“But Mom, It’s an investment piece!”

For some reason, my mother did not agree that dorm room decor necessitated the purchase of an 8 x 10 foot version of Pottery Barn’s Tracy Kilim rug. A mere $698.

Go figure.

I’ve always been fascinated by kilim rugs. More specifically, updated versions of the traditional geometric patterned textile masterpieces. While I can appreciate the quality of a button-ed up dark-red and amber hued oriental or persian rug, I really prefer the bright versions. Switching up the color palette infuses the carpet’s stuffy predilection with a playful essence.

I fell in love with this particular rug because it makes an old medium new again. Not in the way fashion tastemakers keep rotating clothing trends every 10 years (90′s crop tops are back, what!?) It’s Venturi-esque approach actually revitalizes and negates staid cultural norms.

It was with that optimistic mentality that I “discovered” carpet bags. Or rather decided to launch an obsessive quest on Etsy, Ebay, Kaboodle and the Brooklyn Flea to find my own slice of wool-worked heaven. But not just any carpeted handbag, one that would transcend the granny stigma for good.

Hold the Mary Poppins, please.

And I finally found it!

My Bag:

I’ve had to part ways with my dreams of owning the Tracy Kilim rug. Now out of production, and virtually impossible to track down (though I have tried! and actually found one on Craigslist that turned out to be filthy) it probably won’t be gracing the floor of my home. But you never know, maybe I’ll find it someday.

Until then, I’ll just focus on collecting kilims that can hold my blackberry and wallet. (And if you know me, 82,952 other things.)

That’s actually one Mary Poppins quality I’d like to keep.

Covetable Carpet Bags: