Design Reveal: Ali and Brian's New Nest

Hello, friends! I won't even bother trying to hide my excitement for today's post - it's a design project I've been looking forward to sharing with you since JANUARY! And in January, all I was looking at were these photos:

While these images represent a DECADE of dudes on rotation moving in and out, the potential had my heart fluttering at first look. But not just because of the potential for some really fun design - this is the second time getting to work with our dear client, Ali! You may remember Ali's Navy Yard condo, (bedrooms here)? Ali was absolutely amazing to work with the first time around - she let me dream big and come up with risky ideas that required HER execution! She's a total go-getter and when she's happy with the design, she will make it happen. So I knew going into this one that we could do some big fun things!

But the very best part of this particular design project is that it represents an incredibly precious new chapter in Ali's life. Ali moved into this space with her fiance, Brian! They tie the knot in about 6 weeks and we sure couldn't feel happier for these two lovebirds. Brian has lived here for 10 years and when Ali came onto the scene, she wasted no time transforming this long running bachelor pad. But combining two full lives under one roof proved quite the challenge! Their many, (maaaaaany), books needed ample storage space, their desire to entertain and host friends needed room to do so, and even the task of joining their individual styles together required some creative thinking. Brian prefers warmer colors, (hence the mustard yellow walls and red rugs), while Ali enjoys a lighter, airier space with room to breath. We used a lot of neutrals and blue tones throughout her previous condo and she expressed early on that she didn't want this home to look just like her last. 

Let's take a look around!

7.jpg

Brian works from home a good bit and uses the bay window in the living room as his office. So while table space and comfortable seating for his meetings were important, we were also weary of the space looking too much like a dining room. It can certainly double as dining space when need be, but thoughtful chair selection and styling was crucial in executing this space as a definitive work area.

Before

6.jpg
10.jpg
9.jpg

I am the LUCKIEST girl to have a business partner like Cate who can come in with fresh eyes and style these spaces out on shooting day. There were some odds and ends to finish up here before we got pictures and it was such a relief to know Cate would bring the shelves to life with her thoughtful touch. We've done this enough times now that she understands my style, she's prepped on the vibe of the space, and works her magic to create groupings that make sense in the surrounding room. There was A LOT to work with in here and she hit the nail on the head. It doesn't hurt that Ali herself has acquired some really fun goodies to play with! Not only does she have the greenest thumb among us, she has a careful eye for art, photography, and pretty little things. It was a lot of fun to be hands on in this space after 7 months of selecting everything from paint to picture frames!

8.jpg

The first thing I started brainstorming for this space was storage. I knew I wanted to add storage to both sides of the fireplace, (which is, indeed, off center -  your eyes aren't messing with you), but one side is narrower than the other. Asymmetry doesn't bother me in the least so when I plugged two side-by-side IVAR cabinets from IKEA to the left side in the digital floorplan and saw that they were a perfect fit, I decided to just run open shelving up the right side. This solution makes absolute sense given that Brian's work area is on that left side and he really needs the extra storage space there. I wanted to have the IVAR cabinets floating over the floor by about 8" for a modern, custom look, and cannot express enough how much I love, love, love how they turned out! Ali and her handy Dad hung the shelves and they created the mantle from a DIY tutorial we found on Pinterest, (which they brilliantly added a notch in from behind to hide cords)!

14.jpg
15.jpg

If this isn't your first StyleMutt Home design reveal, you might be noticing a recurring element - moody mossy green, and specifically green velvet, (examples A, B, C, D - walls and sofa for a double whammy, E, F - you get the point!). And those are only a few that we've photographed so far! As a young designer with an itty bitty portfolio, it can be risky to reuse an element over and over. Will that signature move be well received or turn people off? I've used this element both subtly and obviously in various jobs and it's just my favorite! Dark green was first inspired by my love for nature and the beautiful shades of green I see right outside my window. I view it and use it as a neutral and love how it adds a touch of earthiness! It's not right for every space, but somehow it finds its way in to quite a few!

16.jpg
17.jpg

When we got down to the final details and Ali was ready for pillows, I got a little carried away! But with all that we had going on across the room on the shelves, I wanted to balance the space with some weight on the sofa. I had A LOT of fun with the pillows. :)

And if you want to know what's behind the door that the couch is blocking, you'll need to take that up with Sweden. Apparently this old building in DC belongs to them LOL!!! All I know is that no one needs access to that door and it's the only wall in the room to place the sofa, (and with the dimensions of the room, floating the sofa is not an option). I only tell you this because I have already had one designer question this layout with a comment: "Sofa in front of a door?" I get it, it's not ideal, But this is DC living, folks. Old, quirky buildings with odd elements that you just have to work with. I worked with it by adding an oversized mirror to one side of the door and mounting a good sized sconce to the other. When the conditions are not ideal, you can always fall back on scale and at least get that right.

