Firsts

Hi All, I had a way more interesting and DIY relevant post for today, but it's getting bumped. All that's on my mind today is this new beginning:

Colin

Shire

Our twins started preschool today! Indeed, the next generation of StyleMutt is out in the world becoming their own people. In a way, leaving them at school today was a bit of a DIY task in and of itself. I could hear my voice quiver a little when I said I loved them and to have fun. It was one of the most bittersweet moments of my life, but far heavier on the sweet than the bitter, (although, it was quite sad for little brother, Mason, who cried on our way back to the car after saying our goodbye).

While their world got a bit bigger today, and will continue growing, I relish in their youngness; their ridiculous little-kid jokes that make no sense, their quirks and habits, their cute little clothes and shoes, their high little voices, and especially their still-new smell. Oh yes, even after almost 5 years they still smell delicious to me.

So even though today was a big step forward for our family, we'll take our time growing up.

On a kid related note, I'll be posting on how to hang heavy duty toy shelves directly into drywall tomorrow, (no studs needed, although they're nice to have around... ;)  Thank you so much for stopping by and bearing with today's sap! 

New feature launch: StyleMutt Spaces!

Hi friends! When Cate and I first sat down to discuss StyleMutt and all our hopes and dreams for this site, a theme that kept coming up in our conversation was, 'sharing is caring'. We want this place to be both a DIY and decorating resource, as well as a place where the great throng of creatives out there can share their hard work. We absolutely love seeing what brilliant ideas folks are uncovering and one of our goals for this site is to share all that inspiration!

We've got a handful of really fun features in progress and we'll be launching them as they are ready to go - starting with Spaces! StyleMutt Spaces will not be just a page of Cate's home and my home - not by a long shot. Well, at least that's the hope! At the moment, almost all of the rooms in our homes can be toured on Spaces, but we want to add so many more of yours! If you enjoy your home and the 'sanctuary' you've made it to be, we'd love to take a peek if you're up for sharing! Just use the hashtag #stylemuttspaces on Instagram, or post photos right to our Facebook wall! We're hoping you'll help us fill our Spaces page quickly!

Kicking off StyleMutt Spaces is a crazy fun playroom for a sweet 2yr old boy named Rylan. Rylan's Mommy, Nicole, and I are actually friends from high school! As soon as I saw these photos I was uber motivated to improve my own kids' play area! From the awesome statement wall that Nicole did herself, to re-purposing a shoe rack to use as a bookshelf, this room is definitely not lacking in good hard toddler fun. And the best part of the room is all the thought that went into every detail so Rylan's little imagination can just run wild and soar. 

Let's take a look!

From Nicole:
"It's hands down my favorite room in the house now. Rylan is using it SO much. Anytime he's not eating, sleeping, or outside - he's in this room and having so much fun!!"

A custom floor pillow, made by Rylan's Nana, is perfectly cozy for curling up with books.

Nicole's source list:
-Easel and DIY lego table from IKEA
-Area rug from Urban Outfitters
-White shoe rack to house puzzles and books in the corner, with a custom floor pillow, (made by his Nana), to make it comfy!
-My wicker toy basket is from Target
-I did some crafty cord hiding behind the computer with a chevron drape and a cute box, (that I cut the back out of to hide my extension cords and router)
-As for my wall - it was originally a faint grey/white. I freehanded my accent wall with frog tape, putting the tape where I wanted it to remain white. And then I painted! Two coats of Anjou Pear from Sherwin Williams and I removed the frog tape quickly as to keep my lines as clean as possible.

"It was my first project like this and I think I may have gotten the "bug!"

We really hope Nicole got the "bug" and sends some more amazing inspiration our way. Isn't this room crazy fun?! Thank you so much, Nicole!

We invite you to check out the Spaces page and tour the rooms that are up there now! And don't forget to tag yours on Instagram with #stylemuttspaces or share directly to our Facebook wall!

Thank you all for stopping by and have a happy weekend!

A StyleMutt Space needs your votes!

Hi guys! Weekend is so close, can't you taste it?! We're celebrating a bit early with the news that one of our own rooms has been chosen for Apartment Therapy's Room for Color contest! It's such a pleasure to be considered among so many beautiful spaces and we are thrilled to even be one in the crowd of entries. There are some seriously lovely rooms, but we're a little bias to "Chelsea's Crisp White Canvas", (my living room)!

This contest has been going on for a couple months but our entry was just featured yesterday and voting ends tomorrow! SO, even though our relationship is very young and you're probably still testing the waters a bit we have a huge favor to ask of you. Would you vote for us?! I realize that's like us being the first to say "I love you" and you may need some time to think it over. Completely understand. Just follow your heart and if you feel so inclined, click on the picture ABOVE, scroll down to the red box, and click 'favorite'. We're quite late in the game at this point and it would be a tiny miracle if we made it to the final four of our category, (Light rooms), but if that happens we'll get a gift card to Sherwin Williams, which means more supplies to fuel our work!

If you don't vote and/or we don't make it to the final four, we'll still be here rockin' and rollin' for you. In fact, check back tomorrow for our first reader-shared post when Nicole shares her completely creative and energetic playroom! (Spoiler alert - She uses a shoe rack to hold her son's books. You're not going to want to miss this room chalk full of ideas!!)

Thank you so much for stopping by! (And thank you for voting!)