Industrial Bench

Remember these puppies er... ponies?

When I bought them, I thought I would make a massive desk supported by both sawhorses.  But their size length would make for a desk with a HUGE footprint (and quite possibly too large to appeal to potential buyers).  So I split up the set and used only one to make a narrower desk complete with a hutch and detachable lamp.

As for the other sawhorse, I was stumped.  Fortunately when I get myself into these kind of conundrums, I have a secret weapon: I call Chelsea in for a consult.

Now the LORD knew what He was doing pairing me up with such a creative and supporting business partner.  She took one look at them and said, "What if you make an industrial bench?"

Genius.

Chelsea lent me her hacksaw so I could cut down the legs of one of the sawhorses to the right height.  I combined both pieces of storied wood from each sawhorse into one bench surface and remounted it on the galvanized metal base.  

I just LOVE the saw and paint streaks - it makes me wonder what projects these sawhorsed saw(ed) in their day. 

See (saw) what I did there? 

Ijustcanthelpmyself.

So what magical rugged loft did I drag my new bench to for the perfect industrial backdrop?  Where else do I stage my pieces these days...

Now, if you're clever and observant (which I'm sure you are) you may be thinking to yourself, "Cate, when did your garage get a brick wall?  All of your other staged pieces have always had regular old drywall as the backdrop..."

Clever, clever you.

Take a closer look at the photo - did I fool you?  Or are you onto my little ruse?

It's not brick, it's wallpaper.

I'll admit, I was skeptical about using a 2D wallpaper to make a 3D effect.  I don't often go for faux unless it's really convincing - but I live in a new(ish) apartment complex that doesn't have old charm in spades.  Cue Milton & King Wallpaper.  (Remember this wall hanging giveaway using their Gluttony print?)  Well they were generous enough to also send me a roll their very popular Soft White Bricks.

And I was surprised to see just how believable the pattern was even in person!  The only way you would know it wasn't brick would be to run your hands along it expecting to feel a gnarled texture and instead finding it's baby smooth.  

Disclaimer - I do live in a rental so I couldn't bring myself to install wallpaper only to take it down in a few months when our lease is up.  I just tacked up the panels and used wood trim to hide the seams that would otherwise be invisible if the paper had been glued.  (Plus it adds a little architectural interest.)

And just because it's Fall (and I'm obSESSED with cooler, crisper weather), I used my favorite fall accessories for this shoot. 

Thank you Milton & King for opening my eyes up to the wonders of high-quality wallpaper prints!  One of these days I'm going to have to get my hands on your Marble and your Dandelions prints.  (Insert 17 heart-eye emojis)

It's only fitting that this industrial bench ended up in a cool DC apartment.  That's right!  If you've been following along with us you may recognize this bench from yesterday's eDesign reveal:  

May he forever grace our client's moody dark green hallway!

Card Catalog Table - || It's ok to be naked ||

Before I go any further and you start jumping to nudist conclusions, just keep reading...  It all started with a trip to my local ReStore where I scored some vintage metal finds: a task lamp and a two-drawer metal card catalog.

Neither were in great shape: the task lamp was an amputee without a base to stand on, one card catalog cabinet was two-toned and looked like it had heterochromia (a condition where your eyes are two different colors), and the other had hilariously uneven handles.  I ended up only getting my blue-eyed/ green-eyed cabinet since something about it made me smile.  And so I brought home more misfits to my island of misfit DIYs... 

I'll have to save the lamps transformation for another post, but when I started on the card catalog, I knew I wanted to build a base for it and turn it into a table.  And that's when I got naked...

Naked wood.

Was that anticlimactic for you?  Well I am not sorry.  I think a nude wood is totally worthy of a peep show ;)  The days of our grandparents furniture modesty is over: you don't need to fill your home with dark and heavily shelacked finishes.  That's right, the modern home has gone naked.  There's something so simple and beautiful about light, unfinished, natural wood.  Just look at these drool-worthy photos in the raw:   

Source: BoligLiv

Source: BoligLiv

Source: Deko

Source: Deko

I mean, how tantelizingly neutral is all that nakedness?! 

I fashioned this beautifully minimal base from a couple of unfinished square dowels.  I was actually planing on staining the wood base until I got it all assembled and realized the natural blonde pulled out the bleached labels in the original drawer pulls - I just love how it makes that mysterious handwriting pop!  

Someone may find the mis-matched drawers to be a draw back, but I find it beautiful and quirky.  Wherever you are drawers J-S and T-Z, I hope you look as cute at this guy!

And he's the PERFECT size for a table-top record player yall.

The base also makes a great storage space to prop your collection of vinyls.

J'also-adore the patina: all the scratches and dings and paint splatter add to the mystery of the previous alphabet-organizing owner.

Card Catalog Table
18.5"W x 16"D x 27"H
$95 SOLD

If you are interested in this piece or a custom order like it, please email cate@stylemutthome.com.

And don't forget to tune back in on Friday for our next #stylemuttspaces feature!  It's pretty dang adorable.