Our white bedroom

We don't do well with white carpets.  When we moved into our house a little over a year ago, there was wall-to-wall creamy white carpet everywhere.  We almost immediately replaced it with hardwood in the living room and hallways, but we kept it in the bedrooms to save.  It hasn't fared well in our master bedroom.


{You can see in the pic that even when it was taken -after only a few months here- we'd done some damage...  It's really inexpensive carpet and so it's also held up terribly}

I want to keep our bedroom feeling light, airy and natural and I know that pulling our dark hardwood into the bedroom would make it much darker than I want.  We've been loving our indestructible wall-to-wall seagrass in the basement and decided to do it in here too.  Seagrass can be tough on barefeet but you do get used to it.  It's weird though... when I'm really tired (ie sometimes when I first wake up or really late at night) the seagrass is too much for my feet so I plan to layer the seagrass in our bedroom with a massive soft white hide rug:



I'll let you know how it goes!! 
And thanks so much to everyone for all of the comments & advice about childcare...  I really appreciated hearing how you all have done it and how things have worked out for you.  I guess I've realized that in the end, (which is what many of you pointed out) we have to go with what we feel works best for us & our family.  It might not be what others would do in our situation but we have to do what's right for us, and we know that best.    Have an awesome Labor Day weekend and enjoy wearing that WHITE!!!


  xoxo, Lauren

39 comments:

Windlost said...

Hi Lauren, a fabulous idea indeed. Yes, I don't know how people cope with the seagrass. I love the way it looks but find it rather hard. Some people claim to like the "loofah" effect. Ugh, not so much. But the layered look will be lovely. I have been seeing all sorts of fun area rugs (small Persian, etc.) layered over seagrass, and lets you mix it up a bit with a neutral foundation.

David wants NONE of it in our house. Things need to be SOFT here. : )

On that note, I am currently exploring Lee linens for a new chair and sofa. I would love your thoughts and might send you an email but know you are super busy and not free, so I won't pester you for now. So hard to find a soft linen that won't be too baggy with use, etc. Also wondering if I should use the same linen on the chair and sofa.

Anyway, good luck with the rug - your room is going to be an oasis. Hope all is going well with the biz plan.

xo old cousin man, T.

katiedid said...

I do love seagrass as well and it holds up so much better than sisal or coir. I had layered my seagrass rug with a cow hide and the white parts showed soil where the seagrass bumpd were higher. I think you might be able to give the hide a "sponge bath" though. I have not tried that yet. You will still feel the bumpiness through the hide. You might consider a flokati or a sheepskin rug...cozy and thick! LOVE your fresh white bedroom!!! Beee-u-tee-ful!!!!

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

I think your room would still look gorgeous, light, and airy, even with hardwoods. Love the layered look on your bed!

Shannon @ Hase Haus said...

Go for the seagrass! It just looks so classic.

Shannon

By the way, I have the exact same chandelier in our dining room. When I purchased it, there were two, but I only needed one. Any chance you picked it up at the Falls Church Antique Annex on Broad Street?! :)

MFAMB said...

ooooooooh yes!!!!!!!

sara@augustfields said...

ahh...it all sounds so fabulous! love love all white :) and the seagrass will be a subtle 'shazam' element ....can't wait to see it.

Lynett said...

The seagrass is going to be absolutely fantastic in that room and the cowhide rug...::swoon::

Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Laurel-Dawn McBurney said...

I think this is a fantastic solution! I love a cowhide rug! They are so beautiful, the organic shape will definitely be an eye-catcher in your space- and I'm sure your feet will appreciate it!

I just did a post today that includes a creamy cowhide rug- but it's for a nursery- weird!
http://abodelove.blogspot.com/2010/09/baby-fever-nope-nursery-fever-yes.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AbodeLoveAMansHomeIsHisWifesCastle+%28abode+love%3A+A+man%27s+home+is+his+wife%27s+castle%29

Can't wait to see how it looks- thanks for sharing!

KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFanna said...

I love the green pillow and your bed and chandy.

The changes sound lovely.

Kelly

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

Hi Lauren,

Looks like its going to be great..I'd love to know where you end up getting the WHITE cowhide rug from...i think that is what i am going to aim for my next project. :))))))
Let me know ...thanks! XOXO

kayce hughes said...

So funny. We have long strips of seagrass (remnants from another room) in our bedroom to see how we like it. It is a little hard on the feet but we have an old oriental to throw over it. I thought I would be the only person to choose it for a bedroom.

Grizzly Bear said...

Gorgeous!

Danielle Oakey Interiors said...

the thing that i love about the bottom picture is the combination of white and cream. It still gives the overall look of white on white but adds dimension!

love your bedroom!

AntiqueChase said...

