Thursday, February 11, 2010

Love it or hate it?

RT102_1Many of you may be surprised to know that I don’t subscribe to any decor magazines. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

I appreciate a good decorating mag, don’t get me wrong. But I find most of them are WAY over my head. I’m much more of a Do It Yourself or Lowe’s magazine kind of girl. But my favorite periodicals aren’t even magazines – they’re catalogs.  ;)

The day the Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn or even Crate and Barrel catalogs come in the mail is a VERY good day. I skip up the drive way, positively giddy.

Although there are times I see an item and wonder what in the heck they are thinking…then after flipping past it 20 times or so as I look for items-to-make-on-my-own-for-$200-cheaper, it starts to grow on me.

This one did that. It’s the Le Poeme Indoor/Outdoor Rug. I love the strong graphic print, but at the same time I’m not sure about the writing on the rug . (Get it? The writing on the rug? OH I’m clever.)

I keep going back and forth on this one. I think I like the larger version better, with the more neutral font:

RT102_2

I don’t know, I don’t know! What do you think?

RT102_A_RT102CHO

I think it’s one of those you’d have to see in your space. I know the French writing is part of the beauty of this rug, but I can’t help thinking I’d like it better if I knew what it said?

RT102_3I don’t know French. I know Spanish, maybe in Spanish I would like it better? Es posible. No se.  ;)

So what do you think? Love it or hate it? OK, hate may be a strong word. Strongly dislike? (By the way, I’m not buying this – I just love to hear your thoughts!)

Anyone see these beauties in the Ballard Catalog last year?:AD319_1OK, I’m gonna go ahead and say “strongly dislike” may not truly convey my thoughts on those. ;)

147 thrifties said (comment here):

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

To completely avoid your question - I feel indifferent towards this rug. Don't love it, don't hate it. I think it definitely depends on the space.

MonicaW @ thriftista.com said...

I don't see that rug being the centerpeice of a room. But once you cover it with furniture, then you can't read the writing. Catch 22.

Jenn said...

I'd need to know what it was saying too.

Tiffany said...

I love it. But then again, I know French...haha

Jessica S. said...

I speak French and I love the rug! But I agree, once you put furniture in, it sort of defeats the purpose of the words.

And that little house thingy?? U.G.L.Y.

Mandi said...

I'm thinking we're on the same page, since I am to cheap to buy mags, but I adore the day my PB, Wisteria, and Ballard Design catalog comes in the mail. . . and of course I'm ripping out the pages and keeping the ones I like (that I CAN DO!;)

Now about that rug- I love it. Not like oh, $300 or whatever it is love it- but I adore french, and I adore words, so ya know. There ya go.

Anonymous said...

It seems to be a fable by Jean de Lafontaine: La cigale et la fourmi ( The cicada and the ant.

Gwen said...

I really think that it would depend on the space, but it looks too busy to me. I also think that it may be a tad too pretentious. Maybe that is because no hablo french.

Speaking of Spanish, I could really go for a burrito right now.

alice said...

I really like the rug in the picture. I would have to use my translator on my blog. It would really depend on the setting.
smiles, alice

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Hmmmm. I saw this in the catalog and wasn't sure I liked it at the time. However, I do like it under that table. And what in the world is that thatchy thing? I didn't see those last year. I would have remembered something like that. Wouldn't be able to block it out.

Nicole @ BugaBoos said...

I love love love this rug and have drooled over it a few times on their site, however it wouldn't look right in my space. I like the black writing myself. I'm no help at all, sorry :(

Cassandra said...

I "strongly dislike" the rug. I am sure it would look good in someone's room (maybe) but I am steering clear.

Tammy James said...

Well I tried to read and use google translate on it ... it seems to say something about a breeze, famine, song, grasshopper and fly .... Hmmm.

This is what I put in according to how I read it.
mine uielle alla la cigal ayant tout lete se tout depouvue la brise fit venue seul petit de la mouche ella alla famine ayant chant la cig trouvort venue seul mouceau de la

This was the translation.

