Blue + Leather Dresser || Why Shop Small

A few months ago I got a handwritten note when I ordered a broom off amazon. It totally shocked when it fell out of the box like a Willy Wonka golden ticket. It read “Thank you for purchasing from a small business on Amazon. Your order means more to us than you know.” I was so struck by the thought that I kept the note.

As a fellow small business owner, I could relate. I mean, I know that every time someone buys one of my pieces, I let a little piece of myself go home with them. I try really hard not to come across as a weird helicopter mother when I help them load up and try to casually ask for a photo of it in its “new home.” I scribble my cell phone down for customers “if they have any problems” or want to know how to best tuck him in at night. I fret over how he’s holding up - is he making new friends? Are they feeding him well? Did they put him in a forgotten corner of the house or is he on display for all to see?

See, it’s more than just a hobby for us. When you buy from a small business, you buy something that’s been labored over. And loved. And it means more to us than you know.

You are feeding our families and clothing our kids. You are taking a discarded piece of furniture out of the landfill instead of adding styrofoam remnants from that assemble-yourself-box-store number you have to allen-wrench into being. And like Chelsea touched on in her recent post, that note got me thinking of new ways to incorporate other small businesses into what we do as fellow makers.

Whether we mean to or not, each of our products affects an intricate assortment of people. I purchased this vintage dresser from Geenae and her husband who were making room for a nursery. The dresser used to be his grandmothers, but with twins on the way, they needed the space. I was scheduled to pick up two of their dressers (the other became this white and wood number) when baby’s cold made me change plans last minute. Geenae was gracious enough to reschedule our meet for the following week so that I could focus on caring for Huntleigh but still nab some project pieces.

After conducting several repairs on Grandma’s dresser, I painted the body in “Deep Breath” by Behr Paint - a color I used for a custom build for clients Lauren and her husband this time two years ago.

This color has that inky quality I like so much in my darker pieces but it has vibrant teal undertones.

To finish it off right, I needed the perfect hardware. Instead of sourcing new pulls via an online dealer like I usually do, I decided to shop small.

I left the unique “bowling pin” peg legs in their original wood so I wanted pulls that would play off the brown tone. I found Julie and Brian selling these leather pulls in their Etsy shop YesterdaysNovember and thought they were perfect paired with their brass capped screws.

I also found Sarah from ModernMakerStamps (also an Etsy shop) who made my custom SMH logo rubber stamp so I can literally leave my mark on each piece I send into the world.

I even borrowed a few baby gifts that were also small business purchases from Huntleigh’s room for this shoot. The yellow letter board was shipped by Lyubomir and Yana in Canada and that gold mobile (given to us by my other beloved sis-in-law Casey), handmade by Eleonora in Croatia - both Etsy sellers, both small businesses.

In light of Small Business Saturday, Chelsea and I have both been thinking about how much your purchases mean to those of us who side-hustle for our families. If you’re also interested in supporting small businesses, Chelsea curated some superb mom and pop gift ideas this holiday that will not only say Merry Christmas to your gift recipient but to the small businesses you buy from.

We are so grateful to get to do the things we love but also to intersect with so many relationships along the way. As a small business, many of our customer interactions have turned into pleasant conversations or even the occasional “small world” moment. Chelsea and I create as an expression of worship and as an outlet for our insatiable imaginations - but it’s a sweeter joy to have these opportunities to meet you. I look forward to meeting whomever purchases Grandma’s re-loved 9-drawer. And to all our past customers and clients out there: thank you for shopping small!

Blue + Leather Dresser
Now Available for Sale
60”L x 18”D x 31”H
$745

If you are interested in this piece or a custom order like it, email me at cate@stylemutthome.com

Living Room Fireplace Reveal

So tickled to finally get to share our finished fireplace with you all today! It is an absolute dream; I can’t believe this is the same house we moved into 9+ years ago! A few weeks ago I shared our plan and inspiration here, and now that it’s finished it’s even better than I had expected. As with most projects, some of the details evolved as the build came together, but I think it’s worth sharing the plan I had laid out last January. So almost a year ago!

And here’s where we ended up:

We could not be more grateful to our dear friend, Bill, who spent the better part of 3 weekends coming over to help us with this. To say he is incredibly skilled is a massive understatement, but beyond that even is his generosity. We were so blessed by his knowledge and willingness to help - and all I did was send him home with bacon! Listen, there’s more where that came from for anyone out there who wants to help the Biebers with home projects. Lol!

At the last minute we decided to paint the shelves and bench seat white to let the mantle really stand out. The mantle was removed from our dear friends’ 1960-something fireplace when they started their home renovation. They decided to replace it during their own home reno process, so we lucked out big time - it is SUCH a gorgeous, chunky piece of wood. The years of use have banged it up and faded it’s color and that kind of character is just what our new structure needed.

