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a rug, my foot, a package & a peek

The last two days have been exciting around here.  I spent most of the day yesterday getting my space at Lucketts stocked up for the Design House weekend.  (I’ll share more about my space in another post.)  Yesterday, I also did some shopping (bought stuff for my space and a dough bowl for myself) and picked up some bamboo mats I had ordered to use in my spaces at the Lucketts Antique Market this May.  I had them rolled up in my office, leaning against the wall and then my bare wood floor in the dining room came to mind. 
 “I wonder if one of these could work in my dining room…hmmm.”, I said to myself.
“Hey hon!  Can you come help me with something?”, I yelled through the house.
When my husband hears that sentence, he knows it usually means moving furniture around.  He was a good sport and helped me scoot things around to get the rug under the table.  It’s not at all what I would’ve picked out, but I love it. 
It tones down some of the more formal aspects of the room and adds visual interest, contrast and texture to the floor. 

The typography is so cool…surprisingly, it works. 

So, now that the dining room was looking good, I was hot to get the living room looking good.  I’ve been staring at boxes of tile, sheets of bead board and bathroom fixtures for a few months now and I’m sick of it.  This morning, I decided I was going to move it all into the bathroom again to wait out of site until the tile guys come back on Tuesday. 

So, I’m moving the bead board two sheets at a time (because I’m impatient) and I try to fit it in the hall (because I’m terrible at estimating size) and after realizing it won’t fit, I try to stand it up vertically (because I’m really stupid) and when I realize it won’t work that way either, it slipped out of my hands and I drop both sheets on my foot (because I’m a klutz.)  I couldn’t even cry it hurt so much.  It took my breath away.  I just sat there breathing like I was in labor.  My four year old told me I should get in bed and that would make it better.  That sounded nice, but I couldn’t even stand up.  After about five minutes of lamaze breathing, I was able to hobble over to the fridge to get the frozen peas and then limp to the couch.  I called my husband and warned him about the possible ER trip and I sat with my foot propped up yelling, “Don’t touch my foot!” to my boys when they came within three feet of my injury.  After icing, testing it out, and a soak in hot water, I realized it wasn’t broken. Bruised and really painful, but I don’t think it’s broken.  (You have to understand that I broke my foot when I was a kid doing a cartwheel on rollerskates through a jumprope.  Yes.  I did that. My stupidity has been displayed in many forms.  Anyway, we didn’t know it was broken for a few weeks and it gave me problems for years.  I dropped the bead board on that foot, so I was a little concerned.  I was also imagining myself trying to paint and move furniture on crutches.  Yikes!)

I did manage to get my husband and a friend to move the bead board to the basement out of the ordeal, though.  I have my living room back!  I tried one of the mats in the living room and I like it, but it’s really too big for the room, so we’ll see. 

One big perk to having a blog is that I almost always have great mail.  I received a shipment of cypress wood yesterday from The Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association to complete one of my HGTV.com projects, I got a box of home decor books to pour over and I got some new Caromal Colors paint to try! 

As I said in my Waxes 101 video, “Some girls love shoes.  I love brushes and paint products.”  It doesn’t take much to make me happy. 
Speaking of paint, here’s a sneak peek of my newest sign and chalk paint creation.  I’ll share more about it soon. 

If you asked a question about waxes, sit tight.  I am going to write a post answering a bunch of questions, so keep an eye out for that in a few days.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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81 Responses

  1. So, so sorry to hear about your foot! Hope it's feeling better SOON. Love, love, love the bamboo mats. I just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed your blog. I found it a few weeks ago and have been looking back through many of your older posts and I've learned a lot! I ordered some chalk paints and can hardly wait for them to arrive. Thanks for all the inspiration!

  2. Oh, I'm sooo sorry about your foot! The floor mat looks wonderful!!! So unique, it adds just the right touch. Thank you for all the tips and inspiration!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

  5. Oh my I am so sorry about your foot…but in true DIY fashion you got the job done anyway! Hope you are feeling better soon. Have a great weekend
    and try to take a load off!

