Yup — that’s the best way to describe our new living room rug. We’ve officially got a case of happy feet. It’s even plusher and more luxurious than we expected. Before we dive into rug photos, though, we want to thank you. The support, kindness, and humor you bring — not just on this morning’s big announcement post but all the time — is humbling and inspiring. So: smooch. Consider your face virtually kissed.
Now, back to Big Green (perfect timing for St. Patrick’s Day)…
The rug is so thick you might expect tumbleweeds of green fuzz, but we vacuumed it when it arrived and again the next day to catch any loose fibers from shipping. So far there’s been no green fluff all over the place and the vacuum hasn’t pulled any tufts out. Whew.
At 8 x 11 feet it’s the right scale for our large 25 x 15 foot living room, a big upgrade from the old 5 x 8 rug that now lives in the guest room. Once we build a long console table for the back of the sofa and move the sofa forward about a foot onto the rug, the proportions will feel even more balanced. In short: a little less rug will show once the sofa shifts forward, and that will make the whole arrangement look more intentional.
We’re also planning a bigger media cabinet, curtains, and more artwork, so the room should feel far more cohesive as we layer pieces in. Right now it’s basically a big gray box with a fuzzy green rectangle on the floor, which is fun for the moment. Think of the rug as a furry, grass-like foundation that we’re planting and building upon.
The green color is pure joy. It pairs beautifully with the gray sectional, pewter walls, and dark beams, instantly warming the space and making it feel cozier. It’s not a traditional Persian rug or a safe neutral, but we’ve been enjoying taking risks in the house. Choosing pieces that speak to us — even if they aren’t universally loved — makes our home feel more personal and interesting rather than generic.
We adored our first house for its calm and serenity, but honestly we smile bigger here. It’s a cheerful, playful place, even though most rooms are still a work in progress. Clara has definitely influenced our shift toward a looser, less serious style — more color, texture, and pattern mixed with neutrals. That balance keeps things lively without tipping into chaos.
We’d love to carry the rug’s green into the dining room by adding eight green parson’s chairs to our giant wooden table to create some continuity through the house. We’ll find the right chairs eventually.
About care and durability: a friend with three kids and a big dog has a similar shag rug and swears it handles stains and everyday life well. Crumbs and dust come out with a quick vacuum, and if something really bad happens you can subtly trim long tufts to lighten a stain. So far ours has been great — we haven’t spilled anything major yet, but we’ll report back if our opinion changes.
You might notice new pillows on the sofa. We picked up two ruffled purple pillows for $16 each at HomeGoods, and we tried mixing in two green bedroom pillows to see how they’d read with the rug (they lean a bit yellow, but aren’t awful). I’ve also draped three “Sue The Napkins” over other pillows to test how sewn pillow covers might look once I get around to making them. Pillow choices will evolve — I love Sue’s teal tones, so blue pillows might appear someday instead of green.
About those ruffle pillows: the detail is playful, and somehow John didn’t veto them. He usually resists frills, but he seems game for introducing bold colors like navy, plum, and deep teal. Maybe he’s finally embracing that a happy wife equals a happy life.
Next up: building the console table so we can scooch the sofa about a foot off the wall. That will not only reveal less rug but also provide a spot for drinks (my nightly tea) and two table lamps for reading, which should eliminate the awkward floor lamp in the doorway. I’m excited. Also, Karl’s pale sofa legs are getting covered soon — they’re a little embarrassing.
She whips her cellphone back and forth. She whips her cellphone back and forth.
Psst — John’s parents just passed down an antique leggy dresser that’s perfect for our bedroom. It’s been in the family for years and needs a little TLC, but it’s a great free find. We’ll share photos once it’s in place.