So with the new door step and the gravel I couldn’t very well leave that bit of Astro Turf there could I?
Again (when it comes to rugs) I thought long and hard of what I wanted and Mr. Google got really sweaty there for a while but in the end I opted for what I had at the old house, a simple coco husk mat which can be bought by the meter. I got a 1.2 meter piece which is 1 meter wide and drew a line down the middle. The idea was to use half outside and half inside.
I wanted semi circles so I pressed a push pin with a string with a marker at the end in the sideways center 10 cm (4 inches) away from the middle line. This was because the length of the mat is longer than the width and I wanted to use as much as possible of it and not waste any of the length.
Then I used the marker to draw the first semi circle and moved the push pin to the other side and repeated. That gave me slightly curved ends which I didn’t want so I just free hand drew a straighter line.
Here you can see what one looks like from the front and the other from the back after using a knife to cut along the lines. As you can see they don’t form a perfect circle but more of an oval which is fine by me.
Because the inside doorway is less than a meter wide I marked and cut the inside mat accordingly.
And this is what I was after. Something outside that would match what’s on the inside. It looks a little bit egg shaped here, but not in real life, it’s the odd photo angle.
Here’s what it looks like from the inside looking out…
… with the front door closed…
… from the outside looking in… (don’t mind the stuff in the hall, it’s waiting to go downstairs into the basement)
… and from the outside with the door closed. Man, I have to paint that door, like right NOW. Please stop raining!
I love it.
So Pretty . What a great idea! Thanks for sharing
Posted by: rashmi | August 24, 2011 at 07:06 AM
Clever girl!
Posted by: Lorna from Atlanta | August 24, 2011 at 07:23 AM
I love it! I may copy your idea...
Posted by: Joanie | August 24, 2011 at 07:44 AM
I like the circle doormat matching the mirror and drum-lampshade. Great idea!
The second rug is only to hide the floor?
Posted by: Natascha | August 24, 2011 at 07:46 AM
Wow !! Amazing. I just love the view from the inside to outside where you can see the neighbour's house ( I think it is the 11 picture from the top).
I am getting jealous day by day because of the transformations you make to your house.If you are considering selling this house i will be the first to buy (Jus kidding, I know you have just bought this house... but the transformations that has happened to this house is rather tempting)
Posted by: Indira | August 24, 2011 at 07:54 AM
It is. Still trying to figure out exactly what to do with that floor...
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 07:55 AM
What a difference a doormat can make!
Posted by: Monica | August 24, 2011 at 08:56 AM
Well it's just lovely - no surprise there. It really "blurs the line between inside and outside" like all the groovy decorating magazines always say you should do :). I do believe I'm going to have to steal this idea!
Posted by: Judith | August 24, 2011 at 08:56 AM
It does look amazing! Did you use anything to attach the carpet to the floor, or does it stay put without?
I'm with you, it should stop raining allready!
Posted by: Leena | August 24, 2011 at 08:57 AM
Gosh you are so clever and so energetic - I feel tired just reading all the incredible DIY you do. I want to move in to your house - it is BEAUTIFUL! Well done.
Posted by: esther | August 24, 2011 at 08:59 AM
That looks stunning. I still find it a bit weird that your front door opens outwards though!
Posted by: Hxx | August 24, 2011 at 09:08 AM
They're kind of heavy and stay put on their own so no need to stick them down.
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 09:16 AM
I love it too. Stealing that idea aswell as the smart idea for the new doorstep.
Posted by: Karin | August 24, 2011 at 09:45 AM
God you are brilliant!!!
Posted by: Yvonne | August 24, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Coco husk doormat in a coco nut shape :-).
Posted by: Zosia | August 24, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Nice ! Speaking of painting the door, have you decided yet on the color? Wondering if it will be Benita (Dove grey) or Wille (Sunny Yellow) color???
:)
Best of luck !
Posted by: Ebru Gage | August 24, 2011 at 10:03 AM
:)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Yup, post coming up! Both grey and yellow have been contenders...
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 10:13 AM
absolutely gorgeous idea, i LOVE it. i will count amongst the copycats. now if i could find some of that matting in england!
x
Posted by: elisa | August 24, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Have you chosen a color for the door? After looking at the bright yellow door on YoungHouseLove I'm itching to paint mine... unfortunately I live in a flat and there's a rule about keeping the doors brown. Too bad.
Posted by: Maddelaine | August 24, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Post coming up!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Very nice and very clever!
Posted by: Golla | August 24, 2011 at 12:15 PM
something nice
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66193857/whale-tissue-holder-white-ships?ref=v1_other_1
Posted by: maj | August 24, 2011 at 12:49 PM
I love it too!!
Looking forward to the Door post.
:o)
Posted by: Martha | August 24, 2011 at 12:56 PM
I've seen them before and they are toooooo cuuuuute! I want one but the white one sold already... Will keep tabs on that shop!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Lovely, as usual!
Posted by: Claudia Martins Dietrich | August 24, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Great! What colour will you paint the door? Not white, surely? ;)
Posted by: Fiona Potter | August 24, 2011 at 01:42 PM
It will all be revealed tomorrow :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Rug looks great inside and out. Very sensible.
The front of your house will look spectacular when the door's painted.
