Reader Design: Caitlin's Earthy Cape Cod

You guys, what a week! We've had a double whammy under our roof with our Colin getting diagnosed with both strep and pneumonia within days of each other. What the what?! Contrast that with the energy of my other 5 year old and our wild 4 year old, and I'm good and ready to get off this train. Grateful for restful nights despite our chaotic days, doctors who care, family and friends who pray, and a God who sustains us through the unexpected.

Fortunately, we've got the most peaceful, serene Reader Design to share with you today. With a subtle combination of earthy tones that blend one room into the other, it's a space that is as calming as it is inviting. 

Caitlin, from The Oak Tree, has been so gracious to share her home with us today and I, for one, am already feeling better about life after swooning over her space. :)

From Caitlin:

"My husband and I moved to Long Island, NY, in December 2013 and bought our home in April 2014. We used light earth tones throughout our house to make everything feel open and airy. Our dining area ties our living room and kitchen together. The two windows give the space some great natural light. The semi-sheer, ivory curtains help to keep the room light and bright while bringing in an interesting aesthetic. Originally, our dining table and chairs were outdated and did not match with the rest of our home. We painted the table legs and chairs white, re-stained the top of the table, and reupholstered the chairs. 

"We are constantly on the look-out for new additions to add to our space. We try to create a homey feel while blending in old and new. We love having pieces that tell stories, blend together, and all tie together beautifully!"

Love this idea and it's so beautifully carried out here!

"Our house is an early 1950’s Cape Cod that needed lots of TLC! We saw the good bones of the home and knew there was a ton of potential. We re-did the floors, updated the electrical, rehabbed the bathrooms, gave the kitchen a makeover, painted every inch of every wall, painted the outside, gave the staircase new life, and managed to put our touch on our home to give it our own unique feel."

Such a calming and bright kitchen! Hmm, this is giving me some inspiration for our own kitchen makeover...

Caitlin, thank you so much for inviting us in your home today! What a thoughtful, inspiring space you've created. You can follow Caitlin at @theoaktreeny on Instagram and fill up on more inpsiring home decor and DIY ideas on her blog, The Oak Tree!

Have a space you'd like to share on StyleMutt Home? We're open for submissions and absolutely love sharing your handiwork and creativity! There are no requirements to be a professional decorator or even a fellow blogger. We just want to share your inspiring ideas through our SPACES section - a page chalk full of beautiful home tours each unique and one of a kind! Just tag #stylemuttspaces on Instagram, or share your photos right to our Facebook page!

Thank you all for stopping by! Happy weekending! :)

Matchmaker, Matchmaker

Hi friends! Every now and then we have the pleasure of refinishing a matching set of furniture, per custom request. Whenever a set comes in, whether it's a coffee table and end table set for a living room, or a matching bedroom set, it's always fun to imagine the room created around the pieces. 

I was definitely day dreaming about this while working on a bedroom set that was requested to be finished similarly to this beauty:

The dear gal who purchased this piece asked if I could use the same ultra distressed technique on her daughter's bedroom set. After she sent pictures of her daughters pieces, I knew it wouldn't be a stretch. The set had great bones and lines already! Here's what I came up with:

How to get this look:

I refinished these pieces in several layers, just as I did the large dresser several weeks ago. I painted them in Old White, by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Then I went over in Layla's Mint by Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. The final coat is a mix of Pure White, (by ASCP), and Grain Sack, (by MMSMP). The mix of milk paint to chalk paint gives a chippy-er finish, drawing the paint up a bit so it flakes off easily. I finished by taking my electric sander with rough 100 grit sandpaper over both pieces and removing as much paint as possible in a few key spots - on the dresser I heavily distressed the frame of the drawer fronts and the protruding side panels. On the headboard, I focused on the protruding middle section, as you can see below.

The most important piece of information I about on the girl who this set will live with is that she is NOT a girly-girl. Her sweet Momma told me that she wanted the white distressed look, but nothing too 'sweet'. I think with the extra distressing, these pieces have an edgier, butt-kicking, 'don't mess with me' kind of look. Do you see it? :)

Love, love seeing side-by-side Before+Afters! These pieces were in great shape before - just needed a bit of character.

But then again, my stance is anything can be improved with a bit of character. ;)

Thank you all for stopping by!

Reader Design: Tiffany's Thrifty-Chic Girls Room

You guys know when you meet someone that you want to be friends with, like, yesterday? Tiffany is one of those people. Cate and I 'met' her through Instagram, sharing home design and DIYs, and she is just a burst of joy. Her kind personality is larger than life and she decorates from the same place in her heart - so radiant and full of life!

When I first saw photos of her 14 year old daughter's madeover bedroom, it was like a shot of 5-Hour Energy!! The mix of colors and pattern is just so, so fun. What a thoughtful Momma to have designed a room like this!

From Tiffany:

"So this is my daughter's room. Most of the furniture in this room has been thrifted. I love thrifting for furniture because I find that the quality of the pieces is much better and can obviously stand the test of time....or at least hold it's own with kids and teens! Since she's 14 I didn't want to go too "little girl" but at the same time, wanted the room to reflect her bright and cheery personality."

"Her headboard was a $3.00 find that I repainted in a soft gray-lavender color. The desk is part of a set that we got years ago on Ebay and as stated above, has definitely stood the test of time. The small dresser is actually from Ikea (Rast)  and I painted the drawers the same color as the headboard and the outer frame is painted white. The knobs are from Hobby Lobby and the trim work is from Home Depot. The pink bedside table was about $5.00 and the top actually opens up for storage, so snatching that piece up was a no brainer! I spray painted it and added a touch of "gold" to the bottom of the legs, just to jazz things up a bit."

Gold legs; check. Amazing art; check. Vibrant colors; check. Awesome Mom; double check.

"Her bedding is from Walmart ( I know right!!), and the rug is a steal from Homegoods."

Loving the bold rug under the bold bedding - teenage years are too short for timid subtly. 

"I really get a kick out of mixing high (or high for me) with low; new and old and seeing how it can all work together to create a really great space."

What an inspiring mix of thrifted and new pieces! Collected pieces go so much deeper than just decor - they tell stories and give a home warmth and character. This room is full of both and we are so grateful to you, Tiffany, for letting us share it here! Please thank your daughter for us, too! You can follow Tiffany @myeclecticnest on Instagram for more creative ideas!

We are in need of some more Reader Designs, everyone! Please submit photos of your own spaces to our Facebook page or by tagging #stylemuttspaces on Instagram! We love sharing all kinds of creative styles here and feel that everyone has something inspiring to share. Check out our SPACES page for an awesome growing collection of rooms from creatives around the world! 

Thank you all for stopping by and have a splendid weekend! "Make good choices!" (name that movie)