I’ve been crushing on Kilim for a long while now. The graphic punch it can add to a space is all the reason I need to hop on this trend. But it can be expensive: rugs in the thousands, pillows in the hundreds, and oftentimes the colorways are earthy and muted. Back in the fall I was strolling the aisles of Target, a favorite pastime of mine, and I stumbled on this.
Now, at first it was like $60. And for me, it wasn’t worth that. But, the upside to living in a “not so cool” area is that people around here don’t know what’s good. All the best stuff at Target that I hear about other people in bigger cities fighting over…I just wait for it all to go on sale.
A few weeks later I snatched in up at around $20 and brought it home. I knew the colors weren’t going to work in my space, but I thought I would try and change them, and if that didn’t turn out how I had hoped I could always reupholster.
LET’S CONNECT! FIND ME ON…
INSTAGRAM | RSS | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | LINKEDIN | EMAIL | YOUTUBE
Anonymous says
Wow! I would've never thought of doing that – what a fabulous idea, love the way it turned out!!!
Also where did you find that adorable leaf coaster?!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks! I picked up the little leaf tray at my local Red Racks. I found these two on ebay that I think are lovely too, if you're looking for something similar!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Virginia-Metalcrafters-brass-leaf-tray-/181190220705?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a2fc75ba1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lg-Brass-Plated-Decorative-Leaf-Sculpture-Tray-Not-For-Food-23-x-14-x-5-5-/350850908896?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b05802e0
Anissa says
So resourceful!!
Your home is beautiful! Thank you for the all the inspiration:)
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you for reading, Anissa!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
Shut. Up. You are a genius!!! It looks soooo good and I love the colors you used. High five to you!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Elizabeth! Sometimes I wonder if these things are good or just crazy. Ha! So I appreciate the feedback!
Angela says
I love this! I've been dreaming of something to do with my piano bench….good thinking on a rug as an option!
themakerista@gmail.com says
An old rug would be perfect! And really durable too!
Meagan Claire says
Oh my goodness, your Chesterfield…
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Meagan! After all these years and some wear and tear from my children 🙂 I still do love that couch.
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
How clever! Great results, love these colors.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Jennifer!
Candi says
I absolutely love this! And your house for that matter!
I'm curious though…is the texture, where the sharpie is, does it feel stiff?
Also, does the ink bleed?
I have a rug that I love the pattern, but not so much the country blue color in the design, but I don't want the sharpie marks to bleed onto my floors. What do you think?
Thanks!
Candi
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Candi! If your asking if the sharpie makes the fabric stiff, no, it does not change the texture at all. The weave was already pretty stiff on this though. I didn't really notice any bleeding, but this weave is pretty forgiving. If you're worried about it bleeding through, I would do it on top of some paper or cardboard and let it dry for a day or two just to be sure before placing it back on the floor. If you were planning to get something different anyway, it's worth a try! Thanks so much for reading!
Chelsea H says
You are SO smart! I love, love, love this and would never have thought of it! And I had to laugh at living in a not so cool place. Right on, sista. 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
🙂 You get me. Out of necessity comes invention, right? Thanks, Chelsea!
Sika says
I like your work. And your photos are just so beautiful! Great talent!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for reading, Sika!
Sammy says
OMGoodenss, you're creative!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, thanks Sammy! I checked out your blog, what an amazing family you have! I look forward to your new redesign and learning more about you and your precious children.
Mandi @ Vintage Revivals says
Dude. You need to stop being so awesome, its giving me a complex. I love this update and your house is one of my faves!
love your guts
mandi
themakerista@gmail.com says
Coming from the Picasso of home DIY, this is quite the compliment. 😉 Thanks, lovely lady!
Jenny says
What a great idea! I just found your blog through "Little Black Door" and I'm so excited to find someone from my neck of the woods (I live south of OP) with such an awesome DIY and design blog. I love finding the Target treasures that everyone else in the country is fighting over in the clearance isle too!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, so good to meet you, Jenny! Thanks for your kind words and for reading! I really love the new dark blue you did in your "lounge!" And what a great idea! My home doesn't have a dining room, but I've always thought I wouldn't know what to do with one! Smart of you to use the space in a way that you actually utilize it! Have a wonderful weekend, Jenny!
