Rod iron set, this way and that

April 17, 2013 Chelsea | StyleMutt Home

Whew! It's busy time guys. Big time. We've been outside non-stop working, (and playing), in the yard, and I've been on a roll in the garage finishing up some of the last pieces before the big sale coming up on May 4.

This set was a recent find that I just couldn't leave alone. I didn't snag it right away as I tend to shy away from matching sets, but I found myself checking in to see if it was still available, week after week. A sign? I think so.

I picked up this set not just because of the cool rod iron and planked table tops, but because I saw a lot of versatility in this group. I gravitate towards pieces that I can see arranged in various ways with multiple functionality.

These pieces will be available at the May 4 sale, but for the fun of it I photographed them in two different ways in our home just to show off a bit of their versatility.

Set up ONE:

Using the coffee table as a coffee table and the end tables as end tables, (I only photographed one of the end tables but there are two).

Always a sucker for basket storage!

I love it when a piece is already perfectly distressed when it falls into my hands.

I spy a boy.

Set up TWO:

Using the two end tables side by side as a coffee table and the coffee table outside as a bench.

So there ya have it - a 3 piece set that can go several different directions. How fun is that?! All pieces available for sale on Saturday, May 4.

For this set I painted on a thick coat of Paris Grey ASCP and then a thin, dry-brushed layer of Old White ASCP. All the nicks and divots were appreciatively there when I first layed my eyes on these. I don't know who to thank for those but if you're out there, well done!

~You, (and your bffs), are invited to the

Chelsea's Garage Spring Sale!~

Saturday, May 4

10am-2pm

Herndon, VA

(contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for the address)

What you can expect:

-Complimentary refreshments

-Norah Jones, (probably not in person, but I'll work on it)

-One, two, or three of my children making an appearance if you're lucky

-My husband making an appearance if you're really lucky

-Oh yes, and lots of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces all ready for a good home

Are you getting tired of seeing that at the end of each post yet? :)

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured under Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.

Chateau Grey cabinet

April 3, 2013 Chelsea | StyleMutt Home

I love me a grayish green. There is nothing like the color of dried mud inside the home, is there. It's soothing and tranquil, goes with anything, and there are about a billion variations to choose from. You can go more gray with a hint of green, or something similar to Annie Sloan's 'Chateau Grey', which is a lovely green with a touch of grey. This was the perfect choice for a beautiful versatile cabinet that I got to finish OUTSIDE recently.

This is my first piece done in Chateau Grey and I have fallen in love with this natural, mossy color. So much so, in fact, that I almost reconsidered all the Duck Egg aquas I've got going on, just to fit it in.

Almost.

It took about 4 hours to strip this top and sand it down, (!!!), but it was sooo worth it. That wood grain is no small detail and enhances the rich character of this piece.

Isn't it lovely? There's just something about a raw, natural color, lightly distressed, against a dark wood lacquered in high gloss. I love that contrast; so timeless.

This piece, and other beauties like it, will be available at my May 4 Chelsea's Garage sale!

You, (and your bffs), are invited!

Chelsea's Garage Spring sale

Saturday, May 4

10am-2pm

Herndon, VA

(contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for the address)

What you can expect:

Complimentary refreshments

Norah Jones, (probably not in person, but I'll work on it)

One, two, or three of my children making an appearance if you're lucky

My husband making an appearance if you're really lucky

Oh yes, and lots of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces all ready for a good home

Thank you so much for stopping by!

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured under Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.

Chic tables from chippy shutters

March 29, 2013 Chelsea | StyleMutt Home

I never thought I'd do much decorating with shutters. I almost flanked a chippy decorative window once with shutters on either side, but my Mom wisely talked me off the cliff. I was ready with hammer and nail but am so glad I didn't go that far with the country element of styling my home. It was a close encounter, indeed, to committing to a particular style that is just not 'me'. Thank you, Mom :)

So, what then do I do when driving home from an errand with my kids one morning and see a large and neat pile of shutters lying on the side of the road for trash pick-up? I pick them up, of course! This was months and months ago. I wrote a short post about how I used some of them for Christmas decorating, (I stood them up and hung our gold glass balls on them), but then they went back into the garage after the holidays.

Then I discovered that shutters don't have to hung at all...and when nailed together are actually quite supportive little structures. So, I made a couple tables.

Ok, so the piece that I used for the table top is actually a door that we had to remove from another piece! The hardware holes could have been filled in, yes, but I had some beautiful antique hardware hanging out just begging to be used. I love the whisper of elegance they add. So beautiful.

In order to keep this table made with shutters and a door from looking too whimsical, crafty, or 'country-cupboard', I used one of my all-time favorite color combos: Duck Egg underneath, French Linen on top. Rub that French Linen down and you get the sweetest little peeks of Duck Egg underneath. French Linen is, without a doubt. as beautiful a color as it sounds. Warm and soft, timeless and elegant. A versatile neutral that blends well with crisp white all the way to warm mahogany. I buy can after can and never get tired of popping a fresh one open.

*********************

Here's a sweet little table I shared a peek of in my previous post.

I painted the round tabletop in my new favorite green, Aloe, by Sherwin Williams, (the same color I used for

this

oval desk). It's a fun little size to move around and play with. Take it outside when entertaining on your porch. Keep fresh bath towels and cloths neatly folded in a bathroom. Top with a simple lamp and make it a bedside table. Or a touch of color for your living room as your home blooms into Spring.