UIElement mine went the grasshopper who all have lete depouvue while the breeze was coming from one small fly ella alla famine song with the cig trouvort come only from the mouceau

The Starr Family said...

Love it. Hands down, the black writing is just plain lovely. I could just sit myself down on that rug with a cup of coffee & a few cadbury eggs and Not. Leave. All. Day.

Ps... the mod podge bird hut is a no. I agree.

CJ {Pink Tea} said...

I like the rug, but you would have to have the right room. It would look awful in my house. But with a fairly simple room, I think it could be that great statement piece.

Jo said...

Not feeling the rug - strongly dislike it - no matter what it says, I really don't understand the whole love of French inspired decor......

~ RM said...

hahaha, THat 'house' thing at the end of your post is AWFUL!! ;)
I'm in the same boat as you- I'm not sure if I like the rug. I don't know, maybe it's because I don't know what it says... Maybe it's because it's so expensive... Or maybe because my mind is always guessing what we are going to laugh about 10 years from now in a "What was I thinking??" moment and this could make the top 20. I don't know.... Part of me really likes it, honestly! But part of me worries French will be 'so over' in 5 years, and let's face it, we want stuff that LASTS! :) I don't want anyone to be insulted by my ramblings....

Kim said...

The rug fab! - maybe it really says "Ha Ha I can't believe you paid that much --ha ha! Only in French it sounds & looks better!

Jamie said...

Hard to buy magazines when they are so many great sites like yours on the web to get ideas from! LOVE BALLARD DESIGNS CATALOG... I have loved this rug for quite awhile also. I too, go back and forth on the nuetral or black, and also had the same thoughts on I would need to see it in my room before I would know if I would like it or not. I think it has a classic kind of look to it. Seems like it would be hard to reproduce using a stencil. Are you thinking of doing that? I LOVE YOUR SITE BY THE WAY. YOU ARE PHENOMENAL :)

Melissa Miller said...

Hmmmm...Sarah I'm normally a fancy writing type of person used in decorating but I'm not crazy about it on a rug per say. Especially when it's this large. I think it might be a bit too busy. That's just me.

Go for it if you like it. I'll bet you can make it awesome!

fluentbrittish said...

I love the rug, and I don't care what it says.

Melissa Miller said...

Hey ask Debbie! "Confessions of a Plate Addict". She's a retired French teacher. She would know the translation for sure. :)

Renee said...

If any, I think the most subtle lettering is the best, but I'm kind of "meh" about them.

thedomesticfringe said...

I like the rug. Don't think it would work in my house, but I like it in the picture.

-FringeGirl

vtwoman said...

YOu could get a small one and put it up on the wall...

Renee said...

about what it says, i tried to type what I could see into Google Translate, but it seemed I was reading the cursive wrong because a lot of the words came up wrong. I know the word "summer" is in there and the word "song" and that's about all I can say for sure :)

Melissa said...

I love it!

Ally said...

Mmmm, some people are really into the French culture, and if so I think it would be a neat piece to personalize a room, but it's not for me.

And as for the little...house..thingy. Well, it's just special. :0)

Chris said...

Here's the thing. I think it's one of those items that has to be in JUST the right setting to work. On it's own, I have absolutely no love for it. However, underneath the table, it looked quite nice. Also, am I the only one that has always disliked those magnolia paintings at Ballards? Probably, right?

Maegan said...

I love Ballard and I love the rug. I think it is so unique and would add a lot of character any room that you put it in.

Maggie Reno said...

Je t'aime. Lo quiero para mi casa. Unfortunately it's wool. We're allergic to wool in my house.

Lacie @ Creative Attempts said...

yeay someone like me that gets ideas from a catalog arent they the best. You are seriously better at execution though lol

Jeff and Lucie said...

I LOVE this rug!!! I saw it in my catalog and fell in love with it.

Fanchy said...

