COTE DE TEXAS: THE HOUSE STYLE CAR

THE HOUSE STYLE CAR

 

Just a quick, fun post for a Sunday morning!  I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend.

 

image

Remember this Californian beach house – featured in House Beautiful two years ago?  So pretty, with its white walls and black bannister – Swedish bench and blue and white rug – all in the foyer alone!!

 

 

 

image

Designed by and the home of Carolyn Epsley-Miller – the living room overlooks the Pacific.  White slipcovers and another blue and white dhurri mix with the dark stone fireplace. 

 

image

At the other side of the living room, the dining room has a thick textured rug and classic French garden furniture, along with a huge mirror that reflects the fireplace. 

 

 

image

But, it was Carolyn’s white SUV, with its chintz slipcovered seats, that caught all the attention.  So many blogs showed this picture – and Pinterest is filled with this exact image.   I was so jealous when I saw this!  I immediately wanted to do this to my own white SUV.  Of course, I never got around to it.  The fabric is Country Rose in Russet by Jane Churchill.    Another good fabric to use would be a Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic one.

 

 

image

 

I drive an old Jeep Commander.  I’m due for a new car, but Jeep quit making this model, so I’ve been holding onto it.  I wonder why Jeep always discontinues their best cars?   I’m a square car person.  The boxier the better.  But, there aren’t that many out there because boxy cars aren’t aerodynamic.  I love my car, I think it’s so cute.

 

 

 

image

What I REALLY want is a Jeep Wagoneer – just like this.  But again, they don’t make these anymore.  This used to be a really popular car in Houston and it’s a much sought out vintage model.  I would love a refurbished one. 

 

We’re a Jeep family for some reason.   Elisabeth’s first car was a Jeep Compass and now she has a Jeep Cherokee.  All three of our cars are white – not sure when we started that car statement, but it looks nicer when all three cars are parked outside – all in white.  It would be nicer if we could park a car in the garage, but that's never going to happen because our garage is our biggest storage closet. 

 

So, Elisabeth is home for the summer and is working as an intern for a Personal Shopper.  Yes, she gets paid to go shopping all day which is a dream come true for my daughter.  At least she’s using someone else’s money for a change.  Her first day on the job, she came home to tell me all about the car mats in her boss’s car. 

 

 

image

 

Car mats?  You mean those ugly plastic things you put over your car’s carpet?  Yep.  She was talking about those car mats.  Apparently, you can order this wonderful, colorful coco mats – made out of the coconut fiber.  Once, all the foreign cars had cocomats – Mercedes, Jaguar, etc.  And, now, this company www.Cocomats.com has brought these fun mats back to the market:

 

 

image

For just a few hundred dollars, you can get these cocomats in colors to match your interior – whether you have a vintage sports car or not.

 

 

image

So cute!

 

 

image

Here is the mat in blue and white coco. 

 

 

 

 

image

They even make mats for the back area of SUVS.  You just order which mat you want, online, and give them the make, model, and year of your car – and a few weeks later, the mats are delivered to your home.

 

 

 

image

Here are the colors the cocomats come in.

 

 

image

But look – they recently came out with SEAGRASS mats!!  Yes, SEAGRASS!!  OMG!!  Wait, I might have a heart attack.

  Actually, the mats Elisabeth’s boss has are seagrass.  That’s why she was so excited to tell me – “Mom, her car mats are made out seagrass!”  I was thinking, sure they are, haha.  Tonight we google searched them and there they were.

 

 

image

Seagrass mats for your car.  There are also mats in sisal and wool that look just like the seagrass – but we all know that seagrass is cleanable and sisal isn’t.    Don’t we? 

 

image

Of course, there are seagrass mats for the back of the SUV.

 

image

Here’s a BMW outfitted with the custom mats.  So, do you think I ordered me a set?  Well, of course I did.  I can’t wait to get them, either.  If anyone should have seagrass car mats, it’s me.   With a white car, it’s just screaming for seagrass – right?  Talk about being consistent with my design philosophy.

 

 

image

I wonder if Carolyn knows about the seagrass mats.  She surely needs them too.  Should I tell her?  And the more I think about it – if I were going to slipcover my seats – it would have to be in plain white linen, of course.  I think I’ll wait until I get a new car and then make that decision. 

