A Wink of Leather || First Flip of 2019

Welcome back StyleMutts! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with family, friends, and food-but-not-too-much-so-you-feel-bloated food.

I myself tackled several projects around the house between Christmas and New Years (as I often like to do) and realized something...  It’s not so much the time off I enjoy most this time of year, but the moments leading up to a new year where all the challenges from the past year become eclipsed by the possibilities of the next.  What projects will I tackle? What ways will I surprise myself? What trouble will I get myself in to and then have to figure my way out of?

I like this mixture of hope and possibility.  And I’m not-so-much hoping I’ll become someone new or a better version of myself in 2019, I just want to keep being me. Doing what I love. With the people I love. And I recognize that I’m blessed already for having been doing just that all through 2018.

And I love what I do with you - sharing finished pieces or new ideas and pushing myself to try something I’ve never done before.  Friends, I managed to squeeze in one last project in 2018 to be the first project to share in the new year!

Meet Blondie:

She’s not much too look at - just a neon shade of yellow wood finish but she had great lines so I brought her home to the workshop.  One of the things that stood out to me most was that she had such tall legs - and I got to thinking... I could really have some fun with that.

First order of business: paint.  The original buttered wood wasn’t doing her any favors so I went with a good neutral: Silver Drop by Behr.

The color is a soft blend of white and a delicate light gray.  It’s not too harsh but still very warm and fresh.

To play up the height of the legs, I decided to add some interest with a “wink of leather” as Chelsea would say.

I added crossing leather straps in an X shape that are secured to each leg.  They are completely removable if you need the under dresser storage but add such a fun surprise detail to an otherwise “Plain Jane.”

Let’s take a closer look shall we? 

Originally I tried riveting the leather together  but couldn’t get the straps to bind so I ended up using brass screws with a nut on the back to hold them taut and in place. 

I also replaced the original ring pulls with bright brass whistle knobs.

I love using these knobs in projects to give a easy modern upgrade (like here and here).

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece, this White + Leather moment is available for sale!  Email my contact info below for purchasing or third-party shipping options.

White + Leather Dresser
Now Available for Sale
63”L x 18”D x 34”H
$695

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

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

Pop of Red Dresser

When it comes to repairing old dressers, I’ve seen quite the spectrum of original conditions.  Water damage, bent hardware, chunks missing, splitting veneer, broken legs, and even dog pee.

But this piece...

…this piece might take the cake. 

The previous owners had been keeping it practically unsheltered in their carport for who knows how long.  Exposed to the elements, every inch of the cherry veneer was clinging on for dear life.  As soon as I touched it, the veneer started flaking off like bad dandruff.  Poor thing. The state of this thing meant I couldn’t restore all of it back to its former glory. The drawer fronts, although in need of excessive touch-ups, were mostly salvageable.  But the sides were an irrestorable tragedy that would have to succumb to a good coat of paint. But this meant I had a fun opportunity on my hands… a chance to play with color:

So if paint had to be on the agenda, I chose a sassy red-orange to play off the red cherry tones in the drawers.

The drawers had a lot of chipped veneer around the edges which I painstaking patched and painted to match by hand.  Then I reoiled the wood to bring it back to health like a good moisturizer for cracked hands in winter.

The original wooden pulls were also too damaged to keep so I replaced them with brass whistle knobs that match the brass keyholes in the top drawers.

I was able to keep the original gold capped tapered legs however!

To style it, I used my painter’s pallet and the most exquisite golden foliage I could find.

GAH! This is why it’s my favorite time of year to style with tree branches!!! (I can’t help myself - just see here and here and here).

Pop of Red 8 Drawer Dresser
Now Available for Sale
33.5”W x 18”D x 48”H
$495


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