I went to the one of the coolest places on the planet today.
It's right here, in Prattville, Alabama.
They carry a treasure trove of wonderful fabrics, and I am a TOTAL fabric junkie!
I could spend hours sifting through them. I love touching them and coordinating them with each other. It's such a rush. (Yes, I am truly a design geek)
Anywho, I wanted to see if I could find anything that would make nice drapes in the Dining Room.
Keep in mind, this is the scheme I've got going on in the Kitchen (which is open to the Dining Room):
This is choice number one:
Paired with a rug like this:
And here is choice number two:
I could add some trim to the edges, to make them less plain. Or maybe do grommets across the top, to tie into my nickel finishes in the kitchen. Lots of options to spiff them up, just thought the color was perfect.
Paired up with a rug like this:
This was also a possible contender:
Maybe with a rug like this:
Choices, choices.
I'd love to hear what you all think! What should it be? Combo 1, 2 or 3? :-)
Here are a few more photos of some other fabrics I found that I would love to find an excuse to use SOMEWHERE in the house:
* I'm adding this last bit to this post, because after reading some of your comments, I think it might be necessary-
Remember, I am inheriting an amazing, large, 100-year-old dark brown, wood Dining Table & Chairs in the near future.
Also, my first choice would be to use a sisal rug...but I am worried about putting yet another neutral color in the room. That would mean the only color would be in the form of the drapes and occasionally the table settings. I keep going back and forth on whether that's enough. ?
Lastly, I am not only an Interior Design NUT, but I'm a Gemini.
If I did get Rug #2, and "fell out of love with it" after a year- I would just go out and get something else. The designer, & Gemini, in me is incapable of getting too attached to home stuff. I always want something new eventually.
I don't buy a lot of clothes, gamble, travel, or have any other expensive hobbies, so I figure I can buy a rug every year if I want. :-)
Now, EVERYBODY, chime in here! I mean it...I'm depending on your votes! I will tally them up and blog about the winning combination tomorrow morning!
Layla
PS...I am posting the first ever LETTERED OLIVE post tomorrow morning too! (insert nervous excitement here)
The wildly patterned rugs seem to be the hottest young upscale trend right now -- so it might work well to showcase your decor talents when magazines or shows come calling! BUT a plainer rug would work well for different seasons -- and for different reasons. OR you could switch to a sisal rug for the warmest seasons -- and use the patterned rug for most of the year. Love striped curtains of any kind!
ReplyDeleteJan at Rosemary Cottage
I love the 2nd choice. That rug is great.
ReplyDeleteI've been a lurker for a month or so now and love what you've done with your house. I've lived in Prattville for years and often drive down your street on my way home.
I think choice number 2 would be super cute in that area, especially coming out of that fabulous kitchen. The fun pattern of the rug would bring a little bit of whimsy and unexpected to the room.
ReplyDeleteI'm diggin' number 2! That rug is fab. The solid curtains will bring that color around from the kitchen nicely.
ReplyDeleteThe flooring is positively gorgeous! I love the color. Can't wait to see the finished pantry!
I forgot to add how much I love fabric as well. I'm just now doing a project using fabric I've had hoarded for over 10 years! A remnant I just had to have because I adored it, but had nothing in mind to use it for at the time.
ReplyDeleteI'll blog about it soon! Funny how things work out~
#2 rug is wonderful but I'm not crazy about the plain fabric...would the 3rd fabric be too many patterns? I'd like a subtle pattern in the window treatments. Well, that's just my opinion. Whatever you choose will be just right! Your place is really looking great! Good luck with your video....5 stars for you! DebraK
ReplyDeleteNumber 2 is awesome! I love it! I have the same addiction! I'm in love with fabric! I love to see,touch and hoard fabric...I stow it away...Your choice are great and i love how the kitchen is coming along! I'm off to price rugs for my own home...Too bad I don't have a friend like you to come along...Meme
ReplyDeleteOk...A toughy. I think I don't like the idea of solid curtains....I'd like a stripe, and the first stripe has that darker bit in it which will subtley work with your new black door and black cabinets. The rug works well too.
ReplyDeleteI think the 2nd rug is fun, but would be best if something simple (interms of table and chairs) were on top of it. But still don't like those plain curtains.
my two cents...and thats about what it is worth!
