Teal Campaign Chest ||A Craigslist Experiment||

As active furniture flippers for the past 6 years, Chelsea and I really have our fingers on the pulse of our local craigslist.  In fact, between the two of us, we have found and flipped nearly 200 pieces in the DC Metro area - which has proven to be a crash-course in decor supply and demand.  We've often shifted our aesthetic to capitalize on budding trends: specializing in chalk paint + heavy distressing, hunting down mid-century modern scores, playing with bohemian touches, etc...  

When we decided to launch StyleMutt Home in September 2014 we started to really pushed the decor envelope to try out new styles, paint colors, staging techniques, patterns.  And we've had a BALL YA'LL.  Exercising these creative muscles started opening up design possibilities (see some of our latest here and here).  We chalk this up to the Lord's blessing.  And that being yourself is so much more rewarding than just trying to fit in.

Some Personal Fave Past Projects

So lately our Craigslist spidey-senses have started noticing some developing trends.  The price for Grandma's old dresser is going up in correlation with the sheer number of DIY pieces for sale.  Now, we LOVE seeing so much budding talent in our area.  But it makes us ask ourselves how can we stand out to potential buyers?

So when I found this campaign piece, I decided to conduct a little experiment.  (I actually do this often when staging my pieces for sale).  I LOVE bright, bold, loud colors.  On/ in/ around everything.  But based on what I've seen in our area, most people want a "tamer" more rustic look and something too eclectic could be a off-putting.  So I decided to refinish this piece in a color that would still play well with the neutrals that are so indicative of the farmhouse craze everyone is in these days.

If you're as obsessed with HGTV like I am, you may notice that the predominately grain sack and burlap color scheme of the farmhouse scene has started to relax it's restrictions the rest of the color spectrum.  Home decor shows like Fixer Upper (a personal fave) have started mixing in muted teals, deep greens, saturated navys, matte charcoals, and warm woods amongst all that greige.  And well I just happened to have a can of muted teal on hand from a custom order so I went for it.

I still styled it with some fun abstract art because well... it's me we're talking about here.  The hung art is intentionally undersized (it's so wrong it's almost right) in hopes that it shows how a "safe" piece can still be used in bold ways (you know - just in case it struck a cord with a another style mutt in the market for some new furniture ;)

I laid aside my overactive love of brass and styled with a silver lamp to match the chrome pulls.  In my mind, silver is a "safer" choice for hardware because brass can rub some people the wrong way (I used to only see the 80's when I saw yellowy brass, but just because I've changed my tune doesn't mean everyone else has).  Besides they original chrome pulls with in immaculate condition - all they needed was a little polish.

And for good measure (since FLFs are after all quickly becoming the standard for home decorators) I asked my newest plantchild Figadora the Fiddle Leaf Fig to pose with mommy's newest flip.

So now we wait for the experiment's results: will the piece appeal to a lot of potential buyers with a variety of styles?  Will it only attract another style mutt like myself?  Or will it sit in the garage shop until I try something new?  I'll have to keep you posted.  In the meantime, how would you characterize your style?  How does this gray-blue piece strike you - yay or nay?

Muted Teal Campaign Chest
58"L x 16"D x 30"H
Now Available for Sale
$545

Reader Design: Katie's Colorful Home Refresh

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. 

Reader Design: Heather's Preppy & Coastal Abode

Heather, of Pineapples and Pearls, has graciously welcomed us into her new Washington, D.C. apartment. You'll soon find that her home is a perfect mirror to her style: preppy, coastal, and totally welcoming. 

Heather's aesthetic is as sweet as her dimples. This place just invites you to take a seat, have a sip of prosecco, and stay a while.
From Heather: 

“I moved into this apartment by myself last month from a much larger apartment that I shared with a roommate. It’s been a fun challenge to make everything work in a 530 sq ft space! ”

“Mixing colors and patterns has never been a fear of mine, so nothing is off limits, though I’ve kept a navy, coral, and turquoise theme running throughout the entire apartment. When the main color palette remains cohesive, it’s no big deal to throw in an animal print chair here or a glitter tray there. I like to think I’ve created a space that’s colorful, bright, just a bit girly, and also comfortable.”

... And boy did she nail that animal print! Right now, I think we can all agree that the world of design is obsessed with neutral minimalism. But I completely admire Heather for her ability to just go with it - and make a space that is totally hers. They say that the best compliment is when someone walks into your space and says "this is SO you!" And even though I haven't met Heather in person, I know that she is represented perfectly.

“While my style is definitely colorful and modern, I love mixing in older pieces. The trunk in my living room came from my grandmother and is well over 100 years old. The nudes above my desk (with the exception of the blue one, which is from a local DC artist!) were done by my grandfather, who dabbled in every art form you can think of.”

And for those StyleMutt loyalists who saw Lejla's post - AGAIN we have the pineapple trend. It's everywhere. I perused my favorite local boutique this past weekend, and was completely tempted by a gold pineapple shaker. I passed on it, but that decision and practice in abstinence haunts me. 

“I didn’t want to spend a lot on redecorating and wanted to work with what I already had, while still ending up with something that felt totally different than my previous apartment. I hadn’t set out for a coral and navy room, but I love the way it came together! ”

Thank you, Heather, for sharing for beautiful space with us! We've loved getting to share your specific 'breed' of style with our mutts! 

Until next time,