This is my front entry. Old school doormat from our local hardware store, basic Crocs. Minimalist, with a little earthy texture for good measure. And in fact, feng shui says that sandy yellow and black are good for my northeast facing front door. Bonus points!
I like a heel band, and holes in the body for easy hose cleaning.
This is my side entry, the gateway to a future butterfly garden. Improvised step, green Crocs. These shoes have taken most of the brunt of the last 2 years of intensive gardening. I’m still thinking about what to do for the step – most likely I’ll lay out a few large flagstones I have left over from paving the backyard pond.
Why we didn’t put in a step when we remodeled 23 years ago I really don’t know.
And that’s my back entry. The doormat here is from VivaTerra. Black river stones on a black rubber-ish mat. When I ordered it, I didn’t realize the backing was so visible, but here on the gray slate patio I don’t mind. In fact, I’m going to put a second, identical one right next to it, on the other side of the French door.
But, since as you may have surmised, I want a pair of Crocs for every entry, what style? Let me hasten to add, I don’t wear them anywhere but my yard. They stand by the doorway, inside or out, a threshold companion.
For the back door, I am tempted by whimsy.
That’s the Tokyo skyline. But there are so many colors and patterns to choose from. Pink, navy, “concrete” and lime stripes. Even a pair commemorating the Grateful Dead.
Imagination loves her a liminal space.
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42 Responses
What a great mat! I may get the stone colored one to change up our front entry.
And crocs always remind me of visiting inlaws in FL & my preschool aged children asking if all the old people in Florida HAD to wear crocs!
I’m partial to the Tokyo skyline :)
@Kia, I love the mat. And it’s even practical to have exposed to the elements. Leaves fall off shoes, into the cracks, and I am assuming that if it ever rains, the water will not damage it. Just make sure you check that the color of the backing works for you.
Ha! I have the very same Crocs placed at each of my doorways as well as the Hardware Store Variety Doormat at the Front and a simple woven one at the rear…What does that say about us? Not really sure but thought I’d share that with you for no particular reason :-)
@Maude, It says, perhaps, that we are Sturdy Gals with a pretty good aesthetic;). Since nobody knows, let’s agree that’s it. OK?
I love Crocs too. I buy the faux Crocs at a .99 store in Spanish Harlem for five bucks and go through two pairs a year and I swear by them. Yes, I endure the ridicule, but who cares?
@Theodore Bouloukos, Oh, but from Spanish Harlem, a whole other layer of meaning and cultural reference. Who cares indeed.
I’ve been fondly recollecting the crocs at the back entrance of my old house, and the short rubber garden boots by the front door, while contemplating the need for similar footwear at my own doorways.
@Mardel, Almost everything is improved by a little contemplation…
Wow, really love that stone mat. Might work below our back steps. Have never really been a Croc wearer, need more stability and my feet slip around too much in them.
@déjà pseu, It comes in multiple colors:). And I don’t have a problem with slippage – I don’t stride around much, just gardening, maybe that’s it?
Wow, I thought that was a bed of rocks and not a door mat at first glance – very clever!
My husband just purchased his first pair of crocs to take to the mountains on his upcoming trip – “convenient for wading through rivers and saving one’s hiking boots from getting soaked” was the thought behind that purchase. I used to wear rubber gardening clogs years ago, but eventually they split and I’ve not replaced them. Now I wear my worn out walking shoes that are too battered to actually walk in.
@Chronica Domus, I like the convenience of slipping on the clogs, and leaving them outside when they get muddy:). That said, gardening footwear is 100% to each her own:).
I don’t know if you watch late night TV, but the wonderfully talented actor, Alan Cumming, told a story on Jimmy Fallon about how he got Dame Helen Mirren to love Crocs. So funny! : http://youtu.be/1Qpjdqh97qw
@Mamavalveeta03, Oh that’s so CUTE! I love Alan’s Scottish accent, and the way he imitates her.
Love the mat…do you wear Socks with those Crocks?
I have seen them but never worn them and they do look garden friendly.
@Bungalow Hostess, You’re killing me! I’m the Cat in the Hat, I suppose. And no, no socks, because they’d get dirty…
I’m having a little chuckle, Lisa.
Crocs have been on my mind a bit these last few days. From the half a pair I thought I lost of my toddlers to Prince George sporting them polo side, Crocs are very much at the forefront of the world’s collective consciousness.
SSG xxx
@Sydney Shop Girl, I had forgotten all about the Prince Harry thing. We’re trendsetters, SSToddler and I;).
