Gray Tallboy Dresser

A while back I flagged a dresser I liked on facebook, buuuuuut was too slow to seal the deal and pick it up.  But sometimes the furniture fairies give me second chances (like here for example) and just a few weeks later, I come to find out that not only was it Chelsea who nabbed it, but she had decided to clear out her private inventory and was looking to unload it!  And this time friends, I was first in line to buy it off her.

Once I got it in the workshop, I realized one of the knobs was bent out of shape (can you spot it?) and there was some small damage to the side.

So I went about conducting repairs and decided to paint and change the hardware completely.

I’ve worked with a lot of mid century modern pieces over the years.  In fact, I now exclusively prefer to restore and refinish them.  I enjoy updating their inherently clean lines with interesting paint techniques and modern hardware.

Although it had tapered legs indicative of a mid century piece, there were a few elements that made it feel more “traditional” than my usual project - the trim on the top drawer fronts, the squared-off base.  So I decided to lean into it’s existing personality and go with a more traditional look - a neutral gray for the body.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love how gold knobs play off a warm gray.  It’s a classic look that can suit clients of all ages and style sensibilities.

I replaced the pulls on the top drawers with some brass whistle knobs and swapped out the double breasted pulls on the bottom with sleek anglular center pulls.

To ground the piece a little, I kept the legs a dark walnut which only needed a little oil to help them shine again.

If you’ve been following along with us for a while, you may have noticed I tend to style my pieces with a little quirk.  Sometimes it’s a strange piece of art or sculptural element.  Sometimes it’s how I hang the art or where I place it.  But with this piece, I just wasn’t feeling my usual oddball accessories.  Eventually, I decided on a classy monochromatic color pallet - the glimpses of gold and touches of nature quietly compliment its traditional flare.

This handsome 5 drawer devil got picked up this weekend so he’s not available in the shop but if you’re interested in a custom order like it, hit me up!

Gray Tallboy Dresser
SOLD
36”W x 18”D x 44.5”H
$495


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

MCM Dining Chairs ||2017 Flip List Item No.4||

I must have been riding a real high from last year's bucket list upholstery project when I added item No.4 to this year's Furniture Flip Bucket List.  I mean, what's 6 more chairs right?  So when I stumbled on a set of dining chairs at the thrift store I jumped at the chance to cross another item off my list.  

Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs

I figured they'd be easy-peasy: just recover the cushions and I'd be in business.  But not only did each chair need new fabric, they also needed to be sanded, touched up, and oiled.  I'd like to say my biceps are bulging from all that elbow grease I put in, but who am I kidding - biceps need actual muscle definition to be visible.  Ha!

Although they don't have an obvious maker's mark, these chairs have the signature Y-backs and tapered legs from the Broyhill Premiere Sculptra line - a collection of walnut pieces "luxurious in appearance...[but] modest in price" dating back to 1957.  

**Update** Since publishing this post, I have learned that although very similar to the Broyhill Premiere Sculptra line, these chairs are actually Kent Coffey Perspecta pieces.  Kent Coffey was also a mid-century designer and a leading Broyhill competitor in addition to being a friend and neighbor to James Broyhill himself. 

But if I was going to restore them back to their mid-mod glory, the suspiciously sticky brown vinyl  on my thifted chairs had to go.

So taking a cue from last year's chair, I recovered them in a white linen. 

I did think about recovering them in a patterned fabric but figure the white linen will make them more versatile for a buyer's decor.  Plus you can easily accent them with pillows or other other colorful accessories.

The set comes with 5 armless side chairs

and one captain's chair.

If you're in the DC metro area and in the market for some restored retro cuties (or a custom order like them), hit me up!

Set of 6 Kent Coffey Dining Chairs
Now Available for Sale
$475

Three down, four to go.  Catch up on the 2017 Furniture Flip Bucket List.

Intended Flip-Turned-Keeper

Hi friends! Popping by today to share a quick flip from last week - my second piece since the kids started school a few weeks ago, and after the first one sold so fast I was feeling a premature adrenaline rush from finishing another and getting it in the shop. I definitely didn't expect a change of heart!

It wasn't even when I was finished painting this piece, (in Rustoleum Protective Enamel in flat white), that I decided to hold onto it. It was the process of styling it for photos!

Matt and I have been planning a little re-design on our main floor which will leave a prominent wall empty. Given the dimensions of this rather petite piece, (it's only 66.5" tall and 37" wide), I wouldn't have thought it proportionately appropriate for a wall that is nearly 12 feet high.

But while styling this piece for photos to get it ready for sale, I started to fall in love with the empty space around it. I added a distressed piece of leather that I stole from a chair, (that I promised my husband I'd put back together), above the piece, as well as a snake plant standing tall by it's side. All of a sudden this piece took on a larger presence than it's modest dimensions.

And the detailing on the drawer and cabinets? Well that was love at first sight anyways!

Cate and I have always remained true to our own unique styles when we refinish furniture. I can honestly say that every piece I've ever done is how I would refinish it for my own home. And sure, my style has changed over the years so what I was doing 5 years ago isn't necessarily what I'd do now, but it's all been true to my style at the time. For this reason it's often hard to see pieces go, but every once in a blue moon I am my own customer.

I can't wait to share the redesign of our main floor but it will be a few months, though, as our Fall schedule has left little room for such work; like a current E-Design job that we're wrapping up in the middle of October! It's coming along beautifully - here's a recent progress shot that our client sent over!

We'll be sharing the full tour in about a month - it'll be full of a few surprises we can't wait to reveal!

Thank you all for stopping by and have a wonderful day!