For the first time since starting this little blog, I have a case of writer’s block. This blockage is paired with a back spasm that just won’t quit and which makes it pretty excruciating to sit in front of the computer. I’ve been wanting to write about the new jobs, the progress made at the on-going jobs, the jobs that are stalled and the jobs that are ticking along at a great pace. Instead I am sore and don’t quite know where to start. Nevertheless, I have decided to bite the bullet and tackle this writing blockage head on by sitting down and WRITING. Not writing here has been nagging at me for two weeks and I need all of my brain power to tackle the days ahead: work, home, out-of-town guests, and a party for a very wonderful, very naughty, very beautiful, soon-to-be-two-year-old. Oy.
So for today, I’ll write about something small like carpets and see where that takes me.
When a client is looking for a carpet sending them to Ikea, West Elm or Crate and Barrel is usually a safe bet. But when a client is looking for a statement carpet, a decor element that can not only tie a room together but be as important as the couch or the dining room table, I take them to Lalonde et Frères on Parc Avenue.
Not only is it one of the more beautiful buildings ever, they also have an incredible selection of carpets: classic Persian rugs, made to measure, modern, any size and any budget. Many clients think of the carpet last when decorating the space: “I have a blue couch and a teak coffee table, now I need a rug to match those pieces”. But when you shop at a place like Lalonde, you see that the carpet can actually be your starting point. I took two clients there in the last couple of weeks and fell in love with the store all over again.
A while back I found this picture in a sneak peek on Design Sponge and fell hard for the runner shown on the stairs.
The owner of the house had a dog that was afraid of the stairs and so she sewed six Dash & Albert rugs together to make the runner. I adore this. And guess what? Tapis Lalonde et Frères sells Dash & Albert rugs! I photographed their samples. These are so truly perfect for a family home. Easy to maintain, pretty, colourful (or not), just lovely.
In the end, my client and I both fell in love with a carpet from a company called Rug Studio. It is handwoven from 60% recycled materials and 40% cotton. The rug is in their Calypso line, the colour is called Midnight and it has blues, blacks, greys and creams in it. It is comfortable to walk on, forgiving of stains, affordable, and just plain beautiful. We borrowed the sample and tried it in her home. It won the carpet race hands down.
Midnight and other Calypso colours available.
Last week, my other client had Lalonde deliver four different rugs to her home- a service they offer, free of charge. You try them out in your own home with your own lighting and your own furniture. They’ll even roll them out for you and then they pick them up a couple of days later. All that and with no obligation to buy.
In the end, she may also go with the Calypso Midnight rug. It is that great.
Seems like tackling my writer’s block has worked. Now I need to tackle the back blockage with some Pilates and acupuncture. I have a birthday party for a two year old to plan. Oy indeed.
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