8.14.2009

In Praise of Craig's List

So, I have been stressing out about the rug for my new family room for weeks. It's ridiculous because I know there are people with way worse problems than this. But some of you may identify with my need to make everything "perfect," and it is this need that stresses me out when I re-do a room.

I wanted a rug that would "warm up" the room, color-wise, but not overpower it. I also wanted one that would be comfortable for my family to roll around on, and that would hide some of the inevitable kid and doggie stains. I fell in love with a sisal one at Pottery Barn, but the rough texture of the sisal meant that there would be no cozying up on that rug, and the lack of pattern mean that there was nothing to hide the inevitable stains.

Enter Craig's List.

I have been randomly searching "brown rug" on Craig's List for weeks. The other day, this one popped up. It's the Graham rug from Pottery Barn, now discontinued but still gorgeous! And the best part was that it was in great shape, was a mere 15 miles up the highway from me, and cost only $275. That's compared to the original price of $700 or more.

It's gotten a hefty steam cleaning, and it fits perfectly with the new colors in the room.

Henry likes it too!

I will take a moment now to apologize that I have not been around much this week to visit all of you in blogland. My little girl, above, started pre-school yesterday, and this mama's heart has been breaking a little bit all week. Toss in the fact that today is her 3rd birthday, and that we have planned not one, but two parties (one for family and one for all her little friends) this weekend, and I am barely functioning.

I hope to catch my breath early next week and be back around. In the meantime, let's all celebrate the wonders of Craig's List.

And wish my sweet little Nina Elizabeth a Happy 3rd Birthday!


46 comments:

Ms. Tee said...

Happy 3rd birthday to your sweet little Nina! And the rug is great - you find the best stuff on Craig's list. I keep forgetting to look there! :)

Angie said...

How sweet!! Happy Birthday Nina! I love the picture of her!! Your rug is AMAZING, it looks so good in your room, what a steal!

I copied your friend's window project and put it on my blog yesterday. It came out SO good! Thanks for the idea!!

I hope Nina has a fun birthday weekend!

Joanna said...

Aww...Happy 3rd birthday! She's is so cute! Love that blond hair.

That is a great price for a PB rug! Wow. It looks terrific in that room too.

Shilo said...

Great shopping, Carrie...but more importantly, GREAT MOTHERING. Happy Birthday to Nina.
Blessings,
Shilo

Shannon said...

When I first moved to the Pacific NW 4 years ago a friend told me about Craigslist. I had never heard of it before, but now I LOVE it! I haven't bought much on it, but I've sold a lot. Your room remodel looks great, too, btw.

MegJill said...

Gotta love Craigs List! (Someone should do a blog party where everyone shows something special they got on there!)
Anyway, your rung looks beautiful in there! I love how big it is, and that it has a pattern that doesn't overwhelm. Also, your coffer table is adorable? New, or just moved from another room?

MegJill said...

I meant to say "rug" not "rung". :)

MegJill said...

Lotta comments from me here, I know. But would you mind telling me your wall paint brand and color? We are getting paint ideas for our 1st house and I am looking for a light tanish color. Living with it everyday, how do you like this one?

Jessica said...

Happy birthday little miss Nina! You are adorable!

Oh, and I love your mom's new rug in the family room...PERFECT!

Shell in your Pocket said...

What a cutie...have fun in preschool! I love her bookbag and your rug:)!

sandy toe

Southern Fried Gal said...

Awesome find on the rug!

I totally get it - my precious baby will begin kindergarten next week - sniff, sniff.

Hope your parties are fun and that you don't stress too much! I'm sure they will be beautifully planned and executed!

Ally's Corner said...

Great find! I hope she has a great time in pre-school. My little one started Kindergarten this week.
Now I have two in school and all this time to myself.

Ally

duchess said...

Happy Happy Birthday, Nina!!
Enjoy your parties.

The rug is beautiful - I never have such luck on Craigslist but I keep trying.

Betsy said...

Oooh! Love that rug...I am in need of one too.

Anonymous said...

Your heart is breaking as she leaves for pre-school? Wow..I thought pre-school was just to learn how to sit still all day while "learning" and I thought it was optional. Why oh Why do you feel obligated to ship her off?

Sarah said...

She is the cutest thing! I love her little skirt. Happy Birthday Nina!

We love, love, love Craig's List!

Tasha said...

Yea for Craig's list!!!! Love the rug. And Happy 3rd Birthday Nina!!

Sunny said...

