Rug Pad USA Review

Ok, you guys...are you ready to change the world in which your rugs and feet coexist? Seriously, I will admit that I was a little bit, "eh", when Rug Pads USA contacted me. I mean, let's be honest, I don't exactly have the reputation for putting function before fashion. I usually buy THE cheapest rug pad I can find, and by pad, I mean a super duper thin rubber thing that really just keeps the rug in place. Until I met my rug pad from Rug Pads USA. These bad boys not only keep the rug in place, but also add a ton of cushion, which is a must. I received the 1/2 inch premium-lock felt pad, and I'll have to say, I don't know how I have gone this long without it.    You need these in your life! Rugs Pads USA is giving all [kreyv] readers 15% off with the code pr15off. Trust me, your feet and your children's bottoms will thank you.

[in five]: Favorite Rugs

I love a good rug and think they are necessary for a good room design. They anchor the room, define the space, and add color, pattern, and/or texture. Really…they're a must. Today I'm showing you five of my currents faves. 

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you may remember these shenanigans that Hubs so graciously put up with. I may or may not have gone into detail on the amount of rugs that also got returned (...and kept). So, even though he was so nice about it, I swear, he will not forget about it. In his mind, I buy rugs every day and have a closet full of them. He obviously likes a good story.  He was making fun of me for it the other day and decided that since I have so many rugs, I probably need a rug room, with a rug rack, like the kind they have in stores. He was joking, but I think it sounds kind of genius. (That's right, Jeremy, you made fun of me, but who's going to be laughing when I really want a rug room?!) Some people want walk-in closets, I just happen to want a walk-in rug room. Ok, we all know I want both. (And, for the record, three rugs is NOT a "closet full of rugs". Such an exaggerator.) 

West Elm Tile Wool Kilim in Aquamarine

Dash & Albert Samode Coral Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Pottery Barn Gianna Recycled Yarn Kilim Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Crate and Barrel Mallorca Blue Rug

Rugs USA Capel Junction Dark Green Rug by Genevieve Gorder

[in five]: First Five Purchases

Let's just get one thing out of the way: I have been a total slogger. That, my friends, is a word I made up for one who slacks on his or her blog. Her, in this case, is me. I'm tired. Those 25 hour drives just take it right out of you. Plus, we're kind of a big deal here in Utah (with our moms). They want to spend all sorts of time with us Stella. The good news is that almost all of our moving piles are put away. I still have nothing on the walls, and I probably won't for 21 more days. That is when Husband takes his anesthesia boards, and then I can bug him about things to hang up and projects and such.  He can hardly wait.

In the meantime, even though I am tired, I am not too tired to think about things I want to do with this place. (If that ever happened, I'd probably be dead, because I am pretty much ALWAYS think about someone's house.) I don't know why it is that when you move, you pretty much think you need all new stuff, but it's just the way it goes.  These are the things I'm going to purchase first: bath mat, frames for gallery, birch brackets, floor mirror, and bins for the playroom. (Links are under pictures.) So far, I have only bought one thing: the floor mirror. And that is only 20 percent. I seriously feel like such a failure.

Zig Zag Bath Mat from West Elm

image from Samantha Pynn (frames for gallery)

Ekby Valter Bracket from Ikea

Mongstad Mirror from Ikea

3 Sprouts Bins from Target

I Rug You, I Rug You Not

I love rugs. My current dream home consists of wood floors throughout and lots and lots of rugs. I currently have rugs in almost every room, but I had to remove the rug that was living under the dining room table. The reason? Stella Joyal.  I couldn't keep up with the vacuuming, and don't even get me started on the fun of cleaning up rice. I hope to someday, replace the rug in the dining room and add one to the kitchen (love this look), but before I do that, I'm going to have to add yet one more item to my wish list: a central vac system. 

image form Architectural Digest

image from Jeanne Rapone via Willow Decor

image from Elle Decor

My Top 3 Design Tips

You know how you sometimes hear that there are no rules in design--that you should just do what you like? Well, it's kind of not true. There are rules, it's just that you're not going to get in trouble if you break them (unless you are in my family, then you'll definitely get in trouble). If you follow these "rules", your house, your eyes, and myself will thank you. Most design "rules" are all about scale and space and have nothing to do with style or taste. It's all about taking your home to the next level, which we all want to do, right?  Here are my top three design tips:

1| Rethink Furniture Placement: Try floating your furniture instead of pushing it up against the walls. This creates a more intimate setting and puts you in control of your room layout. Even in a small room, where the size is conducive to  creating an appropriately sized conversation area, pull your furniture slightly away from the walls and/or (especially) windows. Remember, the whole purpose behind your furniture layout is to create a comfortable gathering area.

