Answer me this: what is better than a Friday?

How ‘bout a Friday Feature Reader Design!

Today’s #stylemuttspaces feature is Janet from Style to Move Blog and she is one savvy sophisticated homemaker. Based just north of Toronto, Janet has managed to pull off a restoration hardware look without restoration hardware prices. I mean just look at the perfect shades of flint gray, organic accents, and monochromatic genius!

From Janet:

I moved into this new home about five years ago with my husband and two kids (now teenagers). This was a bit of a shock to us because we had only lived in century homes full of character and charm. The real challenge has been how to give it some character and put our mark on it.

This is our family room which is off the kitchen so it gets lots of use. We had a lot of stress prior to moving here, so it was important that this home was calm. Therefore, we wanted a calm color scheme and no clutter. The book shelves (previously in our office) and the coffee table (previously a table) were painted a soft grey. I also turned the books paper side out to fit the color scheme and to add to the calm in the room.

I always like to mix ferns and woven baskets in my spaces because they add a relaxed sophistication. I'm also eclectic, so I like all styles.

You’ve certainly found your kinfolk here Janet – eclectic is just a synonym for StyleMutt ;)

The side bar was actually an island in my previous house. Here, I added some baskets underneath and painted it an almost black, giving it a farmhouse feel. Nothing in this room was overly expensive. Most things came from either a big box store, HomeSense or Ikea. Even the rug is two small inexpensive rugs put together.

So smart painting it a "almost black." Painting pieces a matte black or a charcoal gray softens the harshness the a black piece can give to a room, making it feel more rustic while still providing a rich tone. I told ya she was a savvy lady...

Thank you Janet for sharing such a smartly put-together living room with us on StyleMutt Home. You can follow Janet @styletomoveblog on Instagram for more of her savvy finds!

And hey, we are always looking for more readers to feature on Fridays. You don’t have to be a world renowned designer to get some real estate on our SPACES page – you just have to love your home and want to show if off. Post your proud pics to our Facebook wall or tag #stylemuttspaces on Instagram.

First of all, a very happy Valentines Day from our hearts to yours! Please consider yourselves loved and appreciated by us here at StyleMutt Home. If we could, we'd take each and every one of ya out on the town tonight to show you how much we care. But we think we've got something better, (which is a good thing because the night on the town was never going to happen).

Our V-Day gift to you is an absolutely stunning Reader Design by my pal Oscar! I met Oscar through Instagram, (at left are just a few of his amazing images), and was instantly inspired by the way he mixes luxury with comfort. This guy has the formula down pat. When he agreed to share his home with us here I just couldn't wait for you guys to see!

As you may recall, Reader Designs are an open invitation to share your unique design and creativity! There are no requirements to be a professional decorator or even a fellow blogger. The purpose of Reader Designs is simply to share incredible rooms with fresh ideas and document these features in our SPACES section to use as a reference for inspiration. And can I just say to all the dudes here, we know you've got mad skills, we are all about sharing mad skills, so get on it! Guys and gals alike, tag your work with #stylemuttspaces on Instagram or share your pictures right to our Facebook page!

I mean, after Cate's sassy Work. It. Girl. cheer on our last Reader Design, I just had to:

In honor of our first male Reader Design...

Enough yacking, here's the good stuff!

From Oscar:

"These are pictures of my living area turned dining area. I've always wanted a huge dining area with a fireplace or opening up to a patio. I have a fireplace, I have a patio, but in the living room. I decided to swap the living room and dining room and love it!!"

What a genius use of space!

"Our family hosts a lot of dinner parties so ample space to get around the dining table is important."

Look at all that space! Mission definitely accomplished!

"Fortunately our floor plan is open concept so the change was fairly easy without compromising too much space in the living area."

This is such an incredible example of not letting floor plan stand in the way of your hopes and desires for your home. Oscar saw the potential that his living room had to be an even better dining room, and knocked it out of the park! You can follow Oscar's stunning work on Instagram @oscarbravohome!

Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous dining room with us, Oscar! Can we talk you into sharing more?! Who's with us!

Have yourselves a lovely Valentines Day and thank you for making StyleMutt Home a part of it! Carry on lovebirds!