February 16, 2010

le poeme

One of my biggest hurdles in decorating our space is having the ability to objectively decide if I like something or not. Sometimes, an item will catch my eye, but I can't figure out if it's because it's pretty, or because it's ugly (or simply weird). I see items in other people's homes and I think, what a cool piece — I never would have thought to buy something like that for this room. But then when it comes time to find my own home accents, I lose any confidence in my ability to choose something that will add quirky charm, instead fearing that it will just be cheesy and ugly. It's like I'm trying too hard to look like I'm not trying too hard ;-)

A prime example: I saw this rug on Thrifty Decor Chick the other day, and I still haven't quite figured out the answer to the question she posed — love it, or hate it?


Ignoring the fact that it's a rug, I do think it's particularly romantic and sweet because it's in French and it looks handwritten. Part of me thinks it would be a really great statement piece in an airy room with very simple decor... but the other part of me thinks it could turn into too much very easily.

What do you think? (By the way, we certainly have no room for something like this in our apartment, so this is strictly a hypothetical question :-)

11 comments:

  1. Not gonna lie... Saw this last night in my Ballard Designs catalog and I really like it, in black. I'm considering it for my office renovation. I'm afraid I'll get tired of it quickly though.

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  2. First, knee-jerk thought: it's pretty cool, but when it comes to incorporating other languages into decor, I prefer to know exactly what is being said (not just the literal translation, but any cultural connotations that could cause a wink-wink/nudge-nudge moment with someone who knew better), you know?

    At the same time I'm of the mindset that if something really appeals to you aesthetically that you should go for it, and if it's something that is out of the ordinary, invest the time to
    research it a little bit, so when people inevitably ask about it, you can speak to the object with the right amount of confidence. To me, it's completely worth it, because it's no longer just me spending my money--I'm intellectually bonded with the object and when I look at it I'm reminded how awesome it really is and how much joy I get in showing others its inherent awesomeness.

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  3. love it, love it, love it!!!!!!!!!!

    Although I wish it were in English and from a poem/passage I love.

    Luckily it's not, so I'm not completely compelled to buy it.

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  4. I often have the same problem when it comes to decorating. I think the rug looks very nice in the 2nd photo - with a simple color scheme in the room. I might be tempted to go small - maybe a runner in a hallway. And I agree with Elizabeth (above) about wanting to know exactly what it says. I would have to rely on my husband for a translation of this one.

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  5. Seeing it in the room in the second picture is definitely a winner. It would be a hard rug to decorate around, but do love it.

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  6. In the room it's pictured in, I LOVE it!!

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  7. i really really like weird. in fact, the weirder something is the more i have to have it (i.e. matador painting in my living room, snail lamp base in my office) but only if it has a thrift store price.

    i am done with white/ cream colored rugs or furniture. it never lasts as long as it should.

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  8. LOVE IT! What a great piece...I want it! :)

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  9. So, I like it...but it seems a little trendy/gimicky to me. If I had that rug in my living room, it would no doubt start a conversation with everyone who ever saw it and I am not sure that is a quality I want in a livingroom rug. Maybe in an office where it was just for me...but not in a public space. Does that make sense?

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  10. LOVE that rug! I definitely think conversation-starters are great items to have. It's versatile, interesting, and chic! :)

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