How am I supposed to choose? I love all of them. I think if you go with patterned curtains, you should pair it with a sisal rug. It would bring in the texture that you're trying to pick up. I love rug #2, but the curtains would need something. I, too, was thinking either grommets or a trim (or both!). The rug would catch so much attention, who cares if the curtains are a little more simple. You'll have it spiffed up with pictures, etc. that they certainly won't seem plain when the room is pulled together. Plus, that solid fabric is just lucious. By the way...I hate Jenny. How dare she brag about living so close to you.
ReplyDeleteI am an older designer and know how costly things can be...not just the materials but the labor too. I think all 3 would work just fine but number 3 will be lasting. It's not trendy like the number 2 rug. If i were doing that room I would use a seagrass rug and the solid fabric from number 2. it would be classic and timeless.
ReplyDeleteBoy they are all such great choices it's hard to pick. I went back to your dining room pictures as I remember you saying that the dining table will be changed. Originally I would have opted for option 3 given the current look. But having reviewed your previous post I think I would go for option 2 now. I think it will tie in better with the dark rectangular table, the pictures and potential light fixtures. But whatever you choose to do I know that it will be FANTASTIC. I can't wait to see it finished. Lisa
ReplyDeleteMy own personal "OOOOH - LOVE IT" is number one. gut reaction. :-D
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric of number 3, but I see what you are saying about wanting to have an infusion of color in the room...in which case, cheerful number 1 is a great option too! :) I think whatever you pick will look great. Suerte (good luck)!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I just scrolled down through your blog and I LOVE what you are doing to your sweet home!! Now I have to go watch and rate your video! I'll be back often!...Donna
ReplyDeleteNumber two for sure. I love the solid color fabric and it will be perfect once your decorate it up a bit. Love the rug too. I can't decide though if it is too busy or not. I also like rug number one with fabric number two.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!!
I like the first combo, but I also like how someone pointed out doing the solid color drapes (with grommets!) and the sisal rug. You can always have a pillow made for a corner chair in the stripe fabric for more color.
ReplyDeleteno.35style-
ReplyDeleteYES! In fact, my husband REEEEEALLY wants one in there.
I just never found the perfect one, AND we plan to replace the window in there with French Doors and I'm concerned about obstructing the view out them from the Living Room. Also, if you look back at an earlier post on the Dining Room, it would also obstruct the view of the black and white photography, on the picture ledge, from the Kitchen.
Design dilemnas....gotta love em!
Layla
I love choice #1 the fabric is so wonderful although I have mostly plain drapes I love the stripes, very lively .
ReplyDeleteCome on by and see how my beadboard ceiling install is going.
Chris
My choices, in order, would be #1, #3, and then #2. I too am a Gemini and I tend to find it's better to pick neutral staple objects and I do a whole lot with accessories. All three choices are lovely, and I've seen your style, so I am confident that whatever you choose will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteHey! I love combo #1 OR #2...hard to pick just one! Either would work great. I can see why you like the rug pattern on 2, very cool. I don't remember hearing about this fabulous table & chairs you're going to get soon. Can't wait to see that. I'll be back for the new post to see what you've got up your sleeve.
ReplyDeleteI checked out some of your competition on Design Star auditions & man, are there some BAD ones. I'm not naming any names, but I think you are a shoe-in!
Rhoda
Hi. I'm back. It seems to me that #2 is the natural choice here. Why, you ask? Your argument for the need to have some balancing color, and your argument for not worrying about changing the rug pushed me in that direction. Plus, my big advice for anyone getting an area rug under their dining set is to get one with a pattern (even if it's subtle) because of stains or food. Plus, I really do love that fabric in #2. Is it velvet? You do know that whatever you choose will be gorgeous, right?
ReplyDeletei like the first combo best, works naturally together
ReplyDeletethose last three pics are right up my street, I would love to visit that fabric store, it is so limited here to find good stuff
Sarah
Love #1...hands down.
ReplyDeleteI'm a gemini too and I know I would tire quickly of #2...it's cool though.
#3 rug is way too dreary for me. :)
I love the stripe on choice nnumber one. That color scheme just calls to me. BUT...I would never in my wildest dreams put a solid rug under a table where people would eat everyday. It would look like yuck in about 10.6 seconds at my house, and that would be if I were lucky.
ReplyDeleteSo I have to say #2!!
