Reader Design: Sara's Approachable Rental

It's December 1. Where has 2017 gone?! 

While I sit here and reminisce, let's take a trip to DC, where I lived at the start of this year. We're off to explore Sara's rental in our nation's capitol. Sara's one-bedroom spot is a step-up spatially from the studio she once had - the same spot that inspired her to start sharing her design tips in the first place.

“I started my blog because I didn’t find enough resources for studio apartment decorating and living when I first moved into my own studio apartment in DC a 4 years ago. I’ve since upgraded to a one bedroom, but after living in studios and apartments under 800 square feet, I really enjoy the process of designing a space on a budget and that’s entirely renter-friendly. It will probably be awhile before I own a place, so the challenges of making a rental your own are really fun. If your home or apartment is a rental and a place where you spend a lot of time, it should make you happy and reflect your style. Whether it’s new paint, changing out the hardware, adding art or anything else- I believe every home can be beautiful- rental or not! ”

Sara has pulled together the perfect home base escape, with mid-century, Parisian, and Cali cool vibes throughout. 

“I strive for my home to be inviting, stylish, yet approachable. I want people to admire the space, but also feel comfortable to sit anywhere and put their feet up. I don’t believe any space should be too ‘stuffy’ or so ‘perfect’ that guests are afraid to touch anything. I also have a dog (who is allowed on the furniture) so everything must be pet-friendly, too! ”

In her home, Sara keeps things simple and calm with neutral tones and subtle pops of visual interest, using color, patterns, and texture. 

“The images all over pinterest and instagram constantly give me the urge to paint every inch white and go very scandanavian and remove all color from my place. However... I don’t think I would realistically like that long-term. My apartment is fairly neutral but I do like a pop of color here and there. My bedroom is all white and muted pink accent of the rug and metallic elements keep the space calm and neutral and it’s really relaxing to come home to each night. ”

Since the room is rental, Sara still keeps her design budget-conscious and smart.

“I’m always willing to splurge on bigger staple pieces that I know I’ll use for 5-10 years or more. My bed frame and my sofa were both on the higher end of the price scale but I know they are quality investment pieces that I’ll use for years to come. I try to save on accessories and other elements in the apartment- scouring thrift stores and craigslist for great vintage finds. ”

Sara, thank you for showing us around your home! And thank you, Laura, for the stunning eye candy.

Follow Sara along on Instagram @studiostyleblog for more! Follow the talented @laurametzlerphoto for photos like these and more!

Reader Design: Diane's Intuitive Home

It's clear when you peek into Diane's home that she really went with her gut. Diane shares her PNW home with her boyfriend, and its laid back vibe and simplicity make it the perfect place to unwind. No item necessarily comes from the same family - some are boho, some traditional, and some minimalist - but every piece works together to create "home."

“I’m a firm believer that if a product speaks to you, it will work with your aesthetic because it will be among other items you love and are drawn to. Letting my intuition steer my decisions helps create a space that evokes who I am without adhering too much to trends.”

This often requires patience. Diane is rightfully focused on carefully and intentionally creating a home not just for herself but also for the other very important person who lives there. After all, a home is meant to be representative of all who live in it. 

Take the living room for instance.

“The print is a film photo my boyfriend took during a vacation to Europe - the space above our couch was bare until a few weeks ago because we were waiting for the perfect piece, and I’m glad we prevailed. It was meant to be.”

Another example in the value of patience? Diane's perfectly on-trend dining chairs. 

“They have been my best Goodwill score to date; I got all four for $20, and they just needed a little polish on the chrome. The wood has a perfect weather to it and the cane is still in tact.”

At the end of the day, Diane is focused on one thing. 

“It’s as simple as coming home to a space you enjoy and want to spend time in. I feel much more at peace when I’m surrounded by beautiful things I love. You have to appreciate the journey knowing the effort you’ve put into curating your home, even though I always feel it’s a work in progress (as I’m sure many others do as well! We are ever-evolving as human beings).”

Diane, you keep doing you! For more, follow Diane along on Instagram @dklawrence.

Enjoy your Thanksgivings next week, mutts, and we'll see you back with more Reader Designs in December.

Reader Design: Ashley's Farmhouse Boho Home

Ok, y'all (side note: now that I'm a Seattleite I never say that word outloud, but boy does it feel good to type it!). 

Daylight savings has happened. The days are officially darker, and Fall - and perhaps even Winter - are already here. Today, we're taking off to Montana and fully embracing all there is to love about this season with a tour of Ashley's home. 

It's some mutt-ish mix of boho, mid-century, and rustic and replete with all the Fall vibes. This is a perfect opportunity for an edition of "I Spy: StyleMutt Home Reader Design." Count the Fall references in this home - all things layered, cozy, and Thanksgiving-inspired - and we'll see if we come away with the same number. Deal? 

From Ashley:

“I strive for functionality that also looks good. I strive to promote a sense of coziness and cleanliness in my home. A space that is clutter-free but also has a ‘lived-in’ feel (because, yes, real people live here!) I take pride in creating an oasis for my husband to come home to after a long day of work.”

This oasis was created with a lot of DIYing, bargain hunting, and creativity. In the living room, Ashley and her husband transformed the cookie cutter box fireplace into the stunning stone masterpiece you see. All it took was a lot of sweat and, per Ashley, maybe a few tears!

In the living room, they negotiated and landed a "dinged" floor model version of the farmhouse table they were eyeing; those display scratches didn't detract at all from the table - in fact, they added character! 

In the master bedroom, they added some character again with a DIY shiplap wall. Now... I know what you're thinking. Thank you, Joanna Gaines, for the shiplap obsession that's rocking the nation. But Ashley knows that despite its current trendiness, the feature is still completely her. 

“I don’t pay too much attention to trends, but instead gravitate towards classic and timeless pieces. I don’t want to feel like my décor is dated only months after designing a space. With that said, I do have shiplap in my home which is very “trendy” right now. But shiplap isn’t new, and I love the interest it adds to a space – so that is why I have it in multiple rooms, not because it is “in”. There is already talk about people regretting their decision to shiplap their walls, but I love it and have no regrets! At the end of the day, as long as your space brings you joy, that is all that matters!”

At the end of the day, all that money and time is well spent if the results makes you feel content, happy, and home. 

“[I’ll always invest in] anything that is well built and serves as functional décor! I love finding pieces that are made with quality materials and will stand the test of time. With that said, I also love finding functional useful items and displaying them as décor in my home. This dual purpose makes it worth a splurge!”

Thank you for the tour, Ashley! Your home is so full of love and built to withstand any season. 

Follow Ashley along on Instagram @ashley.joyfullygrowing for more. See you all next week!