I have to say that, though I would not choose this for my personal tastes, I can see it working if the room decor is just right.

nell ann said...

I feel the same way! I think it's a rug you would want to only see peeks of --- not one that was say, in the middle of the playroom with no table or something. Maybe a dining room? I also feel like I remember BD having the translation online at some point? I bet it's out there somewhere!

sweethome4us said...

Love it! I'm so into French things right now!

Kati said...

I have been looking at these myself since they came out in the catalog! I think it would look great in a house! The french probably makes it look prettier....spanish? Not so much! Let us know if you buy one!

Beth Curtis said...

I ADORE it! ( and I don't know french).

Brittany said...

love love love the rug! I want it or myself! ha!

Isabella & Max Rooms said...

Love it, and actually like the barn house thing as well! Janell

Allison @ Allie Browns Layouts said...

I love the rug! It's interesting and new and gave me that "warm and welcoming" vibe when I saw it instead of the "What the heck is that??" Kind of feeling.

And WTH is up with that house like thingy? Looks like they're scraping at the bottom of the barrel for creativity here...

Love your blog! I check in on you nearly every day! Thanks for being so fab! And I agree on not getting the home decor catalogs and instead getting pottery barn catalogs! I'm the same way!

Michelle Rayburn said...

I think the rug adds a nice flair. Looks great with that furniture.

Michelle
www.TrashToTreasureDecorating.com

Miss Tiff said...

i like the rug alot, mostly with the black print, it's striking. like the newly fashionable zebra thang but not as trendy. i'd use it in a less formal room. that barn thing is horrid. toodles.

Stephanie said...

I think the rug is interesting but I also think I would tire of it pretty quickly. Maybe it's a bit too trendy for me. I could see using that design in a table runner or placemats before I'd use it as a rug.

OhLookADuck said...

I love the rug (light print, large size) and I love the cute little house. I still want to build my own little fort/treehouse/whatever (even though I am in my mid 50's...) and that reminds me of something along those lines. I may as well give up thinking I'm going to grow out of my childhood. Sigh.

Thanks for the fun blog stuff!

Kate @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating said...

I got my Ballard's catalog today... WOOT WOOT!!

This rug is one of those "hard to pull-off" looks, needs to be in perfect surroundings or people will think you're trying too hard with that trendy rug with French words on it.

But, I have to admit, I do kind of like it... but, I am much too practical to buy it. I would like it for about a year (if I was lucky), then I would be so over it. It's too expensive to be "so over it" after a year. :(

Just my two cents! :)
Kate xoxox

Becca said...

like the rug, but would want to know what it said before i bought it. what if it said something crazy or terrible as some big joke? so yeh it looks pretty sweet, not gonna lie. just get a translator.

hollyhs said...

I have a love/hate relationship with BD. I love their style, but looking through the catalog makes me want to redo my whole house! i just want to get all new stuff! :) and i want that rug bad. in black. :)

RUNSTANDSTILL said...

Absolutely love that rug, loved it the first time I saw it in the catalog.

Snappy Di said...

I really like the rug. The green and the light blue are both growing on me too. Would require just the right space, but I'm thinking it would look nice in either my guest bedroom or the dining room. I say go for it... I dare you to make it... LOL

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Cayli @ craftingupathunderstorm said...

I personally love the rug... I saw a chair a long time ago in a catalog or magazine that had a similar idea and I have always thought it was a cool and updated look... I can only imagine liking it in a very modern space though with some Polluck style paintings and very clean lined, dark furniture. But that's just me.

Complicated Life said...

I remember this poem! I had to memorize it in French class in junior high. It's Jean de la Fontaine's La Cigale et La Fourmi, or The Grasshopper and the Ant. Of course, parts of it are cut off on the rug, but you can read the French and the English translation here: http://recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=5699

I would think about that rug in my house if I had a room that wasn't my main living space. A room where I'd take more of a risk, I guess.

Also, I hate that house thing.

Anne said...

