We're graduating ...

Turns out we are graduating at every corner. The dreaded letter to register the babee for Kindergarten was in the mail today (I can barely stand it). We are outgrowing our child size furniture, our bookshelves, and possibly some old habits.
I've been on an overhaul spree in the house and before I knew it, I found myself in the middle of another rug project. The last one was a lot more involved, but this one gave me no less sense of satisfaction, even though it is much more utilitarian.

I wanted a sisal rug to cover the area at the bottom of our stairs, that we so famously can cover in shoes (to the point that the necessity of a new rug may actually be a little questionable but let's pretend for a moment that this house is cleaning up). I measured and had it priced because it turned out to be a custom size. What I wanted came to $600+!!! Oh no! 

An afternoon trip to Sweden to the rescue, and I came home from my favorite store (that keeps my kids, and gives me free coffee) with a $80 sisal rug that was perfect in one dimension, but too wide in the other. 

Turns out, a seam ripper, sharp scissors, a needle and some thread later, I could detach the border, cut the rug to size, and re-attach the border by hand. Went easier than I thought, and I like the outcome. It is just in time for the Big Melt around here, and all the wet boots that will undoubtedly come through the door every day. 

See how neat this area can look (if you don't put the shoes in the picture)?

Now, is anyone in the market for a child-size, espresso brown bench with three cubbies for shoes?