Design Reveal: Charming Living Room in Alexandria

I told my family I was only going to be at this newly completed client home for an hour - hour and a half tops! It was relatively close in nearby Alexandria, and just a small living room. But as it goes, I just had the most fun getting to talk to my sweet client, Annie, in person for the first time since we started working together a few months ago! Five hours later, I did eventually get home. ;)

As we have proven here over and over again, remote interior design, (aka eDesign), is every bit as personal as in-person. We communicate very closely with each and every client regarding every decision on the space. And even though we develop a unique and individualized communication flow with each person, the months of FaceTiming, texting, calling and emailing always come to the same end result: a space that person truly feels is theirs and lucky to call home. As people who love people, this line of work is right up our alley! We adore getting to connect with others and put our heads together to create the very best home that suits their style and needs.

Today’s reveal is really fun because Annie’s style is very eclectic and she had the COOLEST stuff to start with! She has spent time immersed in so many cultures around the world, her collection of artifacts and photography is seriously impressive. So fun for a designer to play with! Want to see what the space started out as?

before.jpg

Lots of stuff going on here, but also some really cool stuff. Our aim was to highlight the beautiful pieces Annie already had, add pieces that complimented those, and find a visually pleasing, inexpensive way to hide the rest! Take a look!

1.JPG
2.JPG
4.JPG
3.JPG

One of our design concepts sent along the way. We had yet to decide on the coffee table and exact pillow placement, but that’s what a concept is - a check on the visual feel of the space. These are meant to help us know if we are heading in the right direction and what adjustments, if any, we need to make moving forward!

Design+Concept+Edit+2+b.jpg
7.JPG

Before you say anything I am fully aware that this is maybe the 4th or 5th time we used the IKEA Ivar cabinets. But you guys, at $70/unit, completely customizable, and only 12” deep, these babies are a small space small budget best friend. Not to mention ideal hidden storage for a small apartment with (almost) no closets. We hiked these Ivars up on black stainless steel legs which set them at a much more versatile height, and gave them a much needed layer of visual interest for this small space.

9.JPG
24.JPG
11.JPG

Big fan of this chair in this space! It’s modern but rustic enough to pair well with the English roll arm sofa.

23.JPG
13.JPG

This home wears the glow of Summer well. I may have to book some time here come February!

18.JPG
16.JPG
20.JPG

That’s a wrap! Happy to say we are already locked in to work with Annie on her bedroom next! But before we start on any new projects I’ve got a few more weeks of Summer to maximize with the kids. Taking this season off has resulted in the best time with my kids. I love this age so much and have thoroughly soaked in this time together practically distraction free.

I hope you all enjoy these last weeks of Summer and amidst whatever your responsibilities are can find moments of joy and rest. Thank you so much for taking the time to come by today!

Chelesa.jpg

Gift Card Giveaway | Merry Christmas!

Hello there! We are just shy of one week out now, how’s everyone doing? Feeling good? Maybe a little panicked? Well take your mind off all there is to do, (for at least a few minutes), and let us do for you.

DSC_0715.jpg

Tis the season to show our immeasurable appreciation to you for including StyleMutt Home in your time. It’s no small thing to get to share our work and lives here with you in this unique way, and the words of encouragement that you leave just warm our hearts. Cate picked two people to gift a cozy red Sherpa blanket and 3-in-1 pillow to just yesterday! Today I am excited to buddy up with a dear design pal, Abbie, to gift TWO $100 gift cards to her shop! Abbie sews the most beautiful pillows I ever did see, and that is no exaggeration.

00.JPG

An early Christmas present arrived when this vintage thai dyed hemp lumbar in olive green came earlier this month from Abbie. I love the raw texture, especially on my newly finished leather bench!

DSC_0731.jpg
DSC_0653.jpg

To enter to win a $100 gift card to Abbie’s shop we ask two simple things:
1) Please follow Abbie and myself on Instagram, (@anaberdesign and @chelsea_stylemutthome), and
2) Please comment here or on my Instagram post re the giveaway with either the best gift you’ve ever received, OR the best gift you’ve enjoyed giving.
We will pick two random winners on Friday morning, so you’ve got today and tomorrow!

Happy Christmas to you All! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Chelesa.jpg

Wool + Twig || A Small Business Collaboration

It's no secret that our generation is flooded with entrepreneurial fervor.  By the time I graduated college, a large chunk of my peers entered the workforce with a "side hustle" or two to make ends meet in a bleak economy.  We at StyleMutt Home firmly believe that small businesses should band together instead of compete against each other because...

A rising tide lifts all boats
— John F. Kennedy

Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for the large businesses that we've partnered with over the past.  But it's these small businesses that really make some serious magic happen with nothing more than their personal grit and determination.  So it's even more titillating (yes I said it) when you can combine some serious small-business-sized forces to do something really, really fun.

Wool + Twig

Vintage Rugs

Brittney Rossie

Brand and Business Strategy

The Silk Mill

Event Venue in Fredericksburg, VA

StyleMutt Home

Furniture + eDesign

So what do you get when a curated rug vendor, a brand and business coach, an epic factory venue, and yours truly band together in support of each other?  A beautiful display of small business collaboration and...

a really, really fun photoshoot

DSC03812.jpg

A while back, my dear friend and business guru Brittney Rossie connected us to a new small business in our area to see how we at StyleMutt home could help them grow.  An email brainstorming session later, we had cooked up this cockamamie scheme to do a photoshoot to promote overall brand exposure and also exercise our collective creative muscles.  

But to do such a photoshoot, you need an epic location.  And I new just the place...

The Silk Mill

DSC03817.jpg

which also happed to be my wedding venue

With such a large factory space, we could easily set up some fun vignettes featuring our products:

DSC03800.jpg

The rugs were obviously the star of the show.

IMG_9840-128-HDR.jpg
IMG_9846-228-HDR.jpg

But one of our made-to-order benches in camel + nude did get to play a supporting role to those delicious imported rugs and kilim pillows.

DSC03878.jpg

As if the opportunity to play with some gorgeous rugs wasn't enough, Aly from Wool + Twig was a HOOT to work with!  She was seriously up for anything - including some fun headshots.

IMG_9940-90-HDR.jpg

Both with and without her actual head lol

IMG_9907-289.jpg

Scroll through these images to see just some of her amazing inventory:

After seeing her carefully curated collection in person, I couldn't help but bring home another pillow child.

DSC03877b.jpg

We certainly had a lot of fun behind the scenes

IMG_9891-33.jpg
IMG_9925-38.jpg

And I'm not ashamed to admit I did a few carpet angels the first chance I got...  They were soooooo plush....

IMG_9911-117.jpg

But the fun doesn't stop here.  Wool + Twig was generous enough to offer us stylemutts a juicy discount for 3 days only!

Shop Wool + Twig

Shop Wool + Twig

Just click the image to shop her entire inventory and enter the code STYLEMUTT at check-out to get 30% off your purchase!  Happy rug and pillow shopping mutts!

Cate.jpg
 
 
Photo Mar 12, 12 06 31 PM.jpg