I love the rug (and I do speak French). But, as best I can tell it's mostly just random words, that would drive me NUTS. I would totally buy it if it was a French poem or something that made sense, but I'm OCD like that...

Rae Ann said...

Love it! My sister has a similar design on her wallpaper and I have some slipcovers with french writing. Love! Buy the mystery is why is it always in french?

Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautiful said...

I think I love it in that space, hate it anywhere else! I mean I think it needs that sofa, those floors, those doors opening to that balcony... to look that good. That room looks like it must be an apartment in Paris over a bakery or something. Can't you just smell the croissants?! I'm just picturing it in a random room in, say the pottery barn catalog and it doesn't fit.

1 Funky Woman said...

I actually love it, very cool. I would love to know the furniture you were thinking of using. I love things that are the unexpected and make people go wow! Who wants to be like everyone else. I like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel but too many people go and buy the room, and they don't put their mark in the room! Love to find out what you decide!

Tiffanie said...

I like it...in the magazine photo. Not so sure I'd like it in my home. But I am one of those people who can't even stand to see wallpaper prints in bathrooms. It makes me insane!!! But I do think it's a beautiful rug on its own. As for the weird looking psycho birdhouse thing at the bottom, yeah that's God awful.

Rebecca D said...

That last item looks like a school project done by one of my kiddos. One that I'd be itching to throw away, but would be afraid that would make me a bad mom...

Aimee said...

I LOVE it. But it wouldn't look good in my home. Not open and airy enough. Maybe someday, when I have a larger master bedroom again, with hardwood floors. Le sigh...

Genevieve said...

not a fan, I'd like it better if the writing was smaller. That photo is from WAY. UP. HIGH. and I can't imagine how B.I.G. it would be if I was walking on it. Smaller please and prefereably in Italian. ; )

Amy said...

omg LOVE LOVE LOVE..i have been wanting this rug and have even seen something similar in a nursery! i have come very close to just buying it to see it in my space, but my husband is not a fan! i love french style, so im ok with the french words, but if it were in spanish, i think i would have to buy it (studied in spain)!! there's my 2 cents!

J.J. said...

I like it ok. I think it is one of those things that I would like in someone elses home...but not really in my own. Does that make sense?

Dogmom Diva said...

I think it might be a rug you would tire of..or maybe I would tire of..not my style..maybe in the right setting..

Tardevil said...

You're right...that thing (bird house?) is butt ugly. It looks like a crack house for birds. Anyhoo, I kind of like the rug, but I think the prob is it's too crowded/busy. I believe if they had spaced the fonts/writing a little farther apart, it would look better. Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth. Hope you had fun w/ Harry! :)

Susan said...

I really love this rug. I blogged about a while ago and thought it was the coolest. However, I don't think I'd want it in my home. A big rug can be an investment and I feel like this is super trendy. It would look really cool in a nursery perhaps? Or maybe a smaller version. :)

Nita {ModVintageLife} said...

I love the rug...get it!

Lise said...

It is a fable written by Jean de La Fontaine, whose title is THE CRICKET AND THE ANT. In summary, it is the story of a grasshopper who sang all summer rather than work. During the winter, she is hungry and asks the ant (which has provided good reserves) to lend him some food but she refuses because she is not generous. You can read the translation and learn about the author at: http://www.bewilderingstories.com/issue209/cigale.html

sara said...

oooh LOVE the rug! Loves it!

I came across a decorative vase at macy's with handwriting and fell in love... I tried to find it for you but no dice. I have an email and will try to email... if you were torn on the rug, I could TOTALLY see you pulling off a fabulous DIY writing vase. It's gorgeous.

Crystal said...

Eh. Kind of indifferent. I agree, depends on the space. I can see certain homes, certain rooms. Maybe a beautiful sun room or something. And yeah, once you slap some furniture on that baby, there goes the words....

And the house thing? Uguhly. =)

Katie said...