I saw those river rock mats online & wondered about them; thanks for describing how they’re working for you! My husband is the gardener in our family, but I have mats & slip-on shoes that can be hosed off by our back door. Here in the rainy Northwest, waterproof is a necessity, & with 2 dogs, even though we keep the yard picked up, well, sometimes we step in it. Shoes with good traction are nice, but smooth soles are easiest to hose off.
@Megan, Happy to help, and to hear from fellow shoe-hosers;).
Oh it never occurred to me about the Cat in the Hat but you are spot on!!!
@Bungalow Hostess, :)
Thank you for promoting Crocs aka homeless shoes. These plastic shoes with holes are the best thing for homeless folks that live in warm climes. At many homeless shelters in America they are encouraged. Social workers are able to quirt liquid detergent into the holes and with a spray of water, feet are cleaner. There are several homeless shelters in the southwest that promote these shoes for the homeless. Thank you so much for promoting them!
@Michael King St.Clair, Glad Crocs have this extra value. But, I keep thinking you are making fun of me here:).
oh, oh – those Grateful Dead crocs are calling my name. I actually read that podiatrists feel crocs make great indoor house “slippers” –
3. Stop Walking Around the House Wearing Only Socks.
Wearing only socks offers minimal protection and zero biomechanical control. Although I do recommend wearing socks with shoes, if you are walking around the house in only socks – that is only slightly better than being barefoot.
4. Stop Wearing Flimsy Bedroom Slippers.
If your slippers are flexible or bend too easily, you may be causing damage to your joints as well as setting yourself up for potential injury. Most injuries occur in the house – and I am constantly amazed at how many injuries occur as a patient is walking between the bed and the bathroom at two in the morning.
5. Around the house – as a bedroom slipper – wear Crocs RX clogs with the strap to the back.
Do you have heel pain? How about knee, hip, or lower back pain? This is probably the cheapest and best medical advice you will ever get! If you wear Croc Rx Clogs with the strap to the back around the house, you will probably have a significant improvement in a very short period of time. Remember: The only time you should be barefoot and standing is in the shower!
– See more at: http://www.barkingdogshoes.com/2013/05/non-surgical-treatment-for-foot-and-ankle-pain.html#sthash.ahYP9srx.dpuf
@Kris, I admit, I am always barefoot, in slippers, or socks, in the house. I have worn flat shoes for 95% of my life – heels were only for nights, or during the 80s at work. So I feel totally comfortable barefoot. But I am not everyone, so perhaps this information is correct for many.
My yoga studio keeps a row of crocs for people to wear walking between class and the lounge or change rooms; thoughtful as they can be washed in dishwasher, and therefore sanitized.
@Duchesse, What a nice idea!
Phew…Lisa you had me really worried there for a moment. Thanks goodness you “hastened to add” that you didn’t wear them out of the yard. Then I slapped my forehead…silly…how could I have doubted you? Crocs are for gardening or camping or around the house and garden. Period. And then Hostess’ question about “crocs with socks.” Anyone want to bet that we’ll be seeing that at a Paris fashion show any day now. I mean, the models at “The Row” F/W show were wearing carpet slippers. At least that’s what they looked like.
@susan burpee, SSG reminded me up above that Prince Harry wore them to the polo fields. That seems OK, somehow, in an aristocratic Polo Fields Are Just A Big Farm kind of way;).
I like the look of Crocs, but shoes by outside doors (although practical) would drive me nuts. I’d be cleaning yours and putting them away.
@kathy, You can come over any time;).
I have Crocs by the entrances, and my 18yr old daughter makes fun of them, but this week I caught her wearing them out with her friends!
@Gwenn, Ha! I sense a trend!
I wear Crocs as house slippers — a huge help in reducing foot, knee and back pain.
@Donna, So many uses!
Loved the NY taxi clogs. I have never owned any, I keep ratty old shoes for yard work. Right now its an old pair of “boat” shoes. You have certainly piqued my interest in Crocs.
That door mat is wonderful. I want one!
@Mary anne, Once you go Croc you never go back;). I do love my door mat, I admit. One note – be SURE you want it if you order it, because VivaTerra does not pay for return shipping and it costs $45!!!!!! I returned the sand colored one for another black one.
I have giant doormats made of recycled tires. They weigh a ton! Ideal for us because they don’t blow away in the wind.
Do crocs shrink in the heat/sun? Maybe I’m imagining it, but mine feel like they’ve gotten shorter.
Recycled tires, like huaraches! Great idea. And I don’t know if Crocs shrink but my feet have grown a full size in the past decade…
My husband & I each have a pair of crocs in the laundry, for garden wear only. We made a promise to each other that they would never leave the perimeter of our property! So convenient for putting out the rubbish, compost, washing on the line etc, and the house slippers don’t get dirty and makes the carpets grubby – yes, we are a little OCD…..
Makes total sense to me;).
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