Do you remember the jute rug in the kitchen eating area with the scalloped edge? I loved the detail around the border, but I have some sad news.
After about a year in a heavy traffic path, the scallops around the corners started to come loose. I learned this is the kind of run that is best used in a room where people and animals won’t be walking over the corners throughout the day. I probably should’ve noticed the wear and rotated the run to extend its life, but it was becoming a bit of a tripping hazard. The fortunate thing about jute rugs, though, is they are inexpensive, so I don’t have anxiety about them wearing out. Most of my jute rugs have lasted for several years and the ones I had the longest (about 8 years) I sold with our last house and imagine they are still in service. This was just a case of a cute rug in the wrong place.
So, I selected a new one. I looked at a few none-jute options but old decorating habits die hard and I went with jute again. This time, I picked THIS nubby checkerboard rug to add some more pattern to this corner.
I love how it looks and, if you remember, it references the dining room rug, which is also a jute checkerboard. Although, the dining room rug is a bit too small for that space so I’ll likely be swapping it out as I’m working on the room.
If you’re currently rug shopping, use code MARIAN20 at Rugs USA to get 20% off your purchase.
I was also so excited to cut the first late-season Annabelle hydrangeas from the bushes I planted this spring to dry. I loved having dried hydrangeas in our last house and using them in fall and winter decorating. I didn’t want to cut too much off the bushes this year since they are still being established, but there were some blooms already drying on the bushes, so I cut those off. You can read a post about drying hydrangeas HERE. I tested out a few different methods and shared what worked best and was easiest.
And, I had to share the most amazing antique European cloche Maria from Dreamy Whites sent to me. She knows I’ve been putting a lot of work into my garden and said she had just the thing to send along to me. It’s so gorgeous that I don’t know if I have the heart to actually use it outside!
I have admired large cloches like this one for decades. I have been moving it around so far to see how it looks in different places in different rooms until it finds its perfect home. Of course, once we have a pottager garden I might sneak it out there every now and then. I’m sure it was used in gardens for many seasons and did just fine as long as it wasn’t left out during the winter.
I was hoping to start painting the dining room ceiling yesterday or today, but my back was sore from putting together a new bed frame for Calvin (his feet were hanging off of his twin bed) and moving a buffet I bought for the dining room. Now I remember how my back felt almost every day when I worked primarily on furniture and why I got out of doing that business full-time! My back can only take so much! The heating pad and rest have helped and I’m hoping I can start on the ceiling later this week to get that project moving.
I liked your scalloped jute rug, but the color, pattern and texture of the new nubby checkerboard rug is perfect. I really think you have pulled your home together so it flows from one room to the next, without any flaws. It is so inviting and airy. I just went to my pantry (stuffed with ‘stuff’) and got out my cloche. It is now in the hallway atop my pine pie safe. Thanks, Marian. I hope your back is better real soon–you have a lot of projects to do. LOL
I love the checkerboard rug! It’s a much better look than the scalloped one. It was cute but I didn’t like it in the kitchen. That corner of the room looks perfect now!
Hi Marian, I hope your back feels better. Be sure to wear safety goggles painting your ceiling. I didn’t and it splashed into my eye requiring a trip to the hospital. Burned for days!!
Can you lay a needlepoint floor cloth over a jute rug? I have a beautiful large needlepoint rug under the dining table but unfortunately it continues to slip and slide. Thx
Marian,
I like your old jute rug, I like your new one and I think it looks better in the dining room
I love both of them. My bath doors have the harlequin design painted on them.
I hope your back is better soon. That is miserable.
Dear Marian,
May your back heal quickly. It sounds like you know the routine and are following it.
Your gifted cloche is a marvel. I can hardly wait to see the many ways you display it. Have fun playing.
Hugs,
Diney on Mercer Island,
Beautiful as ever. I love both of the rugs. Question: Are your cats interested in the Jute rug… as in for scratching? I have 2 cats and I think they’d assume it was for them 😉 I’d love to add one to my dining room.
Where can I buy the large, large clothe?
Please measure and give me the size.
Waiting for the panting to begin.
Feel better.
Where can I buy the large, large clothe?
Please measure and give me the size.
Waiting for the painting to begin.
Feel better.
Love the cloche. I have never seen one quite that large. I pray that your back gets better soon.
A rug salesman told me you need enough room so the chair does ot hit the edge of the rug. . Perhaps that was your problem
I had one from Rugs USA last year but did not wear well. Hole worn where my feet were in front of my chair. Got puppy and had s few accidents which did not clean up. Watch under table where feet sit. I loved the looks but disappointed in wear.
The cloche was the first thing I noticed in the picture! It is beautiful!! The rug looks fantastic! Get some rest!
I love the rug and the cloche is simply divine! I have had chronic back issues for 30 years. I find ice much more helpful than heat. Hope you feel better soon.
Love the look of the new rug. Can’t explain why the harlequin pattern adds so much interest to the room; it doesn’t detract but enhances. It’s perfect. I’m with Ethel, I can’t wait for the dining room makeover to begin. Your posts inspire!
I like the looks of both jute rugs. I’m wondering how well they clean up when someone spills spaghetti sauce on it. Also, do you have a pad under the rug to prevent it from slipping and possible the wood floor beneath it?
Yes, we put a rug pad under all of our rugs to prevent slipping, add cushion and protect the hardwood floors. I clean up spills with soap and water, and I have found them to be pretty forgiving of stains. Since they are on the inexpensive side as far as rugs go, I don’t feel like I have to stress about it too much.
I love both but the new checkered one looks much stronger. I have cats, so the jute rug under my table only lasted two years. They think it is a new scratching post. And yes, they do have original scratching posts throughout the house.
Be careful with cloches outside because they can magnify the light into a beam that could cause a fire. I guess it depends on where you position it.
Hi, Marian, I like all of the rugs (the scalloped, and both checkerboard/harlequins). I agree with (it seems) most of the other commenters, the new rug looks even better than the previous.
In the 5th photo (the one of the kitchen, showing the corner near the range), it looks as if you have a “blind” bottom corner cabinet; if so, how do you have it organized? We have one that I use as a sort of pantry, but it gets old when I need to reach in the “way-back” to get something! My husband says the dimensions are too small to install a Rev-a-Shelf or similar.
Take care of your back. The projects will still be there when you’re better.
We actually have a two-tiered lazy Susan insert in that corner cabinet to make the most of the space. I keep my baking supplies, measuring cups, and mixing bowls in there.
I simply love the personality of the new rug and the way the two-tone pulls the whole dining space into cohesiveness and enhances the beautiful wood furniture!