So besides settling into our new apartment, I've also been settling into my new job. My schedule has been rather unruly as of late but the new gig does have perks... like it's own private thrift store! Yup, you heard me right - the company I work for has a monthly thrift store where the proceeds go toward a charitable fund. And the beside the remarkable prices, the best part is that employees get first dibs! Twas there that I scored this er... beauty...

What I liked most about it was its lines: tapered mid-century legs with brass feet and the beautifully bowed wood back. What I did NOT like however, was the icky gray-brown stain [the picture really doesn't do it justice] and well that... interesting floral print.

Now let me shed some insight on the inner-workings of my head when I'm hunting for a piece to flip. First, I scan the thrift store for a piece with "potential." Once I identify my target, I then assess my options. Sometimes I know exactly what I would do to cute-ify it, sometimes all I have to go on is a je ne sais quoi. Next step is to check the price - is it a steal? If it is, I pull the trigger and buy - plan or no. I'm sure inspiration will strike sooner or later...

And sometimes inspiration strikes sooner rather than later. In this case, it struck while I'm walking back to my office with my haul. Have you also noticed this recent design trend of reupholstering mid-century furniture in unexpected textiles...?

I think I love this budding trend because of [you guessed it] all of the colorsssssssssss.

Now I begin to take stock of potential supplies and remember that I brought home a stray Mexican serape blanket a few months ago. It's PERFECT and now I officially have a plan of action. The end result?

¡Olé!

The bright pinks, greens, blues, and reds of the serape are a happy pop of color to what was once a ho-hum floral.

I spent 6-ish hours stripping stain to reveal the original warm wood underneath but it's so worth it because now the wood is a buttery soft texture instead of a shellac.

The backrest cushion was a happy accident. I didn't really care for the original metal bars as a decorative element. I realized I had some spare batting from my cowhide bench so I wrapped it in extra serape fabric and hand stitched the cushion into place.

I also got that epic rattan plant stand at work for $5!

It's such a simple idea with a BOLD impact. ¿No? If you like statement pieces then be sure to check back in with us on Friday for our next #stylemuttspaces reader design! Hasta la vista mis amigos ;)