5 Ways to Use a Table Runner

Tis the season where we'll all be seeing beautiful tablescapes dressed to the nines and meant to inspire us with layers of crystal and gourd goodness. I admit, it's tempting! I even tried my hand at a seasonal tablescape last Fall, (above). But in our home of 'wild things' a beautifully dressed table just isn't very realistic. However, when I spotted this runner at Target last year, I couldn't resist! This beautiful pattern lends itself to so many other uses than just the table! So I've rounded up 5 of my favorites to share - I hope you enjoy and certainly hope you're inspired with some ideas of your own!

Threshold Kilim Table Runner

1. Add pattern over a solid quilt

Who says bed runners have exclusive rights to beds? This runner draped at the foot instantly adds character to our white quilt!

2. Dress up a dresser

Aside from protecting against water stains, a runner that you like draped over a plain-jane dresser is an easy way to put your touch on a piece you aren't head over heels for, or even a hand-me-down piece!

3. A cozy kitchen rug

I love this as a kitchen rug! It's long enough to run along all my front facing cabinets but narrow enough that it doesn't take up too much space. A cut-to-size rug pad underneath makes it a comfy place to stand and prep food and meals.

4. Hanging woven art

This past spring I was crazy about all the gorgeous weavings folks were hanging on their walls! I wanted to try it out myself without spending any $$$, so I hung this piece up! I love it's size and presence!

5. Add personality to a chair

As soon as I saw the clever ladies who own Sweet Clover Barn dress up a pair of of chairs in southwestern mats, I couldn't wait to try the idea myself with this reading chair in our bedroom! The addition of the runner makes this a chair I would hold onto forever - the possibilities are endless!

These ideas are my personal favorites that I've tried but I'd love to hear any others you've got! Sometimes it just takes seeing something to spark an idea of your own - if this inspires you in any way feel free to post your own pictures on our Facebook wall or tag #stylemuttprojects on Instagram! We'll take a few and share them here, (with proper credit, of course)!

Thank you all for stopping by and have a GREAT one! 

Southwestern vs. SOUTHWESTERN!!! ||One dresser, two options||

Howdy, friends! Yee-haw, yippy-yi-yo, and ride em' cowboy. Or whatever. Western doesn't roll off my tongue so well, but I had a southwestern itch, nonetheless. I found the dresser above last week tucked away in one of my favorite thrift stores, (Pender Regift Thrift in Chantilly, VA). I intended to give it a really rustic finish by simply stripping the blood red stain and then wrapping it's simple wooden pulls in some leftover faux cowhide fabric from Cate's stunning upholstered bench.

After a 'lick and a promise', there was no doubt that this was a southwestern style dresser:

(And I couldn't resist staging this one with my Axel Co. hexagon shelf and arrow. They just restocked their shop for Fall/Winter - check out all the new goodies here!)

However, the 'afterclaps' of this makeover was just all 'beer and skittles'. I wanted to create a southwestern looking dresser and I did. But something just seemed off. I didn't hate it, but it was missing an element of sophistication that I was hoping for. It was far too literal and I realized I was looking for more of a southwestern whisper rather than a 'cattle call'. 

So I went back to the drawing board and found these stunning hexagon knobs at Anthropologie. 

Bulls-eye!

This three-across business is just so fun, isn't it!? 

I had so much fun staging with this branch - when I saw it in our back yard I knew he needed to join this shoot. However...

...just keepin' it real here, folks! It was monstrous and definitely not something I would permanently use in our home. In case you were wondering if I was just that cool and abstract. I'm not.

So here we are with two looks. One will be comin' with us to the Sweet Clover barn this weekend for the Labor Day sale, (Sat & Sun, 10am-5pm)! And now I'm excited to sit back and hear what you guys think! Which do you like better?! 

Thank you for stopping by and making us a part of your day! We're so grateful for you guys. XO,

DC Apartment - Bedroom Source List

Hi Friends! Back to share the rest of the sources from our recent DC apartment design project! Finishing up our curated list in the bedroom today, and since we're all friends here, I must admit that this room made me teary eyed when we were finished! 

We started with just a color scheme, which was declared by 'Lilith' to the left here - our client's most treasured piece of art. As this room evolved through carefully and thoughtfully picking out every little detail, we were somewhat taken aback when we were done! We knew it would be a special space, but nailing a 'feeling' that a client is seeking is somewhat nerveracking, as we realized. Everyone responds differently to different styles! So, when we stood back when all was hung and done, we knew we'd nailed the feeling Christine had desired. And what fun we had doing it, to boot!

So let's look back over the details of this room, shall we?!

Bedroom sources:

1. Rug - Rugs USA; Kas Oriental Amore Meridian Rug
2. Ivory coverlette - West Elm; Braided Quilt
3. X-Base Stools - Target; Threshold X-Stool
4. Ivory Throw Blanket - IKEA

1. Mint pompom shams - Urban Outfitters
2. Faux Sheepskin Pillows - Pottery Barn
3. Kilim Pillow - VillagePillow, (no longer on Etsy, similar item here)
4. Gold + White Clip Lamps - IKEA
5. Peachy Pink Sheets - Wayfair

1. Desk stool - Target
2. Desk brackets - IKEA
3. Plants - Home Depot
*We thrifted and refinished the nightstands in Pure White by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, and the headboard we built just for this space! Deets on that coming soon!

1. Original Ballerina Painting + Sketch - Ricardo Roig
*The mirror is a piece passed down to our client from a beloved family member, and the dresser we thrifted and refinished in Pure White by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

1. Original Painting - Lindy Kehoe

In case you missed our living room source list, hop over here. We'll be following up soon with a few of the DIY projects we used to give Christine a personalized, custom space, but that's all our sources! Feel free to ask any questions you may have that we didn't cover!

Thank you all for stopping by!