I love the rug, but like you, I wanted to know what it says. I followed your link to Ballard Designs' website and they had it translated there. It is as follows...

(The Cricket and The Ant)

The cricket, having sung all summer long,
found her foods too few when the north wind blew
Nowhere could she spy a single morsel - worm or fly.
She thought her neighbor, the ant, might help,
and begged her for a bit of grain till summer came back again.
"By next harvest, I'll repay interest and principal both,"
she swore on the animal's oath.
Now, the ant may admit to a fault or two,
But lending is not something she will ever do.
So she asked, "What did you do when the weather was warm?"
"By night and day, to all who came, I sang at every chance."
"You sang, did you? How very nice. Now go and dance."

Not sure if I like it more or less now, lol.

Joy said...

Wow I am impressed that Katie found the translation. Who knew they listed it on their websites! I love the rug! I am contemplating getting a lamp from Pottery Barn that has a lamp shade with French on it. I wonder if they have translation on their site!

Mama Sews! said...

Don't love it all! I love patterns, and mix things up, but the rug is too busy on my eyes. I couldn't have it in my house. I would grow tired of it very quickly, but that's just me!

Geezees Custom Canvas Art said...

Love the rug...such a creative idea for a room.
Thank you for sharing this!

Blogger Babe said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! But I do agree with you that I would want to know what it says. Personally I would stick with the neutral tones but I think it could be an incredible accent piece for a room. Great find! Thanks for sharing! :-)

CozyGirl said...

I see what you mean. I look at it and kind of like it, but then again I'm not so sure. It really may depend on the space that it's in. Have a wonderful day!
Janae

Richella said...

You are so funny.

Not sure about the rug. Maybe if you could hang one of them on the wall. Then you'd have the writing on the wall. "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin."

Nope. I'd need to know what it says. :)

BTW, I AM surprised to learn that you don't subscribe to ANY decorating magazines. But why would you need to look at those magazines for ideas?? You have plenty of your own.

Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity said...

I think I would have to know what it said. Because what if it said something like, "Ha! Ha! Ha! You silly Americans spend way too much on French decor!" Love reading about your love affair with Ballard. I, too, love them dearly! I am fortunate that I have an outlet just 30 minutes from my house!!! I can't believe you didn't get hives when you were in Indy because it is only about 1 hour from there. :)

creativeconceptscontract said...

I think I would love the rug for a dining room if it had a plain center panel - with the writing all around the perimeter. I think it would look charming in front of a fireplace with a couple of cozy chairs . . . but not under a table.

kim said...

I like the rug o.k. You can get it translated on google if you can see the whole script. I don't care for the house thing. I saw that when it was in the catalogue and thought what do you do with that??

MelissaM said...

It is a little out of my "style zone", I prefer more of the comfy traditional look. But, that being said I think the larger issue would be having something on the floor that you do not understand. I would be afraid my long lost french friends (which we all have:) ) would come in the house and ask, "Why does your floor say 'The old man hugged his cow and fed her daisies. The chickens laughed and the ducks swam in the happy pond.'?" That could be an interesting convo. ;)

Practically Spent said...

Pretty nifty in an otherwise monotone room. I'd choose to have my own lettered with "Don't spill" and "No shoes". Maybe anything looks sophisticated in French cursive.

Wendy said...

I love the rug! I've seen this one, too, and thought about getting it for my daughter's bathroom which has a bit of a French theme. As far as what it says, it would be nice - but the wallpaper in my kitchen has French writing on it and I have no idea what it says either! But it looks pretty!

Nadir @ Hodgepodge said...

Surprisingly...I like it! I didn't think I would but it's so different & interesting. I'm w/ you on the language though, I'm Puerto Rican so I'd love it to be in Spanish, maybe we could create one together, haha! Take care!

Lettered Cottage said...

Love it. But I might only love it for a while, if ya know what mean?
I don't know...I might love it forever. This is hard!

:-)
Layla

Samantha said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE THE neutral one! This is a great modern look! The light green is a great color as well!

