Young House Love

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A Fun Pink Polka Dot Rug For The Playroom

You’ve heard of rolling out the red carpet, but what about the pink one? It’s Clara’s favorite color, and a nice warm tone (after filling most of the house with cool blues, greens, and grays, it’s nice to bring in some warm tones to balance things out). Plus the way the playful dots in the rug mix with the bold colors in Clara’s big girl bedding = almost more fun than my brain can handle. In person it’s even more happy! Seriously. Come over right now.

Clara Rug2

As for the price? Pretty darn hard to beat. We’ve had our eyes peeled for a while for something that would work with the blanket and general color scheme that we’re doing in there (red + pink with a lot of other pops like navy, yellow, teal, etc) but everywhere we looked (local decorating outlet, Overstock.com, Target, etc) was selling larger 7 x 9′ rugs for around $400-700, which was a little more than we wanted to spend. We even tried craigslist and ebay to no avail.

So we held out and kept looking and finally spotted this 7′ x 9′ guy for $236.95 (marked down from $629) on Joss & Main. It’s 100% wool, hand tufted, and the gradated color and fun imperfect dots that appear to be drawn on just felt so “Clara” to us. So we went for it. Not gonna lie, I was giddy when we clicked that order button. Especially since they were running a free shipping special (shipping fees can really add up on a big item like a rug).

Rug Price

Then after clicking that order button all giddiness subsided and we did that thing where we silently freak out about ordering a rug sight unseen. But since it worked out so well with our living room rug, we just tried to hope for the best.

Then it arrived and this happened:

Clara Rug Play1

Apparently rugs are fun even before they’re unrolled in the room.

Clara Rug Play2

Then when Clara was napping we finally got to see it in her big girl room/playroom. This space definitely started out super tame with very soft milky-tea colored walls…

Painting Room14

… and now it’s looking pretty crazy-pink thanks to the bedding and the rug…

Clara Rug1

… but we think once we add in the art, curtains, new light fixture and other items that will break the pink up and balance things out (there will definitely be a large object or two on the rug and we’re thinking about navy for some of the frames and maybe even the light fixture). Remember how the middle makes no sense? Well I’m crazy impatient. Haha. Can’t wait to see it after a few more steps!

In the meantime we’re soaking up some of the plushness and pattern (polka dots + a gradient!) that the rug adds. Most of our rugs are the same tone throughout, so we’ve never had one that gets darker as you step into the room.

Clara Rug5

The polka dots are definitely my favorite part though. No doubt.

Clara Rug6

Are you guys ordering any rugs online and holding your breath until they come? Are you working on a room that’s only about 20% done so you’re in that giddy-can’t-wait-for-this-to-come-together stage like us? It’s so funny how this room has been a pretty even combination of paint, furniture we already had, craigslist finds, and now there’s a new rug in the mix. Gotta love a smorgasbord…

Comments

  2. Kaylyn says

    I love seeing “the middle.” Gives me hope!!

    Also, I was thinking with all of your traveling these past few months, would you consider doing a post on travel tips? How to pack, get through security, etc.? (Kind of like a montage from “Up in the Air” with George Clooney!) Not sure how LONG of a post it would be, but I think you are now officially “seasoned travelers” and I’d love to hear some of how you’ve done it!

    Reply

  4. Rachel says

    I’m currently waiting for a Joss and Stone rug to arrive. It’s the first time I’ve bought one from them and I am so nervous!!

    Totally get the not making sense in the middle bit. I just redid our living room and suddenly decided I hated it. Then, spent 10 minutes moving cushions around and bringing some pictures in from the family room and BAM! It was how it was supposed to look! Let’s just hope the aforementioned rug doesn’t send me back to square one!!

    Reply

  5. Kristin F says

    What a super cute rug! I LOVE the gradient and that edge by the dots works so well with the color on the walls! Crazy how good it looks bought “blind”.

    I have to say we’ve been lucky buying rugs online, our jute rug was from Overstock and I love it, and a runner in the hall came from Amazon. I think if you read the reviews you get a sense of true colors and feel. No reviews, eh, I don’t buy!

    BTW: Jealous that you got a new rug, I’m wanting a new one for our LR but have to save the dinero to get a 9×12.

    Reply

  6. LauraC says

    Three out of three rugs we’ve ordered online have been great! It’s a good way to go, and you have such a greater selection that way. I think the rug is cute! I’ll have to live vicariously through you will all that pink, because our son and daughter share a room, so no pink rugs there! (They have a bright grass-green rug, and I love it, a perfect neutral.)

    Reply

  7. Cassondra says

    So cute! I strangely like how there are only polka dots on the dark section! It’s like you’re walking along walking along, then suddenly you’ve reached the fun!

    Reply

  8. Nicole S. says

    It’s so funny you should ask about ordering rugs online today. I ordered a rug from Z Gallerie before Christmas (with a coupon code, woo hoo) site unseen and the FedEx fairy is supposed to deliver it today. I’m so excited/nervous!