image from Caldwell Flake

2| Buy Long(er) Curtains: The length of your curtains is SO important! Unfortunately, most "off the rack" curtains are 84 inches. I hate to break it to you, but 84 inches is never long enough. How curtains hang on the floor depends on fabric, style, and preference. But, how HIGH the curtains hang should always be well above the window. Additionally, curtains should always flank the windows as much as possible. The illustration below does a perfect job of showing what a HUGE difference curtain placement makes. Let the light in and maximize the height of your rooms!

image from Me Oh My

image from Real Simple

3| Use the Right Size Rug: There's not just one rug size that works for every room, just make sure your rug is BIG enough. Using a rug that is too small can make the room look closed in and make the scale all wrong. Ideally, the rug is either big enough for all of your furniture to fit on (which can be super pricey), or the outside perimeter of the rug follows closely to the inside perimeter of your furniture. Remember, rugs should anchor the room. There you have it, my top three tips that will make a HUGE difference! Now, let's go buy new rugs, curtains, and, what the heck, new furniture!

image form Alice Lane

Linking up at 
The Dedicated House
Mom on Timeout
The Jenny Evolution

Living Room | Brittni

I have this sister who is an a-mazing photographer. She comes all the way to St. Louie from Texas to take pictures of me and my family. I am her highest maintenance, lowest paying client, but she keeps coming back. For her, I design and decorate her house. I'm pretty sure I have the best end of the deal, but don't tell her that.

Here is the design board for her sitting room. The room is super neutral with tan walls and off-white furniture, so I really wanted to add some rich color saturation. My only issue is that now I really want this room. Well, let's be honest, that's not my only issue, but that's another story for another day.

Baby Girl Nursery

Here is my baby girl nursery. I like the pairing of ultra feminine elements with the more masculine striped rug that was used in yesterday's boy nursery. Granted, I can't afford a new Restoration Hardware dresser and that to-die-for Land of Nod glider, but isn't it gorg? Maybe my unborn child that may or may not be a girl would like this nursery when she is sixteen. We should be out of debt by then. I hope.

art, dresser, vine pillow, ruffle pillow, glider, rug

Baby Boy Nursery

Sometimes I buy rugs for the house. Like eight rugs. And then, I take them back. But sometimes, I keep one (or two), only to roll it up and put it away for later. When this happens, I insist that I will use it again at a later time. Please keep in mind that insisting is VERY different than promising. Either way, I do plan on using my Dash & Albert rug in the future. It's actually a great rug.

We're hoping that the next room that needs a rug will be a nursery. Of course, that could mean either a boy or a girl, so today, here is the design board for a boy based around the rug. Tomorrow, I will show you my board for a girl--using the same rug, because not only did I insist on using it, I may or may not have also mentioned how versatile it is.

giraffe art, polka dot pillow, kelly green pillow, armoire, rug, chair, car

I [heart] Stripes

LOVE them. I always think I need to change things up, but I always end up going back to stripes. After all, they are a classic. I mean, really, they've been around forever, and they always will be in some capacity. In fact, my WONDERFUL husband is getting me that Olin Black rug from Crate & Barrel for my birthday. He just doesn't know it yet, but he is. Isn't he the best? And, don't think just because I've bought roughly 7,392 rugs that he will oppose. Quite the opposite, ladies. I've worn him down. He just doesn't care anymore. Sometimes the craziness pays off.

image from Crate & Barrel

image from House & Home

image from House Beautiful

Timeless Trends

I must say that I've missed seeing Nate's beautiful, smiling face every day on The Nate Show. How dare he take the summer off. I'll forgive him. After all, Nate can do no wrong in my eyes. I do hope, however, that when the new season starts again, the shows are more centered around design than they were last season. I'll have to talk to Nate about that next time we go to lunch. Anything else you'd like me to tell him?

On a past episode, Nate had Michelle Adams from Lonny Mag as his guest. She highlighted three timeless trends. Here they are (by the way, I think I need monogrammed soap):

(1) Animal Print Accessories

image from Southern Accents

image from Jena Williams

(2) Nailhead Trim

image from Isabella & Max

image from Kwinter

image from Pottery Barn

(3) Monogrammed Home Accessories

image from Pottery Barn

[color kreyv]: Rainbow

Geez. Between today's post and this post, I feel a little like a Debbie Downer! Trust me, I'm not. I guess I'm just very pensive lately. I chose rainbow as my color today--to prove to you that I'm a happy person!

I just put Stella to bed, and I'm not going to lie, I got a little choked up. Tomorrow morning (today by the time you read this), she is going in for her tear duct procedure. It's a very simple procedure, and it will only take about 20 minutes. (Sheesh, I say that everything is easy...even performing surgery. I've gotta stop with that!) She does have to have to have general anesthesia, and I'm not even nervous about that. It just breaks my heart that I know she is going to be so scared wondering what in the world is going on. It's the hard part about being a parent!