Jessica said...

LOVE

SusieQ said...

I like the room picture with the rug in it, but not enough to pay the price.

Julianne Hendrickson said...

I completely agree--they can come out with the strangest things! I just bought a topiary at Michaels for $10 that Ballard had priced at $75! I do NOT like that rug!

Mols84 said...

I definitely don't hate the rug...but don't see myself ever wanting to buy it! I agree, it would depend on the decor of the room. Those houses are weird though!

the tortise said...

I think the rug is beautiful! I do love the more neutral version but I have a pretty robin's egg blue office that the black and white rug would make a wonderful statement in. so just the right space, i think.

One Cheap B*tch said...

Two words: love it! The carpet is fantastic!

All Things Cherish said...

I've been drooling over that rug since Ballard's introduced it. Too bad I hate the price tag. I'm hoping you can show me how to recreate this for cheap! ; )

Lindsi Gabler said...

Definitely one of those items you might like for a short while and then get sick of it... not a timeless piece I don't think!

Mar-Cee-Ah said...

I love it - J'ai ador! Oh the high school French comes in handy once in a while - I would love to have this rug - but not at the price. Please come up with an alternative way for one to create such a wonderful thing!! :-)

Susan said...

I think I like it... but I agree I'd rather know what it says. I just don't think I like it for my house. Maybe if I had a bigger home with rooms that weren't used often I'd want to buy it.

ChocolateAddict said...

I would love it if I had my own office - not just a corner - I love all things French and in the neutral tones I would totally use it there.

Sarah said...

Your like me, I dont subscribe to décor magazines either. Once in a while I'll grab one while I'm at the grocery store if something catches my eye. They depress me because its not realistic. Lol But the rug is ok, its not something I would buy. Its a little much for me, I'd rather have a pillow or something small with a similar fabric.
-Sarah

Ch4ttyC4thy said...

Oh I love it! I think it;s very French-Chic!

Christine said...

I would never pay what they want for it because it likely wouldn't be something you would want to look at for a long enough time to get your money's worth out of it. That said, you could do your own version on something like a canvas or drop cloth for an outdoor space or bathroom. And yes, do it in ENGLISH so that your guests can enjoy reading it while standing around your WC or back porch. It could be a fun conversation starter depending upon what you write ;)

Peggy said...

You know I like it but then I've seen something similar done many years ago. It was in a child's nursery which had a wonderful, airy feel. A room so full of promise and make believe that you could believe anything could come true. Could I use it in my house? Not in a million years... (Too much testosterone runs through the veins of the occupants says the mother of all boys...)

Billie Jo said...

I loved that rug, it looked fitting in that setting! Seems pointless if noone can read it though. The second picture you posted....not much of a fan. But was curious what the asking price was on it...and i'm sure someone out there is a proud owner :o)

karlee said...

I've always loved this rug. Of course, everything at Ballard Designs is WAY over priced. But I enjoy going through it for inspiration, much like you. But again, I love the rug!

Katie said...

I saw this rug last night too, and wasn't really sure of it, either. I kind of like the more neutral one, but it would NOT work in my house!

Danae said...

I don't like it b/c I would just be looking at the rug trying to figure out what it says! I think even a language one understands would be too distracting.

Shellie Hartsock said...

Love the rug! I think it is way kewl.

danzr13 said...

Love love love this rug. I have it in my kitchen. I have a Frenchy theme going with a large art piece and some french canisters, an old french address sign, and this just completes the space for me. The brown is nice and neutral but not as neutral as it appears in the magazine. The writing definitely stands out...but in a good way. My granite countertops have both brown tones and black tones in them so I went back and forth about which color writing...and didn't want the black screaming at me all the time. I went with brown to match my DIY burlap valances...and it's perfect for my space.

Leah said...

not a fan of this rug..but ballard translates it for you. go to the ballard site and type in Le Poeme and you'll see the translation..here is the link
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/images/us/local/page_specific/antiques/rt102.html

Shannon said...

i LOVE it!!! I think their rugs are a % off too! I REALLY want the larger one in chocolate. We have a outlet in GA I am dying to go to!

