first we’ve heard of this and haven’t changed the way we host our photos for the last few years. I would guess it might be a spam blocking or virus blocking software on your computer that might be blocking them thinking they’re ads or something, which usually clears up in 48 hours (sometimes when you update software it happens). We have no idea why! Wish it was something on our end that we could fix!
xo,
s
Kim says
Love the rug! On another topic: our kids want to know-how did Burger get his name? They love laughing at Burger running around.
YoungHouseLove says
When we adopted him he was really tiny (the size of a hamburger patty) with a spotted belly like a cow- so we thought it was perfect! Haha.
xo,
s
Carli says
LOVE. IT!
’nuff said.
:D
Maggie Rose says
Love it! When a “problem” room gets a fresh start in a new fun direction it’s the best feeling!
Helen and The Fox says
Well done. It is incredible what an awesome rug can do!
Peggy McKee says
I suggest you get a quote from a professional for repairing the rug. Duct tape will eventually unstick itself and leave a sticky residue. An iron-on patch might work–but what will the pressure and heat of the iron do to the pile? Also in my experience iron-on patches eventually also come unstuck.
IMHO the hole needs to be sewn–by someone who knows how. You might be able to do this yourself, but your stitches might show or make the rug not lie flat. I’d at least get an estimate from a pro. After all, you now have an expensive rug to take care of!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Peggy! We’ll definitely look into a pro if the iron on patch or rug tape doesn’t work!
xo,
s
evilbunnie says
I love love love love the new rug! Did you do anything to patch the hole on the bottom? I’m thinking duct tape or a super sticky carpet tape on the back side. Not that it’ll get a workout, but just to be sure. I just don’t want it to lose any more hair!
Also, isn’t it funny how when you get something “exactly right” (like the rug) it really serves to define all the “almost right” choices that need to change. The sisal was fine, but now that I see the before and after, I see that the warm tan tones really didn’t play well with the clean white and blue tones going on in that view. Ed the bed seems much happier to float over all that deep plushy teal glory.
Now, about those nightstands that are crying out for a change from the reddish woodtone. Charcoal grey? Silver leaf? Tweak away, I am watching with enjoyment!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, folks have recommended carpet tape or even an iron on patch that will hold the fibers in place so we’re going to try that and see how it works!
xo,
s
Whitney says
LOVE IT! I need to go shopping with you guys… I hardly ever find a good deal. (Well except the Izod sweater I just picked up for my dad at their outlet store… 48 cent Father’s Day gift… ohhh yeah!)
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Such a deal!
xo,
s
Brita says
Your new rug is on Rue La La today! Crazy coincidence :) http://www.ruelala.com/event/product/50459/3041845222/1/DEFAULT
YoungHouseLove says
Isn’t that crazy?! What are the odds?!
xo,
s
Ashley says
Great steal! We actually had a rug shipped to us with a big rip like that which was lucky because they gave us a huge discount even though you can’t see the rip! My Dad recommended we patch the back with some carpet tape (most hardware stores have it) just to ensure the hole won’t get any bigger. So far, three years later, so good! Enjoy :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!!!
xo,
s
Ivy says
I totally get that feeling. I had it in our bedroom too. I actually figured out what it was because I stared at the problem all the time. I learned that when I keep looking at something in the house, I either really love it or really hate it. Turned out it was a framed 11×13 picture doing all the bothering. A little switcheroo with a blown up b&w photo of my son as a baby sleeping and now I love it. So funny the littlest thing can make a huge impact.
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!
xo,
s
Melissa says
I love your new rug!! What a score!
HB says
Hi guys. Love the rug.
The problem, however, remains the size and scale of the side tables….they are too close to the bed…need to move them away and work on a larger scale…
Other than that, you have it perfect-o!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, but see that door on the right side of the room? Any larger tables and the door would slam into them! We have thought about moving the door so it swings the other way, but it would swing into the hallway where we walk a lot, so it might be more in the way out there! Definitely wish we could somehow end up with bigger side tables someday though!
xo,
s