  6. Oh Goodness, I hate that you injured you foot again. I did a similar thing years ago and it seems like after once event, injuring yourself in that same spot continues to happen. I'm new to your blog, but I read all the time and I'm trying to catch up. I love the chalk paints and can't wait to try them.
    I do hope your foot feels better soon and that you and your family have a wonderful and blessed weekend.
    Hugs from the South!
    Dawn

  7. OUCH! Think it was a sign to ssssllooowww down??

    I am soft when it comes to dough bowls, that one is a beauty and so many uses. Anxious to see the finished sign.

  9. I love those drapes, where did you find them? Have a feeling you made them though….please say you didn't. I want them! The bamboo mat is perfect…..never in a million years would I have thought it would look so oerfect in your dining room.

  10. Those mats are really amazing. They add a quirkiness to the rooms that I like. Hate to hear that you hurt your foot. I fell the other day and did something to my ankle….I was like…am I always going to walk like this? But after a week…it was all better. I hope your's heals quickly. Loved seeing both rooms with the mats.

  11. I am dying to get myself some of that chalk paint to do signs with, I can't way to see your reveal of the sign. Sorry about the foot, I broke my little toe a few years back, killer pain!

  14. So sorry about your foot! It must be injure the foot day, Kelli at Restore Interiors had a foot story too!

    Love the bamboo rug, that is really different. Love, love the new chalk paint creation. That is very cute.

  15. ohh my soory about your foot. Did you go see a dr just to make sure you didnt break or fracture it?

    I do like the bamboo rug in the dining room.

  16. Marian I'll take paint and wood over shoes and clothes any day. And I have the same fear as you – what would I do if I injured myself, most importantly my hands! Fear keeps us safe, be careful, you need your parts to produce great projects. Can't wait to see the sign reveal – that bright green is a bit out of character but I'm sure there's a reason.

  17. Oh goodness – I know how that goes – it's the only reason I don't use power saws. Busy minds are not conducive to such activities and I prefer to keep my fingers!

    I looooove the mats! I could use one in my shop because vacuuming the the rugs gets old.

  19. Ouch! My brother just did that very same thing recently. REALLY made for a sore foot. Sorry that happened. Next time, "patience grasshopper". LOL! Love the rug, BTW!

    Hugs,
    Judy

  20. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!!! That hurt just reading about it! And sounds just like something I'd do. Unfortunately. Sigh.

    I love the mats, too. May I ask where you ordered them from?

  21. Um…OUCH. Foot pain from dropping something on it sometimes is worse than labor pains. So sorry that happened to you. My girls would have probably learned a a new word. Praying you heal quickly:)

  22. Ouch! 🙁 Maybe you should have that foot x-rayed just to be sure! Oh, and while you're out, could you just ship me your whole dining room- LOVE it! (by the way, were you able to pick up those letters for me?)

  25. So sorry about your foot. I, too, have a foot story but won't bore you with it. I'm so wanting to paint your signs but still not sure about getting them from the computer onto the board. Love the rug! Jan

  26. Oh dear! I hope your foot feels better. I was a chaperone in my kids school today. I totally tripped in the music room on the guitars. My foot still hurts. At least I didn't take out all the instruments!

    Also my daughter is still young enough that I didn't totally embarass her…..shoo

  27. I'd kill to have one of those mats in my home but I'd be afraid to let anyone walk on it with anything other than socks!

    Hope you are better soon

  28. Sorry Marianne..that sounds just like something I would do because I am inpatient! I love the rugs on the floor, could you share where you got them from please..still waiting on my chalk paint but they have been nice enough to send an extra sample because it has taken a little longer..very impressed!

  29. I'm sorry to hear about your foot. I am excited to hear what you have to say about Caromal Colors. That's a product I've recently heard about and not used yet. So, I am curious to hear about your experience – particularly how it compares to chalk paint. I'm sure you'll tell us soon. Guess, I need to exercise patience, too. 🙂

  31. Ah! So much to comment on.

    The mats are AMAZING. I would never have pinned you to get something like that for that room, but you are right, it really tones down the formal atmosphere… those are a rare find! So much for your booth decorating… 🙂

    Soooo so sorry for your foot. I know pain REALLY well. I took a nap due to a sore back and woke up 2.5 hrs later. So there you go! A great excuse to rest up abit and look through your new decorating books.

    What LOOT! Merry Christmas to you… wow.

    Donna

  32. I sat here and cringed when I read what happened to your foot…kinda like sympathy pains! So sorry! Hope it's feeling better, Marian!

