Updates on StyleMutt!

Hey gang! It's been a little while, eh?! We sure have missed connecting with you here via Chelsea's Garage over the last few weeks but are crazy excited about the progress we're making on our new site, StyleMutt! If you're visiting for the first time, please read this; it explains everything about why Chelsea's Garage is soon retiring and a brand new site, StyleMutt, will be taking it's place! We are a lot further along than we thought we'd be at mid-September and anticipate StyleMutt being ready to launch by October/November! So, to help get everyone pumped up for the cool new blog on the block, we thought we'd share a few elements of the new site that have us dancin' with joy! 

1) We've got a logo! What do ya think?!

2) And a short n' sweet tagline to explain who we are: "A home decor resource for all breeds of style"
3) A few favorite components:
          -Favorite Supplies -This is where we'll list our favorite tried and true go-to supplies to make it easier to plan ahead for upcoming projects.
          -Spaces - A page where we'll share not only our favorite rooms in our own homes, but some pretty doggone inspiring rooms that you guys have to share, too!
          -Re-purposed - Along with an organized selection of DIY project tutorials, we'll also have a list of ideas that simply turn one thing into something totally different and way cooler.

Since the basic bones of StyleMutt are nearly complete, we will likely launch the site before all of the features are complete. Then, over the first few months of existence we'll debut cool new elements as they're finalized!

As we begin closing the door to Chelsea's Garage and start this awesome new adventure with StyleMutt, we are so grateful for your encouragement and shared excitement! Just like Chelsea's Garage, StyleMutt will be nothing without you! A few more weeks of working on the website and we should be ready to announce the big launch! Thank you so much for your patience and hanging with us while we make this transition.

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea & Cate
       

Evolution of a front entrance {in an open floor plan!}

By Chelsea

Hi dear readers! I always enjoy a good before & after, but our front entrance is a three-part story with a before, middle, and after.  We have what is called an open floor plan on our main floor. This means there are no walls creating separate spaces between our front entrance, living room and dining room. They're all one, beautifully airy shared space. Open floor plans have become quite the trend in architectural and interior design, but figuring out how to work the shared spaces to create separate but cohesive ones takes a touch of strategy. I'd love to share a short series of posts discussing various arrangements with open floor plans, how to float furniture, and the spaces that inspired me, but today's is about a specific area in our open floor plan that I had some trouble with for a while: The front entrance. 

I wanted to have a defined entry way for both guests and us to stop upon walking in and unload. We don't have a shoes-off policy, but I wanted a cozy spot, warm and welcoming, for folks to hang keys, purses, jackets, winter accessories, etc. The closest closet we've got to our front door is across the room, so not the most convenient, (especially for kids with dirty shoes). 

What we had when we moved in was this nook behind our front door that has this weird, low arch cut into the wall - An arch that drops over 5 feet on the other side into our basement; not ideal for crawling and teetering little ones, (we had 10 month old twins and one on the way when we moved in so this was just not going to work for us). It was an awkward spot to me and my first priority was covering that toddler-kiss-of-death in our wall.

Move-in day in September 2010

Play #1: We immediately backed this big ol' bookcase up against the wall to cover the arch and protect the kids, (and then people voiced concern about the bookcase falling on the kids. New parents just can't catch a break!). It was kind of an eyesore in our light and airy open floor plan, and definitely an eye sore if you were sitting in the basement staring at the back of the bookcase, (not to mention it blocked natural light).

Christmas 2010. Photo skills are in the natal stage.

Play #2: Acquire this antique cabinet from a friend, paint it grey to go with our light and airy space, and cover 3/4 of the arch. We figure the kids won't think to crawl up onto the cabinet and climb through. Place a stack of books in front of peeking arch just in case, (because books are a great barrier between young children and danger).

Fall 2011

Play #3: I see an inspiring picture on Pinterest and a vision is forming. I grab some branches from outside to build upward interest, move my homemade paper wreath elsewhere, and replace it with this fabric-stapled-to-frame masterpiece... Books are successfully saving the childrens' lives so they stay.

Summer 2012

Play #4 - Checkmate: The vision is complete! Matt's a rockstar and helps me 'seal' the open arch with chicken wire. We move the coat rack, (made from thrift store spoons screwed to a floating shelf I had), above the arch to hang jackets and hats. I luck out by finding this vintage fire-engine-red toolbox sitting outside this dumpy antique shop for a few bucks, (it happens to be the perfect size for my little ones to use as a bench to pull shoes on and off). I create the funky yarn heart art, (how-to here), and arrange a few branches in a jar just for fun.

2014

We used a staple gun and muscle to stretch the chicken wire tight against the sides of the arch and attach it to the wall.

The basket I found on clearance at Target and painted the bottom white, (inspired by baskets I'd seen by Serena and Lily at the time).

It was quite the process finding something that we feel comfortable with, that's functional, and is in tune with the rest of our home. It's no longer an eyesore, but now a fun, breathable nook that I love seeing when we first walk into our home. And more natural light to our basement doesn't hurt either!

