As active furniture flippers for the past 6 years, Chelsea and I really have our fingers on the pulse of our local craigslist. In fact, between the two of us, we have found and flipped nearly 200 pieces in the DC Metro area - which has proven to be a crash-course in decor supply and demand. We've often shifted our aesthetic to capitalize on budding trends: specializing in chalk paint + heavy distressing, hunting down mid-century modern scores, playing with bohemian touches, etc...

When we decided to launch StyleMutt Home in September 2014 we started to really pushed the decor envelope to try out new styles, paint colors, staging techniques, patterns. And we've had a BALL YA'LL. Exercising these creative muscles started opening up design possibilities (see some of our latest here and here). We chalk this up to the Lord's blessing. And that being yourself is so much more rewarding than just trying to fit in.

Some Personal Fave Past Projects

So lately our Craigslist spidey-senses have started noticing some developing trends. The price for Grandma's old dresser is going up in correlation with the sheer number of DIY pieces for sale. Now, we LOVE seeing so much budding talent in our area. But it makes us ask ourselves how can we stand out to potential buyers?

So when I found this campaign piece, I decided to conduct a little experiment. (I actually do this often when staging my pieces for sale). I LOVE bright, bold, loud colors. On/ in/ around everything. But based on what I've seen in our area, most people want a "tamer" more rustic look and something too eclectic could be a off-putting. So I decided to refinish this piece in a color that would still play well with the neutrals that are so indicative of the farmhouse craze everyone is in these days.

If you're as obsessed with HGTV like I am, you may notice that the predominately grain sack and burlap color scheme of the farmhouse scene has started to relax it's restrictions the rest of the color spectrum. Home decor shows like Fixer Upper (a personal fave) have started mixing in muted teals, deep greens, saturated navys, matte charcoals, and warm woods amongst all that greige. And well I just happened to have a can of muted teal on hand from a custom order so I went for it.

I still styled it with some fun abstract art because well... it's me we're talking about here. The hung art is intentionally undersized (it's so wrong it's almost right) in hopes that it shows how a "safe" piece can still be used in bold ways (you know - just in case it struck a cord with a another style mutt in the market for some new furniture ;)

I laid aside my overactive love of brass and styled with a silver lamp to match the chrome pulls. In my mind, silver is a "safer" choice for hardware because brass can rub some people the wrong way (I used to only see the 80's when I saw yellowy brass, but just because I've changed my tune doesn't mean everyone else has). Besides they original chrome pulls with in immaculate condition - all they needed was a little polish.

And for good measure (since FLFs are after all quickly becoming the standard for home decorators) I asked my newest plantchild Figadora the Fiddle Leaf Fig to pose with mommy's newest flip.

So now we wait for the experiment's results: will the piece appeal to a lot of potential buyers with a variety of styles? Will it only attract another style mutt like myself? Or will it sit in the garage shop until I try something new? I'll have to keep you posted. In the meantime, how would you characterize your style? How does this gray-blue piece strike you - yay or nay?

Muted Teal Campaign Chest
58"L x 16"D x 30"H
Now Available for Sale
$545

You guys, what a week! We've had a double whammy under our roof with our Colin getting diagnosed with both strep and pneumonia within days of each other. What the what?! Contrast that with the energy of my other 5 year old and our wild 4 year old, and I'm good and ready to get off this train. Grateful for restful nights despite our chaotic days, doctors who care, family and friends who pray, and a God who sustains us through the unexpected.

Fortunately, we've got the most peaceful, serene Reader Design to share with you today. With a subtle combination of earthy tones that blend one room into the other, it's a space that is as calming as it is inviting.

Caitlin, from The Oak Tree, has been so gracious to share her home with us today and I, for one, am already feeling better about life after swooning over her space. :)

From Caitlin:

"My husband and I moved to Long Island, NY, in December 2013 and bought our home in April 2014. We used light earth tones throughout our house to make everything feel open and airy. Our dining area ties our living room and kitchen together. The two windows give the space some great natural light. The semi-sheer, ivory curtains help to keep the room light and bright while bringing in an interesting aesthetic. Originally, our dining table and chairs were outdated and did not match with the rest of our home. We painted the table legs and chairs white, re-stained the top of the table, and reupholstered the chairs.

"We are constantly on the look-out for new additions to add to our space. We try to create a homey feel while blending in old and new. We love having pieces that tell stories, blend together, and all tie together beautifully!"

Love this idea and it's so beautifully carried out here!

"Our house is an early 1950’s Cape Cod that needed lots of TLC! We saw the good bones of the home and knew there was a ton of potential. We re-did the floors, updated the electrical, rehabbed the bathrooms, gave the kitchen a makeover, painted every inch of every wall, painted the outside, gave the staircase new life, and managed to put our touch on our home to give it our own unique feel."

Such a calming and bright kitchen! Hmm, this is giving me some inspiration for our own kitchen makeover...

Caitlin, thank you so much for inviting us in your home today! What a thoughtful, inspiring space you've created. You can follow Caitlin at @theoaktreeny on Instagram and fill up on more inpsiring home decor and DIY ideas on her blog, The Oak Tree!

Have a space you'd like to share on StyleMutt Home? We're open for submissions and absolutely love sharing your handiwork and creativity! There are no requirements to be a professional decorator or even a fellow blogger. We just want to share your inspiring ideas through our SPACES section - a page chalk full of beautiful home tours each unique and one of a kind! Just tag #stylemuttspaces on Instagram, or share your photos right to our Facebook page!

Thank you all for stopping by! Happy weekending! :)