    BUT THAT MAT THING/RUG, with WORDS, OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that NOT the grandest thing?? Where'd you get that????????????? I'm in LOVE!

    I fall in love with paint and brushes too. Sometimes I just love looking at all the bottles of colors, standing there so nicely on the shelf. Weirdness.

    I so want to come up with a Dr. Seuss Foot Book joke right now. I'll spare you!
    xo
    ~K

  34. So sorry about the injury!! Can you post more about the mats? As much as I love the mats, the dough bowl caught my attention first! It is such a wonderful size…everything just "sings"! 🙂

    Feel better soon!
    Martha

  35. Sorry about your foot. Must be something in the air cause I sustained a weird injuring while working in my garden. I had a iron bird statue fall off a post and land on my head. I too did a little lamaze breathing and maybe said a few unholy things.
    I really love the mats and was wondering if you would tell us where you got them. I have some small bamboo mats but those a so interesting with the printing. The one in your dining room really warmed up the space and makes it look very cozy.
    Takes some time to rest and put your foot up. Have a cup of tea and leave the heavy lifting to your hubby.

  36. Oh, that sounds so painful! You might have it checked out…just in case the tiny bones could be fractured.

    Love the mats! LOVE the dough bowl. I rarely see them around here anymore.

    Good luck with all your projects! The paint colors are beautiful.

    Pat

  37. Ouch! I did something similar today while moving furniture but at least I could cry. It helped. Hope your foot feels better soon. I just want to tell you that I love that rug, it's really cool and goes wonderfully in the dining room.

  38. So sorry to read of your foot injury – have had similar, and they take a long while to heal, but you should really think about having a doctor look at it to be safe… The dough bowl on the table=score! And the loot you continually seem to get=super score! Have one of those mats and it always makes me smile. They look fabulous in your home. Slow down, take care of yourself and the best of luck at your Luckett's home show this weekend!

  39. I just wanted to drop a note to say thanks for the slipcover tutorials. I followed them today as I sewed a slipcover for a large overstuffed couch that we've had for years, dogs have ripped the fabric but it is still soft and comfortable. So we kept it and I pushed through a crazy day and finished most of it. Thanks to you. I wouldn't have had any idea of how to even begin without you. I love it. Its not perfect but its better and even my husband likes it which in my book is a miracle.
    By the way, the bamboo mat looks amazing. The typography sort of looks like that german sign you painted a while back, same sort of old world font. Love it. You have a lot of talent and a lot of energy. Wish you the best.

  40. Oh! Your poor foot! I'm so sorry! That sounds exactly like something I would have done…get impatient and end up hurting myself! 🙂 I hope you really didn't break your foot!
    Have fun with all your new shipments! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

  41. Once you described the "taking your breathe away pain" I KNEW it had to of hurt. Sometimes I wonder if a broken bone heals faster than some of those big bruisers, they hurt real bad. I love the rugs, but don't know if I love them in your house…they are too shiny and not worn enough to have the honor of being in your house. They would make an awesome headboard don't you think?

  42. Love the mat! I have to have one for my dining room. Where did you get it? Did you do the lettering on it?
    Can you e-mail me at krto@columbus.rr.com and let me know where I can get one too.

    Thanks.

  43. It sure hurts when you do something to your feet but your story brought back to many funny memories of such incidents that have happened to me. Love, Love the mats…you know we have to know where you picked those up!! Diane JL-tol@earthlink.net

  45. Marian, I so LOOOOOVE that rug and that sneek peak, oh can't wait. Hope your foot is feeling better today:)

  46. So sorry about your foot. (Your story made me laugh out loud – I've SO "been there", the "OOO let's try this!" mode CAN be dangerous:) The mats in your rooms are really great… The typography is beautiful.

  47. Soooo sorry to hear what happened to your foot! My injuries always result from trying to "do it myself" instead of waiting for someone to help. Dropped a gallon of paint on my toe…..TWICE….same toe…pain doesn't begin to describe…! Love the mats! Your house is absolutely beautiful! I'll be praying for you to heal up quickly!
    sharon

  48. Well….isn't this a good news/bad news post!!! From a fellow klutz….let me say I am SO sorry to hear about your foot, and that I think the mats are a bit of awesomeness!

