So I'm trolling craigslist [like I've been known to do] and I found a modern dresser in need of some TLC. Now normally, I would pass right by a laminate dresser but this piece was... special.

It's hard to tell in this pic, but this "white monster" as I've affectionately nicknamed it, had a weird cream/white two tone thing going on. But it was still a modern dresser with glossy-fronted drawers that slide like butter. It the perfect candidate for Furniture Flip Bucket List item No.2: wrap a piece in a wood shim treatment.

wood shims taper off to one end so that you can wedge them in to help level something. I could have used flat wood and gotten more of a butcher-block look, but I wanted to use shims to recreate this uneven affect in my inspiration photo:

Source:  The Rycotewood Furniture Centre at OCVC — Source: The Rycotewood Furniture Centre at OCVC

So I went about covering the bright-white yucky laminate portions of the dresser with the wood shims: the top, sides, and toe-kick. I started out with the intention of creating a polished modern look like the photo above but as I worked on it, it began to steer me in a different direction.

I liked how raw and rustic the cedar shims looked untreated (and not to mention the cedar smelled AH-MAH-ZING). So I just went with it and ended up with a piece that's both modern and coastal:

To play off the unfinished wood's beachy vibes, I styled it with some tropical leaves [that I may or may not have harvested from a decorative potted plant in a parking lot. I kinda felt like Chelsea did when "smuggling" home some paint sticks for this DIY project].

I then added a couple seaside touches like this piece of coral.

To play up the dresser's more modern side, I added vintage candle sticks with clean lines. Despite the uneven surface, the shims are narrow enough that items large and small can find a flat surface to rest on anywhere across the top.

And modern satin nickel knobs on the glossy drawer fronts make a nice modern finishing touch.

All together the piece sings a modern-coastal song:

Modern Coastal Dresser
$600
SOLD

As for the progress on my 2015 flip bucket list, that means I've got 6 down and 1 to go before the end of the year. Woot Woot!

Want to catch up? Since January, I've crossed off items:
No.6
No.5
No.7
No.4
No.3
and now No.2: wood shim treatment

Here's to hoping that I can squeeze in item No.1: Build my Own Bakers Rack before 2016!

Hi and Happy Halloween, All! I have the perfect Home Tour to share with you today - it's a lovely balance of Fall and Halloween, with a beachy vibe. Kristina's casual, coastal decor is the perfect backdrop for rustic Fall touches and subtle nods of spookiness.

Welcome to Kristina's home!

"Regardless of the season, my home always seems to lean toward a rustic coastal theme. I enjoy natural colors that are light and airy, like my blue pumpkin, and seashells seem to work their way into every season (see vase full of dried hydrangeas)."

"Every season I like to change out the pillow cases, switch up the table-scape, and redecorate my mantle shelf above my couch. Making little changes to reflect the season keep the house feeling fresh without spending too much money. I can't take complete credit because decorating the house is something my mom and I enjoy doing together and she is always an integral part in helping me decide what to put where."

"Although Halloween is technically only one day, I do like to add spooky touches for fun. Another constant you may notice is reference to my dog, Lucy. It's her home too so I include her any time I find the urge to monogram something. (see pumpkins)."

"Decorating my tiny patio is just as fun as decorating the inside for me. This year I decided to monogram our pumpkins with a K and L (for Lucy of course). I'm waiting for my purple mum to bloom to match the purple pansies and I even added a tiny pumpkin to my fairy garden. My goal is always to create an inviting and relaxing space for me and my dog, and of course anyone else who comes to visit!"

Thank you so much for inviting us in today, Kristina, (and Lucy!)! Such a beautiful, cozy home with so many personal touches - don't you just feel like curling up under a soft blanket with a warm drink now?! You can find this inspiring space, as well as others, on our Spaces page! Have a space you'd like to share? Either post photos to our Facebook page, or tag #stylemuttspaces on Instagram!

Have a fun and safe Halloween and a wonderful weekend!