Reader Design: Heather's Preppy & Coastal Abode

Heather, of Pineapples and Pearls, has graciously welcomed us into her new Washington, D.C. apartment. You'll soon find that her home is a perfect mirror to her style: preppy, coastal, and totally welcoming. 

Heather's aesthetic is as sweet as her dimples. This place just invites you to take a seat, have a sip of prosecco, and stay a while.
From Heather: 

“I moved into this apartment by myself last month from a much larger apartment that I shared with a roommate. It’s been a fun challenge to make everything work in a 530 sq ft space! ”

“Mixing colors and patterns has never been a fear of mine, so nothing is off limits, though I’ve kept a navy, coral, and turquoise theme running throughout the entire apartment. When the main color palette remains cohesive, it’s no big deal to throw in an animal print chair here or a glitter tray there. I like to think I’ve created a space that’s colorful, bright, just a bit girly, and also comfortable.”

... And boy did she nail that animal print! Right now, I think we can all agree that the world of design is obsessed with neutral minimalism. But I completely admire Heather for her ability to just go with it - and make a space that is totally hers. They say that the best compliment is when someone walks into your space and says "this is SO you!" And even though I haven't met Heather in person, I know that she is represented perfectly.

“While my style is definitely colorful and modern, I love mixing in older pieces. The trunk in my living room came from my grandmother and is well over 100 years old. The nudes above my desk (with the exception of the blue one, which is from a local DC artist!) were done by my grandfather, who dabbled in every art form you can think of.”

And for those StyleMutt loyalists who saw Lejla's post - AGAIN we have the pineapple trend. It's everywhere. I perused my favorite local boutique this past weekend, and was completely tempted by a gold pineapple shaker. I passed on it, but that decision and practice in abstinence haunts me. 

“I didn’t want to spend a lot on redecorating and wanted to work with what I already had, while still ending up with something that felt totally different than my previous apartment. I hadn’t set out for a coral and navy room, but I love the way it came together! ”

Thank you, Heather, for sharing for beautiful space with us! We've loved getting to share your specific 'breed' of style with our mutts! 

Until next time, 

Shelly's Surprise Makeover: A Community Collaboration

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

It is such a pleasure today to introduce you guys to Shelly and her husband Geoff, (and their totally normal not weird at all kids, Katie, Brenham and Austin, in youngest to oldest order. I kid. They're awesome, as you can clearly see).

Four-ish months ago Shelly was diagnosed with brain cancer after having a tumor removed. Glioblastoma, to be specific, (in her own words, don't Google it - the stats aren't pretty). This family's new 'normal' is nothing that we could ever imagine; We're not trying to exploit their life or plaster their journey over the great world wide web, (and Shelly is graciously open to us sharing all this). We tell you because it's important for you to know that without the Lord it would be impossible for them to have the immense joy and peace that they have at this time.

Matt and I have the pleasure of attending Christ Community Church with Shelly and her family, and she has been blowing our minds with her outspoken peace and pure delight in the Lord. Her entire perspective has been made new. As Shelly has expressed, cancer sucks, (!!!), but she wouldn't change a thing and. She speaks from experience when she says that something as scary as brain cancer doesn't have to defeat or define a person. Knowing someone going through this otherwise disparaging journey who knows deep, deep contentment in Jesus, is like having a backstage pass, or access, to the remarkable gifts from Him. Because of Shelly and the Truth she's spoken through her testament, I've felt a shifting in my focus that I think the Lord has been working on for a while.

So, despite her world getting turned upside down, Shelly had a unique and awesome request a couple months ago: A living room makeover!!! And better yet, we share a mutual design friend with Shelly who we got to work alongside with for this project - Kate from Olive and Ford Designs, (Instagram, @oliveandford)! So let's recap: That's one makeover, for a friend, with a friend. Yes, yes and yes!!! Ultimate dream.

Shelly's living room actually had really good bones before we got to work - floor to vaulted ceiling windows, distressed leather sofas, a gorgeous new-ish entertainment center, plenty of light, and neutral walls, carpet, etc. Really, not bad! But our dear friend desired a refresh and with all she's got going on can you blame her?!

And After!

And After!

At this point in our reveal we must stop to acknowledge those who stepped up and helped this makeover happen. The first thing we did was reach out to some of our incredibly talented friends in the design community that we knew shared a similar aesthetic to the style we were running with and asked if they'd be interested in being a part of this makeover with donated goods. Upon hearing even a tiny bit about Shelly and the incredibly positive outlook she has, the generous responses were immediate. We'll include sources under photos with donated items - these folks didn't ask to be tagged, but their work is just so incredible and we do hope you'll consider supporting them next time you need a thing!

