Carpet Karma

Last Monday the dog got sick. Really sick. On my jute carpet.

So instead of a natural fiber carpet for the family room, I'm now looking at Indoor/Outdoor carpet options.


Sawgrass Mills - Explosion, Aqua


Sawgrass Mills - Tribeca, Spruce


Sawgrass Mills - Watermark, Spruce


Sawgrass Mills - Peacock, Aqua

What I like about Sawgrass Mills rugs - they are similar to cotton and are a little more plush compared to other outdoor rugs.

Also, there are the lovely Dash and Albert rugs to consider too.


Dash and Albert - Diamond Light Blue/Ivory Indoor/Outdoor


Dash and Albert - Diamond Khaki/White Indoor/Outdoor

Do you have any rug favorites or dogs vs. carpet advice?

The sofa that could solve the world's problems

I love love love this sofa from Wisteria, but the description on their website is kind of lame.

• Diamond pattern symbolizing unity
• Each one is unique
• Cotton and wood construction

Oh, well! I still really like it and wish I could find some space in my house for it to live.

I'm it

I've been tagged by the lovely Rambling Renovators with 5 questions! Here goes....

1. What inspired you to blog? What is your favourite blog?

As I mentioned a few posts ago, friends encouraged me to start a blog years ago, but I'm lazy and just got around to starting Just Over The River last year. For me- I blog to have a record of our house projects, use as an inspiration platform and discussion for future diy and decorating projects and to offer up a bit of a creative outlet.

My favorite blog would have to be Design*Sponge. It provides a constant source of inspiration.

2. If there was a fire in your house, and you only had time to grab 4 things (excluding your family!), what would they be?

I picked a little more than 4 items...this was hard!

• Documents (house things and wallet): If I just dealt with a fire the last thing I want to do is trying to figure out how to get replacement paperwork, credit cards and license.
• Picture album from my childhood
• Grandmother's ski pin collection
• A few of my great-grandmother's doilies
• My first Steiff bear, Dorma

3. If you could live somewhere else in the world, where would it be?Why?

I've thought of this one since my high school days. I'd live on Lisa Island. This island would have mountains for skiing but also waves for surfing. Temperatures would be mild off of the mountain (no 100 degree days). I would also settle for Switzerland.

4. If money were no object, what would your dream house look like?

It would be a simple modern cabin in the woods with amazing views.


5. Name something you wish you had more time for.

I really enjoy making things. Having more time to create for my self and friends would be a dream. I'd also love to have some time to take horse back riding lessons and restore an Airstream trailer.

---------------

I'm going to use some of the similar "rules" as Rambling Renovators:

Tagees-

a) Post your answer to the 5 questions on your blog.
b) Ask 5 questions (can be your own or some repeats).
c) Tag a few other bloggers.
d) After you post your answers, come back and comment with a link to your post.

Questions (I'm using some repeats!)-
1. What was your inspiration to first start blogging?
2. If there was a fire in your house, and you only had time to grab 4 things (excluding your family), what would they be?
3. If you were "forced" to take on another residence would it be a houseboat, a farm estate, a city apartment, a seaside home, or a one room cabin in the woods?
4. If money was no object, what would be the next house or decor project that you would tackle be and describe!
5. Name something you wish you had more time for.

I'm tagging:
Eva at the fourth door
Elizabeth at Peacock Feathers
Sara at Russet Street Reno
the lovely Holyoke Home
Laurendy at Laurendy Home

Have fun!

Sisal Rug = Chic?

I've been trying to come up with affordable, large and hard wearing rug choices for our living/family/tv room.

All my searches led back to some sort of natural fiber rug. Then I remembered that all of Lee Kleinhelter's places always had sisal rugs. See, sisal can be chic!

Cottage Living November/December 2008







Cottage Living October 2006






Image via Design*Sponge

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles - January 2010






Images via Pieces, Inc.

Any thoughts on natural fiber rugs? Love them or hate them?

Summer Getaway

Since I have no big plans this summer, I'll live vicariously through others' vacation homes.

via The New York Times

See more pictures here and read the story about this summer retreat in the Hamptons.

Shimmer Shimmer: Kate Spade

Sometimes we all just need a little shimmer!

via Kate Spade

Moving right along

We are back into "finishing the upstairs" mode and the Dude spent most of the weekend painting the molding and starting on the touch up painting. I spent that time trying to entertain the dog like some sort of clown entertainer, so he wouldn't whine when he knew he couldn't be with the Dude (they have some sort of special male bond that I will never have with Pilot) and to keep him from trying to get upstairs and ending up with a paint streak down his side.

Last night, I ordered a bicycle leash to wear this pup out and a dog bed for him to crash when not in the crate. These dogs and their accessories really add up!


Dog bed by Molly Mutt (Mr. Roboto)


Walky Dog Bicycle Leash (I hope this works!)

Finding things and toys to keep Pilot busy seems to be difficult since he's an "aggressive" chewer. The other day he "aggressively" chewed my door stop.


I also need to start shopping for a stair runner and a larger rug for the family room since Pilot is a bit of a spazz on the hardwood floors.

He is starting to loose his new dog smell!

A bunch of thanks!

I'm back from my little blogging break with two new announcements!

1. We have a name for the dog. He will be known as The Pilot. The Dude thought it would be funny to have "the" in front of his name. So far, Pilot has not complained about his new name (it was Oreo before).

Thanks to everyone that suggested names through faceplace, twitter and email. It took us quite some time to pick a name because of all of the great suggestions. One day, I'll try to get a post together of the name suggestions to help anyone else trying to name a pet (or kid).

Pilot's neck heart

2. Today is Just Over The River's first anniversary! Hope you've enjoyed following me on my little adventures, because I've enjoyed sharing them. Thanks to Lauren and Elizabeth for encouraging me to start blogging.

I've been really lucky to have been able to "meet" some great bloggers along the way and reconnect to old friends. This year, I hope to be able to share more house projects (once we are out of the triple digit temps), inspiration and other fun stuff.

A bunch of thanks!!