Things are starting to shake out in our foyer! Some of you hyper-observant readers noticed the new black stairs peeking out in one of the photos in this post (or maybe you just saw my teaser on instagram). And, best of all, my favorite new rug from eSaleRugs arrived over the weekend. Happy Thanksgiving to me!! Isn’t it gorgeous??
So, about the stairs. I liked the gray paint color okay, but I kept wishing the color was darker, especially as I was picking wall colors and was leaning toward the Brushed Aluminum color, which is a little darker than I was originally planning. You can see my test color here on the wall under the railing by the vent. The gray on gray was a no-go. So I pulled out my gallon of Onyx that I’ve been using on doors and the fireplace and tried a little bit on the stairs. It was obviously the right choice. I asked the painters to add the stairs to the bid and they didn’t charge me much more than the cost of paint (nice!). It made sense to get the stairs finished while the painters were here when this part of the house was sort of out of commission anyway. Also, I don’t really regret all the work I did before with the gray paint color because in the end it actually helped me lean more toward the darker gray on the walls. And most of all, all that filling and sanding needed to happen regardless. So you know, whatever. All’s well that ends well.
And I really do love how the stairs turned out. The contrast is so pretty against the lighter walls and floors. And the railings are far and away less 80s to me in black.
The only downside is the dusty footprints have been killing me, so I moved up finding a runner on my to do list. You might have seen that I found this rug at Homegoods a week or two ago. I liked the colors and the small repeat on the pattern will make installation SO much easier, and will help to hide dirt, but I wasn’t totally sure it was the right choice.
Until I found a new old rug for the entry.
It’s a 100 year-old Shiraz Persian rug from my favorite rug source, eSaleRugs. I’ve purchased half a dozen rugs from them in the past few years and every time I’ve been thrilled with the rugs in person. I got Abbey’s bedroom rug from eSaleRugs, the runner I had in the kitchen in our loft and the long rug I kept in the garden level entry at the brownstone. They’re like priceless little treasures to me. So unique and so beautiful (and all of them were so affordable – less than the cost of a new rug at West Elm). This rug is 4.5×9.5′ and it cost about $350 with free shipping.
I love how the dye colors are sort of all over the place. The reds and pinks and oranges in the medallions are so pretty! And that inky blue stripe in the black background? Be still my beating heart.
The two rugs are perfect together, don’t you think? I feel like an older patterned rug brings soul to a space and that’s exactly what was missing here with the new runner.
Anyway, I’m super happy with how things are starting to come together! We’re going back up to my parents’ on Wednesday for Thanksgiving, but we’ll be back earlier in the weekend and I want to spend some of our down-time hanging art in here and in the living room. I think we’ll have ourselves a comfy home just in time for Christmas. :)
Oh how I love that carpet! Absolutely lovely! xxxo
Gorgeous! I can't tell you how excited I get to see the progress every morning.
Inspiring! And thanks for always providing your sourcing. It helps people like me who are a little clueless in that way. :)
this is so beautiful! persian rugs are just so unique. i have hardwood floors in my home too, and have yet to find a nice underlay to keep them from slipping. do you use anything to keep them from moving all around? any suggestions?
Love your choices and totally agree re: the gray… although when you first painted the stairs black I was secretly disappointed as i loved the gray…. now that you explain the wall color issue I see the need for the change and so glad the painters added it in (practically) for free. Carpets are beautiful…. love the stair runner but also hope you will narrow it down for installation so more black shows on the steps!
I love the darker stairs & the runner choice — gorgeous!
http://www.ahealthymrs.com
I love black stairs and yours is gorgeus. i adds a lot of character to the foyer. Great pick!
You are cruising through all these projects. Great choices.
I'm in love with the darker stairs!
i love how greatly the rug pops with the black! it's amazing what a little paint does :)
xo jenna
sweet grace
hope you will give us an installation tutorial for the carpet on the stairs given the curve. Thanks!
Oh man, those stairs look gorgeous! I can't get over how beautiful they look with the wall color.
I love the black stairs, so dramatic!
LOVE it all!
Awesome! I wouldn't have thought of black for the stairs but you are right, it really is the way to go!