Natalia Cardoza said...

Is it weird that I loved it when I initially thought it was tile...but as a rug I have to admit I think I might hate it...

Now as a fun backsplash........

Carissa Rasmussen said...

I don't know why eveyone's obsessed with French...espanol es la lengua de los dioses...nadie escucha a Frances y piensa, "o la sonida de los Angeles" no, piensen "tiene dolor de la cabeza?" lo tengo...

More Than A Mom said...

I like it ~ it's different. Although I think I'd always read it and that would drive me crazy to have in my own house.

BTW, I nominated you for the Sunshine Award because I love your decorating advice.
http://morethana-mom.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-first-blog-award.html

Kimberly Knoess said...

I would like the rug on a smaller scale...too much of a good thing, but that little cottage makes me gag! It even looks like it would smell like that thin cheap cardboard in craft stores.

Kialyn said...

completely love it- I say go for it. And if you figure out a way to make it on your own, PLEASE share!

Anonymous said...

Heh! I'm not at ALL surprised you are a catalog gal. Your home looks ripped out of the JC Penney catalog!

Ros - Our Old House New said...

The only thing more exciting than the arrival of PB, Ballard and C&B catalogs is the yearly Ikea. I about pass out with joy when it arrives... (of course by that time I've already scanned it in-store).

mom23girlz said...

I love the rug!

Ballard's web site has the translation......


La Cigale et La Fourmi
(The Cricket and The Ant)


The cricket, having sung all summer long,
found her foods too few when the north wind blew
Nowhere could she spy a single morsel - worm or fly.
She thought her neighbor, the ant, might help,
and begged her for a bit of grain till summer came back again.
"By next harvest, I'll repay interest and principal both,"
she swore on the animal's oath.
Now, the ant may admit to a fault or two,
But lending is not something she will ever do.
So she asked, "What did you do when the weather was warm?"
"By night and day, to all who came, I sang at every chance."
"You sang, did you? How very nice. Now go and dance."

Signs and Salvage said...

I think I would like it better as an art print...on the wall:)

{The Classy Woman} said...

I love that rug, in the taupe vs. the darker writing. I'm glad someone above my comment translated because all I got out of it was 'summer'. LOL.

It would be great as a print on a wall too. Actually, I just got some inspiration to create some framed art for my office walls with french writing. I love when that happens!

{The Classy Woman} said...

I love that rug, in the taupe vs. the darker writing. I'm glad someone above my comment translated because all I got out of it was 'summer'. LOL.

It would be great as a print on a wall too. Actually, I just got some inspiration to create some framed art for my office walls with french writing. I love when that happens!

Catchingup said...

Love the rug, but can't stand the picture of the magnolia blossom over the couch...takes away from the effect of the rug.

If you want to know what it says, go to www.freetranslation.com -- I feel the same way about that sort of thing.

Catchingup said...

Love the rug, but can't stand the picture of the magnolia blossom over the couch...takes away from the effect of the rug.

If you want to know what it says, go to www.freetranslation.com -- I feel the same way about that sort of thing.

BlueCastle said...

I really like that rug, but wouldn't buy it unless I knew what it said. I like the look though.

the BLAH BLAH BLAHger said...

I can't tell if I love or hate that rug, either. I've stared at it in the catalog a NUMBER of times and just can't decide. Too funny!

surfsupbuttercup said...

Love the rug!

clairesmom05 said...

I fell in love with this rug the second I saw it! Must. have. it. NOW!! And the house? Two thumbs way down!

Jennifer said...

Not feeling the rug. Wouldn't say I hate it, just don't get it.

Hate is a good word for that little house though!

keelime said...

I love this! I really want it in an outside rug on my back deck... of course I want to make my own, somehow!

Michael - Innkeeper said...