Denim Pillow with Fringe, INDIEbungalow

The gorgeous mint and leather bike was also donated - by Katie; Shelly's teenage daughter! She agreed never to ride it again, ever. Hah! Seriously though, isn't it errr-thang?!

Baskets, Books, and Blue Glass, Harper and Arrow Market

Abstract Art, (this piece is a smaller version of one this artistis custom painting for this space insimilar colors), Christie Adelle

Striped Indigo Pillow, The Woven Home

Shelly, loving the beach as she does, already had plenty of aqua and teal-y green in her home, (she painted those kitchen chairs and you'll see the color a bit more saturated on the accent wall in the mudroom). The addition of blues and peachy pinks and coral just brought the look home like a sunset.

Beach Print, The Woven Home

Blue Pillows, Sweet Clover Barn

There you have it! This makeover was such a delight for so many reasons. Joining with other creatives to put this together was a humbling experience, as was getting to collaborate with the amazing Kate - please, please follower her at Olive and Ford, (Instagram, @oliveandford); her work is amazing. She literally does. it. all. And mostly, the opportunity to do this makeover for Shelly was such a gift; she's an amazing woman full of grace, grit and one of THE best senses of humor ever - working on her home was such a natural response of our admiration of her.

If you'd like to stay updated with Shelly you can follow her journey at www.caringbridge.org/visit/shellyhoward, Site Name: shellyhoward

Thank you all for stopping by!

Allow Me to Introduce Myself || McKenna's Cozy Basement Rental ||

Let me be upfront about this: I live in a basement rental right in the middle of Washington, D.C. There are two windows - well, one, but my front door has a plane of glass that I lovingly refer to as a window. It's a massive 600 square feet. Gray walls in every room. And, I LOVE it. 

You already know a little bit about me from this introduction, but I'd love to show you around and share some more about myself. 

My space is 100% mine - for the first time ever, I live alone. Each pile of laundry, dirty plate, and, most excitingly, design choice is mine. While design for me is never done, my space right now is perfectly illustrative of my "mid-century / industrial / glam aesthetic." You already know that I love gold, and nothing proves it better than my living room! 

That being said, my living room is the source of my latest internal struggle: symmetry or asymmetry? Note: the pillow asymmetry on the couch is  not intentional. The other orange pillow is just housed in my bedroom to hold while I sleep. Design has to be practical, right? 

Something else I love about my apartment: how it smells. Let's call it "Apartment Quality #2 that I love." I have a huge bundle of dyed eucalyptus that smacks me in the face every time I walk in the door. And then there's my favorite candle ever - the LA Noir - one of five scents from Scenthouse LA. 

From Scenthouse owner CJ:

“These are subtle but highly cognitive fragrances that are designed to set a mood. We’ve all had different experiences that inform what memories are recalled when we smell something – so if I can evoke a reaction, positive or negative, then I’ve done my job.”

To me, this candle - with its hint of lily, French perfume, dust, and tobacco - takes me back to one of my two favorite vacation destinations: Palm Springs, CA (the other is Copenhagen, Denmark, in case you were wondering).  I think traveling to Palm Springs with my parents when I was little girl subconsciously embedded a love of mid-century design deep in my soul... 

Now, on to "Apartment Quality #3 that I love" - there are so many great stories. The amazing orange lamps were a gift from my parents (by gift, I mean they no longer had a need for them in their new condo), and the bar cart is a pass down from my great-grandmother. It was made in the 1930's and cycled through several colors before returning to its original bronze. Every time I look at it, I feel incredibly nostalgic. 

That bedside table - or what we actually think is a 1920's phone table - was purchased by my parents in an estate sale in Richmond in 1986, the year they got married. It had many layers of paint, which my dad meticulously stripped off to uncover that beautiful oak. And the stainless steel bed has been in my room since I was nine years old. That beautiful giclée above my bed was painted by my boyfriend's very talented uncle.  

I love this little nook: the West Elm lamp, the weird mirror that somehow (maybe?) works, and my watercolors by a local DC artist. 

I will be eternally grateful to the woman I found on Craigslist who was selling this dresser. Cate & Chelsea are right... DC Craigslist is a treasure trove. 

It's a work in progress. And someday, of course, I hope to have even more space to put my mark on. But for now, it's home. 

Please follow me along at @mckennabegin for more, and email me at mckenna@stylemutthome.com if you're interested in having your Space featured! 

Always,