I'll go with choice #3. Nice compromise between them all!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
Allisha
I love combo #3. I think it's beautiful and would work really well in your house. The lighter and more airy stripe seems a little more beachy, which is perfectly in keeping with the beautiful shell paintings in the living room, as well as your stunning guest room. I agree with the anonymous poster about going with classic and timeless vs. trendy. All your choices so far definitely transcend trendiness - elegant, classy, and very sophisticated.
ReplyDeleteRug #2 is so whimsical and graphic at the same time, I think it would really pull together with the dark table. I loved that rug the moment I saw it at PB - if anyone can pull it all together, it's you! Can't wait to see the results
ReplyDelete-Pumpkin Cottage
I love combo #1. excellent combo of colors. I love fabric stores!
ReplyDeleteNumber 2.
ReplyDelete:)
This is a tough pick! I love the rug in #2, I've been drooling over it in the PB catalog, but I also love striped fabric.
ReplyDeleteI do think that #2 would be great, maybe add a little something to the solid fabric for the curtains.
I can't wait to see what you pick.
I live in Alabama too.
Well, it looks like Claudia has got it goin' on at her barn! I love the stripes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind comments over at ye olde Painted House. Come back anytime!
I've had fun poking around your blog--your home is lovely! Looks like you are having too much fun. And, look at you, missy...can you be any prettier???
Im lovin' #1... but all of them are just great. Cant wait to see which one you decide on.
ReplyDeleteI love combo number 1. It is a soothing, fresh palette, and will fit in nicely with the rest of your home.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I am a serious seaonal decorator. So if that option doesn't work for Christmas or fall as well, what about also picking up a pair of the natural linen panels to provide a more meutral backdrop for seasonal decor at those times? That way, you get to change things up with the seasons.
I never look at curtains as a stagnant element. I have many pairs that I change as I see fit. It just makes things more interesting, and is less expensive than buying a new rug each year...
Your home is absolutely beautiful, and my fingers are crossed that you will be able to display your design flair on the show. Oh, and I had a peek at your fireplace redo plans...fantastic, of course!!
I love the tumbled tile.
Linda
Linda
first time here. i'm no decorator so i won't offer an opinion but i love all your pictures here.
ReplyDeleteLayla,
ReplyDeleteWhy not use two of the fabrics? Than you can have reversible curtains. I do that with most of my curtains.
Kirsten
I love number two the most! Jen R
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for number 1, love the stripes!
ReplyDeleteI love the POP of the rug in #2 paired with the more plain fabric for curtains to help ground it a bit. The deciding factor was in knowing that if you got tired of it, you'd be fine changing it out eventually.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! By doing so, I've just discovered an awesome new decorating blog that I now ADORE!
Hope your Labor Day is a bit labor free!
They are all fabulous, but I LOVE opt 2. Your site is inspiring and I am finding myself wanting to change all that I have done in my house! Does being a taurus mean indecisions?
ReplyDeleteI have been reading for a little while...I love your style! I think #2 is perfect. I love the rug and the color of the curtain fabric.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see more pictures!
I love the 2nd combo but can see where it would get dated the quickest...but if it isn't terribly expensive, then that isn't such a big deal :)
ReplyDeletesisal can be dyed...so you could have that natural texture but more "oomph" than its inherent colour :)
adding a disclaimer:)
ReplyDeleteI've never dyed sisal myself...only seen it done so this is the Voice of Sorta Experience Only speaking :)
If it were me, I'd go with option 2. I love the simplicity of the fabric with the amazingness of that rug. Truly, the rug made my heart skip a beat. If you went with that and did the grommet thingy with the curtains, it would be great. But, that's just me...
ReplyDelete-- Brandi
Oh and this is my first comment here. I love your work. And I'm about a hour north of you in Alabaster.
I'm so excited to find aout about Claudia's. I'm in extreme southern Shelby County, just an hour from Prattville. There was a wonderful low price designer cloth barn in Westover, but it closed. I can't wait to get to Claudia's! Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteHi Layla- this is my first visit. I almost navigated away because you are too beautiful and I hate you for that! BUT you are also engaging and sweet so here I still am! (Also, I gave you 5 stars on you HGTV video-good luck!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway....I like combo number one. The green is lively and pretty with your kitchen theme. It also has a lovely beachy look to it too. I truly am enjoying your blog and I will add you to my blog roll.