    Reply

  10. Christina P (NS) says

    Great rug!
    I am trying to start planning our daughters big girl room and am very excited about it. Sadly Joss & Main doesn’t ship to Canada so I can’t get in on that awesome rug action but we are trying to source a great room from other areas!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, she saw mine and wanted hers done so bad. I couldn’t believe it but she sat super still the entire time. Didn’t move an inch while they dried. So cute! I found this water-based kids polish so it washed off in a few baths, but it was so much fun.

      xo
      s

  12. Stacy says

    I love that rug! I just bought my daughter a 5X7 from Pottery Barn Kids for her bedroom. I love it and thought it was her as soon as I found it. We’re hoping to have her and her new baby sister share a room. I love what you’re doing with Clara’s big girl room. Looks great!

    Reply

  14. Sabrina says

    Love the colors! Have you thought about letting her paint her own room art? Choosing the colors and letting her have at it? I think she would do a most excellent job! I am trying to get my kids to do this for the livingroom. My girl just keeps trying to make brown lol

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think she’d probably get paint all over the floor and the molding at two and a half, but maybe by four I’ll hand her a roller and tell her to have at it! Haha!

      xo
      s

    • Sabrina says

      lol that is true. But I meant on a canvas, outside with a brush. In her room colors. Gosh having a 2 year old painting a wall in the house would be brave though lol

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hahahaha, gotcha! Oh yes, for canvas and large pieces of paper she loves to paint (in school as well as at home). We’ll definitely be hanging some original “Clara art” in here!

      xo
      s

  15. jbhat says

    What an awesome find. OMG. I want that to be MY big girl rug.

    I think I spotted a typo. “Not gonna like”–change that like into lie, because we totally likey!

    xo
    jbhat

    Reply

  16. Annie says

    don’t know if anyone has said this yet, but I REALLY like the wood tones with the room! warms it right up and feels very girly for Little Miss Bean! :)

    Reply

  19. Ethne @ Wom-Mom says

    This is awesome. I may have mentioned before how much I love pink, haha, and much to my hubby’s eye-rolling dismay, I’ve passed it right on down to my girlies. To shake it up for them (read: appease the spouse) I’ve kept their rooms colorful by going with a fairy (mostly non-Disney) theme. Can’t wait to see more.

    Reply

  20. robyns says

    Looking good! I’m putting my vote in for navy curtains! You could either look for something with a fretwork detail like the bed or add it with a ribbon trim…..

    Reply

  21. LeAnna says

    Love the pink rug…especially the gradient colors. I have chickened out so many times on ordering rugs online b/c of the whole sight-and-touch-unseen-factor. This gives me some courage that it can work out!
    Just a quick question about the new dresser-is it secured to the wall? a friend sent this link and it talks about the importance of securing dressers in kids rooms to the wall. Be prepared it will make you cry, but I think it is SO worth passing on this info. you guys are already so good about securing stuff for Clara so I just had to share it. Sorry in advance, it is very emotional! http://lovelightlaughterandchocolate.blogspot.com/2012/12/be-with-me-just-for-today.html

    Loved meeting you both in Palo Alto…Thanks for all your awesome creative inspiration!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, we’re crazy about anchoring everything and have blogged about it a bunch of times (we get ours from amazon.com and they only take a few minutes to install- so worth it). I’m so sad about that story. Such a tragedy.

      xo
      s

  22. Georgia says

    I love it! I wish i could get a nice huge rug to cover my floors, but my dogs insist on digging them up or puking on them, amongst other things.. haha

    Reply

  23. Lyndsey M Cain says

    What a fun rug – loving it! This weekend we ordered a rug from Joss & Main for our first baby’s gender neutral nursery. I can’t wait to see it in person :)

    Reply

  24. Ash says

    I have actually seen a pink carpet rolled out for a major movie opening! When I was on my study-abroad in London (Fall of 2004), the 2nd Bridget Jones movie premiered, and I went to the London event. Stood in the rain for HOURS (srsly, like 5 hours in POURING rain) as they prepped for the arrival of Hugh Grant, Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth & co. They definitely had a pink carpet instead of red. It was awesome and fun and I got autographs, woohoo! Pink carpet is 1000x cooler ;)

    Reply

  25. emilymarion says

    I ordered a bright, happy yellow, trellis patterned rug the day after Thanksgiving. It was $170 (regular $680 + free shipping!!!! #bigwin)
    from RugsUSA. Except it’s been on back order and it won’t ship until 2/25. I can’t wait to see it! #anticipation #droolingoverapicture

    Reply

  26. Needle little Balance says

    Love the polka dots and Clara having fun with her new carpet! My first thought was also that I would flip the rug (but I read what you said about it).