About an hour before bedtime, I decided I would let her do anything she wanted. She wanted to watch Elmo, so we watched Elmo as she ate her four Smarties and drank her watered down Crystal Light in her diaper and denim jacket. Ahhh, the simple things in life. Say an extra little prayer for Stella today, would ya?

image from Inspire Bohemia

image from Home Designing

image from A Few Things From My Life

Finding Your Style--With Kids

There's this story that I was told involving Jeremy, his mother's coffee table, and a screwdriver. I think you can figure out the end. There's another story about a girl who spilled fingernail polish remover on her mother's formal dining room table. (Yup, fastest way to take off a finish...er, so I'm told.) There are countless other stories involving markers, Mod Podge (Jeremy again--this time on my area rug), and whatever else kids get their hands on to destroy furniture. It happens, but I am still a firm believer that you can have both a nice house AND kids. Do you honestly think I would wait until my kids are 18 to have nice things? Didn't think so. Now, if I can just figure out how to husband proof my house...Here are my tips for finding your style with kids:

image from Pottery Barn

(1) Get Organized: I personally think it's fun to organize. I may be weird, but I do. I love containers: bins, baskets, totes, I love them all! Find containers that you like, and keep your kids' toys in them. For many of us, it's unrealistic to keep all toys in the bedroom. I need toys in the living room--because that's where I live! Really, it's just another excuse to purchase a great basket!

(2) Be Practical: Though there are hundreds of beautiful fabrics I would just LOVE to have in my home, it's not going to happen (at least not with a one-year old). On the flip side, there are tons of beautiful fabrics that are kid proof. If you are purchasing a sofa, consider micro-suede. I swear to you, this is a miracle fabric. How do I know? Not because of Stella, because of my other child, my husband. He spilled red enchilada sauce on our white couch the day we bought it. It came right out with a little soap and water. Another great tip? Look at outdoor or indoor/outdoor rugs. They can literally be sprayed off if needed.

image from Pottery Barn

image from Decor Pad

image from HGTV

(3) Be Safe: Try to restrain yourself from buying that glass end table you love or the coffee table with extra sharp corners. Instead, opt for a leather or upholstered ottoman. In our house, the ottoman is the center of most of Stella's activities. I get a little extra piece of mind knowing she's not going to gouge an eye while cruising around. (Even if she did, it would wipe right off of the micro-suede couch and indoor/outdoor rug! Ok, that wasn't funny. I hope that never happens.)

(4) Don't Lose Your Style: Your space needs to work for everyone. While your living room shouldn't look like a daycare, it also doesn't need to look like a museum. It's okay if there are signs of children, they live there, too! If you are looking to purchase your child a table and chair set, buy one that matches the style of your home--not everything has to be pastel with Disney characters (unless that's your decor, I'm not here to judge)! There are so many wonderful, contemporary-looking toys and baby equipment. Paint the tables and chairs, find a fun, retro mini-kitchen. There are even modern baby swings! If you have to have it out, make it work! (So in love with this highchair!)

image from Monolo Home

To. Die. For.

I recently stumbled upon this beauty on 6th Street Design School. I love it! Granted, we will never need a house this large (as if there are people who NEED houses this big), but it's so fun to look at and get ideas from. This house is actually for sale in Provo, Utah. If we only lived there...

The exterior: look at that wonderful symmetry, the tall entry, not overdone on the landscaping (I'm guessing). I'm also guessing there are mountains close. I think I may have seen this place.

Ahh, the entry. Where to start? The staircases, the ceiling, the doors, lights? You get it. I love everything. I love all of the visual interest without being overdone. And, who doesn't love that fabulous clock? I told you: TO. DIE. FOR.

Aerial views of the living room. Amazing. Notice that none of the walls are painted anything but hues of white. The entire pallet is very neutral (floors, rugs, furniture, walls, etc.), yet it is far from boring. In fact, you hardly notice.

Pictures of the family room. Still, a very neutral palate, very calming. I love all of the random but not random pieces in the room! It really makes me want to stay a while just to take it all in! Love it all! This room was done by Alice Lane. I always love their work. If we ever move to Utah, I am definitely stopping by their store--most likely more than once!

Zig Zag, Zig Zag

Everywhere I look, I see zig zags. On one hand, I would love a chevron rug, on the other hand, maybe too many people have them, so they're not that original. And, realistically, I just can't do that to my husband (buy one more rug). Let's give it some time! What is it that I love so much about the classic chevron? It's a clean line with attitude!

image from His House Her Help

image from West Elm

image from Jonathan Adler