Reader Design: Abbie's Layered Look

Off we go to California! Abbie's home is layered with textiles and fun finds, but all of it cohesively ties together for a home that's consistent with it's Southern Cali location.

 
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From Abbie:

We are influenced the the beach community around us. There’s a certain lifestyle here that promotes approachable interiors. We have a large indoor/outdoor space that we use for get togethers and family events. When we remodeled to create a dining room, so many people questioned why we would want such a “formal space.” It actually isn’t formal at all. Our dining space is a common room that facilitates our lifestyle. We love design and modern living, but it has to be approachable. I would also add that the “cool” part of our space is the approachable, laid back feel. We want friends to visit and not be afraid to touch things or sit on things.
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When I’m designing and decorating my home in particular, I always want to feel that our space is fresh and not too on trend. I love the look of a well-curated, well-traveled space. I want each item to feel like it has a story behind it, not just some piece that was acquired to fill a spot. The more time we spend here and the more places we travel to, I think the better our home will “age.” I also think it’s important that our space reflect comfort as well as spirit! I want our home to have a personality!
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I love to mix textures. I’m big on sticking to a neutral color palette but then layering that color with various textures, materials, and patterns. I’m a true textile lover being that I have my own line of pillows and blankets. I’m always on the hunt for unique textiles to liven a space. I also feel that my space is a true reflection of high and low as well as collected items. If I’ve purchased furniture from a larger company, I make sure that my smaller furnishings are unique and special to me. That means that I try and collect items from my travels to incorporate into my space. That personalizes a room so much!

A perfect example of Abbie's use of textiles is right in the living room. All those pillows are stand-outs on their own, but when paired together, they create what may possibly be the most inviting couch I've ever seen! 

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In the office, one of the best elements has to be the polished concrete flooring, which speaks the same language at the floors throughout the rest of the home but adds a surprise element.

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In the nursery, Abbie picked out this wallpaper from Ferm Living before she chose anything else, even though she was aiming for a neutral space. But let's be honest... slate-navy wallpaper is pretty much a neutral and makes for a pretty stylish nursery! 

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All these details have come together to create a truly perfect family home. It certainly didn't happen overnight, but it was absolutely worth it.

We closed on the house on our wedding day and went into renovation immediately. It was a 1960’s original. We pretty much gutted it all, and it was a labor of love. Last May, we did another remodel, turning our outdoor pergola into a dining space. We also added 4 feet off the kitchen to make a cozy breakfast nook. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect with our little one starting to walk (and now run).
 
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Abbie, thank you for showing off your space - you have a lot to be proud of! Follow Abbie along on Instagram at @anaberdesign for more.

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Reader Design: Bonney's Collected Farmhouse

I had never been to Oregon (or the PNW for that matter) before we moved out to this region last summer, but let me tell you: there is a reason why Portland is so trendy these days. Although it's changing and growing a ton, along with the rest of the Upper Left, there's still a lot of the city's original character to see.

Bonney's 1904 Portland home is one of those character spots that is standing the test of time. From Bonney:

My whole house is pretty classic Pacific Northwest. It’s vintage, eclectic, and improvised. It’s a really genuine representation of my personality. Everything in here has a story. My mom has had a huge influence on my style. She and I spent a lot of weekends during my childhood rummaging through yard sales and thrift shops. I really love to surround myself with things that have a past, even if I don’t know what that past is.
 
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There is a tribute in every corner of this home, perhaps to someone Bonney knows intimately or an unknown person whose beloved belongings ended up in a thrift store and are now cherished here. In the same way, Bonney is also paying tribute to the homeowners before her by living in and loving this space today.

My house was built in 1904, and as soon as I walked in, all the details and charm immediately caught my eye, especially the corner hutch and the curved staircase! I love feeling like I’m a part of the home’s history, as well as the home being a part of mine. My mother was a real estate agent before becoming a history teacher, and she instilled in me a deep love of old homes.
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I want my home to feel warm and nostalgic. The matriarchs of my family have passed down a few of my favorite pieces. My dining room table originally belonged to my great-grandmother; my grandmother sewed the quilt on the back of my couch, and there are countless things scattered around that were given to me by my mother. It’s really humbling being around so many things that meant something to the women that came before me.
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So much of my house has been found or thrifted, but I’ll scrimp and save for a beautiful rug. They feel like such a luxury, and are an easy way to completely change a room. Good rugs are never a mistake.

You know what's also never a mistake? Using said vintage rug as a headboard - pure brilliance, Bonney!

 
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And even though they may occasionally suffer from short life spans, Bonney also will never turn down a good plant.

I’ve got a lot of plants, and I try my hardest with them, but I’m only human. I always hear of these real grown ups that have watering schedules- I water when I feel like it, and only the strong survive. Every time I get a new plant, I whisper to it “you won’t end up like the others, I promise.”
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This home is nothing if not warm, welcoming, and nostalgic. Bonney, thank you so much for welcoming us in!

Follow Bonney along on Instagram @prettygoodpdx for more nostalgia and design.

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Stupid Late Hardware || 2018 Flip List Item No.4

A few months back, I had the privilege of working with a client on a custom order.

 

NY Bound Custom Order

November 2017

We had decided on these beautiful pulls but our timeline was tight so I put in a rush order.  

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But by some quirk in the system, the hardware ended up taking the scenic route through who-knows-where snail mail land and I had to go with an unconventional alternative to meet my clients deadline.

Stupid Hardware.  Why you gotta play me like that?

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I kid you not, as the shipping company was pulling away with my client’s precious dresser cargo... UPS pulled up and unceremoniously tossed my package of hardware at my feet then drove away.  

Practically.

I could have returned them.  I really could.  I didn’t charge my client for them so it'd be my money I’d be getting back. 

But they were so stupidly beautiful.

So I added the I-wanna-hate-you-but-I-love-you brass pulls to the 2018 Furniture Flip Bucket List and I waited for the next suitable piece...

 
 

This 6-foot 6-drawer dresser:

 
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And transformed it to this:

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Alright you brass pulls. You really can slay.

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The color is our favorite "Scholar Green" by Ralph Lauren.

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I was trying to recreate this fresh look from Chelsea's hunter green flip circa last year...

 

Mid-Century in 'Scholar Green'

January 2017

My original plan was to strip the base down and leave it bare blonde wood just like Chelsea did.  But when I sanded it down, I found that the legs and front bar where two very different types of wood and there was no sanding out that reddish color.  So I leaned into it and stained the whole base in a cabernet.

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Plus those red wood tones make the perfect compliment to styling with my terracotta collection (like I need an excuse - I’m certifiably obsessed).

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As I am also with plants.  Plus, to mix things up, I used the Tapti rug by Mela Artisans as a wall tapestry.

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Well hardware, I’m a little less mad at you, but maybe helping me sell this big beautiful behemoth will officially get you out of the doghouse. Email me about picking up in Leesburg or about your third-party shipping options.

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Hunter Green 6ft Dresser
Now Available for Sale
72"L x 18"D x 30"H
$695

If you are interested in this piece or a custom order like it, please contact me at cate@stylemutthome.com.
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Three down, Four to go.  Catch up on the 2018 Furniture Flip Bucket List: