On my mind…
I have been looking for a new rug for the dining room…hahaha!!! It’s not a room; it’s a sad, pathetic space stuffed full of my dining room furniture! I realize most people who have built in our neighborhood are downsizing their lives and are my age or older. They have not only downsized their lives, but they’ve probably also downsized their furniture. I’m not ready to take that step yet! Until we built our first house in 1988, I didn’t have dining room furniture. I had a table and chairs. But, when we moved into that house, I quickly realized that tiny round table that barely sat five of us just looked out of place in the dining area. This area was separate from the kitchen and other rooms but not quite a room on its own.
A little more…
I knew what I wanted but couldn’t find it in any of the local furniture stores. It seems so strange to say it was over 30 years ago! But, there wasn’t a plethora of furniture stores around then. We ended up finding exactly what I wanted in this little boutique-y kind of place that made and sold custom oak furniture. After looking through the store, I knew exactly what I wanted…a hutch, a harvest table, and six chairs. We placed the order and waited and waited and waited. I think it was close to three months before our furniture was delivered. Shortly after that, the store closed up shop so I just might have been lucky to get my stuff! The first few years I babied that furniture, using special wax and buffing it to a high shine. Eventually, I convinced Nigel to just varnish the table because we had little kids, and I was tired of worrying about every little thing getting spilled on it!
Even more…
The hutch is one of my favorite things. I decorate the very top of the glass part as well as the top of the bottom part. The bottom is stuffed with my Christmas cookie jars, Christmas dishes, and all the other things I’ve collected and kept over the years. It’s not only a piece of furniture; it’s much needed storage. But, it’s sooooo big. It looked lovely in our old house which had a proper dining room. The gallery below is a mishmash of all my dining room furniture. The harvest table which matches the hutch was actually in the morning room along with the buffet (the first and third photos). We had another table in the dining room with the hutch. Confused? We had lots of furniture, obviously. We gave the smaller table (not shown) to our youngest son when we moved to the condo last year.
Still more…
Now, the hutch, the table and chairs, and the dry sink live in our dining area. I even added extra feet to the length of the space when we built this condo. I wasn’t able to add to the width which is what I so desperately need! Who knew? I am seriously considering moving the hutch into the front hallway. That hallway has 10 feet walls so it can handle the decor I used to put on top of the hutch. Our last house had nine foot walls. This one has eight which makes a difference when you’re putting stuff on top! But, to get the hutch to front hallway involves taking everything out of it, taking the top off the hutch (it’s two pieces), and hauling it diagonally across the living room. I’d have to coerce ask my sons and/or son-in-law to help which means coordinating everyone’s schedule. And, then, what if I don’t like it! The easy answer is to get rid of the furniture and buy something that works in the space, right? I, however, am one sentimental fool. This furniture means a lot to me. It’s like it’s a symbol of the time when I became a real adult who contributed to the financial wellbeing of our family because we sure couldn’t have afforded it before I started teaching.
The shopping trip…
Geez! You are probably wondering when in the world I was going to get back to the rugs, right? Well, I had to set the scene! So, I’ve been looking everywhere for rugs. It doesn’t help that I don’t really know what I want. Right now, there’s a country-ish looking rug that worked in the last house. It doesn’t do anything for the space now. I thought I needed something lighter. Have you looked for rugs lately? No? You know who has? Suzy! Suzy and her husband went to IKEA for a rug. She wrote about it here. Nigel is always asking me where I want to go and what I want to do. So, today, we went to IKEA. Did I find what I wanted? No, no, I did not because I don’t know what I want! I did buy a cute little lantern, a bamboo plant, and toilet brushes! You don’t go to IKEA with Nigel and walk out empty-handed!
My outfit…
I am trying really hard to shop my closet and not buy much. So far, I’m failing miserably! Today’s outfit is an example of what I truly wear every day…jeans, a tee, and a completer piece. All of these pieces are old. The jeans are from Talbots. I wrote a review of Talbots jeans back in April 2022, and these jeans are from that review. The tee is from Old Navy. I’m glad I picked up two of these last year because they don’t seem to have them this year. The ruana/poncho is from J Jill. I love this thing, but it’s a pain when you try to fasten your seatbelt! Sorry about the quality of some of the photos. I thought it would be fun to take photos in the “rooms” at IKEA, but the lighting varies in them. My bag is a Louise Rose by Brahmin and is several years old. I don’t switch out purses to match my outfit. I tend to switch them according to the season.