  49. i could have written your post about being impatient and trying to carry that by yourself it's totally something i would do and drop it on the foot! i truly hope you are up and around and getting what you need to get done. have a nice weekend. you are one amazing girl i tell you! susan

  50. Oh my goodness I am so very
    much cringing at the pain that
    you went through with your foot
    getting squished!! How are you doing
    today ? I am so sorry for your pain!!
    I am loving the mat and need something really bad under my dining room table ~
    How does it work for sliding the chairs and stuff ?
    Coolio!!!

    xoxo
    Lori

  51. where in theworld did you find those mats!!! awesome looking. I'm sorry bout your foot take it eazy for a few and have a great weekend!

  53. The bamboo mat took your beautiful room over the top in the most fantastic way.
    Please give us information about how we might have one ourselves.
    Thanks, Sarah

  57. ooohhh…pain that takes your breath away. That's bad. Hope you heal up quickly…lol your little one's comment. Seems like that's what I always tell my kids…go lay down you'll feel better, when in reality that was a sure fire way of knowing if they were really sick 🙂 if they went, that meant it was the real deal. Secrets only mom's share with other moms.

    Those mats are fabulous. Interestingly I noticed in the paints photo, one is called a chipping paint…that caught my eye. Can't wait to see what that does.

  59. Hi Marian, sorry you injured your foot…ouch! I'm glad its not broken. I was eyeballing bamboo rugs in a store and really want one. Where did you find them? The rugs I saw where too small and had no beautiful typography. It looks beautiful in the room.

  60. So sorry to hear about your foot….ouch! I know how it gets with so much to do and it all being out in the open. I guess no pain, no gain is true because those mats are fabulous and your living room is gorgeous. Feel better soon, hope to see your space at Luckett's

    MJ
    Lucky 7 Design

  63. oh Marian! your poor poor foot! I hope its feeling a tad better today 🙁 maybe you should have it looked at anyway?

    speaking of stupidity- JUST so you know- trying to rope chickens is NOT a good idea. Nor is jousting in the barn aisle with lunge whips…. just sayin'

    as for your new "rug"- I LOVE IT! its perfect in the dinning room!! I like it in the living room too, but not as much as the dinning room. 🙂

  64. Sorry about your foot!! I love your mats. The boards you have above your piano, did you make them out of hard boards and put them together yourself?

    Take care,
    Lisa

  65. Oops! Hope your foot is feeling better! Love the mat in your dining room but not as much as I love this blog!!!! I am so happy I found it – gives me lots of inspiration and makes me feel good.
    I've used the Caromal paints – love them and can't wait to see what you use them for.

  66. The mat is PERFECT in your dining room! Placing something so quirky and unexpected reminded me instantly of a re-run of Divine Design that I just watched last night. In the episode she used a rustic barn door in an otherwise very contemporary space and it absolutely made the room.

  71. I was eyeing that very mat at a store here in Gainesville earlier today. It is so cute, and perfect for your dining room.

    Hope your foot feels better soon.

    I plan on visiting Lucketts to check out your booth soon.

  72. I hope that your foot is feeling better. Your dining room looks fabulous. I has really evolved in the last few months. I sure would like to know where you got those bamboo mats they look great. Good luck at Lucketts. Debbie at dlg1970@windstream.net

  73. That Lamaze breathing comes in handy doesn't it? Your blog is the first one I check everyday. I'm learning so much! Thank you and I sure hope the foot doesn't give you too much trouble.

  74. The mats are amazing! I have been eying one myself for a little while now. It looks absolutely perfect in your dining room! I am so sorry about your foot. I hope you are okay! =(

  75. Sorry about your foot! Your blog is my favorite and I am a "blog-a-holic". Don't have one, just love the inspiration and talent in the blog world. Take care, we followers need you on your feet ready to perform your magic!

  77. so sorry about your foot. i do things like that too often. i hope you are feeling better. i love, love those mats! love them! they work so well in your room. i am off to check some out for myself!

  81. You didn't say if you went to ER for your foot… just because you can move it & walk on it doesn't mean its not broken, ask me how I know?! 🙂

    Love your blog and your inspiration, I'm new to the the land of blog and you have been a great influence! I just received my 1st ASCP and am buying thrift pieces to upcycle and sell to help supplement our income as my hubby had to take an early retirement due to open heart surgery. Don't mean to babble on..just wanted to let you know how you've help! Thank you!

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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