18.jpg
19.jpg
21.jpg

Before

 
before7.JPG
 
28.jpg

Recognize the art? It was over Ali's sofa in her last place! She took that photo in Cambodia and framed it herself!!

26.jpg
22.jpg

This sweet alcove is right off the kitchen and is perfect for dining and game nights. Nailing down exactly how Ali and Brian wanted to use this space was crucial and I had a couple different ideas for it. But when comfortable seating and dining height table space became priority in this narrow space with only two walls, it made sense to add a banquette and round pedestal table. A Craigslisted cabinet stores games and defines the space, along with a cozy rug and soft leather chairs. And more pillows - I'm telling you, I've never had more fun with pillows!

23.jpg
24.jpg
29.jpg

The bedroom is a quieter extension of the main living spaces - layered texture and pattern take on a more neutral vibe with the strong statements being the brick and green velvet covered headboard.

Before

 
before13.JPG
 
30.jpg

There are pleeenty of gorgeous lush green velvet headboards out there, but with a perfectly good headboard already in place and a willing Ali to recover it herself, I found this delicious mossy velvet on Etsy for her to use - this is a much more cost efficient solution but the results are dramatic!

31.jpg
32.jpg

One of the sweetest surprises in here was when they removed the makeshift desk that had been built over top of the window seat! It was something we had spent quite a bit of time discussing when they gave me the Facetime tour during our consultation, and at the time they weren't sure it could be broken down. But they made it happen and it completely opens this room up! I have a special place in my heart for window seats so this element just puts a smile on my face.

Before

 
before14.JPG
 
33.jpg
34.jpg

The last stop of our tour is the back room which doubles as Ali's office and their guest room.

Before

 
before12.JPG
 
1.jpg

A rolling desk floating in front of some Billies, (bookshelves from IKEA), make this an easily transitional space when guests come in town.

2.jpg
4.jpg
3.jpg

It's bittersweet to be at the end of this amazing project and to be done working with Ali and Brian. I cannot express enough what a gift it's been to get to work with them, (and with Ali TWICE). I said this last time, but she makes us look DARN GOOD! It's so hard to get projects to the finish line as things come up in our client's lives, (as we, too, experience and more than understand), so connecting with someone who cares just as much to see things through, even moving mountains to do so, just means the world. Fortunately we have had the pleasure of working with several like minded clients this year, so this reveal is the beginning of a short chain of finished projects we will get to share with you! We hope you enjoyed this one and we can't wait to share more soon!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Chelesa.jpg

Winter Eclectic Home Tour

Welcome to our 800 sq.ft. 1 bedroom apartment!  If you are arriving from French & French Interiors on the Winter Eclectic Home Tour hosted by Domicle 37, thank you so much for stopping by!  No we are not decorated for Christmas just yet (I know, I know... LAME).  I promise you I'm not a scrooge, just a procrastinator and we only just got our tree yesterday.  But I am so grateful for the opportunity to share all the little changes we've made since the summer tour.

Growing up, my family would always put a basket of special Christmas-only books under the tree to peruse in your PJ's at will.  My favorite was an I Spy Christmas Edition.  I kid you not, I've practically memorized all 13 double-page spreads plus the bonus round at the end!  So even though I don't have oodles of holiday decor for you all, I thought I would (in my own way) invite you to join in on my beloved Christmas tradition  and invite you play a rousing round of I Spy between my Summer and Winter Eclectic Home Tours.

IMG_5575.JPG

Did you spot the major differences?  Other than the dog lol?  (And no, I didn't replace him with a rug ;)  The basic layout is the same (the vintage cot under the window, the tufted sofa dividing the living and dining room).  As a general rule of thumb, I like to decorate with a lot of color - no matter the season. To me, layers of colors and textures always make a space feel warm and cozy (especially for the holidays!).  Ok I'll give you a 5 more seconds before I divulge the answers... 5...4...3...2... 

DSC00070.JPG

First, I finally brought home the killim pillows I had my eyes on since before we moved in last November (huzaah!)  After waiting so long, I like the idea of leaving them out through the holiday season instead of switching them for something more obviously merry.  Besides, I consider them my pillow children and it wouldn't be Christmas without them.

DSC00078.JPG

Probably the biggest difference in the room is the big splurge of a rug.  Weighing in at $250, I saved up for her for over a year and finally bought her from target last spring with some birthday money.  The bonus is that Thor LOVES it - it's a high pile so he rolls around on it like it's real grass.

