Worn rug finds happy home

Remember the 100 year-old Persian rug I bought for next to nothing? (click here to read about). It's currently rolled up under my brass bed as my CAT was destroying it. It'll stay there until he dies or I sell it (the rug, not the cat, silly), I guess.

This past Friday I was doing a shopping column in North Toronto and went into this shop I've been meaning to check out for some time, Around the Block.

It sells second-hand fine furniture on consignment. This hand-stitched rug didn't have a maker's mark, alas, but I loved it for two reasons: one, it was worn. I love the worn look - it means feet have walked over and people have lived around this carpet. An added bonus is that CAT could scratch til Doomsday if he wants; it'll only add to the overall look.

Two, it had the dark and light blues so rare in rugs of this kind.

Did it matter it was a long runner-type carpet? What do you think: I'm the grunge queen! It was only $95, a screaming deal.

I love the way it defines the space. That's my dining room, by the way.

It'll be my B-day gift from my Mom and Dad.

A bonus: this rug will complement the one I have stored away, so when I do take it out they'll be friends ....

Around the Block, 1903 Avenue Rd. 416-546-1760 unique@aroundtheblock.com

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Peacock thrift shirt I wore as a teen

This is my sis and me walking into the sunset in Vancouver, British Columbia the summer before grade 11 or 12 (I'm in the green skirt).

We've walked into the sunset again: she and I are currently in Ottawa for our big high school reunion, which means grunge queen won't be posting until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

Then I'll be returning to regular grunge queen programming - thanks for your patience letting me stroll down memory lane this week.

I actually still have the green skirt I'm wearing in this pic. I found it in a second-hand store in Vancouver that summer so long ago, and I wore it for years. In my early 20s, after high school, I busted the seam and got it repaired. It looked kinda funny after that but I just couldn't let it go ....

Now it's being used as a makeshift cover for a thrift store stool. I'm going to get it made into a pillow because I love the green peacock print. So I'd say this 1960s skirt still has some mileage left in it!!

See you in a few days, and take care!!

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Magic Carpet

Ahem, notice anything different?

I'm groovin' on my HUGE wool reversible area rug I bought on Roncesvalles Ave. today for ... FIVE BUCKS!

This is a grunge queen moment to be savoured.

I bought it at the Eldorado Second Hand Store at 482 Roncesvalles Ave. in Toronto's west end, where you can buy stuff by the pound and for 1 or 2 bucks each - would have been way more if the owner was selling it by the pound but thankfully she wasn't.



I dig that it matches some of my other decorative elements - and it's perfectly fab for the Gemini in me as it's the same pattern and colour except in reverse on the other side! That means two carpets in one!

But the living room look isn't perfect - too much orange and green. Think a good 'ole grunge queen makeover could be in order. This rug will just pop with my deep indigo blue pieces ....

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