Erin Nelson says
Love this! When we redid our bedroom I was looking for a cheap, graphic throw pillow. I ended up using some leftover upholstery fabric and a Sharpie to stencil a personalized pillow 🙂 Sharpies are so versatile!
There are pictures of it at: nelsonhouse.wordpress.com
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for sharing, Erin! You have a lovely home and I really enjoyed seeing all of your personal touches (what a fun chevron table and the paint chip are you made was something I hadn't seen before in that context…loved the neutralness!) Thanks for reading!
Erin Nelson says
Thanks Gwen! That is a real compliment coming from such a talented lady. Love your blog!
The Style Dunce says
Oh, wow. So glad I found your blog! Somehow I think I would over-think this and totally mess it up and then have to start all over, but this looks fantastic!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Over-think might just be my middle name. 🙂 It took me about 6 months to complete this bench, as I would sharpie a bit and then think about it, starting with the black and ending with the brighter colors only a few weeks ago. Ha! It's good to know I'm not the only one who spends more time thinking than doing sometimes!
Autumn Beach says
Oh my goodness…I am seriously giddy right now! I just discovered you via Emily's blog, and I have to say that I am ecstatic to find a blogger of your caliber from KC. 🙂 I'm a Kansas City native, so it thrills me to no end when I read about your finds from Nell Hills or see a copy of Spaces resting on your bed. I have become quite the blog junkie over the past year. It's almost dorky. Anywho, I just had to stop and say "hello" and tell you that I LOVE your blog. And your house. And just your style in general. Congratulations on this new adventure! Best wishes for blogging success. Consider me a fan!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Autumn! Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words! I've been a blog junkie for several years now, all the while dreaming of doing it myself, so I can totally relate! I feel like people I've never met are my friends and I constantly tell people in real life about them and their projects and houses…ha! I appreciate you reading and the support! Its been a fun but crazy ride already! Have a wonderful weekend, Autumn!
Julia Konya says
That's so brave and I absolutely love how it turned out! Awesome!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Julia! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and thanks for reading!
Angie says
When I saw this link I chuckled because I just finished "coloring" on a vinyl chair seat 🙂 So glad I have company! Love your bench makeover!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Angie! It's fun to hear what innovative things others are doing! I'd love to see it! I hopped over to your blog…that couch…I hope you got it and I hope you added fringe! Fringe is so amazing! Thanks for reading and have a lovely weekend!
Laney Reusch says
Just love it!! I will have to peruse the Target isles better next time I'm there!!!
http://reuschinteriordesign.blogspot.com
themakerista@gmail.com says
Laney, I am always amazed at what I can find! Your "Ten Truths About Being an Interior Designer" was informative and hilarious! Thanks for reading!
Ola says
Amazing blog 🙂 and great idea! I'm following and waiting for more 🙂
http://www.byblondepeanut.blogspot.com
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Ola! I'm hoping to get some projects done in the next few days…hope you have a lovely weekend!
Emily says
Does it rub off on your pants when you sit on it? If not I'll definitely have to steal this idea!
xo- Em
http://www.handmakerofthings.com
themakerista@gmail.com says
Nope! We've had lots of bums on it. 🙂
Punctuation Mark says
What a great idea… so easy to make this piece look like new!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much, Elie!
Chelsea says
Ok, this is amazing.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Chelsea!
Molly says
Oh my gosh. I just started reading your blog tonight and now that I've seen this post it's official. I'm hooked. I only read 2 other blogs, Little Green Notebook and A Cup of Jo (every day for a few years) and it's rare, oh so rare to see something with the balance of appreciation for DIY, humbleness yet awesomely amazing taste! Great work!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, Molly, that is so kind of you! This means so much to me. That you would even mention me in the same sentence as those two ladies is so lovely. I appreciate you reading and am thankful you get my sometimes nutty ideas. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Shavonda says
Mind. Blown! You're so smart! I love it. I'm obsessed with kilim!