6′ X 9′
In my black and white world, you are either born with a creative gene or a practical gene – never both. Since my Excel-loving self was obviously born with the latter, I often feel inadequate when it comes to situations that require creativity. And decorating? It’s at the very top of that list.
As much as I try to deny it, I have a bad habit of allowing myself to be swayed by others’ opinions. You don’t think my Z Gallerie artwork is unique enough? Okay, I’ll take it down. You don’t think dark brown is a good color for the den? Okay I’ll go with a beige. You don’t think my over-priced rug was worth it? Hmm? Really?
MYOB.
But then last week I realized that it’s dumb to worry if people think my red throw pillow clashes with my blue one. And if I want a turquoise chair then I should buy a turquoise chair – even if it might not be what a decorator would choose.
Maya's new doll cost almost as much as my new chair. I wish I was joking.
This week I’m taking a big step: I’m going to purchase a 6′ X 9′ rug for my living room despite everyone telling me I should get an 8′ X 10.’ Why? Well because at I’m 35-years-old and I should be able to pick a rug without needing another person’s stamp of approval.
Right? Tell me I’m right.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
Totally, trust your own judgement. Just relax, and ask yourself “what do I like, what do I want to see every day and surround myself with?”
*kisses* HH
p.s. i love that doll
I want to surround myself with all things London. How do I make that happen HH?
Yes you are right Ameena!!! Go for it 🙂
Whatever you think, you are right! I go by my own logic and gut feeling! Oh that chair and that doll! C.U.T.E.
You are 120% correct! Go out there and get your rug girl!! 🙂
You should do what you want to do.6′ X9′ is perfect because you think it is.
Do it girl!! I wanted a chair JUST like that on overstock.com!!
I ordered this chair from overstock! Glad that it has your stamp of approval. 🙂
Just say what I always say.
“I do what I want.”
Bonus points if you say it with attitude and throw your head back and forth a little.
haha i just started writing the same thing!! I always say “I do what I want.” Sometimes my opinion is easily swayed, but once I make up my mind, my response is always “I do what I want.” It’s your house, if it makes you happy, so be it!
I’m actually okay once I make up my mind…I rarely waver. But it’s just trying to get to that point that can be hard for me!
You should totally do what you want. I think? Right? That is what everyone else said, right?
I am just starting to do “what I want” in the past 18 months and I am 38. It is harder than you would think.
Buy the rug!!!!
It is hard to do what you want. Second guessing will hopefully minimize with age?
A chair that looks that “happy” is a no-brainer. I’m glad you purchased it.
You are right!
Funny enough, my chair does look happy! And it makes me happy. Thank you for confirming I made the right choice my friend.
Go for it 🙂
DO IT!!
Love the doll :)) x
That chair is beautiful and from the sounds of your deco selects they are quite lovely. Just go with your gut, decorating is about the self.
Thank you for the much needed encouragement!
Pssht. No one tells me how to decorate my space.
I need some of that decorator confidence…
Would the rug match the doll?
Thankfully no. If I chose a pink rug then people could legitimately make fun of me!
It’s your house & it’s your money, then it’s your rule. Can we please have a peek at the rug once you get it? Yes I’m nosy 🙂
Your new turquoise chair is just fabulous!! I can’t have any bright colors in my house (except the walls) as I have 2 boys!
I’m thinking I’ll Scotchguard the chair to prevent against Maya’s inevitable messiness. In the meantime I won’t let her sit on it!
I love the chair and it is your house so convention be damned, get the size rug you want. Following that inner voice about what you like is what gives a house it’s personality.
Thank you Heather for your input. I think my house is lacking personality because I’m so terrified of ruining it.
You said it brilliantly!
For some reason, I imagine your choices being great no matter what others say. I think you should do whatever is right for you and makes you happy. Life is way to short to care about what everyone else thinks and wants for you – you do you!
Thanks Parita for your confidence in my decorating abilities!!
Ooooh, I LOVE that turquoise chair!!!
Thank you Anna!
You are RIGHT! Love the turquoise chair, BTW.
Thank you for the confirmation and the compliment. 🙂
Go for it. Just keep the receipt. lol And that chair is fantastic. Love the color and print!
I am a total receipt keeper. Is it nuts that I even scan some of them?
I was definitely born with the practical gene too. The pictures on my walls aren’t even level. 🙂
But, I do agree that you can buy whatever rug or chair you want. That’s the joy of being a grown up.
At 35 I still don’t feel like a grown up. I wonder if that will ever change?
Of course you are right! Duh!
And I totally dig the turqouise chair — the color, the pattern, everything!
Thank you Shanna!
Of course you are right. Style is all about PERSONAL taste…as in what YOU like, not others. Maya’s doll rocks, by the way. Worth every cent.
