StyleMutt Home Intern Opportunity!

You guys! We couldn't be more thrilled to let you all know we are officially seeking a part-time intern and we're starting our search here with you all! Business has picked up and we are currently at the maximum number of hours we can put towards StyleMutt Home as we juggle full time (day) jobs and family. This realization is both exciting to us and definitely uncharted territory! We are prayerful that this next step will allow StyleMutt Home to continue to grow while maintaining the flexibility that we need at these particular phases of life we are currently navigating.

As some of you know, StyleMutt Home began primarily as a furniture refinishing business. Over the last year we have moved into the position of being one of our areas premier eDesign companies offering interior design services across the country. eDesign is a fresh take on traditional in-home, (and often formal), interior design services. While we are in very close contact with our clients, all the work is done completely remotely allowing us to work with anyone anywhere, and often multiple clients simultaneously. This concept has proven successful for us and the work is invigorating! Here is some of our previous work:

We've come up with a short list of specifics we are looking for and are certainly open to answering any questions you may have! You do NOT have to be a Washington D.C. local for this position.

Responsibilities will include:
-Answer/field incoming emails
-Screen potential collaboration projects with sponsors/companies
-Write and publish posts sponsored by relevant brands
-Research products/design elements for client projects
-Marketing support

Preferred qualifications:
-Available 3-7 hours per week
-Serious interest in home design and styling
-A knack for creative writing
-Experience and prowess on Pinterest
-Eclectically minded individual who fits with the StyleMutt Home brand and shares StleMutt Home's values:

Our point of view is broad and we enjoy offering various design aesthetics. Just like a beloved mixed-breed pup, "style mutt" is an affectionate nickname for those of us who enjoy an eclectic mix and appreciate various decor styles. We believe that creativity is a form of worshiping the Lord, the original Creator. You don't have to be a professional artist or designer to be influenced by the beauty of the world around you. We don't take ourselves, or this life, to seriously and are grateful for the freedom to enjoy what we do each day.

Payment opportunities:
-5% of eDesign jobs
-Full commission from any published sponsored posts

We hope to have this position filled by the end of June! Please contact us at admin@stylemutthome if you're interested in joining the StyleMutt Home team, (secret handshake to follow).

Constellation Table ||A Star-Crossed Love Story||

This is a love story.  A furniture love story.  The story of one table top and one table base who were destined to be together.  But first they had to figure up how to break up with their original table top and table base... And that's where I come in...

Ok guys, I'm no homewrecker.  In fact, I would more likely call myself a homemaker.  But in this case, I did have to break up two perfectly good tables to help them find their soul mates.  You may remember that a while back I scored a deal on this world market table:

My first impression of the table was that this combo was a little too dark and sad for my taste so I offered to give the base a makeover.  He got a full-bodied coat of gold spray paint and rub down with dark wax.  But I think his new look got him thinking he was too good for the ole plain wooden top.  And so he left her for this glamorous round mirrored tray and they made a beautiful bar cart together. 

But the rejected top took the break-up kinda hard.  She spent the next four months single... and aimless... and hiding underneath my couch.  

I tried to convince her that she didn't need a base.  She was a strong and beautiful wooden top who didn't need a base to feel useful.  I tried to fix her up with a pair of handles and make her into a tray, but she just wasn't into it.  She wanted a new look, a new life - something that would make that campaign bar cart jealous.  I suggested all sorts of makeovers.  But they were either too understated, too out-there, or too over-the-top for her liking. 

 But then one day... we found it...  Her perfect look.  

Source: Fab.com

It was classy and elegant and simple.  Just like her.  

Meanwhile... I just so happened to meet this quirky base while out on a Home Goods run.  He was simple, sleek, three-pronged, and perfect for my wooden top.  Although he was with that crazy guitar-pick top at the time, I knew that wouldn't last.  I mean, she was laminate and a weird shape and (on closer inspection) severely damaged.  There was no way they would ever make it out of the store together.  I just had to intervene.

After getting a quick discount at the register for the damaged pair (always ask at Home Goods for a deal if you find a serious imperfection - you never know if you'll get a little money off!), I convinced them they would be better off seeing other people and the crazy top went on her way (into the trash can).  

I, being the perfect furniture wingman, told the base all about the wooden top.  He agreed to be set up on a blind date but needed a little sprucing of his own first.  So when the two finally met, it was like the stars had aligned:

The base was now a handsome gold.

His simple, clean lines perfectly complimented the top's celestial swirl of elegant constellations.

Her makeover took a combination of black sharpie, gold leaf pen, an orbital sander, and sealing wax.  When applying the wax, I accidentally discovered that it smeared the gold.  In the end, she liked that better because it gave her more of a "cosmic swirl" - don't you think?  

It is definitely NOT accurate so sorry all you sextants out there who were thinking of using this table to navigate the heavens while at sea. 

[My low-budget staging is brought to you by my $0.50 brass candle sticks and some photocopies of stellar maps and moon charts.  Winning!]

I picked out my favorite constellation - not sure what it really is, but I'm calling it Mufasa.  Can you spot it?

A winning combination don't you think?  

And they lived happily ever after...

The piece has already sold, but there's no need to make sad puppy-dog eyes - we do custom orders!  Just email me at cate@stylemutthome.com and we can talk about how to get you your own heavenly table.

And friends, if you like what we are doing over here at StyleMutt Home, please help us reach more readers by voting for Chelsea's space in the #SOdomino contest!  We offer our eternal friendship and gratitude in return ;)

Reader Design: Angie's Cozy, Collected Family Room

Hi All! One of my favorite things about being a DIY / furniture refinishing / home design blogger is the opportunity to get to know wonderfully creative people from all over. Not long after I opened an Instagram account, I found Angie, @angies_deco_abode. Angie has a beautiful eye for design and I've found her home to be so inspiring! She's a thrifting queen - you'd NEVER imagine that her glamorous space is almost completely thrifted or clearance finds. 

Let's take a peek!

Stunning, right?! Here are some notes from Angie:

"This room is the first thing you see when you come in to my home. I wanted it to look nice and inviting. This room is used for everything. From storage for the kids toys to dads nicknacks that need to be out of the way. That hutch keeps things nice and organised. We love using this room on rainy or lazy days.Will lay on that lounger and read a book or just watch the rain out the window. Plus it also gets a lot of light so my plants love it too. All in all its a great room. Most of the things in this room were thrifted. Its nice to find things I love at a good price."

Hutch. $50
sofa/ lounger $90
Blue art frame $15
Gold table $15
White leather chair $12
Little table for planter $3
White rug/ikea $10
small side gold table $12

Thank you so much for inviting us in, Angie! Angie's beautiful room has now been added to our Spaces page. We really love any opportunity to peek inside a home. If you'd like to share any bits of your own home, please either post your pictures right to our Facebook page, or tag #stylemuttspaces on Instagram!