Pop of Color Custom Order

It's a REAL treat to work with a client with similar design sensibilities.  I mean, that’s gotta mean you’re doing something right, right?  Your tribe is finding you.  And you get to work with people that inspire your creativity.

This fall, I had the opportunity to develop a DIY nightstand tutorial for Apartment Therapy.  Shortly after, a couple reached out to me hoping to get a customized a version of the tables that could work around two specific design elements:

The tables needed to be large enough to showcase a West Elm Pelle Table Lamp:

Source: West Elm

And they wanted a pop of color that played well with the West Elm Expressionist Printed Rug.

Source: West Elm

So with these specifications in mind, I rendered two options for them to consider - one with a teal accent color and one with an "inky" black. 

And which color did they choose...?

Deep Breath by Behr Marque

Instead of painting the entire piece to match the rug, I proposed we just paint the inside to preserve their "airy" quality while giving the clients more versatility down the line if they ever got the itch to rearrange things. 

I used the same materials as my original design for the rest of the build: blonde wood + camel leather straps but I did have to modify the proportions a little to accommodate their ideal dimensions.

To highlight the interior pop of color, I chose to style with warm earthy tones comprised of...

1) Terracotta touches (always)

2) A grouping of paintings

3) And a salvaged tree branch (ok, I pulled it off a sapling in the parking lot)

The happy clients picked up these custom orders this weekend and I'm happy to say they are already settled in their new home!

If you are interested in your own custom order, please contact me at cate@stylemutthome.com. 

Simply Set, Fully Enjoyed || A Holiday Collaboration with Carthage Co.

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving, Friends! We hope you have been able to enjoy time with those near and dear to you and that your hearts are feeling full. We are delighted to continue the celebrating on here with you today through a partnership with a wonderful company who is hosting a giveaway!

Allow us to introduce you to  Carthage Co., an ethically responsible company creating beautiful stoneware with local manufacturers in North Africa.

We're proud to work with local manufacturers that employ and empower their communities with dignity and equity. We believe in sustainable entrepreneurial growth that would rather partner with, than compete against.  -Carthage Co.

So their ethics are sound, but what about their pieces? Well, my photos don't do the beauty and quality of their products justice, but take a gander at some pieces I've had the pleasure of getting my hands on these past few weeks.

What I find so beautiful about these pieces is their quiet presence on our table. I don't want anything to distract from the faces that gather here. I desire for everyone to be able to see one another, to talk to each other and pass dishes around with ease, so I keep centerpieces simple and to a minimum. When I set my table it is with one purpose in mind - togetherness.

Carthage Co. stoneware dishes support that goal with pieces that are beautifully simple, uniquely designed, and allow quality time to happen around them.

-Pitcher in 'Rose' (10 colors available)

-La Marsa Dinner Plate in 'Chalk' (5 colors available)
-La Marsa Dessert Plate in 'Muslin' (5 colors available)

As I have gotten older I've come to appreciate a few things I once took for granted: higher quality pieces for my home, raw beauty straight from this earth, and most of all, time with those I hold close to my heart. If you've spotted something of interest, (whether for you or someone else), or you resonate with Carthage Co.'s mission, I invite you to enter a Giveaway they are graciously offering the StyleMutt Home community for a $50 gift card to their shop! Please leave a comment below of a special item you've spotted in their shop that's piqued your interest - your comment will be your entry. Entry closes at midnight tonight so this is a quick one, guys!

Winner will be announced in this post tomorrow, so if you enter be sure to come back tomorrow to check the results! And whether you see your name or not, all are welcome to use the discount code STYLEMUTT15 for 15% off their entire order now through December 5!

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today! Have a wonderful rest of your holiday weekend!

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.