Salvaged Wood + Iron Console

Hi, friends! Few things add as much pressure as taking on a custom order piece for friends or family. I've done quite a few special custom orders for those near and dear over the years and in the back of my mind I'm always thinking, "This is it. They're going to find out I'm a lying phony who's all talk and can't produce."

I know my loved ones aren't shallow people, but still.  It's very humbling when friends/family invite me to tackle a piece for them and if it doesn't turn out to be everything they hoped and dreamed it can get, well, awkward. And nobody likes awkward. So I will do whatever it takes to avoid awkwardness and ensure hopes and dreams are fulfilled and that I can still go over to their homes and walk past pieces that have come from my garage and not have to look the other way and pretend it's not there. You follow?

Our dear friends Morgan and Zach recently asked if I could make them a console table for their entry as a spot to toss keys, books, etc when they walk through the door. They're young and cool and like rustic decor with a dash of industrial and bit of clean lined modern. I was so excited to take on this piece for them and after finding the right pieces, this is what I came up with:

This piece was very easy to make once I had the right materials. You could make it, too! Here's what you'll need:
-1 x long piece of salvaged wood*, (mine was about 7-8 feet by 9" deep which I found at Community Forklift in Hyattsville, MD)
-1 x 4-5ft by 8" clean, solid wood board, (I used a scrap piece of poplar that was about a half inch thick)
-4 x 1.5 inch flat bar hairpin legs, (found here on eBay)
* Don't have a local source for awesome beat up wood? Here's a tutorial from Young House Love on distressing wood!

First thing I did was measured and marked every 12" on the long salvaged board and then Matt helped me make the cuts. With such a long, heavy piece, it was nice to have two pairs of hands, one to sturdy the piece while the other made the cuts. Safety, and all that. :)

Second, I lined the pieces up side by side on the floor so they were all even, then slapped some wood glue on and placed the clean piece of poplar on top. Then we screwed the clean board into each cut piece of salvaged wood.

Finally, with the table top done and upside down, I screwed the legs into each corner.

I love the texture and visual interest of taking a salvaged piece and chopping it up to make a slatted table!

The salvaged wood already had loads of character - beautiful grain, gnarly knots, splatters of faded paint from a previous life.

And one of natures' perfect art forms; the rings of the wood.

This piece was such a treat to get to create, especially for sweet friends. I hope you find the instructions easy to understand if you decide to make one of your own, but definitely don't hesitate to contact me at chelsea@stylemutthome.com if you have any questions!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Reader Design: Courtney's Airy Loft

I think Winter is playing a trick on us, and I don't know how to process it. DC was warm enough for an evening walk last night, and my friend in Boston went coatless on her way home from work. Do you hear me!? Coatless in Boston in January!!  

Ok, enough complaining. Today we're exploring Courtney's airy Rhode Island life, which is completely versatile for every season, photographed by the talented Joyelle West.

Courtney, her husband Brandon, and their cat Oliver share this space that expertly mixes bohemian, mid-century modern, and rustic styles. 

From Courtney:

“Our apartment creates a true reflection of us. We wanted it to feel honest and homey with a mix of stylish and functional pieces. I don’t bring anything into the apartment that I don’t absolutely love. Our core pieces are all favorites and we hope to live with them for years to come! ”

One of those core pieces is the dining room table. Courtney's dad built this beauty using hairpin legs Courtney purchased on Etsy and a raw tabletop made from a large plank of wood.

But key message here: sticking with the tried & true things you love does not mean your style becomes stagnant. In Courtney's case, she still leaves plenty of room to be inspired by the places she goes, people she meets, or even trends that permeate everything we see online. 

“I always struggle with my place being too trendy. I love marble, pineapples, macrame, mudcloth, rattan, and brass as much as the next person but I try to bring those elements in small doses. They’re a way to make a statement without the investment. ”

Speaking of rattan... take a moment to absorb Courtney's expert incorporation. That hutch piece is to. die. for. 

The expert pairing of calm design and showstopping pieces continues in the bedroom. Courtney commutes to Boston for her day job, and this room is the perfect place to collapse after a long day. In the bed... or that chair... THAT CHAIR!! 

It's my duty to tell you all that Courtney got that chair from a friend for free. I'm sorry for any feelings of jealousy this fact is now leaving you with... 

Courtney, way to rock every single corner, nook, and wall of your 900 square foot space. You are a master! 

Follow Courtney along on Instagram or on her blog! You can also see more of Joyelle West's amazing photography here and here. 

See you next week, 

Reader Design: Katie's Calm Casa

After a two week hiatus for the holidays, we are baaaack with reader designs - have you missed them!? I spent 13 fabulously refreshing days with my family in Richmond, and while settling back in to the pace of DC isn't easy, I sure am glad to be back with you all! 

And man, are we back with a vengeance. Allow me to introduce you to Katie and her stunningly simple Minneapolis home, photographed by her talented sister. 

Katie's home reflects a couple of things: her physical surrounding - the simple landscape of Minnesota and its 10,000 lakes, which take on a total starkness in winter; her Norweigan and Finnish roots; and her own personal beliefs on what home design really means. 

From Katie: 

“If the room can communicate peace and invite relationships to develop and grow in it’s space, then that’s when I know I’ve accomplished what I’ve set out to do. My personal style of clean, cozy-modern is usually what gets me feeling all zen. ”

I don't know about you guys, but just seeing photos of this home give me the zen-ness I need to make it through the work week! 
Katie and her husband cultivated this calm home using a simple, natural color scheme and items of importance - 

• the granite coffee table in the living room, which Katie dreamt up and serendipitously found a slab for for only $40... take that in... $40!! 
• a mountain painting that Katie decided to hang sideways, just for fun!
• a found item from the lakes of Minneapolis

“My husband and I were walking along one of our favorite lakes one spring evening and I found a dry piece of drift wood along the shore. Minnesota’s harsh winter had smoothed it’s surface and left it exposed. When I saw it, I immediately saw beauty. It’s so simple, yet so beautiful. I love that about design; often, it’s about being creative! Everything certainly does not need to be from a high end boutique to be the perfect piece of decor. ”

It's because of this loving curation that we hardly realize that there really isn't any bright color; and while it may not seem like an important decision to many, it's one Katie definitely considered. 

“I’ve struggled with the use of color! I often want to incorporate more color...because for some reason I think I “should.” Though, if I’m honest, I back away from strong and commanding colors. Instead, I find that I prefer an earth tone palette. The more I allow myself to be “ok” with using less color (aka, allow myself to just be me), the more I love my home.”

“Trends definitely impact design. I don’t necessarily see this as a bad thing all the time. Trends can be informative; they can help lead the way to your own personal expression and/or galvanize new and different creative ideas. With that said, I believe that beautiful spaces are created when one simply trusts their gut and decorates in a way that is most authentic to oneself. My sense of personal style arises from my gut and is also informed by the endless source of inspiration that comes from interior design blogs, Instagram, as well as beautiful spaces I encounter out in the world. ”

Katie, we applaud you for owning what makes you happy and centering your home - your most special and protected place - on those things. 

For more inspiration, follow Katie on Instagram.