So, guys. I’ve been wanting to buy this certain rug for the boys’ room for a long time, and after waiting for-like-ever, we finally purchased it last month.
I know, buying a rug isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but I thought that after waiting for so long it was at worth a blog post.
There’s a lot that happens to your relationship to an object or thing if you decide to hold off and wait for it. Either the heart grows fonder or you get over it, (and go out with someone else). Simple as that. I knew I loved this rug before I knew how the boys’ room would change, before I knew I’d add that crazy geo pattern to the walls, before I painted it white, and before I purchased the bunkbeds. I knew that if anything would happen to this room it needed to involve that navy and white striped rug. I just liked it soooo much.
The rug was reasonably priced at around 300 bucks with all the discounts and such that RugsUSA is constantly throwing at you. It wasn’t just the price that made me wait it out though, it was the principle. I’ve been trying very hard to really consider how much I want, or as it were, need something, before I purchase it. I don’t want purchases to be things that are temporary, I want them to last. Even if they don’t last in that specific place they were intended for, I want them to be able to transition to other parts of our home, be reused and repurposed. I want to get the most out of them, I want to make practical thoughtful decisions about the things I purchase. I want this because I think its time that we all start doing this more often.
Sorry, I know this is like my second tangent in the last two weeks, I must be getting old and delusional and thinking my opinions matter and you want to hear about them.
I think we should start thinking about the impact the choices we make has on the environment and our surroundings. I think we should wait for it before we really go for it. I think we should all try and suppress the impulses and truly consider before we buy more.
I’m not perfect (duh). I buy crap I don’t need at Target and Ikea too often. I’m just saying, the more we all think about what we spend our money on, the more impact it has.
Anyway, I like this rug, and I’m happy I waited for it.
One last thing about the GD rug. Okay, I really like this rug because when you look down the hallway from the boys room you see the second level of my home summed up in rugs and color palette. The blue in the boys rug ties right into the navy of the sofa in the bedroom porch. See? It all make sense, this rug was essential to this plan.
Last month I shared version 2.0 of the boys’ room with you – today I’m sharing the more updated vs. 2.1. We added some kid-made-artwork to the wall on both levels of the bunk. I really love Finn’s whale. Gus has hung up some art too and they are both so proud of seeing it framed and displayed on the wall.
Keeping the walls white made it easy to add lots of colors with all the kids toys n’ stuff. These are Finn’s planets. He loves space, and black holes, and Neil deGrasse Tyson and all that stuff so much.
I’ve also tried to go through and make all the toyz more organized and accessible for Gus. We use this low shelf as a place for him to set out his toys and play, and the toy boxes are all organized by type of toy. It has really helped, and Gus loves playing in his space. The toys don’t float around the house as much and they stay relatively organized up in their bedroom. My kids appreciate order too ;)
Love the rug, and the principle behind waiting to purchase it. I agree completely! And don’t worry about tangents, here’s another one: If Finn loves space, you guys should go check out the SPACE exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota! It’s so great for kids, tons of hands-on interactives for kids of all ages, plus, Neil DeGrasse Tyson makes an appearance in some of the videos! Finn will love it.
Hey Sarah, We’re totally all about that SPACE exhibit. I just enrolled Finn in a week long summer program at the Science Museum that is centered around the space exhibit. It will blow his mind for sure. Thanks!
Are those retro little people toys on the shelf? That is awesome! I have 4 sons, all grown now, but I do love to hear about yours and I adore the space you have created for them. I still have some of my son’s “artwork” hanging on my walls at home. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hey Paula! Yes, we love the little people. Out of all the toys they have gotten the most use (tied with the train set). They love making up all sorts of different narratives using the little people. I hope that I ‘ll still have some of this kid art on my walls after the boys are grown. I love it.
Dang! So gorgeous!!! Where is the comforter/blanket on the bottom bunk from?
Hey Cristina, The duvet is from Ikea! It was really inexpensive too, and good quality for kids.
Finn did that all on his own??? Child has mad skills! I’m 28 and I can’t draw anything recognizable to save my life. I love love love it!
…and the rug is cool, too. But mostly I just want to love that whale forever.
Annmarie! He must’ve had some sort of teacher helping him. It’s cute though, very Eric Carle-esque.
Oops, I was so enamored of the whale I forgot to say, I’m so glad you wrote this post! I completely agree with your tangent, and it’s such a refreshing point of view to hear, especially in this day and age of “One day makeover!”s and instant gratification. So thank you for sharing, and please don’t stop. ^_^
There is something about waiting and really mulling a purchase over to be SURE that makes you appreciate the item more in the end. I am with you on buying with an eye towards repurposing later – I’m keeping my colors limited these days (tan & navy) and find that if I really love it and keep it within that palette, I can always find a spot for it.
Hey! I’m kinda do the same thing at our house too – there are shades of dark blue, coral and a bit of yellow all over the house. That makes it easy, and of course my patterns are usually black and white. I think that’s a really good way to do it! We are smart ;)
I love waiting and making sure I truly love something before buying it! I live in a tiny house and don’t have the space for every thing that catches my eye.
Yeah! It makes sense doesn’t it ;)
DARLING, JUST DARLING! SUCH A FUN ROOM TO GROW UP IN :)
Oh, I hope they think so too! Thanks!
I love the stripe of graphics around the bunkbed. It gives the illusion of an alcove and what kid doesn’t love an alcove?! Also, can you share the deets on the white shelf unit? Would it work for album storage? My son has a collection that’s getting out of hand…
I’m glad that came across, I wanted to go for that cozy-alcove-bunkbed feel. The shelf unit is the Expedit from Ikea. They have since replaced it with the Kallax since in an effort to be more environmentally friendly. I use them downstairs for our records too.
Do you mind me asking if the red chair was a new purchase? My grandma had one at her house when I was little and it was LOVED by all the grandkids. I think my son would really enjoy it, if I could get my hands on one somewhere.
Love the hits of navy. It’s such a nice sophisticated, anchoring color, but feels more organic or friendly or something compared to black.
Hey Shano(n)! Ha. The chair was a gift to the kids from a pal. It’s a vintage tip-n-rok chair. I bet you could hunt one down pretty easily on ebay or etsy. I agree on the navy as opposed to black, I think that’s mainly the reason why I like it so much. Good luck on finding that chair!
Oops, my name is Shanon, not Shano. ;)