It nearly killed me to spend so much on a doll but it is beautiful. So glad you agree. 🙂
I love the chair! And I think you should get what you want when it comes to a rug. You are the Queen and you are in charge!
I’m going to make sure Ali understands that I am the Queen. 🙂
LOVE LOVE LOVE the chair! If this is any indication, you have great design style.
Coming from you this is a huge compliment Deena! My husband is still raving about your house and he knows nothing about houses…even less than me if that’s possible.
EVERYone has their own sense of style…don’t tell me what mine is – right?? Do it how you want!
Damn RIGHT!
buy a smaller rug just becasue you can!
you go girl, and I ADORE the color on your new chair!
plus that doll is insanely adorable!
Thank you Cindy!
you. are. right. and as amy wrote “i do what i want”. amen sister.
Thank you! I totally need to do what I want.
Love the chair. Lately, I’ve been loving turquoise. I seem to be drawn to turquoise paired with a warm dark-ish red or orange. Two opposites that compliment each other. I’m not a creative type either, but, I find that I try to remember what I’m drawn to and go from there. Opposites seem to make a good team, apparently.
I was thinking that turquoise and orange would be a good combination…so glad you agree!
The doll isn’t my thing, but LOVE the chair! I think of myself as a creative person, but am awful in interior decorating. I get there eventually, but it takes me years to even get a vision, let alone execute said vision. Congrats on a decision!
Maya is sad that you don’t like her doll! But I’m glad you like my chair. 🙂
Obviously you are right. And spot on the turquoise chair. Love it. Not so much on the cost of Maya’s doll, but I am minding my own business 😉
Thank you for the reassurance and no need to MYOB when it comes to Maya’s doll!
You are righ!! And no way that skinny doll should cost as much as that chair! I am lagging in the creativity dept too. I just don’t have that “eye” and now that I have a house I really wish I did. I watch HGTV all the time hoping to get better!!
I watch HGTV and I swear it has helped me enormously. Secrets of a Stylist is very informative.
Go for it with the rug!
You love excel? You should come guest teach my computer classes 😛 I have to teach my students to use the program and I must’ve used it all of 2 times in my life.
If only someone would pay me to teach Excel…finally something I would excel at. Pun intended.
I totally feel like i always want everyone to “love” what I get, even if I don’t love it. The truth is, the pieces I take a risk on and only buy for myself are the ones people end up loving the most in the end. I say go for the rug you like, and if anyones looking for their business, Ain’t none of it over here! 🙂
I kind of feel the same way…it’s the pieces (like this chair) that I buy for myself that gets the most compliments. Well said.
If I tell you that an 8 x 10 is better than a 6 x 9, would you change your mind? Because 8 x 10 is clearly the way to go. Everyone knows that! 😆 Actually, I really have no idea what kind of difference it would make. I like to think that I have a pretty good eye for decorating, but in all honesty, I just pick random things and hope for the best.
Something about the rug being large enough to pull the room together? I don’t know either.
When I decorate I never have a big picture in mind. I just place things here and there that I love and it all seems to work together. I love that chair. I think the personality of the home truly jumps out only when it is filled with true flair.
So true Marie…I’m hoping that my house will soon have personality as I shed my fears about decorating.
How I’m sure we’re soulmates – I too am an uncertain decorator at best.
That turquoise chair is BEAUTIFUL. I love it 11/10.
And if 6×9 is too small, apparently you can layer rugs and that’s like…an “in” thing right now so feel free to…layer.
I’ve heard about this layering thing too but my thoughts were…”Wow, I have to spend $$ on 2 rugs? Isn’t 1 expensive enough?” So that’s probably not a trend I’ll be employing anytime soon….
Your living room, your rug!
Love that chair, really cute doll.
Thank you Erika!
Always trust yourself.
Do your own thing! It is your space…so I say go with whatever size rug suits you best! Plus, I happen to think you are quite creative. You couldn’t write so well if you weren’t! Have a good week, love!
Oh thank you Monet! So kind of you to say so.
You’ve wrangled Excel? Jealous.
I’m impressionable too. But I think most people are like that. There was an experiment done where people were asked to choose the matching length of a pipe to another one. There were controls in the audience that all raised their hands to one that was obviously incorrect. But the non-controls followed suit and raised their hands too, against their better judgement. So yeah, not alone!
Plus, there’s nothing wrong with a 6X9 rug. It’s all about how it falls in to the rest of the room. 😉 Love the chair!
It’s crazy how we can be swayed, even when we know the right answer. I wonder if I would have raised my hand? Interesting.
The other beautiful thing about buying a rug – if you decide that YOU don’t like it, then YOU can get a bigger rug. Or a smaller one.
In the meantime, enjoy the chair AND the rug. Roll around on it!
I fear returning things Kristina so unless something is seriously defective I usually make it work!