Funny, we moved the sofa to this side of the room, (it was previously against the windows), just to get it out of the way during the construction. It didn’t take long for us to love it this way! The kids said they prefer it here, facing the fireplace, so I think we’ll leave it! Plus, we’ve got to make space for the Christmas tree this weekend. No idea where it’ll go. Send any suggestions my way because I am stumped! Hah!

Adding a bench to the side was one of my favorite ideas that helped the whole thing come together for me, visually. We didn’t know whether to add shelves to this side, cabinets, or what. It was really tricky to figure this side out! When the thought of a bench with storage inside came into play it was just perfect. Bill created a lid that comes up like a piano bench, and it’s the easiest access to our new hidden storage.

I think I mentioned this in my last post, but link to our actual insert is here, and we are really pleased with the unit. It warms our large open space up very well and is completely safe for little ones, (the glass doesn’t get hot because the warm air is pushed out of a vent only at the top of the unit). The insert itself does not heat up, making it completely safe inside its frame of drywall and 2x4s. The unit is plugged into an outlet accessed inside the storage bench, and we can slide the unit out of the frame anytime we need.

That’s it! Hard to measure what a difference this has made to our home. With such an open floor plan I have already been enjoying having the fireplace on while in the kitchen, during homework time, dinner; it’s just been wonderfully cozy.

Speaking of, here’s a sneak peek at our Christmas mantle…

More Christmas coming soon!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Small Business Saturday: Planning Guide + A SMH Deal!

Hi friends! The holiday season is blissfully upon us and Cate and I have some exciting content to share with you over the next few weeks! Kicking things off I wanted to help you guys out as you prepare to check off your gift list, (substantially this weekend if you’re anything like me!) We’ve shared favorite finds on here before but today I wanted to focus on Small Businesses. As my friend Collin, (a skilled woodworker), recently shared, “Let’s plan for Small Business Saturday, guys!” Meaning, 1) You do have to plan for it! Shopping from small businesses or local businesses can take a tad bit more time than a one-stop box store. Hopefully we can help you out with our round up of favorites! 2) There is a designated day to shop from small/local businesses, did you know that? The Saturday after Thanksgiving is when many small businesses offer their own deals and discounts! Shopping small is a tremendous way to support entrepreneurs depending on successful sales for their livelihood. We know LOADS of families where one or both parents are supporting their family on the income provided by their small business. It’s risky and takes around the clock work. So let’s support these brave makers and give in more ways than one!

Dani Barbe Dani makes the most beautiful pieces right from her own home - we designed her studio and workshop, in fact! Her jewelry magically suits literally every style out there - from glitz and glam to earthy and casual.

Salty Brothers Soap Started by high school friend, Billy, my entire family can attest that these soaps more than just clean. Using tried and true combinations of all natural elements like dead sea clay, charcoal, locally sourced olive oil and CBDs, these soaps revitalize, detoxify, and aid in relieving muscle soreness.

Willow and Rush Kaity, a sweet Mama balancing stay-at-home life with the cutest babes and her self-started candle company probably doesn’t realize she is dominating the candle market, in my opinion. I need three things in a candle - a gorgeous container, (hello amber jars), small scale size, (8oz jars are a perfect size for grouping with other objects on a coffee table/shelf), and an out of this world scent that doesn’t make me dizzy, (White Birch for me - all day, every day).

Mae Woven When Emmy started sewing things for herself and her home, little did she know a booming business was in her near future! Now she leads her team supporting other women from around the globe to source the highest quality material to create the highest quality home goods.

Sugarhouse Ceramic Co. A husband and wife team creating small batch pottery from their cabin in the woods of Vermont? I’m in.

Simply Eco Store There is something contagious about a company who’s mission it is to reduce pollution and help our precious planet. Our family has been taking steps using products from Simply Eco Store to decrease our waste and it feels good. Gift yourself and gift a friend because it’s a mission we will all benefit from.

And finally, we want to gift you, too!

Saturday 11/30 over the entire 24hrs you can purchase 45 Minutes of Design Tips for $45 to redeem anytime in 2020! The Design Tips will be done via video chat, (Facetime, Google Duo, Whats App, etc), so you can show me around your home and discuss your needs! I will listen and make suggestions including paint colors, furniture ideas to consider, furniture layout, art arrangement, styling ideas, and anything else I feel would be helpful for the way you live in your space. If this sounds like something you’d like to treat yourself with, or someone you love, please email chelsea@stylemutthome.com and I will direct you how to pay and send you a digital certificate you can share with your loved one.

We hope this list helps you get started on your holiday gifting! Remember to take time to slow it down; time is truly the best gift and spending it with those you love will never be a regret.