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Doormat debate: classy or trashy?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A neighbor once commented that upon arriving home one day and exiting the elevator she immediately realized she was on the wrong floor thanks to “all those tacky doormats.”
I’d never given doormats a second thought, but when I had my own elevator mishap and exited on that floor, I admit, the first thing I noticed were the mats.
Some were quite nice. Others were those rubber things you might find at the entrance of the local gas station, which seemed a poor way to welcome someone into your home.
A cursory look around yielded some nice options such as these pictured. But I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What is your stance on doormats? Where have you found nice ones?
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My first Persian rug
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m officially an adult: I bought my first true Persian rug.
You’d think my first mortgage payment would’ve given me such a grown-up sense of pride, but no — it was this rosey-red, brown, turquoise, cream and dark brown hand-knotted rug made some time ago in Tabriz, Iran. It’s somewhat worn, but I like its aged look and have more than once thought it will be with me for decades to come.
But despite all the years my mother took me to rug dealers and my own appreciation of their beauty, it wasn’t until last weekend at the Scott Antique Market that I observed the dramatic difference between the light and dark side of the rug.
Standing at one end, a rug can seem muted and pale, while walking around to the other side gives a richer, deeper look. I currently have the light side of my new rug facing oncoming traffic, but will switch it out in the winter for a homier feel.
How often do you rearrange your rugs for a design effect? Do you have any rugs inherited from your elders? Are you interested in knowing its origin, or just glad to have those hardwoods covered?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: "Roominations"
House plants for cleaner air
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With summer days too hot for open windows and winter months too cold, I begin to feel squeamish about the recirculating air. To help combat this feeling, I long ago turned to indoor plants research has suggested can clean the air of toxins.
My peace lily (like this pic from the University of Washington) is just now acclimating to my new home, blooming with numerous white spoon-like flowers. I also keep a Norfolk Island Pine (not the most effective in toxin removal, but I like its look) and a pretty pink anthurium.
According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, NASA research has shown the root systems of these plants as effective in removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air. That said, jury is out on whether having a couple plants really makes a difference, though all agree some extra green can’t hurt!
- Bamboo Palm
- Chinese Evergreen
- English Ivy
- Gerbera Daisy
- Janet Craig
- Marginata
- Mass cane/Corn Plant
- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (snake plant)
- Pot Mum
- Peace Lily
- Warneckii
What plants do you keep in your home?
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Whoops! I broke your chair. A question of furniture ethics.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Strolling through an antique store the other day, my friend pointed to a Chippendale dining chair and said: “That’s like the chair I used to have before my cousin broke it.”
Apparently, her late chair collapsed under the weight of a rather hefty cousin.
A co-worker of mine has a similar tale. Her obese niece (rhyme unintentional) sat on her pedestal-legged antique settee, only to have one of the legs break underneath her.
I can’t imagine how embarrassed either party felt; the hostess for having furniture fail, the heavy person for breaking it. In both of the above cases, neither guest offered to pay for the furniture repair, prompting this ethical quandary:
Who should pay for the repair? Should the host or hostess apologize for the incident and take care of repair quietly, or should the guest offer to help with the costs, perhaps assuming responsibility for the antique furniture’s demise?
Do we assume all furniture, even that made centuries ago, should support today’s larger society?
What are your thoughts on handling this delicate furniture faux pas?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: "Roominations"
My home, my office, my everything.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I love my roommate, but I secretly dream of the day I can convert my second bedroom into a home office/guest room.
How will I do this? Not sure, but it will likely include a gorgeous antique secretary, lots of filing cabinets, a large-scale framed corkboard like this one from Ballard Designs, and a comfy daybed that will pretend to be a couch.
I have every reason to work from home at least a couple times a week. Sky-high gas prices aside, all I really need as a writer is a telephone and computer.
I’m not alone; the U.S. Dept. of Labor reports that about 15 percent of people worked from home in 2004, a number that I suspect has risen in the four years since the poll.
If you work from home, do you prefer a laptop on the kitchen table, or an office suite in a spare bedroom? How did you make the transition and establish your new ultra-personalized professional space?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: "Roominations"
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Gee…there must be some function automatically directing readers to Habitude against their will. As most of our readers know, “important, earth-changing” topics are not a requisite for this or any blog… Get all the... read the full comment by Nedra Rhone | Comment on Doormat debate: classy or trashy? Read Doormat debate: classy or trashy?
Melissa Habitude isn’t supposed to be about the news anyway! That’s right, my friend. We have plenty of blogs about all kinds of topics. This one happens to be about home decor and design, which includes some news elements... read the full comment by Katie Leslie | Comment on Doormat debate: classy or trashy? Read Doormat debate: classy or trashy?
Nedra, ignore the negativity. Not everything has to be “newsworthy” to be discussed. Some of us actually enjoy the blog you and Katie have put together. Habitude isn’t supposed to be about the news anyway! We have doormats... read the full comment by Melissa | Comment on Doormat debate: classy or trashy? Read Doormat debate: classy or trashy?
I guess I’m an awful person, because I found this topic very interesting. I guess it’s the HGTV fanatic in me (smile). I think a doormat is a must, but I do take time to select one. I’ve found great ones at Costco and Target.... read the full comment by Pam | Comment on Doormat debate: classy or trashy? Read Doormat debate: classy or trashy?