Totally drooling over that rug. If I had an extra $500 laying around I would buy it now! Super, cute. Super cool!!!

Love the Decor! said...

Love the rug but seriousl ywhat is that "hut looking" thing? :)

The How-To Gal said...

I have to say, I love the rug. However, if I was going to DIY myself, I think I would accent some of the words a different color. Like maybe I would make the rug say, "I love you" in different languages and then accent the English form in green to match my room's decor. Anyway, just a thought :)

emptynest4two said...

I liked the rug until someone said it was talking about crickets...Blah! I can barely type it without getting the jeebs. Maybe they could make it say something else...The house made of mud-poo is a for sure no go.

KMfamily ;-) said...

I saw this too!

Would certainly need to be in a room with no other or minimal other patterns.

That kind of a rug needs to be the star of a room.

Anything can be nice in the right content

Tammylee said...

Love the rug! but i would love it even more if i knew the meaning of the words. Somebody please give the translation....

Infarrantly Creative said...

You forgot about those awful heads on a stick they had in the summer. I AM SURE those went to the clearance section. Egads!

Anonymous said...

This is one of those things that grows on me every time I see it. Saw it used in a nursery on RMS and it looked adorable!
http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Nurseries/BoyGirl-Twins-Nursery/detail.esi?oid=12070383

*Chic Provence* said...

I like it in a casual room in the low contrasty version; I have a weakness for old handwriting and love the old French style of writing...maybe because I am in silicon valley and everything here is digital LOL! this gives a feeling of handcrafted-ness...

Deanna Divino said...

Okay, I too need to know what it says. I feel about this like I do about people randomly getting tattoos with writing in another language than English- I feel like I should say "Are you SURE that says DREAM?" But, yes, I do like the rugs. Nice "conversation" piece. ;)

My Nest Now said...

I am soooooo with you on the catalogs, girl! I snuggle up on the sofa Sunday mornings with a catalog and a calculator. I "shop" until I've been through every page and then look to see how much I've spent. Pottery Barn is my biggest "splurge."

Rug? It's cool if you don't have animals, children or feet. That would get hella dirty. ugh.

Marcy said...

Oh, I love this Rug!!

shelia said...

Love the rug...I like the neutral color print, I don't speak french but I could make up my own version of what it says! I also become giddy when my Ballards, Pottery Barn etc catalogs come-I hate when they arrive on the same day, which to look at first? As for the poor little primitive house-someone must have had a brain fart when they picked this for the catalog! Terrible....

Leslie said...

I love this rug, in fact I was just using it this weekend while I was playing around with some polyvore layouts! Love!

Red Lipstick Style said...

I'm in love with it! I would love to use it in my sunroom just off the kitchen, le sigh, so French!

Lorie said...

I am in love with the rug AND the little house.

Okay, not really the house, but the rug is yummy!

Melanie said...

I think that in the right room it might be okay. Maybe the basement? LOL

Anonymous said...

I really like the rugs with the writing, but for a teenage girl's room or a girl's dorm room or something. It's really nice, but it's just, I don't know what the right word is... As a married woman I try to remember that the decor of our home has to be comfortable for a man to live in too... I wouldn't put it in our house.

Mrs SudsMuffin said...

I love the rug, especially the neutral one.
"La cigale et la fourmi" is one of my favourite childhood poems. I remember it by heart, even 30+ years after learning it. It's about how the ant worked all summer to store food for the winter, while the grasshopper/cricket played and didn't save up for the coming months. The grasshopper goes begging for food and the ant scolds the grasshopper for not preparing and basically tells the grasshopper "too bad, so sad."

Holly @ Roller Coaster Life said...

If someone gave it to me I would like it! I won't be buying it though! Maybe making it? But definitely not buying it!

I took 4 years of French in school and can barely remember any of it =( I really wish I could have held on to it I love the language! Maybe I will get me some of those really expensive learning things.... uhmmmm??? I really can't think of what its called now! DANG!

You know??