Life Happening! (Updates, Changes and Prayer)

Hi friends! It's been a while and I've missed getting on here more regularly to spend time with you! Today is the first day of school for my three and since my heart aches for the Summer behind us, I figure it's the perfect time to soak in a bit of community with you all here. I'm sure your Summer's were full but, I hope, equally as wonderful. There's nothing like a change of pace but I'm really looking forward to getting back to a schedule again!

Our Summer was absolutely lovely, (though nothing I expected) - the time with the kids was just wonderful. They, (and Matt!), are my most precious companions and I really just love spending our days together, even if it's running errands! The twins are now 7, (turning 8 in October), and Mason is 6.5, so they are so much fun to interact with now as they need me less but engage with me more! This age has been my favorite so far, indeed.

In preparation for the Summer and wanting to spend as much time with the kids as possible while they were out of school, I had arranged our client schedule to allow for flexibility and a relaxed pace. I love our clients and am so grateful that they all 'got it', even though few of them have children of their own. Plus, almost everyone had travel plans of their own so it really worked out to set several projects aside for a bit. However...

After the very first week of the kids' Summer break I got an email that would drastically change the pace of my anticipated relaxed Summer. A company named Sonder reached out asking if I would be one of their designers for the hundreds of units they are purchasing to offer for short term stay travel. They are essentially like airbnb, except without the awkwardness of staying in someone's guest room, or in their own bed while they're out of town. They purchase apartments and condos in major cities around the U.S., (with international cities in process as well), and offer them fully furnished for travelers. Though they are not a brand new company, they are just starting to work with designers who are experienced with digital eDesign on their units so they can remain competitive in their market. With hundreds of units onboarding every day to their site, the work is plentiful!

This opportunity came during a time in the year that I really didn't want to work, but after talking things over with my ever wise husband, Matt, we both had faith that this was the right 'yes'; the opportunity I have been waiting for. (By the way, Matt's encouragement to move forward was not without a heavy load of help on his end - time and again he will say to me, 'Just let me know what I can do', when I'm feeling like my hands are tied between kids and work. He is a jack of all trades and none of this would exist without this dear man I get to walk life with). It's been a tricky balance pursuing a dream, figuring out how that dream could possibly turn into some helpful income, while meanwhile trying to give the loves of my life the best childhood I'm capable of giving. With the kids home this Summer I often worked early in the morning and then late into the night so I could keep the days open for wherever the wind took us. It was exhausting. I'm exhausted. With the kids back in school I am grateful for the possibility of balance once again, where I can work while they're in school and then be free for them when they get home! I do want to give a big ol' public Thank You to my dear friend, Kate Good. She has three kids of her own and in my first week doing work for Sonder she took my kids for an entire day so I could learn the ropes. Supportive friends and family are a total game changer, I tell you!

This opportunity doing freelance design work with Sonder does not replace client work. I absolutely love working with clients and will continue to do so, but it has proven a difficult profession to make a full-time living from for two big reasons:

1. We don't want to increase our rates just to make a full-time living. Our desire from the beginning has been to make design services attainable for another tier of people, predominantly young adults looking to go from hodge-podge college furniture to a sophisticated, soulful home.

2. We have realized our capacity for clients at one time. Although we currently have a client wait list that reaches to the Holiday season, that doesn't necessarily mean we are making a full-time living from our current clients. There is so much that goes into working with clients; the communication, waiting for decisions to be made, edits and re-edits, tweaks and re-tweaks. It's so incredibly important to us that each client completely loves their space when it's finished, but getting there takes so much time. Our capacity is roughly 10-12 clients at any given time, depending on the depth of the job. Depending on the project, some are finished within a month, others closer to 8! We can only move as fast as our clients are able, so if their plates are full, the project might take on the longer end.

Since realizing this capacity for client design work, we have been praying for a way to turn this fulfilling work into a fuller-time income. It's been a test of patience, for sure, to wait for the right opportunity that would be consistent with our work with StyleMutt Home, but offer the financial support that we need. For me, this opportunity as a freelance designer with Sonder is a dream come true in so many ways. I will continue to work from home, and I get to design to my hearts content. As for Cate, she has welcomed an awesome opportunity with Apartment Therapy that I'll let her tell you about soon. :) But we are both so encouraged about these opportunities that have only been made possible by StyleMutt Home's own growth, (and I CANNOT wrap my mind around how this all began with a small furniture refinishing business right outside in our garage after Mason's birth! Every door that's opened has been a gift; I don't know why or how, but I'm runnin' with it!) Our hearts are exceedingly full by the countless blessings the Lord has shown us with this business and we've both been reflecting on all that we are so grateful for.

Perhaps the best news with these new ventures is that there will be more content for the blog! For every 5 client spaces we finish, we might get one job that we can actually take pictures of and share here! But in my work for Sonder, every unit I design for them will be professionally shot and I am free to use the pictures however I wish, so I'll have a lot of fun spaces to share here!

I'll be back on Wednesday with my first Sonder design reveal for a unit I completed in Boston! Think big black factory windows. :) It's a good one and I'm so excited to see it in completion!

Thank you so much for joining Cate and me on this exciting adventure! We started StyleMutt Home with completely open hearts to whatever the Lord would guide it to be, and the friends we've made along the way are of the most unexpected and treasured blessings we've enjoyed. You are so dear to us and hope you know we count you as part of the StyleMutt Home team!

Thank you for stopping by!

P.S. We have read this verse with the kids a few times and it lifts my heart at the start of each day. It's so common to start the day with a pit of worry in our stomach about what the day may hold; this promise always encourages me, so I wanted to pass it on.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither Slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you-
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forever more.

