Leather Headboard || 2018 Flip List Item No.1

We’ve got a month and some change left in the year and I still have projects left on the 2018 Furniture Flip Bucket List and have only coordinated one room tour since we moved into our new place last Spring. I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m running a bit behind on a lot of things in life, but hey - who isn’t?

Let’s do a little something about that today shall we? I’m fixin’ to kill two birds with one post: item No.1 from the flip list and a master bedroom reveal!

I often use my annual Flip LIst as a declaration on intent for the year. It’s a combination of fun projects I have my eye on and personal challenges I’d like to tackle. Item No.1: Miter Corners definitely falls into the challenge category. I kind of figured I’d try to hone this new skill on a picture frame or something small, but then ended up with the idea to try a headboard shortly after we moved in.

When we moved in, the bedroom was a baby blue. It just wasn’t our style so we promptly painted it a StyleMutt favorite: Swiss Coffee.

The white allows the warm tones in the wood and the leather to pop.

The white walls also showcase the many green accents we have sprinkled around the room - the emerald velvet curtains, the pops in our artwork, and our little succulent garden.

Hanging directly across from our bed where I can look at it every day is our Laura Gunn Still canvas print - a dreamy colorscape of all my favorite moody greens. Don’t mind Thor #theotherstylemutt, the bedroom is equally his domain.

The bedroom has been finished for a few months now, but the DIYed headboard was the perfect special occasion to finally do a full room tour.

This was my first time trying to miter “properly” - using the right tools and mostly the right methods.  And I have to say, I’m darn proud of myself! 

I mitered the top corners and used a simple butt joint for the bottom brace. Then I slung some of my favorite leather across the frame and stapled it in place on the backside. 

They angles might not be perfect, but they’re pretty close for a first try. 

He could care less, but I love how the leather brings out the auburn in Thor’s coloring.

Well on that note I guess I’ll let this little guy get his nap. That leaves only one last project on the Flip List - here’s hoping I won’t slack off for the rest of the year!

Six down, One to go. Catch up on the 2018 Furniture Flip Bucket List:

Reader Design: Michelle's Suburban Escape

As anyone who has lived in a major city knows, sometimes you just need to get out. It took starting a family for Michelle and her husband to call it quits on New York City and Hoboken and make the move to the suburbs.

From MIchelle:

“We spent years living in New York City and then Hoboken, but as soon as our son became a toddler, we started looking at homes in neighboring suburbs. There’s just something so calming about having your own personal space; no upstairs neighbors, your own backyard, and enough room for overnight guests! We moved into our new house exactly one year ago, and I swear, it’s taken that amount of time to really turn it into a home! ”

“Even though we live in a suburb just outside New York City, but my style is definitely more “modern farmhouse” than anything else. I like the look of natural wood against more modern pieces, and in my opinion, you can have have too much white. I knew that I wanted our home to have a laid-back, cohesive feel. Nothing too bright or jarring, but still interesting, and most importantly, cozy. Plus, we have a 2 ½ year-old and a large dog, so it needed to be kid- and pet-friendly above all else! ”

Now, you all may not be seeing the family practicality in this design, but Michelle swears it's there!

“When people come to visit, they usually laugh at the fact that nearly all of our furniture is white, despite having a toddler and a large, black dog — but I swear, it works for us! Everything is stain-resistant. My one tip of advice is to fill your home with pieces that you love, and to not worry too much about them being on-trend or getting destroyed. If you love the look of something, get it and keep it! I’d much rather live with a piece of furniture I love and have it fall apart after several years, vs. settling for something that never feels right.”

“Our kitchen is a simple and white, which is what I’ve always wanted. It’s bright even on a rainy day, and the closed cabinets offer tons of storage (which is good because we love to cook and have nearly every contraption you could think of!). The one thing we really insisted on when looking at houses was an open floor plan; we needed a kitchen that opened into the family room and dining area so we could prepare meals and entertain, while also keeping an eye on our son. ”

“Our son’s room is probably the most colorful room in our house and I’m ok with that. The furniture is neutral, but I chose a colorful dhurrie rug and some fun garland to hang above his crib. And his toys and books add even more color. ”

The whole house is cozy, inviting, and classic, making it the perfect escape after years in the crowded city. Good choice, Michelle, and thank you for letting us in today!

Follow Michelle along on Instagram @girlonthehudson.

And now, I'm off to celebrate my birthday! Till next week,

Reader Design: Lauren's Stylish Studio

There's a prolific theme out there around doing more with less - mainly more with less time, in my experience. But no one does it better in the realm of design as Lauren, a millennial living in Montreal, Quebec. 

She lives in just 500 square feet, and it does double duty as both her work and living space. But that tiny space is used to its absolute maximum to create a home that is thoughtful, bright, airy, and inspiring. 

Decorating her home started as a creative outlet from her corporate e-commerce job and has turned in to a full on passion project. 

“I believe your surroundings can really influence your state of mind so I try to create spaces that are not only visually attractive, but also carry a peaceful energy. I have loved sharing this message through my decorating work. When people tell me they love how it feels to be in my place then I know I have achieved my goal of creating a unique and welcoming space. ”

She draws influence from mid-century modern, eclectic, and classic Parisian design, and it works out so so so well. As Lauren intentionally knows, the mix of all those elements creates a space that is super interesting and intriguing but still cohesive. 

She also learned a lot about herself. Her affinity to minimalism, for one. 

“Throughout this experience I have learned that minimal living is actually quite therapeutic. Not feeling crowded by so much “stuff” lets you appreciate each piece you fill your home with, and what once seemed like a challenge to live in a small studio space has become something I am quite proud of.”

A tenet of that minimalistic approach is investing in really high-quality pieces, which Lauren has done in her lighting and art choices. 

“With limited square footage and wall space, taking advantage of my ceiling height with a bold light was how I added a statement piece which has become a main feature of my home. Art is also something worth investing in because it is so personal to who you are. When I moved to a new city I really wanted to find art by a local artist so it felt like an extension of my experience in a new place. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful artist named Lysa Jordan who did 2 amazing large canvases for me. They complement my space so well, but also tell a story of my journey. ”

Lauren, you have this whole work/life balance, all in one place, totally figured out. Thank you for sharing it with us today! Follow Lauren along on Instagram @livingbylo for more... you will not regret it. And to swoon over that amazing art, check out @lysajordan_.

Have a lovely weekend, mutts, and see you all next week!