Reveal: The Concrete Cave

Hi friends! Jumpin' on with another eDesign reveal today - this week's space is tucked inside Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood and was a real test to my cozier sensibilities. Last week's space I did in Boston was easy peasy- exposed brick, large windows, warm wood floors - all the ingredients to go cozy to the max! The space I'm sharing today gave me a bit of a chill when I first saw the photos the client sent over:

The window-less room above is the bedroom. So what to do? Embrace the uber modern elements or go against the grain and add warmth and texture? I settled on both and found some helpful inspo images before finding the right mix of pieces!

With the influx of eDesign reveals here I cannot express enough how much I value floorplans! They are the least visually appealing aspect of a job but allow me to really understand the space. I play with various arrangements until I find one that enhances the elements of the room best. Here's a peek at the final arrangement and the floorplan we stuck to the closest.

And to help the client 'see' the space, an example of one of the design boards used for this project:

Without further adieu, welcome to Chi town!

The physical space is unlike anything I've ever worked with; it's industrial, yes, but also modern in an almost sterile way. My objective was to embrace both the industrial and modern, but also to warm things up, (without going all bohemian with layers).

If you can't beat em', join em'! I really love how this concrete coffee table pulls it all together; like it was grown right from the floor!

The bedroom was really exciting to me! A room without windows - no problemo! I chose a dark charcoal gray for the walls and my favorite CB2 Mantis sconce in nickel and wood. A leather headboard finishes it off and it's transformed into a sleek hideout cave complete with concrete bedside tables.

That's it! A short and sweet tour for today. Thank you to the installation team up there who hammered it out and got it done! I always have a feeling of anticipation when I know a design is getting installed and I'm hundreds of miles away waiting to see how it turns out! It's exciting, indeed, and good for my blood pressure, too. ;)

Thank you so much for coming by today!

DIY Leather Bench

Guys I built something.  Ok so it's not the first time I've made a bench, but it's the first time I've built one from SCRATCH!  Which means, my friends, you can too.  I had the opportunity to work with Apartment Therapy on a tutorial for this bad boy so I want to share it with you too.  Click the button below for the full how-to ;)

If you're local to the DC metro area and are more of a do-it-for-me-please-er than a do-it-your-self-er, feel free to hit us up for a custom-made bench by emailing cate@stylemutthome.com.

Made-to-Order Leather + Wood Benches
Now Available for Sale
50"L x 18"W x 18"H
$275

Reader Design: Courtney's Sentimental Spot

You're probably wondering why I'm calling today's stunning Tulsa, Oklahoma feature 'sentimental.' After all, we probably all have some sentimental attachment to our homes. How could we not, after pouring bits of ourselves - our time, our money, our souls - into them. 

But today's home is seriously sentimental. It's literally the place where Courtney met her husband Jordan. 

That's right. They met here. In this room, in fact - the living room. 

From Courtney:

“My husband, Jordan, renovated our home with his sister and brother-in-law before we met. They bought the home at an auction on the front porch and uncovered the original hardwoods, gutted the kitchen, replaced all the windows, and added central air. He had two roommates at the time, and I had a mutual friend with one of Jordan’s roommates. We were hanging out in the living room one day and Jordan came home. We briefly met and a few weeks later he asked me on a date! Less than a year later, we were married and I moved into the original place we met. ”

An incredible story, right? Not to get too sappy, but I think it's clear that this place has been built with and around love since the beginning, with it's original woodwork, comfy and cozy layout, and carefully selected decor.

Courtney describes her home as "a little beachy, a little modern, a little Southern, and nothing too perfect" - it's just an accurate representation of life, a place that makes you feel calm without false pretense or expectations. 

“I’ve always had the desire to cultivate a peaceful home, a place where there is a sense of rest and a place where others are invited to come in, unload their burdens and enjoy a place of peace. It’s more than creating a pretty space; I enjoy creating a space for others to feel comfortable in.”

The 1930's bungalow has plenty of idiosyncrasies, and despite her inclination for all things modern, Courtney tries to stay true to the roots of the home. She selected simple, period-appropriate dining chairs, paired with vintage rugs throughout the living space. A comfy couch accented with real cotton textiles. 

Courtney is continuing to let their home guide her as it will. 

“I spend a lot of time at home, so I am always tweaking something! Nothing is perfect if you look closely and I have so many unfinished projects that are on my “to-do” list. Most everything has a DIY touch to it because you learn to get creative when you’re newlyweds. Our home is always evolving, and we have so many projects we are saving up for, but we still love where it is now.”

And here's some sage advice to close us out: 

“The best advice I’ve been given is to enjoy your home before it is where you want it to be. This advice has taught me that creating a peaceful home is more than a space that reflects your style and Pinterest board, it is opening your home for others and focusing on the relationships that are built there. The style will come with time. ”

Courtney, thank you for letting us in for a tour today! You have a stunning home, and we can't wait to see where it takes you. Follow Courtney along on Instagram @alwaysrooney to share in the journey.

Till next time,