 

45 comments :

  1. Well I just have to have those seagrass mats for MY white suv! And hate to admit it, but I didn't know that sisal isn't cleanable... I'm sure my dogs know it, though. Thanks...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Charlotte Des FleursMay 27, 2012 at 9:11 AM

    Hi Joni, What a great post about new floor mats. I made the mistake of "loaning" my Mercedes Sedan to my son while he was away at school. He got married in his last semester and his wife liked the Mercedes. So... now I am driving HIS Ford Explorer. Actually, not a bad exchange because the Explorer is much better for hauling large plants and furniture finds than the Mercedes was.

    However, the Ford Explorer needs a punch of design. New floor mats would certainly be the ticket! Thinking of one of the black-plus-a-colored dot combinations.

    As for YOU, you absolutely must get your seats slip-covered now! Yes, yes, yes - heavy white linen with BUTTERPAT pleats. Sooo fabulous and sooo "Joni".

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love it Joni I just have do decide between the seagrass and the Blue * White Coco!

    Your daughter is such a doll!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks so much for this post, Joni! I'm due for a new car myself and will most certainly be ordering a set when that happens. I love the seagrass, of course, and also the Natural Herringbone coco. It's good to hear from another "boxy car" fan. I'm hanging onto my rusty old white Jeep Cherokee because I've grown so attached to it and I know there's no more where that came from. The newer Jeeps just don't do it for me. Even after I promised myself a Benz wagon as the replacement, I feel sad whenever I think of giving up the Jeep. : (

    ReplyDelete
  5. How cool and exciting for Elizabeth!!! I always wanted a jeep wagoneer and like the boxy look! I love those shabby chic car seats cover and have had that image saved since I first saw it, if it weren't for my 14 year old son I would have some, but those floor mats...I'm clicking and spending!! SJR

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ha! Love them...and perfect timing, as I was just looking at cars this am!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Joni,

    I first saw seagrass car mats at the Concourse d'Elegance (fancy car show) and I was like, OMG someone had custom mats made out of seagrass!
    I have coveted them ever since. Maybe now I will actually get a set, knowing that Cocomats.com is just a click away!

    You are the BEST!
    Cathy Chapman

    ReplyDelete
  8. So stylish but my truck while new gets trashed fairly quickly....BIG DOG! I haul so much stuff for our property too so this is fun to dream about Some day I might have a nice clean vehicle!I hope you're enjoying your weekend!

    XX
    Debra~

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love this.
    Especially since I now have a car I'm crazy about!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Joni, I have a Commander too and just yesterday I learned they are no longer making them and why! Check out the reason here: http://highonthetide.blogspot.com/2012/05/me-too-joni.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love boxy too - I'm still kicking myself for trading in my 1997 Volvo 850 - 100,000+ miles and it was still running like a champ. Maybe some seagrass floor mats for its replacement will compensate.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Please post a photo when you get them. I have a white SUV as well, and that could be a fun summer purchase!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the old Jeep Wagoneers. My teenaged dream was to live in the country (in a large stone country estate house, of course) and drive an old range rover or wagoneer and have horses and several dogs and wear rubber boots and those barn coats...so your post brought back memories.

    I drive a black Audi - somehow the seagrass doesn't seem like it would work (which is good, as I don't need anything more to want...)

    xo Terri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've been watching Marley and Me, right?

      Delete
    2. I do have a GRAND WAGONEER 1990 its in Mexicali Baja its white color anda every thing still works

      Delete
  14. If it were possible to hose off the seagrass mats they would be so practical particularly in the winter or if you are inclined to fill the trunk of your suv with plants in the spring. Wouldn't coco mats give off a lot of fiber just from getting in and out of the car?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I just love this post! I am dying to have a shell pink car with cream interior, and seagrass mats would be just perfect with my color scheme ;). Why shouldn't we decorate our cars to reflect our style! and...It's about time there was an alternative to the ugly rubber mats...

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love me a white car! White cars are my fav! My husband and I used to have a 530 BMW (his) and a Mercedes SUV (mine) both white of course. They looked so gorgeous parked in the driveway of our off white stucco house! I really miss my Mercedes suv, driving a black car now, frown. Been car shopping, would luuuvvv to have a Rangerover sport..in white. Very boxy! And timeless. The seagrass mats would be a no brainer!
    Thanks for such a fun and uplifting post, made my day happy! Mela

    ReplyDelete
  17. Joni-
    You are one unique lady! Can't say I have ever seen a car post, but enjoyed it throughly.
    Happy Memorial Day weekend.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. Forgot to mention, I think we DO choose our cars like how we decorate...and also how we dress. Makes perfect sense, no? Always loved nuetral color cars, but especially white! Mela