The Lewk!
I’m pretty sure these sneakers have shown up on the blog, but it’s been ages since I’ve shown them. They are reaching the point where I really need to put some new insoles in them. They are the Somers shoe by Sofft. There are other sneakers like these on different websites, but they have different names. Sofft usually comes out with a Somers sneaker every year. I wear these a lot as seen by the scruffy nature of that white trim around the bottom. The jewelry is by J Jill (necklace, earrings. I think J Jill has some of the best jewelry around!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Well, this was certainly a whine fest, wasn’t it? Not finding the right rug for a space I don’t really like is truly a first world problem, and I know that. I forgot to mention we also went to Menards which is another kind of Lowes store. We bought fertilizer spikes and fish stuff for the trees. Exciting times, my friends! So, can we talk? Would you put a hutch in your front hallway? Or, would you just ditch the sentimentality and get furniture to fit the space? What do you look for in the perfect rug? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can. Oh, and how do you feel about my shopping outfit?
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If you’ve got the room, I would definitely try the hutch in your front hallway. What better place to have all your pretty things displayed? Finding rugs can really be a challenge. Have you tried Costco? Or Home Depot/Lowes? Or Home Goods? I’ve found some really nice ones at each of those places.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
I definitely have the room in the hallway. I would love to paint it, but Mike says absolutely not. He’s probably right.
Yes, I’ve checked all of those places except Costco…oh, wait a minute, I haven’t checked Lowes lately. Good call!
Thanks, Rena!
That outfit is perfect for a casual shopping trip! I have a hard time getting rid of good furniture pieces too and often think of ways I can repurpose it (like moving the hutch to the front hallway– though I do worry about how/if it will fit the way I have it pictured in my head). I can take forever to buy an area rug though as I like to have all the just right colors in it and a perfect pattern.. which is probably why we haven’t bought any rugs in years and years!
Our front hallway is really big…these condos are built with wheelchair accessibility in mind. And, the ceiling is 10 feet high so that’s not a problem. The big thing is it’s so obviously dining room furniture, and the dining area is nowhere close. Area rugs are just so difficult, aren’t they? I agree…they have to be the perfect colors and patterns. Ughh….
Thanks, Joanne!
Finding rugs can be challenging. I never find something I am particularly looking for…but I do when I’m not looking for it specifically.
Ashh | That September Muse
That is 100% true! I will probably make up my mind that I like what I’ve got, and then I’ll find something!
Thanks, Ashh!
Definitely try the hutch in the front hallway. We downsized when we moved to this house and to keep my China cabinet and buffet, I put the buffet in the hallway. The dining room is open to the hall so the hall helps extend the dining room which is smaller than our other house. I decorate the buffet seasonally. At Christmas my nativity set graces it. February through Easter, it has mini-trees from the dollar store that have decorations for Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter. Right now I have little Pumpkins and autumnal decorations on it.
Loved all the photos.
Thanks, Eileen! The buffet is in the living room and works well there. All of my furniture is oak…you know that 80s golden oak? Anyway, I do think I’m going to move the hutch into the hallway. It’s on a diagonal from the dining area, but I think that’s the best plan. I need to paint the hallways first.
It looks you enjoyed the shopping trip a lot. Your outfit and shoes are awesome by the way.
Thanks! I like going to IKEA if I know exactly what I want. Otherwise, I end up buying goofy things!
I don’t want to go to Ikea at all, never! Hate it! Lol. And I hate buying rugs. Bought my last one online…….. which wasn’t such a good idea…..
I know what you mean, Nancy! The stores are so confusing! But, I thought I’d maybe find a rug. I haven’t had much luck buying rugs online either!
Thanks, Nancy!
Well you definitely needed comfy sneakers if you were going to IKEA. We’ve gotten a lot of things there, and never get out empty handed.
This may not work for you, but sometimes I find that if I buy something I like (it grabs my attention and I love it) I can end up making it work. At least somewhere in the house.
Because I don’t think you ever really know what you want until you already have it. I know when we moved, I ended up moving things around many times because you just don’t know how a space will work out until you live it for a while.
That’s my two cents.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I haven’t found anything I even like let alone love! I’m actually thinking about losing the rug completely and seeing what the space looks like.