Oh, I hope the door will be white. Or, at least, not gray. Sweden gets enough gray weather without the houses being gray, too, IMO. ;)
Love the neighbor's picket fence. So cute!
Posted by: devil | August 24, 2011 at 02:05 PM
Or maybe Bonus Black?
Posted by: Dusa | August 24, 2011 at 02:12 PM
Our last door was black so I want something different this time :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I really love the idea of using the same material inside as well as outside! I look forward to seeing the painted door. Of course I will be away tomorrow so no internet access, will check first thing when I'm back online!!!
Posted by: Sussi | August 24, 2011 at 02:36 PM
Love it! I have a rather odd question. I noticed that your front door opens out rather than in, so the hinges are on the outside of the house, correct? That is opposite of how outside doors open here. Is that the norm where you live?
Posted by: Paula | August 24, 2011 at 03:06 PM
It is, but I had another comment on how weird it is so we're weird :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 03:18 PM
I'm Swedish but live in the US and have also been struck by how tied people here are to frontdoors opening into the house. I said to an architect that the door could open out and I might as well have suggested we burn the whole house down. I think it's at least in part because many people attach screen/storm doors on the outside of the frontdoorway. Those doors open out, and then the "real" frontdoor opens in.
Posted by: Anna | August 24, 2011 at 03:27 PM
What's with that storm door, anyway. I get "screen" as in screening out bugs etc, but "storm", aren't they usually quite flimsy compared to "real" doors.
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 03:36 PM
Storm door is more for insulation - one more barrier against the cold. Also protects wood doors from winter weather.
Posted by: E | August 24, 2011 at 03:50 PM
I love it too and this is great timing. We just tiled the flooring in our back hall (where we enter and take off shoes; we put down tile to stand up against the snow and muck for much of the year), and I've been trying to figure out what ti do about a mat--this gives me some ideas to work on.
Posted by: Kari | August 24, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Wanted to comment on door colour but see that all will be revealed tomorrow. My suggestion was "falu svart" a sort of standard house paint in sweden when in red but the black one is more recent. Also read that your old door was black... Well, will be up early to read tomorrow!
And info about door opening outwards, it has to do with building regulations here in Sweden, if there is a fire you should be able to run out quickly (i think this is fact, but has not double checked)
Posted by: annie | August 24, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Love the look from the outside in!
Posted by: Petra from NL | August 24, 2011 at 04:49 PM
my concern is that its not as safe that way.. when your door is locked, all you have to do is take the hinges off and your in..
to me its a little scary.
Can't wait to see the door color.. your such a bright, cheerful person. i think yellow would be great. or that wonderful green you like so much.
Posted by: Jo | August 24, 2011 at 05:34 PM
Nice! What about the other rug, the one in the hallway,is that IKEA too?
Posted by: Fröken Prickig | August 24, 2011 at 05:40 PM
You are always so creative! I love coming to your blog, it's always so inspiring.
Posted by: Casey | August 24, 2011 at 06:11 PM
It is but it's from years ago so I don't know if it's still available.
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | August 24, 2011 at 08:15 PM
I love it, what a great idea!
Posted by: Frida - trendenser.se | August 24, 2011 at 08:21 PM
gud så snyggt OCH FIFFIGT!
Posted by: mamamya | August 24, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Where in the US can you buy this by the yard?
Posted by: Liz | August 24, 2011 at 11:11 PM
I don't think it is... I have not seen it in their stores:/
Posted by: Froken Prickig | August 25, 2011 at 09:44 AM
It's meant to be safer to get out in case of a fire if the door opens outwards. You just push and escape whithout having people climbing your back and pressing against you while you try to get the door to open inwards. At least that's what I've heard as an explanation. (And I've noticed that almost all doors in public places open outwards here in Sweden.)
Posted by: Titti | August 25, 2011 at 12:34 PM
I'll pinch that idea thank-you! LOVE..... :)
Posted by: Nadine | August 26, 2011 at 04:29 AM
I just love your creativity and your 2 mat set, Benita. In Australia our front doors usually open inwards, as most houses have flyscreen doors or security doors (which can be left locked on their own for ventilation).
So I would not have enough clearance under the door thick mat. I do have a piece of carpeting as a "second stage mat", but nothing smart like matching the outside mat.
Posted by: Maddy | August 27, 2011 at 03:08 AM
I love how the two doormats work together so well to form one cohesive space.
Posted by: r8chel | August 31, 2011 at 05:00 AM
Who knew doormats could look this good! Nicely done.
Posted by: Kathy | August 31, 2011 at 05:30 AM
Hey...you always come with brilliant ideas. Really very impressive. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: London Builders | September 10, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Honey PLEASE rehang your door immediately. Your door should be an in swing with the hinges on the inside. Your hinges can be popped off from the exterior,making you a sitting duck. PLEASE look into this.
And yes, by the way, your door mat is pretty fabulous.
Sorry for being a Cassandra. I had to say something.
Posted by: Jo | September 14, 2011 at 12:16 AM
All doors in Sweden swing out.
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 14, 2011 at 07:46 AM
That's a very cool idea! I love to try this at home too.
Posted by: wall art | October 23, 2011 at 05:42 AM