    ReplyDelete
  19. Joni-
    You are one one special person love this pots more people should read this.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This was a fun post. We replaced the mats in our first car, a white 1974 Volvo wagon, with coco mats and loved them. The floral slipcovers call to me, but I think they'd be overwhelmed by the sleek, black interior of my current wagon. We have a black vinyl mat, made for our make, model and year, in the back, mainly so we can wipe or hose off muddy puppy prints. If I were to do slips, I think I'd chose a somewhat sturdy fabric with thin black and white stripes, and use a contrasting piping, perhaps bright rose. That would perk up the interior for summer. Love the woody.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great tip for Carolyn. I just got a new car...but what a fun way to liven up an old one!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Those seagrass mats are a definite must for the next car. We are also an "All-White Car Family." Sure makes it easy when time to get a new one--whichever is the white one on the lot.
    Thanks for sharing the tip. Enjoy your holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The owner of the car and the house writes the blog Slim Paley. Check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  24. We have a blue jeep cherokee, and love it, i had a laugh when i saw your reaction to the seagrass mats!

    ReplyDelete
  25. JEEP COMMANDER IS A GREAT CAR! MINE IS A 2010, WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE SEAT COVERS IS FLOWER PRINT. THE MATS ARE COOL BUT WONDER IF THEY COME APART IN TIME. LOVE TO KEEP MY CAR CLEAN AND TIDY. YES, PEOPLE LOVE THEIR CARS.............BOBBIE

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the sea grass mats, What a great product. I really need to get some! Thanks for sharing. Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  27. Loved the post! I LOVE a boxy vehicle too so naturally I was PUMPED to hear that Jeep is reintroducint the Jeep Wagoneer next year!!!!! YAY! So hold on to your car a little longer then trade up to the NEW wagoneer! Just an FYI!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is hysterical. You know I'm looking at these pictures, and I'm dying to one-up everyone by having Stark make me some custom floor mats for my Benz. How wild would it be to have overdyed antique orientals cut down to shape for my car?? Such a slippery slope... ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. ha ha! thanks for thinking of me Joni! :)

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  30. I LOVED that slipped seat! At the time that was published, I already had several yards of outdoor fabric to slipcover my own car's front seats with. i had an old land cruiser with brush guards. it was boxy and had nearly 300,000 miles on it with torn leather seats. The hubs didn't want to fork out the cash to re-upholster, so I'd taken matters into my own hands. Sadly, a few months after purchasing said fabric, our mechanic told us it was time to move on, or sink mega bucks into the car. The hubs had final say. I'm driving a suburban now. And the fabric...it's in a closet. I never made time to slip the seats.

    Can't wait to see your seagrass mats! I'm jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would love to style my Used Cars Texas just like this! There is no place like home! :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I think that it is a brilliant idea to decorate the car in such a way but I think that it can only be adopted in the big size car like the range rover.
    auto transport quotes

    ReplyDelete
  33. I loved that living room with its blues and whites and wood floor! Oh my, I could move in and just stay there in that one room:)

    The slipcover on the car seat is a cute idea!

    ReplyDelete
  34. For makeover of the interior of cars,we can use custom floor mats,seat covers,stylish stereo system and floor liners.Floor mats are one of those accessories which can make a drastic effect over car's interior.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I would like to pay someone to make up 2 identical shabby chic seat covers for my 2013 Ford Transit Connect. Know of anyone? Annie 781-704-4141

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love those cocomat; they seem like a great way to add a punch of color and style to your car. I also found this company in Seattle, Curran car, that makes custom car mats in bright colors. They say they are easy to clean, too. They even have stripes! Love it! http://www.currancar.com/

    ReplyDelete
  37. The horses from the UK are blessed with the flooring option that is now introduced by the country’s premier stable matting website stable mats. The stable mats are the best way to cover up the floors and the walls of the stables because of the supreme qualities that it contains

    ReplyDelete
  38. One of the best ways to protect your Vehicle's exterior is to simply buy a Custom cover. Car Covers for your Vehicle are important, even for those with covered parking. Fortunately, Vehicle Car Covers are inexpensive and portable. outback car covers

    ReplyDelete
  39. Connect with Canvas Car Seat Covers and protect your car seats with our best car seat covers to keep your car seats clean.. thanks for sharing your post!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hello Dear,

    I really like your blog, it's really useful for me.

    Find the best Car Covers | Lifetime Warranty Free Shipping | Call 1-800-288-5844

    Buy car cover online - Car Cover at 50% Off with free Shipping and Lifetime Warranty on all Car Covers Best Reviews on Car Cover - Call us 1-800-288-5844

    Visit Now - https://www.carautocovers.com/

    ReplyDelete