I have moved our living room around three times now, and I’m still not sure if I like it. The bedrooms’ arrangements don’t really let me move things much. But, I can move some furniture from room to room. I just have too much furniture, and it’s all so big!
I’m not who anyone would go to for interior design advice, but I say give the hutch in the hallway a shot! Rugs…why is it so hard to find one when you need one, but when you don’t, you see wonderful options everywhere? I really like these sneakers with your casual-boho outfit.
Thanks, Sally! I wear these sneakers just about everywhere! I know what you mean. It’s like when you have money or a gift card and can’t find a thing. Then, when you don’t, you find all the things!
I think I will probably end up trying it there. I need to measure first. And, I want to paint the hallway first, too. It’s like dominoes!
I love that poncho and how you styled it with the pale, neutral colors. Great outfit! I completely understand the whole dilemma of downsizing your lifestyle and furniture in retirement. I keep putting off the project of unloading some furniture pieces that I have in our overstuffed house. These days, we rarely use our “formal” dining room. But I have not brought myself to tackle the project of streamlining our furniture, dishes, glassware, etc. Best wishes for finding a good rug that you really like!
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Thank you, Carol! It’s even more beautiful in person. The colors lend themselves to a neutral palette well.
Oh, when we moved eight years ago, I downsized lots of dishes and glassware. Furniture was another thing, though. I did have to get rid of some things when we first moved here as we needed to be able to walk! Good luck on streamlining the furniture!
I’m going to not look for a rug in hopes one will find me instead!
That poncho is so cute on you, I love the neutral colors. Comfy shoes are my jam and I love that pair and the texture/color. Oh, good luck with the hutch. It is a beautiful piece, but the size I am sure makes it hard to know where to place it. Oh, rugs are so hard! I got one recently and it was too small (even after I measured), so I put it somewhere else and I actually really like it… and, I still don’t have a rug for the place where I actually need one! Lol.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thanks, Carrie! I liked this poncho so much, I bought the larger size as they were sold out of the smaller size. But, with ponchos, it rarely seems to matter.
As for the hutch, I’m pretty sure I’m going to put in the front hallway. But, I want to paint that first because I don’t want to move the hutch over and over again!
Part of my problem with the rug is the size. I need a weird size, but I can make other sizes work. Then, I’d like it to match the one at the sink…it’s all a bit like “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie!”
Our dining room set was one of our first really nice furniture purchases when we bought our first house. I’d be hard pressed to give it up too! We host Thanksgiving each year and I love having a beautiful furniture set to host with. Good luck finding your rug and making the furniture work in your new space!
Thanks, Laura! Now, that I think about it, this was our first really, really nice furniture purchases, too. We’d bought couches and such, but nothing custom made for us. We have the kids and their families for holidays. We all fit nicely (and squishedly) around the table so I don’t want to get rid of the table. But, if I move the hutch I create much more space.
I’m going to give up on the rug hoping then I’ll find one by not looking!
I would definitely try the hutch in the front hallway! I have my dresser in the living room. It was our first real furniture purchased when I was pregnant with Archie and we had just bought our first house. When we moved to our current home, the darn dresser would not go up the 100 year old narrow winding staircase. Needing the storage and not wanting to dispose of the dresser, it has become a permanent living room fixture. It used to hold toys, now it has denim jackets and lightweight coats with a few drawers holding a mish mash of kids’ things. I was about to ditch all of my old furniture and buy new, but my environmental conscience got the best of me so now I am working on refinishing all of the old furniture. I also have my great grandparents’ bedroom set which is in the Art Nouveau style from the early 1900s. Probably made right around the time my house was built! I have no idea how I am going to refinish, paint, or decoupage all the furniture in my house but I am determined to do it! This was a fun post. I hope you find your perfect rug!
Shelbee
I am going to try it there, but the hallway has to be painted first. I don’t want to move it more than we have to! I think it will look good there, but then I have another table on the opposite side of where it will go. I’m not sure if that will be too much! Aaaargh!!!!
Your great grandparents’ bedroom set sounds gorgeous. I actually would like to paint the hutch, but Mike says no. I also think I’d regret it in a few years. I am sure you will come up with lots of wonderful ways to dress up your furniture! The rug? Who knows since I don’t even know what I want!