A DIY Light - Under $30!

Hey all!  These days, you can't peruse pinterest without stumbling across this high-end trend. 

Metal Orb Chandeliers

But I want to tell you all a story about how I made my own version of these beauties for under $30...

It all started with this guy.  I found him at Home Goods for a whopping $15.  Maybe it was distressed red color that made me pick him up or maybe it was the industrial metal flare, but I still had to figure out what I was going to do with it in order to justify bringing him home.  I love decor pieces as much as the next person, however with limited living space I simply couldn't bring myself to buy a metal orb that would only take up space on my shelf.  Nope, no positions were open in our home for "shelf stuff," but... we did have an opening for a hanging light! 

So this lucky guy found his way into my life after all and a new DIY project was born.  Once home, I introduced him to a HEMMA cord kit ($5 from Ikea) and a Feit Electric Original Vintage Style Light Bulb ($9 from Home Depot).  I love these bulbs because they play into the industrial vibe of the metal orb but the exposed bulbs don't blind you.

The trickiest part was suspending the metal orb around the light bulb.  I tried a couple things and ended up tying the light kit cord around an intersection of the metal bars and securing the knot with a large 8mm metal jump ring (about the size of a dime).  

Now all you need is a swag {or ceiling} hook and the perfect spot to hang it up.  I chose to put ours up above the bistro table on our balcony.  And viola!  I have a new light and a guilt-free conscious for impulse buying.  And in case you weren't doing the math: 

Project Total... $29.00!

{Stay tuned for more pictures of our apartment patio coming soon!}

~Cate

This post was originally published on Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.

Single dresser: Rustic, great physique. Looking for: Long term relationship

I finished my first piece of Spring, guys! Thank the Good Lord for some beautiful, hopeful days last week which helped pull me from my dark, winter despair. (Did anyone else just think of the Pit of Despair and that weird witch from the Princess Bride? I did. Must remember to watch that again soon). Anyways, it was awesome to work outside again. It's been too long.

And I wasn't the only one making use of our warm sunny days:

I mean, I'm a little bias, but this girl has stolen my heart.

Sharing work space with my 4 year old, (well, one of them).

Now to present our gorgeous new eligible dresser!

I'm gonna be honest with you guys. I definitely bought this dresser because of the hardware. 100%.

This is typically how I distress furniture pieces - follow the edges and corners with a medium grit sanding sponge and go back and forth until I like what I see. It looks naturally worn which adds warmth and charm.

47.5"L x 30"H x 17.75"D
$375

This beauty is ready to find it's true love and a long term relationship. If you're smitten, (and able to pick-up in Northern Virginia), please email me at chelsea@stylemutthome.com.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Chelsea

This post was originally published on Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.

CG's Annual Outdoor Furnishing Faves!

Hi friends! I don't need a calendar to know it's that time of year again. All I have to do is check my blog stats and see that a large surge of hits are coming through the outdoor dining posts published from the past two years, (here and here)! I had the same surge of hits at this time last year from the outdoor dining post I'd done the year prior. This only means one thing: Spring is coming and it'll soon be time to take our entertaining outdoors!

The past two years I've compiled a list of favorite pieces that caught my eye from the new Spring collection at IKEA. Matt and I had wonderful luck finding exactly what we wanted there a few years ago after our brand new deck was ready for furniture. Typically, their Outdoor line is colorful, affordable, and fun -which was exactly what we were looking for when we decked out our deck! This year it seems to be lacking a tiny bit in personality. There is definitely not as much color as in the past few years. So this year I'm going to expand a bit to include World Market. I love what they have to offer, although they are pricier. So I've combed through what both stores have to offer and come up with my own list of favorites based on affordability and personality!

Kicking things off is this colorful table from World Market. The metal base is such a cool punch of color, (and also comes in red)!

World Market Blue Beer Garden Dining Table
$229

A fresh and affordable pairing with this colorful table, (which I would consider a bit of a splurge), is the IKEA FEJAN Folding chair in white. Easy to wipe, easy to store. 

IKEA FEJAN Folding Chair
$10

These two together with World Market's Orange Glass Wasp Catcher

Next up is this rustic wood table from World Market. Love the proportions of this and the slats on the top!

World Market Catalina Dining Table
$249

And back for the third year in a row is my favorite outdoor dining chair, the IKEA ROXO chair, (we have four in yellow around our grey FALSTER table, also by IKEA)

IKEA ROXO Chair
$20

Aren't they great together?! (Tin planter from IKEA)

For a more industrial, modern look I love this ENHOLMEN table from IKEA. And the price is not too shabby, either!

IKEA ENHOLMEN Table
$159

For such a simple table I paired a slightly more interesting chair from World Market. Also comes in blue, black, yellow, red and green!

World Market Koi Orange Cadiz Metal Chair
$119.98 for set of two

What a fun contrast between table and chairs! Tin planters from IKEA.

Trying to fill a smaller space? No problem! You can still squeeze style into a smaller outdoor space. This end table from World Market is clean and simple and won't make a large footprint.

World Market White Durresi Metal Side Table
$49.99

Now here's a chair for the long haul. I have a feeling once you park your caboose in this cutie you're not gonna be getting up anytime soon.

IKEA PS 2012 Easy Chair - Yellow, (also comes in white)
$149

I could spend a long evening out with this set. Green glass jars from World Market.

Another space saver, this stool from World Market would make a fun little table for a small area.

World Market Yellow Lailani Stool
$79.99

This funny IKEA chair really just made me laugh. But I like it! It looks comfy!

IKEA PS VAGO Easy Chair - blue, (also comes in white)
$29.99

Morning coffee would taste even better with this set, (or your evening drink, whatever it may be)! Paper lanterns from IKEA.

And lastly, for our loungers. This is an IKEA hack idea for anyone interested in a little DIY fun! IKEA hacks are basically transforming IKEA pieces into something a little different by use of paint, and/or minor reconstruction. Start with this cozy, cocooning sofa...

IKEA ENHOLMEN Sofa Combination
$308

...and spray paint it with your color of choice by Rustoleum exterior spray paint! Finish it with a bunch of outdoor pillows, (this handful is from World Market), and you've got yourself a uniquely boho outdoor lounge! I would totally throw a bright sofa in my outdoor area. Actually, I'm really digging this idea...Somebody, please do it!!!

Here is what we put together for our own deck two years ago from IKEA. 4 yellow ROXO chairs, 2 FALSTER armchairs, and a FALSTER table. We've loved how they've held up, how the yellow pops against the gray, and that it's a set we mixed together ourselves. Those are the best kinds in my opinion.

Hop over to see what IKEA has here. Check out what World Market's got here.
**(This post was not sponsored in any way. All thoughts and opinions are uniquely mine)

There you have it! Love anything you saw? Despise them all? What kind of look do you like to see in an outdoor space?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

~Chelsea

This post was originally published on Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.