Still hanging on the wall are the three drawers I rescued from a rotting desk on trash day.  Below them is one of the suitcase tables I scored off Chelsea and the brass floor lamp of my dreams. 

If you looked closely, you may have noticed that the floor lamp is actually a change: I sold the old faux-gold one when I found this true vintage one for only $5!

In addition to pillows, we also have many plant children (who for the most part are alive and well).

We've added Figadora the Fiddle Leaf Fig to our sunny plant corner which is where we plan on putting the Christmas tree.  (But don't tell Figadora - I honestly don't know how the fragile diva will take it).

The brown vinyl chair was about $40 off craigslist and may or may not have smelled like...

Mothballs and old man farts
— My Husband

The smell has definitely subsided since it's had the chance to air out (and marinate in the fleet of Christmas-scented candles we light anytime someone's home).  Unfortunately, the chair is not the most comfortable so I'm using it as a place holder until I find the perfect camel leather armchair or affordable sectional (even though that would mean also saying goodbye to my bestie the blue tufted sofa).

Sharing the wall with our front door is our makeshift TV stand (also a roadside rescue) - another placeholder until I can convince Caleb we should get a proper piece of furniture that will allow me to hide the necessary evils (aka all our electronics).

Next to the rug, the second most expensive item in the room actually is the little wooden set of drawers which was a recent find for a whopping $75. 

I answered a craigslist ad by an elderly gentleman who lives right around the corner from my parents.  His listing wasn't very clear so when I arrived to pick up, I was pleasantly surprised that he had two for sale!  So I impulsively shelled out double the money right then and there and have been using one as our new end table.  Turns out the seller was a retired US Patent clerk and the unique design for these drawers dates back to 1903 - he actually had a the original patent on hand and sent me home with a copy! 

Behind the sofa is our dining room that always packs a colorful punch.

In such a small space, the round table makes a huge difference for maximum maneuverability. 

The white triplet campaign bookshelves allow my feral love of color to really take over.

Since they are a little on the short side,  I have space above to prop artwork I can switch out at will.

The clean, white finish is a nice contrast to my budding collections of books, minerals, terracotta pots, cloches, brass candlesticks, and moss balls.  (I'm 99.9987% positive Caleb is rolling his eyes somewhere.  At least they are all corralled in on place).

Above the round table hangs my DIY 4-arm brass chandelier.  Since we're in a rental, I used a recessed light conversion kit to retro fit the original can light.

Since installing it, I've added elongated bulbs to play off the quirky angles.

Hanging from our copper pipe curtain rod is a happy electric green pothos plant - which makes me smile every time I see it even though Caleb wrestles with it almost every time he tries to close the blinds.

DSC00190.JPG

There is actually one thing we have already set up for the holiday season: we repurposed our magazine-turned-shoe-rack into a record station.  Caleb loves putting on some Perry Como or Rosemary Clooney during the holidays so pulling them out from their usual spot on the TV stand and putting them out in the open gives us easy access.  (Bonus: he's been waking me up to holiday tunes almost every morning!)

DSC00130.JPG

Past the bathroom and down the hallway is our one and only bedroom.

DSC00310-001.JPG

Nope, we still don't have a headboard but we realized taking down the giant chartreuse curtain makes the room feel a lot brighter.

For now, we've moved the Johann Steingruber 1773 "H" replica blueprint above the bed and I've started to tinker with abstract and geometric art on either nightstand.

Flanking the bed are my entries to a friendly Flip Off competition against my sister-in-law and business partner Chelsea.  She sold her flip, but I held on to mine for some extra bedroom storage.

DSC00239-001.JPG

Above them are the brass swing arm sconces I rewired to plug-in (rental probs) which I snagged from a fellow DC furniture flipper for a steal! 

Opposite the window is my dresser and my beloved jewelry collection.

I love being able to see all my accessories in the printer's drawer (even if it is a dust trap).

Opposite the bed is Caleb's dresser - another thrifted MCM find.

I found the waterfall mirror separately on Craigslist but it looks like it was made the dresser no?

In the corner by the window is probably my favorite thrifted find: the brass + leather cantilever chair which sits next to my DIY mcm plant stand.

DSC00330-001.JPG
DSC00332-001.JPG

Well that concludes our tour!  (800 sq.ft. goes by fast doesn't it?!?!)  Thanks again for swinging by my style mutt of a space (even one that's sans holiday decor)!  I promise you that everyone has some EPIC holiday home tours rearin' at the gate.  Be sure to check out tomorrow's epic line-up of home tours (and be sure to catch up on yesterday's as well - you shant be sorry my friends!)

