I know you’re not supposed to buy art to match your sofa but what about a rug? The minute I saw Scott Young‘s textural blue photograph, left, I knew I had to have it for my kitchen to go with those amazing flat weave carpets of mine. Scott’s image of an old door at the Distillery District captured second prize in the history category of Toronto’s Building A Great City Together photo contest. I tracked the photographer down and he was most obliging, selling me the 11″ x 14″ print, matted and ready to frame for just $99.
I might hang the photo at some point but right now I’m happy with it propped in the window where it’s the star of a pretty great show. As you enter the apartment you come into a foyer that looks straight through the kitchen to this vignette; it’s literally your first impression of my home and I want it to sing.
And speaking of flat weave rugs from St. Lawrence Market, I scored another one this past Saturday from Barb at Ephemera; it was priced at $35 but Barb gave me a deal because she’d sold me some prints awhile back and the frames fell apart. You know how I love orange, so the minute I saw this stripe (with taupe, black and cream) I knew the rug was coming home with me regardless of price or size; it’s in great shape, 4′ x 5′ and cost me a whopping $20. How could I say no?
Coming across this rug reminded me how important it is to shop for vintage goods early in the day. Barb was still unpacking when I spotted the rug in a clear plastic bag. If you know you’ll be shopping on your favorite vintage stroll — Toronto’s Queen Street East, for example — take my advice and hit the stores when they open at 11 am. The good stuff will be gone by noon.
I’ve just completed some back-to-back projects at work so I’m hoping to finally start blogging again here on styleNorth. I’ve got my eye on a hot stroll and I’ve had some reader mail I’m anxious to pass along so stay tuned. Your support has meant so much to me, now it’s time for me to repay the favour.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:43 am
LOVE your vignettes and the rugs. The tables are gorgeous. Great photo.
So HAPPY to see a post from you as I sip my coffee. Heaven! That blue thrilled my eyes.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Thank you Chris for the mention! I think it looks great in this room, and the textures in it contrast nicely with the bold, solid strips of the rug. I in return will have to tell some of my friends about your fantastic blog. Consider me a new viewer…
March 10th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Loving the photo and the rugs. And you’re so right about shopping early. A good sale is one of the few things that can get me out of bed early mornings.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Yay! Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to. I’ve missed your blogs ;(
Thanks to you, I am almost finished de-brassing a bar table…heck of a lot of work but the results are starting to show!
March 10th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Jennifer,
I hope you’ll share the before and after pics here on styleNorth — everybody loves a good makeover.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Oh, I’d love to see the de-brassed table too. I’ve always wanted to do a project like that, haven’t found the right thing yet. Thanks for the post Chris, I love to read your stuff.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
NICE! The blue really pops. You should organize a shopping excursion; I’m on board!
March 10th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
I so LOVE orange too! I’ve never been to the antiques market at the St. Lawrence, so I’ve marked it in my calendar for this weekend. I can’t believe the price of your rug. What a find. I’m on the hunt for some orange damask fabric to re-upholster my dining room chairs with. I’ll keep you posted.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Hi Chris…you bought the blue flat weave rug from me…Also from Antiques at the St Lawrence ..thanks for the continued support of Barb and I. Yes you do get fantastic buys from us!! Remember the chrome cakestand??
Kelly~Blackrosevintage at Antiques at the St. Lawrence
March 11th, 2010 at 7:06 am
Tina,
Two dealers, Barb and Kelly, share a small space in the south-west corner of the north market, which is where I bought the rugs, any number of vintage fabric remnants and the marvelous elephant pitcher seen in this post: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/2009/03/this-rug-is-delicious/
The ladies are open Saturdays and Sundays and I never miss them if I’m at the market.
The Sunday Antiques Market is a personal favorite of mine and you can really find some special things there at generally great prices: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/2009/06/st-lawrence-not-just-antiques-market/
And Kelly, yes, I remember the chrome cake stand, the one you were holding for SOMEONE ELSE! I forgive you, of course, you’ve always been good to us and I certainly appreciate your great eye and good prices. The blue rugs are really rocking the kitchen — thanks!
March 11th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Can’t wait for more posts Chris. I haven’t been feeling very ‘stylish’ without them…
March 11th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Cool photograph — the blue is beautiful and the texture is fantastic.
How about hanging it on the window frame straight up from where it’s sitting on the table?? I think that would make it an even stronger focal point.
Great deal on the orange striped rug :-)
Kelly
March 11th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Thanks for the suggestion Kelly, I just may take you up on it.
March 12th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Oh, the blue and the blue! So gorgeous – and that photograph is amazing.
What a treat to find you here with my coffee this morning, Chris!
March 12th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Ephemera website that you reference in today’s post – which is great by the way! – has many broken links.
Love the new photo, too.