Wall Mount Task Lamp || 2018 Flip List Item No.6

August 20, 2018 Cate | StyleMutt Home

I did it again. I took apart three light fixtures just to Frankenstein one. This would be the fourth lamp I've built or rehabbed which means I may have a problem.

Geometric Lamp.jpg — Geometric Lamp Copycat

Orphan Lampie 2.jpg — Little Orphan Lampie

It started (like it always does) with a handful of parts that piqued my interest at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I wanted to replace the angular brass shade with the matte black one but couldn’t figure out to attach it so that it could adjust in any direction I needed. So I brought the parts home to my workshop and added build a wall-mounted task tamp to my Furniture Flip Bucket List.

But then I found this interesting lunar landing light fixture with four articulating brass shades.

So I promptly harvested one to complete my fully adjustable assembly:

My new lamp swivels

The shade articulates

And the brass pole can go up or down while staying mounted to the wood block on the wall.

Oh yes and I have a new dresser to share too ;)

When I shared the original dresser on my Instagram stories, I had asked you about color for this piece.

Admittedly, some of you baulked when I whispered I may be thinking orange for this one. But I stuck with my vision and found the perfect mid-century inspired orangey-red for this one.

Even though I painted the entire body, I kept the tapered legs in the original finish.

I kept the original brass hardware too.

The extra warm tone to this piece made it especially fun to style with a pop of turquoise and some delicious terracotta.

I'm liking this color so much that I'm not listing it to sell in the warehouse just yet. But in the meantime, at least I can cross off another flip list item.

Five down, Two to go. Catch up on the 2018 Furniture Flip Bucket List:

Reader Design: Katie's Colorful Home Refresh

August 19, 2016 McKenna Begin

Welcome back, StyleMutts, and happy Friday! Today, I want to introduce you to Katie Banks, of CMB World Designs. She is another talented DC area native. I promise I'm not just selectively featuring DC area people - but I guess the best food city of the year is also a hot spot for designers!

Before I jump in, I need to tell you all something about Katie's home: it used to be a fraternity house. And an unofficial one at that, which means no regulation! Bless the soul (looking at you, Katie!) who saw the potential through the Animal House leftovers.

From Katie:

“An unofficial fraternity house. Need I say more?! It was TRASHED! We couldn’t move in for weeks. The first thing we needed to do was get a clean new bathroom (gross). We did most of the work ourselves, from refinishing the wood floors, tiling, framing, new windows - you name it!”

“Our style is a mix of mid century, Hollywood Regency, and industrial. Obviously very eclectic, and color makes me happy. I have always been obsessed with bold color and patterns. I’ve also never been a trendy person, so the fact that bamboo and rattan has made a comeback is working out pretty good for me right now. ”

Based on what I know of Katie, this living room is a perfect representation of her: the macrame, made by Katie's sister who owns Sealily Designs. The chairs are Craigslist. The couch is made for cuddling. What else do you need?!

I feel like 99% of the photos I see of Instagram are of these beautiful, bright white spaces. And, real talk, when do you guys think that trend is going to end? Those spaces are the perfect source of art, but that make you ask "could I actually live in that space?" Katie's home is not one of those places. And I assure you, in no way is that a negative thing.

“We are a super casual family, so comfort is a must; no fancy rooms in our house. I honestly have found that the best things in my house have come from Craigslist, yard sales, or are made by my super duper husband [like the dining room table]! ”

“This hallway makes me happy. My theory is ‘if you have kids why would you ever pay for art?’ Framing all these pics was my Mother’s Day project a couple of years ago. Across the hall is the wood wall my husband made, which doubles as a photoshoot place for some the pieces that I refinish for CMB World Designs.”

Something else I love about Katie's house? SO. MUCH. GREEN. They say decorating with green has seriously restorative properties - perfect for a busy and lively family home! Both the bathroom and the front porch would make my top two locations in this house for some serious 'me time.'

“And, finally, my favorite spot: my bathroom. Well, my tub area in my master bath. The green mosaic tile, with the skylight and plants, makes a great place to relax. At night I can see the stars. ”

Follow Katie along on Instagram at @cmbworlddesigns and check out her incredible furniture designs! We love to support our StyleMutt community! Check back next Friday for the next #stylemuttspace.

Barrister Bookcase ||a subtle makeover||

April 21, 2016 Cate | StyleMutt Home

Why don't I talk about bookshelves more often? They add height to a room and critical vertical storage. I guess because I don't have a HUGE book collection, I don't think about just how awesome these pieces of furniture are. Bookshelves are like the Jan of the Brady bunch and dressers the Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. In fact, with the exception of the white triplets from my own home, this is the first time I've refinished shelves to sell!

It's hard to tell, but this piece was originally as glossy as a 90's kitchen cabinet. And the base painted (not stained!!) a fake brown. Womp womp. So first order of business was stripping off the polyurethane and the stain and sealing it with a Danish oil instead.

Barrister bookcases (also known as lawyer's bookshelves) are handy because they have glass doors to protect from dust. Which makes them perfect for protecting your books or other precious collections. When staging this piece, my first thought wasn't actually to use books. This is partly because I don't have a big juicy book collection, but mostly because of a photo my dear friend Amanda from Our Storied Home recently posted on Instagram:

Genius way to display the all-precious shoe collection no? I mean, WOW-ZA! (And who wants dibs on those red satin peep-toes?!?!) But alas, I actually have less shoes than I have books - so I styled with books after all and filled in any spaces with my plant children.

The Danish oil is a nice contrast from the original "plasticky" finish. It gives it something a little softer and (as I like to call it) buttery.

I also completely stripped the paint finish off the base and custom-mixed a new stain to match.

And switched out the original yellowy brass knobs to splurge for more modern pulls from anthropologie.

What's $7 for a knob when you only need three lol?!?

This Barrister Boy is an original Hale bookcase - which means he was made in the USA and is built for versatility: the top, the three units, and the base are all stackable so you can add, subtract, and rearrange them however you please!

Each glass pane slides up and stiows away for easy access to your displayed goodies.

And in my case (pun so intended), I'm showing off Big Jade, Tuscon the Succulent Garden, Melvin the awkward leafy thing, Penelope the String of Pearls, Little Jade, and the Jades' cousin Jasper.