Welcome back StyleMutts! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with family, friends, and food-but-not-too-much-so-you-feel-bloated food.

I myself tackled several projects around the house between Christmas and New Years (as I often like to do) and realized something... It’s not so much the time off I enjoy most this time of year, but the moments leading up to a new year where all the challenges from the past year become eclipsed by the possibilities of the next. What projects will I tackle? What ways will I surprise myself? What trouble will I get myself in to and then have to figure my way out of?

I like this mixture of hope and possibility. And I’m not-so-much hoping I’ll become someone new or a better version of myself in 2019, I just want to keep being me. Doing what I love. With the people I love. And I recognize that I’m blessed already for having been doing just that all through 2018.

And I love what I do with you - sharing finished pieces or new ideas and pushing myself to try something I’ve never done before. Friends, I managed to squeeze in one last project in 2018 to be the first project to share in the new year!

Meet Blondie:

She’s not much too look at - just a neon shade of yellow wood finish but she had great lines so I brought her home to the workshop. One of the things that stood out to me most was that she had such tall legs - and I got to thinking... I could really have some fun with that.

First order of business: paint. The original buttered wood wasn’t doing her any favors so I went with a good neutral: Silver Drop by Behr.

The color is a soft blend of white and a delicate light gray. It’s not too harsh but still very warm and fresh.

To play up the height of the legs, I decided to add some interest with a “wink of leather” as Chelsea would say.

I added crossing leather straps in an X shape that are secured to each leg. They are completely removable if you need the under dresser storage but add such a fun surprise detail to an otherwise “Plain Jane.”

Let’s take a closer look shall we?

Originally I tried riveting the leather together but couldn’t get the straps to bind so I ended up using brass screws with a nut on the back to hold them taut and in place.

I also replaced the original ring pulls with bright brass whistle knobs.

I love using these knobs in projects to give a easy modern upgrade (like here and here).

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece, this White + Leather moment is available for sale! Email my contact info below for purchasing or third-party shipping options.

White + Leather Dresser
Now Available for Sale
63”L x 18”D x 34”H
$695
If you are interested in this piece or a custom order like it, email me at cate@stylemutthome.com

This is a story of two friends and four identical 3-drawer chests, (one of those must-have Craigslist finds). Each friend took two and flipped them - all while keeping their plan a secret from the other!

After weeks of planning, scheming, ordering supplies, and working at all hours, the friends and their once identical pieces were reunited for their big reveal!

And the two friends were delighted by each others cleverness!

Not identical anymore! We'll be revealing the full details of each makeover in depth this week, but we couldn't believe how different we had flipped these, (aside from the fact that we happened to choose the exact same leg size)!

Naturally, we had to get in a photo shoot with our muses before sending them their separate ways once again, (Cate is using hers as nightstands, and Chelsea's have already sold).

Thank you so much for stopping by! We'll be back tomorrow and Wednesday to share the low-down on each makeover, the materials we used, and how we styled our finished product!