Cate [and Caleb's] Color Clad Apartment ||part 2||

This is a moment I've been waiting for since April.  Ever since we left our jobs, moved in with friends, found new jobs, found a great apartment, and up-and-moved to Leesburg, VA.  We spent March-November with all our stuff in storage which left me pining for a space of our own to decorate again.  The urge got so bad that I even did this mock up back in October to try to quench my redesign thirst.  

Look familiar?

Now, we've been relatively settled in the new place for almost 3 months [and mostly unpacked for about 1] so I reckon it's time for a tour ;)  Annnnnnnddddd since it's Friday - that makes this today's #stylemuttspaces feature.  

If you're new to this style mutt spot, first of all welcome!  Second, let me fill you in: any one [designer, betty home-maker, under-water-basket-weaver] can submit their home for a reader feature on our SPACES page.  This page serves as a curated pool of decor inspiration for any and all [so be sure to check it out if you haven't already - there's LOADS to be inspired by especially for style mutts]. 

So let me get to it and invite you in already!!!

Ok so I don't have the rug yet, or my kilim pillows, and the chair's not all leather - but it's a step in the right direction considering most of the decor was free, cheap, or a hand-me-down.

The first thing that greets you when you walk in, is a rattan shoe rack that was a spontaneous free find on craigslist.  It is actually a magazine rack that was way out of the way to pick up, but it was free and it was cute and even though I didn't have a plan for it when I drove over there to get it, I brought it home, cleaned it up, and then realized it was the perfect solution to our small entryway issues.  Above it hangs some of my original artwork that epitomizes those punches of color I like so much.

The plant stand was also unplanned but only $5 at a gem of a thrift store!  Since there wasn't an impressive selection of palm-fronded trees in the dead of winter at Home Depot, I went with low-maintenance/ black-thumb resistant snake plant I decided to name Sebastian just now.

I got the cot thinking it would serve as our extra seating but Thor quickly claimed it as his seat in the house because he can snooze with his head on the window sill and one eye on lookout for any signs of Caleb after a long day at work.

On the wall hangs my trio of old dresser drawers with an assortment of plants and my favorite brass accents - Steve the Stag in the place of honor obvi.

Just behind the couch is our teeny-tiny dining area - which is exciting because we have never had one before!  The sliding doors open up to our deck which stretches over to our bedroom window too.

Here lives my favorite and most ambitious impulse buys: the white campaign bookshelf triplets. 

They fit perfectly in their little nook and sport more pops of color and the most damning evidence of my collectionist tendencies.  I can see a minerals collection, a cloche collection, colored hardback collection, white ceramics collection, and a moss ball collection apparently.

To the left of the living room is our galley kitchen and the hallway leading to the master.  A necessary ceiling fan prevented me from re-installing our copper pipe canopy bed, but I kept the statement chartreuse curtain as our pseudo headboard.

Points if you recognize that bench ;)

Flanking the bed are these epic brass swing-arm sconces I scored from a fellow local furniture flipper.  We connected via craigslist and I ended up chatting her up for over an hour when I "popped" by to pick up the fixtures.  She was kind enough to cut me a deal and we've stayed in touch swapping tips & tricks.  We're gearing up to show off her home and some of her KILLER furniture flips one of these fridays so you can all look forward to that soon. 

I kept the pieces I restored from our furniture flip off which are perfect because they lend so much extra storage.

At the foot of the bed is another miracle MCM find we're using to corral all of Caleb's clothes.  

He's kind enough to let me leave that frou-frou tray on it 24-7.   Fun fact: that collection of color-dipped candles were made for me by our very own style mutt Chelsea ;)

My dresser hugs the wall between the entrance to the room and our closet (trust me, I'm sparing you some clutter-shock by skipping  the closet part of the tour).

Above hangs the diy faux pull-down chart from our old place while atop lays the dust-trap of a printer's drawer to display all my bells and whistles.

I have to laugh when I look back at our old apartment and I admit that I'm a twinge embarrassed.  But I also have to remember that at the time I was very proud of how I decorated it.  Isn't that always how it goes?  I remember being proud of my second grade poetry but there's nothing impressive about rhyming the word wave with save am I right?  Regardless I have to acknowledge that my first apartment helped evolve and refine my taste.  And perhaps in another two years I will look back at this apartment and also be embarrassed.  But I suppose that's the cyclical curse of an ever-changing style mutt my friends.

Thanks for popping in to take this little tour with me!  I will of course keep you posted as I acquire the pieces we're saving up for and inevitably start rearranging in t-minus 2 months...