Reader Design: Jo's California-meets-Canada Home

Today we're off to a location in Ontario, Canada that has seriously the best name: East Gwillimbury. How fun is that?? Don't you wish you lived there? Jo is showing us around her California-meets-Canada spot, which is a perfect mixed bag of boho, modern rustic, and traditional design elements.

Jo's home brings the Cali elements we've come to love - natural wood, white walls, leather, and pottery - to our neighbor to the north. The home doesn't feel like a replication though; it has a clear sense of family and individuality. 

“I want someone to walk into our home and know who lives here right off the bat. I love that we have a mix of big-box + thrifted + antique pieces which gives our home that curated vibe. I love adding unexpected items on selves and mixing textiles so there is always something interesting to discover.
”

While the home doesn't have the open concept that we've come to know and love, the spaces still feel cohesive. That hasn't, however, come without difficulties. 

“We are constantly trying to come up with layout ideas and seating arrangements. I tend to go for the side that is visually pleasing (and Instagram friendly!) while my boyfriend is very practical and wants the space to have maximum use.

I’ve also tried to keep trends at an arms-length, because if you get caught up in everything that’s being thrown at you, you will always be in a state of flux trying to hit on the next thing. My boyfriend recently told me I need to design slow – meaning I really need to take the time to think things through until we make the best decision, which usually means going with more permanent ideas/concepts vs. fast trends. ”

Jo and her boyfriend navigate any differences they may have by bringing in meaningful pieces, like the harvest table in the dining room that came from her boyfriend's grandparent's farm.

In the office, Jo has gone way above and beyond with her shelf styling skills. Her favorite element is the old slingshot sitting on the shelves. 

“We were at an antique tool show and I bought this off of the cutest old man in history – complete with suspenders and all – for $1. While it was missing the actual sling, I just threw some wood beads on a string and set it up. It has the original paint chipping off but looking at it makes me happy + it’s a great random addition to a shelf. ”

Both the master and guest bedrooms are stunning rooms, full of vintage pieces, fresh textiles, and white and bright hues. Even the leather headboard was a vintage find from a local buy-and-sell.

Jo is clearly an absolute expert on thrifting and vintage shopping, so today, we'll close with her tips. 

“1. Go often and don’t get discouraged. I usually go to three different thrift stores 2-3 times a week. Sometimes I buy nothing at all or come away with a seriously amazing find. Persistence is key, especially when you are spending hours hunting and coming away with nothing. Once you find an amazing item you realize its totally worth it.
2. Go with your gut. I never have a plan when I’m at thrift stores. I usually just hunt and if I get that lurch in my stomach when my eyes hit an item, it goes in my cart. Even if it isn’t totally my style, I’ll pass it over to some of my friends.
3. Always buy the vintage books, the pottery, and anything that makes you happy. Whether it’s on trend or not, if you love it you will most likely find a spot for it in your home so snatch it up.”

Jo, thank you so much for showing us around. We seriously love your home, and I think I speak for all us mutts when I say that I'd love for you to visit my city to teach me your thrifting ways.

Follow Jo along on Instagram at @jmwearing for more; seriously, do it. 

See you in September! 

Reader Design: Keila's Warm & Welcoming Home

Summer is coming to an end, but it practically always feels like summer in Keila's bright, warm, and welcoming Florida home.  This home is primed and ready for family bonding, snuggles, and relaxation, taking cues from the warming waters and bright flowers of the Caribbean. Come on in! 

From Keila: 

“It’s easy to get caught up in having the fancier first impression, but if your guests feel awkward when they arrive, it defeats the purpose of home. We have blankets in every room and closet, and we lay pillows on the floor, mostly when we play cards. You can basically snuggle up anywhere. You can’t beat that sensation. With our love for blue, we balance it all out by adding texture. ”

The result is everything what you want in a loved family home. It's calm and happy, with a healthy dose of coziness.  Keila's big splurge was one of both form and function. 

“A big, comfy couch! A high quality sofa is worth every penny, especially when you live on it, like us! Our home is open concept, so we chose one that had style, it’s the first thing you’d see walking in. Comfort was key considering we only have one sitting area with television. We spent a bit more than we budgeted for on this one. Truly, I would do it all over again. ”

This precious office space is this momma's escape, and it features a trend Keila wasn't so sure about to being with: the gallery wall. We've all seen them; some are perfectly coordinated, some lovingly mismatched, some big, some small. Despite her uncertainty, Keila took this space - a small area that wouldn't require a lot of elements to look "done" - and went for it. Perhaps to the detriment of her drywall... but oh well! 

“The scary part (for me, anyway) was knowing one single item could throw the entire look off and look busy. I think what helped me pull it off was selecting a wall that wouldn’t need an excessive amount of items to look put together. My office nook is tiny, making it fun to select the items. I always recommend laying all of the items on the floor before anything else. Just something I learned the hard way. Don’t tell my husband I said that. ”

Back in the bedroom, we get those blue elements again and a heavy emphasis on textiles. Those pillows and tassels make this bed one awesome place to lay your head. As do those elephant guardians, which represent Keila's favorite animal and her lucky number - 3! 

Remember that Caribbean inspiration I mentioned? If you haven't felt it yet, there's no way you'll miss it in Keila's backyard. This oasis is going to be permanently imprinted in my mind as we brace for colder months ahead. There's a peace and serenity here that's clear even from a photograph.

“I love that laid back feeling of relaxation I get any time we visit the islands and try and incorporate it throughout. It transitioned to our back yard, thats our little tropical garden. ”

Keila, thank you so much for the tour today. I'm sure we're all now just daydreaming about finishing out our summers in this space. 

See you next week, mutts. Don't get too envious, now! And follow Keila along on Instagram @kberno3 for more.