She is looking like such a big girl! I remember when I first started reading your blog last year - she still had so much baby in her. The change is amazing. My BFF's name is Nina and so I just have such an affection for that name anyway. She's a doll. Happy Birthday, Nina! The rug is a beaut btw!

Bluebird said...

your rug and living room look awesome! happy birthday to Nina!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Happy Birthday Nina. I look at Craigslist all the time and have found some great stuff.

Unknown said...

Congrats on the rug and congrats on the preschooler!!!
♥ Jen

SoBella Creations said...

Great find on Craigs List.

Happy Birthday to your daughter! She is a cutie!

Jodee said...

What a fabulous find! I love Craig's List too!

Happy Birthday, Nina! I hope you have fun celebrating this weekend!

Jboo said...

Cool rug and looks perfect!!

Happy b-day to Miss Nina -- wow -- off to preschool -- before you know it, she'll be off to college (sniff, sniff)! Hope you have a great weekend of parties!!

Janet

june@craftyniche said...

Awesome deal on your rug and it's beautiful! Aw, my little girl is going to be home with me one more year and it is going to be bittersweet when she goes off to school. I'm putting her in a one hour ballet class once a week in the fall to get her used to other children. Your Nina looks excited to be going off to school!

Lana said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nina! You had a lot going on...3rd birthday and starting pre-school! Wow!

The rug looks great!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the rug. Things look good.
qMM

K and A said...

Yea for Craigslist!!
Now if i could only score such a deal...
Happy bday Nina! have fun at school!
~Amanda

Miss E said...

Happy 3rd Birthday to sweet Nina! Hope it is magical!

Courtney said...

Happy Birthday Nina. Love the new rug!

The Little Red Shop said...

Carrie,
Your new rug is lovely. I hope you have a beautiful weekend celebrating the birth of your sweet little girl!

: )

Julie M.

ps I know exactly what you mean about stressing yourself out to make sure things are perfect! : )

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Nina!!!
Carrie, the rug is gorgeous, your patience paid off!
Have a fun weekend.

Michelle T said...

Your little girl is so cute! I love that picture. It looks like she is ready to conquer the day.

Unknown said...

Well, your rug is fantastic : )

And your baby is going to totally love pre school. I know it is so hard to watch them grow up. Sometimes I look at Kaish when he is sleeping and just cry.

the time flies.

I will pray for you this week : )

Darlene said...

Happy, HAPPY birthday Nina!!!! Love the rug, you got a great deal on it!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

AWW... happy birthday to your sweet Nina!! Love the rug find!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

Yea for Nina!!! Pre-school is huge-(for mom).
Love your rug-I am not sure about Craig's list-I have had some good things, and bad things happen from it-I have yet to find me a PB rug on there!
Good job on that!

Stacey said...

Happy 3rd Birthday to Miss Nina!!!! I hope she has THE BEST parties, and KNOW she WILL with such an AMAZING momma!!!!
I LOVE your 'new' room. The rug is PERFECT!!!!
Great find!!!!

Its So Very Cheri said...

Happy birthday Nina. Craigslist can sometimes be the life saver.

Cheri

Noodle said...

I have scored all my best bargains off of Craig's list, including a beautiful leather couch for about a tenth (or less) of the new cost. I also got my favorite purse, a cute chest of drawers, an old multi-paned window, 2 wingbacked chairs to match the couch, and I can't remember what all!
I agree with MegJill - you need to hold a blog party and have everyone put pictures up of their best finds!
And Happy Birthday, little Nina!

Lisa & Gerald said...

Happy Birthday Nina...Happy Birthday to you..Lots of hugs and kisses...Hope she has the best birthday ever....

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday!!!!Love the rug, you got a great deal on it!!!!really fantastic..
--
Reenee
You cannot go wrong on the best security systems

Michelle said...

Such a cool place you have. Will you come decorate for me?

Jo said...

Lucky you! I can never find anything exciting on Craigs list . The new room is fabulous ~ I love how it all came together.

How exciting (and scary) to be starting school ~ Nina is just too darn cute!

Enjoy your break ~
Jo

Jessica Ortiz said...

She is so sweet! Our daughter just turned 3 yesterday and has the same backpack! They really grow up too fast! Great Craigslist find!!

Lise said...

Dear Carrie

I don't know if you will read this message as this post is 6 months old! I just stumbled upon your blog and LOVE your decorating ideas. I wanted to know how you steam cleaned your new rug? Did you do it yourself or send it out for cleaning?

Thanks!

Lise