Love the stairs, the rugs, and the sneaky peaks of the surrounding rooms. Dying to see the chevron floors though! On pins and needles every day when I come to your blog! Have a great holiday Jenny!
I really liked the grey stairs but I LOVE the black stairs. It is such a nice contrast!
I have been wanting to paint my stair railing black for ages and ages. Now I see that it would actually work!! You are so amazing Miss Jenny! That rug is divine. Just gorgeous all of it!
Yes! Perfect.
Everything is coming together perfectly! The wall colors, the stair color, the two rugs, the sneak-peeks of furniture…what a dream!! The foyer rug could not be more perfect for the space. Luck be a lady!!
It is looking so so pretty! I love every single detail!
Did I miss the post about the wood flooring?
Beautiful. What is the lovely soft gray wall color next to your new rug?
Wow this looks amazing! It's so cool that it's all coming together and it's not even my house :-p Thanks for the rug link too. My mom happens to be searching for a rug at the moment so I will pass on the good resource! Such good timing.
i swear you make me want to buy and flip an ugly 80s/90s house!!
Stunning….was all clearly meant to be!!
Yep, the rugs look amazing together. You can't beat a vintage Persian to add some personality. I'm thinking I need a stair runner now too. (I have a Persian in my entry and a black banister and black front door). I've often thought Nate Berkus' arrow rug at Target would make a great stair runner. This may have just tipped me over the edge!
Excellent color change on the stairs! And I love the rugs – especially the way they look side by side!
That rug is just the thing to tie into your Library color…genius:-)
you made the right call painting them black. love it even more now!
I liked the grey stairs ok but I LOVE the black! So rich looking.
And the rug really adds to the space.
mmmmm, yes, loving this space! i love seeing everything come together. your brain works major magic, as always.
I love the stairs black, but that entry rug is ridiculously fantastic! Love it!
Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
Such a lovely rug. I am so jealous of your finds from that store – just wish I could get them to Townsville. xx
Anna (My Design Ethos)
The black was definitely a great choice! And the rug mix is modern and fresh with the colors, but classic in the pattern.
So fun to see it all coming together!
So perfect!
Once, a long time ago, you linked some if the esalerugs you really liked. Any chance you could do that again…for us scardie-cats?!?!
I'd love your stamp of approval before I buy.
Happy thanksgiving!
The 2 rugs go together perfectly, I love the mix of modern and traditional and small and large print, you're right the black was an excellent choice! Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you and your family have a great one!
Gorgeous! I can't stop looking at all you amazing molding either! Love!
I love that you turned me on to e-sale rugs. Such a great deal and amazing selection!
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
Wonderful to see how everything is coming together! I can't wait for the next whole house photo tour.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The rugs are perfect, but the STAIRS – I adore the black. So glad you made the change! Really stunning!
Love that rug!!! What do you search /look for on esalerugs?
Thanks!:)
Soooo… My new obsession… esalerugs… Great rugs and fantastic prices. Love your choices for the foyer.
Soooo… My new obsession… esalerugs… Great rugs and fantastic prices. Love your choices for the foyer.
I love following along with what you're doing…changing the stairs to black was such a good call! They look amazing…and the rug!! I'm headed over to eSaleRugs now to check them out.
Ok you just helped me make up my mind on our stairs. I have been tossing & turning on all white , black & white or all black to paint our staircase. I have my answer & It looks for fantastic!
Yes. It's just perfect. I have black stairs in an older home in Mpls. So different and I love them. I still have older carpet on the stairs like a runner and want to replace it. This gives me a place to start. Thanks! It's fun to see the progress and new things you are doing. Have a great Thanksgiving. You deserve a few days rest:)
I really like the changes you've made and that antique rug is gorgeous!
I have to ask though, aren't you nervous about using an antique rug by the front door? I'd be afraid that it would get ruined by people wiping their feet on it all the time.
That rug is amazing! Thanks for the source. I now now where to look for amazing and affordable rugs! How did you ever pick the perfect rug from that site? There are SO many options. Everything is looking great!
I don't know how you have all the energy for your projects, but you just amaze me! Love the black stairs- so dramatic and classic! Great job. Did you use your critter sprayer? Love the runner too.
Gorgeous combination of prints, Jenny. And do I spy the velvet sofa you found on Craigslist recently? I hope we get to see more of it soon!