Maya’s one lucky little girl…that doll ROCKS!!
Thank you Lindsay!
You are so right.
I LOVE that chair.
Thank you Heather!
You are right!
And Maya’s doll looks great in your new chair. I hope she shares it with you 🙂
Maya’s doll is welcome in the chair before Maya because at least I know the doll is dirt-free. So far!
I’m awful. I keep typing a sexual innuendo joke, then erasing it. I give up…
If you a 6×9, then you should 6×9. I’m confident its the most popular one.
Leslie! My mom reads my blog! Glad you ended up giving up. 🙂
Yes! You buy that 6×9 rug proudly and show it off to all your 9×10 loving friends. You’ll be a trend setter!
Well you had me at that blue chair. I think you should be able to buy a rug even if it’s smaller than it’s supposed to be. Who the hell makes these rules anyway??? I’m not creative when it comes to aesthetics. I always copy magazines and shows.
It’s the magazines, shows, my mom, and a decorator who told me I need a 8 X 10. But I still want a 6 X 9!
It’s your own living room so it’s your own decision what kind of rug you want 😀 Sometimes I do get influenced by other’s opinions as well but I’m slowly learning to use my own judgement 😉
I’m hoping to get there soon too Jos. Maybe by the time I’m 50?
I’m so offended. Maybe it’s because I’m a whore for chocolate brown but what says “den” more than dark brown? Nothing is more den-esque. All these “rules” people have houses that look like each other. Where’s the fun in that?
Agreed Lauren! I don’t want my place to look like everyone else’s so I’m making a concerted effort to branch out.
You are right! And Ameena, you were born with BOTH genes, someone without a creative gene wouldn’t be so successful at composing such witty banter 🙂
Oh Sara…you are the best. Thank you. 🙂
Ameena,
What a great find – your blog! Never knew till today.. so glad u stopped by..
I have a hard time telling MYOB to others (even when I want to)… That aside, I so totally agree with you on being either creative or practical and so mutually exclusive at that! I belong to the former clan and I think that turquoise chair is chic..
So, I’d say buy what you want to buy, it is for who you are..
If you are creative and like the chair than I feel so much better about my decision. Thank you!
I like the chair and I agree – trust yourself on the decorating judgment – you’re the one that has to live there.
We are in the process of re-doing our whole house before the baby arrives. I have received 10 different decorating advice from 5 different people. It makes no sense – like some of the advice I received! 🙂
Heck yeah, and if it doesn’t work you have a right to change it again and again and again… heck I am all for seasonal rugs. They have mood rings, why not mood rugs, I am all for “don’t mess with me today” mood rug.
Oh yeah .. u are right. It your home and your bedroom! 🙂
I’ve seen parts of your home on this blog, Ameena. You have a great eye for decorating. I love that chair, by the way. Can’t wait to see the rug.
You are so friggin’ RIGHT. Do what YOU want. Hell, buy the rug and cut it up to fit what you want – and tell others to go milk a goat…have a cow…eat someone’s shorts. Y’know, whatever it is Bart Simpson used to say.
I for one love the doll. 🙂
I just want you to know that my mom is here and we read back posts of yours together because I knew she would love your sense of humor. And she does.
Now on to that rug. I think you should get the 8×10 of course!
No, just kidding. I don’t trust my own style either. I wanted to get one oriental rug and my husband wanted to get the one with the carrots. Actually, not carrots but cypress trees. He was right. I have no sense of style.
But I did decide to paint the kitchen pink all by myself and it looks great.
I admire your bold step with the pink kitchen? I’d love to see a picture because I’m having trouble envisioning it! Thank you and thank you Jennie’s mom for reading. You are the best!
i would love to tell this to so many people!
when are you going to have a baby?
MYOB!
you should make your eat in kitchen a living room!
MYOB!
Really? Someone told you to put an eat-in kitchen in your living room? How random is that?
Email: ameenadin@hotmail.com Twitter: @ameenadin Website: http://www.fancythatfancythis.com
You’re so right.
My main issue with decorating is I don’t feel I have a personal style. I honestly wish I had money for a decorator and I would just get veto power and that would be that…period. It’s my dream. I have the same issue with my wardrobe.
I had a decorator for a bit Stephanie but then I realized I am way too much of a control freak to leave things like my decor in the hands of other people.
You, my friend, are the adaptive one. How do you adapt so seemlessly between mother, wife, friend? Perhaps it isn’t seemless. Perhaps it is work. Perhaps it isn’t about style or balance or being “resilient.” Perhaps it is just you, being you, striving to love in all ways that honor and uplift.
🙂
This is really interesting to read because I don’t feel like I am very adaptive to the different roles in my life! I find it work. Hard work. And most of the time I don’t think I’m very successful at it!