Have you had any challenging nooks or corners in your home? How did you tackle the issue? Share and link, (if you have one), in comments below or on Facebook!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Earring Holder

By Cate


Hey readers!  Cate here with a Wednesday guest post.  Ok so awhile back in my Cane-Backed Chair post, I confessed that I went to the thrift store for bookends but left with 3 completely not-on-my-shopping-list things.  As promised, I have the scoop for you on item No. 2 - a picture frame.

I liked the round frame and the keys on the side to tighten it at your desired angle.  I did not, however, like the idea of cutting up a photo just to fit inside.  So let's do the craft math everybody: what does picture frame + paint + cotton batting + burlap equal?

How 'bout an earring holder!

The frame was disassembled and repainted in the same warm gray chalk paint called "Primitive" by Americana Decor that I used on the Sisal Rope Chandelier from last week's post.  I also heavily distressed the edges to bring out the great detailing on the frame.

I removed the glass since I wouldn't be using it and recovering the backing with burlap over a layer of cotton batting from the fabric store. 

After it was recovered, I put the backing back in the frame without the glass so that the filler and fabric would create a pincushion effect.  For some added glamour, I stuck a couple pearl-tipped pins in there to perch the earrings on {although you can easily stick the earrings straight in}.

This was actually my first item to sell at the Garage Sale we had on June 7th.  I am so tickled someone loved it enough to snatch it up within the first few minutes of opening the garage door! 

Now, I know what you're thinking... what about thrift store item No. 3?  You will have to check back in for that post soon ;)  And I truly hope you do because it might be my favorite find of all!

Happy Wednesday,


~ Cate

Chandelier Terrarium {Part II}

By Cate

Last time I posted on a chandelier terrarium that was in fact a terrarium - see it here at Chandelier Terrarium {Part I}.  Now let me show you another take on repurposing a chandelier: a potted plant "greenhouse."  Although not exactly a terrarium{which usually has rocks, soil, and rooting plants}, this glass geometric structure is a beautiful display case for your average indoor potted plant.  

{Before & After}

I removed the chain, suspended candelabra, and that crazy Alibaba topper thing.  The roundness of the topper just wasn't gelling with the geometric lines of the lantern.  It was frankly out-dating the look so... of with his head!  I did end up keeping the chandelier loop {which is the loop where the chain attaches to the lantern} and put it back onto the top by screwing it into the existing center hole. 

 

What is great about this size chandelier, is they usually come with a latching glass panel allow for easy light bulb changes.  Now it allows for easy plant watering.

 

Dusty brass chandelier?  Meet beautiful orchid.  No more hanging in lonely entryways for you mister.  Your job now is to protect your vulnerable charge while showcasing the delicate display.

 

The gold-glint chandelier case is almost as delicate-looking as the orchid.

 

 If you ask me, this orchid seem rather happy about its new living arrangements.  Don't you think?

Now it's your turn to turn something old new,

~ Cate

Chandelier Terrarium {Part I}

By Cate

We've all seen em' - those brass chandelier/lanterns hanging in hallways or entryways...  The mascot for all houses built in the 80's maybe... But brass is coming back and geometric is in so why not make the most of these old chandeliers and a new trend: make a terrarium!

ter·rar·i·um noun a usually transparent enclosure for keeping or raising plants indoors

There are several ways to build a terrarium. West Elm has a great tutorial on how to create a terrarium - both succulent (dry) and fern (wet).  For my repurposed chandelier, I chose to build a wet terrarium.  

After gutting a boring brass entryway lantern, I turned it upside down and filled the base with river rocks for drainage.  After, I layered with potting soil and then planted some Moneywort {also known as Creeping Jenny}.  For a wet terrarium, you can plant ferns or moss, but I chose Moneywort because of it's vivid chartreuse-green coloring.

  

{Before & After}

 

I chose to place my terrarium on our little balcony bistro table.

  Oh hey there Thor {our new puppy}.

 

You can also position it on its side.  Love how it looks "spilling" out.

 

Here's a better look at the base of the terrarium {what was once the top of the chandelier}.  As you can see, there are holes so don't forget to put in on something for drips.

You can kind of see the river rocks layer a little better in this photo. 

 And here you can see it all together with the red orb light I posted about last week!

Visit us again soon to find out what will happen to this guy...

~ Cate

Mismatched Chairs

Posted by Cate

Mismatched chairs are becoming more of a thing these days and I don't mind one bit.  {A} I've always been pro a bit of whimsy and beautiful disorder.  {B} It's economical!  Thrift for loners and you can get a great set you don't have to worry about matching.   And {C} I like to think of it as rescuing the "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" of sad and lonely chairs - find it, give it some shiny love, and put it with some new friends!

This summer I was helping out some great friends who just moved their home business into their first ever office space.  They asked me to thrift for some chairs to fix up and transform into their conference table chairs.  Normally, I would not recommend painting your chairs "Berry Pink" but these guys wanted their chairs to be the color of their business logo.  So I set out to find some lonely chairs to "Charlie Brown Christmas" ;)

The hunt did not let me down!  It can be easy to pass by such losers as these pieces when you are looking for to impress your clients with at the new office.  Although it is hard to believe that these chairs could ever look like they belong together, after a coat of paint and new matching upholstered seats - it's a mismatch made in heaven!

Ahhhhh.  That's better.

Now it's your turn,

~ Cate