    If I could do a kid´s room I would use some round embroidery hoops with fun fabrics as wall art. It would include the polka dots, too. Just saying. ;-)

    Reply

  29. Kelly says

    Cuteness! Can I request a pic of Clara in her pink flower tee in the pink room?!

    Loved meeting you guys in San Mateo Sunday and can’t wait to see Clara rocking out her Ana Apple shirt :)

    Reply

  32. liz zack says

    Beautiful! I’m in the market for a ton of rugs but am petrified to buy from any of the online places — they all comp shipping, but if I dont like and have to send back I blow all my hard earned savings right there. Rug paralysis! I’ve done the buy 5 rugs at Homegoods, test them out and then return 4 thing. But havent found the right one there recently!

    Liz

    Reply

  33. Lindsay B says

    That’s adorable! Clara is such a lucky little girl.

    I actually have a question about that round jute rug in your office. I’m thinking of getting one too for our office/playroom. Is it soft enough for a kiddo to plop down and play? Or is it on the rougher side like most jute rugs I’ve seen? Thanks guys!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Clara definitely plays on that one in the office all the time! I think the braided jute (like ours) tends to be softer and thicker than the flat weave jute that’s more like straw, but it tends to vary by brand/maker. Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

    • Phyllis says

      Clara’s room is really coming together nicely! I’m glad I found your blog, it has inspired me to decorate “outside the catalog” so to speak.

      I am also curious about the round jute rug. I’m shopping for one for our guest bedroom. I was wondering where you purchased it (couldn’t find it on your source list) and if it’s held up to your liking?

      Thanks for your help!

  34. laura s. says

    Sorry if I missed this, but did you paint the bowl from Ikea that is sitting on the dresser or did it come like that? I have a silver one in my kitchen.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  35. Aimee says

    I was right there with you a week ago, waiting for a rug I ordered online hoping it was as good as I hoped for…and it was! we love it….

    Reply

  36. Mahareen says

    So sad to be missing yet another book signing event! I couldn’t make the last one in NJ because of the hurricane and now I’m sick in bed with the flu missing the FLOR event. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be :( Hope you have a great time, its finally warming up around here!

    Reply

  37. Emily says

    Oh my! I LOVE that rug- so fab! You’re definitely creating a room that will work for Clara for many years which is great! Your pink room reminds me of our “baby blue” turned “pink” nursery makeover. We painted the nursery blue for our son but then adapted it to work for a girl when our daughter was born. Hopefully by just moving out the crib it will work for her for a long time… http://emskyrooney.blogspot.com/2012/07/baby-sister-nursery-finito.html

    Reply

  38. Taina Cunningham says

    I love the rug!! I love pink details when designing a room. It’s such a happy color.

    Question for y’all… where did you get the stencil you orginally had printed on the wall? I would really loveeee that print for my home :)

    Reply

  39. Kitty says

    I wasn’t expecting a rug like that – it’s gorgeous though :-D
    I can’t wait to see where else you’re going to add pops of colour, am thinking you’ll go for some funky curtain panels?

    I ordered our lounge rug online. It’s a lovely rug, really happy with it. I do wish they’d made a larger size though, although it suits the space it doesn’t fit over the most well-tracked part of the room (from the front door through to the kitchen).

    Reply

  41. Shirley says

    love the pink carpet. i too have a problem with ordering carpet online, it sort of worked out in our family. I just done love it. I get compliments on it though so can’t be too bad. And don’t even start with dimensions. I think I have a problem with buying the right size :(

    Reply

  42. Kate says

    I’m dying at Clara’s tiny painted toes! I know you need to space out kiddo #2, but the world needs more Petersiks!

    Reply

  44. Gina says

    I just ordered two tufted wool rugs online for my new house, and I have to report that while they look great, I absolutely hate them because of the shedding. Maybe I am hyper-sensitive, but it drives me nuts and I have been vacuuming constantly. There is carpet fuzz all over the baby and the dog! Arg. Plus, the dog keeps digging on one of them. If I could do it over again, I would buy synthetic rugs and eventually save up for real orientals.

    Good luck with yours, it looks fantastic!

    Reply

  45. Nikki says

    So excited to see her room take shape.

    Quick question about tonight… will there be a talk or is it just a signing. Excited to see y’all (I’m a Richmond girl living in NYC) either way.

    Safe and speedy travels!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Tonight’s just a signing since in smaller spaces it’s hard to get the whole crowd in one place so they can see/hear us. But there will be goodies to enjoy in line and then we can chat/sign/take pics when you get to our table :)

      xo
      s

  47. Rebecca says

    I just ordered a gradient blue rug from Joss & Main and was having the sight unseen freak out! I hope mine looks as good as Clara’s!!!

    Reply

  49. Emily says

    Can’t wait to see what you decide about the dresser! I have one that looks almost exactly like that and I can’t decide what color to paint it…yours can be my inspiration :)

    Reply

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