Salvaged Wood + Iron Console

Hi, friends! Few things add as much pressure as taking on a custom order piece for friends or family. I've done quite a few special custom orders for those near and dear over the years and in the back of my mind I'm always thinking, "This is it. They're going to find out I'm a lying phony who's all talk and can't produce."

I know my loved ones aren't shallow people, but still.  It's very humbling when friends/family invite me to tackle a piece for them and if it doesn't turn out to be everything they hoped and dreamed it can get, well, awkward. And nobody likes awkward. So I will do whatever it takes to avoid awkwardness and ensure hopes and dreams are fulfilled and that I can still go over to their homes and walk past pieces that have come from my garage and not have to look the other way and pretend it's not there. You follow?

Our dear friends Morgan and Zach recently asked if I could make them a console table for their entry as a spot to toss keys, books, etc when they walk through the door. They're young and cool and like rustic decor with a dash of industrial and bit of clean lined modern. I was so excited to take on this piece for them and after finding the right pieces, this is what I came up with:

This piece was very easy to make once I had the right materials. You could make it, too! Here's what you'll need:
-1 x long piece of salvaged wood*, (mine was about 7-8 feet by 9" deep which I found at Community Forklift in Hyattsville, MD)
-1 x 4-5ft by 8" clean, solid wood board, (I used a scrap piece of poplar that was about a half inch thick)
-4 x 1.5 inch flat bar hairpin legs, (found here on eBay)
* Don't have a local source for awesome beat up wood? Here's a tutorial from Young House Love on distressing wood!

First thing I did was measured and marked every 12" on the long salvaged board and then Matt helped me make the cuts. With such a long, heavy piece, it was nice to have two pairs of hands, one to sturdy the piece while the other made the cuts. Safety, and all that. :)

Second, I lined the pieces up side by side on the floor so they were all even, then slapped some wood glue on and placed the clean piece of poplar on top. Then we screwed the clean board into each cut piece of salvaged wood.

Finally, with the table top done and upside down, I screwed the legs into each corner.

I love the texture and visual interest of taking a salvaged piece and chopping it up to make a slatted table!

The salvaged wood already had loads of character - beautiful grain, gnarly knots, splatters of faded paint from a previous life.

And one of natures' perfect art forms; the rings of the wood.

This piece was such a treat to get to create, especially for sweet friends. I hope you find the instructions easy to understand if you decide to make one of your own, but definitely don't hesitate to contact me at chelsea@stylemutthome.com if you have any questions!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Reader Design: Janie's Timeless Traditional

Janie was ready to trade up from the small rental she shared with her boyfriend plus a roommate in Los Angeles, California. First on the list, for Janie and so many of us city-dwellers, was space. Space to spread out, space to be. 

From Janie:

“My style is dictated by creating a beautiful space that is our haven from all that life throws at us. This meant our home had to feel clean and fresh while balancing form and function. Our home is not a “McMansion,” but it definitely is a huge step up. So the above philosophy made it easy for me to find my style rather than falling for trends since we really had to take into consideration the space available. ”

Then, Janie made use of those clean, minimal lines this 1950's traditional has to offer to the best of her ability.
She considered the light during their airy renovation:

“As much as I would love to have dark forest green cabinets in the kitchen, it just wouldn’t make sense since our goal is to open up the kitchen and make it bright to make the space feel bigger. ”

She considered the needs of her family: 

“And as much as I love the look of having poufs on our living room floor, it just won’t work for us with our dog. She’s a Pomeranian, meaning lots of shedding!”

And then, it was time to focus on style. The design is timeless and traditional just like her home but still packs a punch by incorporating some "on trend" elements - namely, indigo and brass.  

“One design trend I absolutely love is the use of brass in homes. I had to make sure not to go overboard with it because originally I wanted to use brass fixtures in the bathroom and bedroom but eventually I let our bedroom take the spotlight. It’s all about taking trends in moderation. ”

This home is intentionally simple - and makes for a perfect landing place to recuperate and relax in between Janie's avid traveling. Thank you, Janie, for letting us in! 

For more design and travel inspiration, follow Janie along on Instagram @janiejoyfuleigh. 

See you next week!

Mid-Century in 'Scholar Green'

Hi friends! Everyone surviving the dead of winter, alright? It's a tough few months, for sure; I, for one, could use a lot more snow! I love the winter. Absolutely love it. But, these chilly, brown days are getting old! I've been coping with some nice long runs every week and flipping some early year finds! Before the kids even went back to school after the holidays we snagged these three pieces over a spontaneous thrifting adventure together. I shared the transformation of the chair here, and today I've got the 4-drawer dresser to show ya!

It's a great, sturdy piece; just needed a little attention! First thing I noticed about this piece was just how petite it was. It was very low to the ground and I wanted to add some height. Rather than adding typical tapered legs, I built this one a simple base out of light poplar wood to give it a lift. I kept the wood bare so it's future owner could add a stain of their choice if they so desire.

The color green has had a soft spot in my heart for the past few years and I've played with various shades ranging from light mint to grass green. But this deep green, ('Scholar Green by Ralph Lauren), has been a hands down favorite for the past year, starting with this piece, followed by an immediate custom order just like it, then this brass clad antique, and of course, this hallway and guest room! Mix it with soft pastels or bold black and white patterns; it's beautifully grounding in a space and bridges the gap between a mostly neutral room and a color clad space. There is a lovely in between and finding the right grounding colors that appeal to you is important.

Dark Green Mid-Century Dresser
43.5"H x 34.25"W x 17.75"D
$385
Please contact me at chelsea@stylemutthome.com if interested!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!