I have never walked on seagrass but my friend had a rug that her husband could not stand and she said it really hurt to walk on.

Megan // Honey We're Home said...

Your bedroom is gorgeous! I know what you mean about the texture on your feet. When I first wake up, I put on slippers because our bamboo hardwoods are so hard under my feet!

Unknown said...

a beautiful bedroom set, looks very good, the white color looks very good in contrast with the settings, very good looking decor

Greet Lefèvre said...

Lauren,
I love your room as it looks now! But the hardwood will maybe be better to clean! I know it is always so difficult to choose between the more practical way and the aesthetics!
Have a wonderful weekend!
xx
Greet

pve design said...

Please admit one to that all white space, looks dreamy and I would lend a hand painting those floors a fresh coat of white wash!
Happy Labor Day Lauren! (and boys)
pve

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

L, I too have a white bedroom, but love my dark hardwood with it. I don't think it would make your room too dark at all. I feel in no time we will look at all the seagrass everywhere and say, "what were we thinking..."

LuluD said...

Lauren, Your bedroom is so pretty! White is my favorite non-color for any room, but especially the bedroom. I love it.

Mary said...

How do you clean a cowhide rug? As beautiful as they are, I can just see my husband spilling his coffee on it.

Beth said...

Lauren, Your bedroom is lovely - so calm & peaceful! I had to comment because I just finished telling my mom about how much I love the look of seagrass, but I can only walk on it during the day. She thought I was nuts, so it's good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way! - Bethany

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I love all your white...so crisp and refreshing!

simply seleta said...

GORGEOUS!!!! You are so talented.

Who cares about the carpet...your tots are still little and will continue to have mishaps. It's good you had inexpensive carpet there to catch the spills...this time has saved some wear and tear on your soon to be fancier grasscloth and hide rug!

xo

Jennifer said...

I have two big seagrass rugs and the one with the flatter weave is more comfortable. It doesn't bother me! And once you have been present during carpet removal you'll NEVER want the stuff in your house again. EVER! I'll take minor discomfort over the thought of what could be hiding in the carpet any day!

Charlotta Ward said...

Hello. The bedroom looks lovely and yes, you are right the carpet ruins it. I think sea grass will look great. Giving it a nice textural contrast whilst not having a 'bare floor' that can be so cold in Autumn and Winter.
I love the idea of layering it with a hide. Also, try gorgeous grey & curly sheep skins for Winter.

Can't wait to see the result.

x Charlotta

DecRenew Interiors said...

I love your large pillow on your bed up against the white duvet! It's always lovely to wake up to a beautiful room. Have fun with the floors. I know it will be stunning.

Ruthie

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

Love the bedroom with the white cowhide. over the top!

Bailey said...

Seagrass = feet murder to me. So pure, love it, but my hooves just can't take it. I think the hide is a fantastic solution my dear!

lisaroy said...

I love the seagrass idea layered with the soft rug on top - I think it will be just perfect! :)

greg's wife said...

Your room is gorgeous...LOVE the green pillow...where/how much??? I actually like the dark hardwood idea better with maybe a sheep skin rug on it...I'm thinking it is easier to clean and I don't think it would be too dark...rich and warm but not distractingly dark. So excited to see the finished photos, b/c I'm pretty sure whatever you'll do will be gorgeous!

Jannsen Design said...

Lauren,
There is a large, white, hide rug at Luckett's right now. I saw it today and if I hadn't had my 3 year old with me and had more time to think I probably would have bought it for myself.

Acquired Objects said...

I love your pop of green in your bedroom, nice room too. I have dark walnut wood floors in my bedroom and my room is semi small and doesn't make it feel darker. The white hide rug would look great against dark floors (as long as you don't have a dog who will attack).Great idea!

Ness Lockyer said...

Your room is always amazingly beautiful Lauren and having some seagrass and the white rug will make it even more so. Looking forward to seeing how you go.
Ness xx

La Petite Gallery said...

I just adore the bed top, it
is lovely, I am favor white
on my bed. It's a great post.


yvonne

Velvet and Linen said...

When we bought our home in Channel Islands harbor a couple of years ago we replaced all of the white carpet with wall to wall sea grass. The texture doesn't bother us and I love the way it looks. It gives the same warmth as wood floors at a fraction of the price. We've also layered carpets over them in the main areas of our home. I think you are going to love your new sea grass!

xo
Brooke

Stella said...

Love it ! I love the long green pillow on your bed! Perfection :)

LindsB said...

love the idea of a layered rug in the bedroom, its going to be fantastic!

Vidya said...

Will you be able to tell me the white paint you used for the walls?? Even I have white painted house but the walls paint is pale and it doesnt look bright. Which paint color is it?