"The Styling Shuffle"

I don't do changing things around in my home.  I know, it's hard to believe but I don't.  Sure, I'll upgrade pieces but generally speaking, unless I'm making over a space, I don't change things out often.  Lately, this étagère in my living room has been bugging me.

There are several things on it that I'm just not all that attached to anymore and I felt it was time to reevaluate it all.  You can read about my love for etageres on the Metrolina ReStores' blog.

You may recall last Christmas I blogged about The Nester's book The Nesting Place.  In it she mentions a concept called quieting the space.  It basically means starting from scratch. 

It's something I almost NEVER do, but I'll admit that there is value in clearing things out and starting all over again sometimes.  So that's exactly what I did this weekend.  I literally emptied the shelves and started from scratch.

With the area completely clear, I began layering on my favorite pieces one by one, carefully styling each section.   However, here's the funny thing, when it was all said and done, I ended up pretty close to where I started.  It's like I just shuffled things around.

Hence the reason I rarely start over in a space.  I think I'm just one of those strange people who knows what I like and it doesn't change that often. 

For what it's worth, here's a closer look.   

At least I was forced to really think through whether my trinkets really needed to be on display here or not.  Often, I think things just land in places and it's easier to keep them there than to make a decision regarding them.

I also pulled the two Pottery Barn gourd lamps together that I was using in separate rooms.  I purchased these shades from Ross for less than $10 each and I love the look of them here.

"The Reinvented Recliner"

Whew!  What a week last week was!  Thankfully I made it through and as promised I'm back to share with you guys the details of the wingback recliner in my recent client project. 

 

 

First off, when your client tells you she NEEDS a recliner in the living space, you deliver a recliner.  I'll admit however, sourcing a chic recliner on a budget is no small feat, especially when your upholsterer has mentioned on several occasions that he hates recovering recliners.  Thankfully, you have a really good relationship with him and he makes an exception for you.  ; )

 

First I needed to locate a vintage option that had a streamlined silhouette that would work well with the plan for the space.  Thankfully, I was able to score this Lane Furniture wingback recliner on Craigslist. 

 

 

I know, it's pretty bad, but the best ones always are.  I decided on a navy blue cotton blend for the interior of the chair and decided to go with a blue and cream herringbone print on the exterior. 

 

 

Mark worked his magic on this piece and I don't begin to try to understand what that means exactly.

 

 

 

All I know is that when I get that final text message with the finished product, I can hardly believe the transformation.  

 

 

We decided to dress it up a bit with a nail head trim. How awesome is that result? 

 

So awesome in fact, I had a really hard time giving this one up.  I think there may be a recliner in my future. 

 

 

The finished product was absolutely amazing in the space.  So sophisticated, yet so comfy. 

 

 

In addition to the recliner, Mark also spruced up a pair of leather ottomans I found. 

 

 

It's amazing how a simple faux leather trim and a few brass nails elevated the look of these two.

 

 

See the full reveal HERE!

 

Yet another case for the value of reinventing furniture.  Speaking of reinventing furniture, I'm pleased to announce that I'm a contributing writer in this month's Pride Magazine.

 

 

  I'm sharing my top tips for breathing new life into vintage upholstered pieces.  If you're local to Charlotte, be sure to check it out!

 

Have a great week!!

 

 

 

ReStore and Reupholstery

Thanks so much for your kind words following the reveal of the nursery.  I'm really pleased at how it turned out and best of all the clients loved it.

You know it's not a Dwell by Cheryl project if  I don't include at least one furniture transformation and this project was no exception.  One of the elements that I knew was essential in this space was a rocker/glider.  Nurseries all have a few must haves; crib, changing table, storage and a chair (preferably a rocker or glider).  I went on the hunt for a vintage chair that would fit the bill.  One of the issues I often face when sourcing vintage furniture pieces is the difference in scale of today's pieces.  Vintage seating has a tendency to be pretty low and that was not going to work here.  Dad-to-be is not a short guy and I knew he would appreciate an appropriately sized chair to lull baby to sleep.  Enter the Our Towns ReStore of Statesville....

On a random Saturday I headed to Statesville in search of a few goodies with a rocker/glidder top of my list.  As you know, I'm not a big fan of having a list to source deals (I blogged about that HERE), but in this case I needed to find something pronto.  Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this....



The wing chair is by far one of my favorites.  Its classic lines and large scale make it a comfortable option for use in a variety of styled spaces.  However, I don't know that I'd ever even seen a wingback rocker.  This was indeed perfection!

I shipped it off to the upholster and opted for water resistant green fabric.  I figured that could come in handy in a nursery.  I also added a bit of pizazz with lilac piping. It's amazing what contrasting trim can do.

It never ceases to amaze me how fresh fabric can completely transform a vintage piece.   

Upholstery by Baity's Custom Upholstery

 Pretty amazing to see the before and after side by side. 

 It looks even better in the finished space.

I found this new feather-filled orange velvet lumbar pillow at the Catawba Valley ReStore and had it monogrammed.  I like that the pop of orange used sparsely throughout the room breaks up the predictability of the color scheme.  The hardest part was determining what to stitch on the pillow.

I hadn't intended to add a bench but on that same trip to Catawba Valley, I ran into this precious purple and white ticking stripe bench and couldn't leave it behind.  I love that the Catawba Valley ReStore has great new (mostly high-end) furniture pieces. 

It makes the perfect perch beneath the reading wall.

This project provides another great example of how I use finds from the Metro ReStores to outfit my client's spaces.  In the end, they get way more bang for their buck and I get a gorgeous project to share with you.  I call that a Win-Win!

Missed the full nursery project reveal?  Click HERE!

"Lavender and Sweet Pea Nursery Reveal"

 

Today's the day!

 

 

No need to be quiet about it either.  I'm shouting it from the rooftops!  I love how this sweet nursery turned out.

 

Here's just a reminder of the plan we initially put together. 

I think the purple and green scheme was a winner from the start.  However, I'm told by the mom-to-be that several people commented about the use of purple for a boy.  I think it's a great color for either sex.  I love that it can easily be transformed into something more appropriate for a girl or a boy with the addition of other accent colors. 

 



 

 

Surprisingly, it's not often that I actually get the opportunity to decorate nurseries.  I think it's the one project that parents like to tackle on their own.  However, not only did I get to pull together this precious unisex space for baby,  I got to do it for a young lady that grew up in the home next door to me in Mississippi.  I can recall her playing with my little sister when I was a teen and now she's all grown up, living in Charlotte and she and her husband are expecting their first child.  Time flies!

 

Let's get to it, shall we?  There's really not much to share in terms of a before and after since the room was literally a blank slate.  The couple appeared on HGTV's Property Virgins recently where they purchased a new build in the north Charlotte area. 

 

So without further ado....



         

 

I'm obsessed with the use of this stunning vintage Drexel credenza as a changing table.   I love vintage furniture (you get way more for your money) and this piece can be used in so many ways within a home.  I knew it was perfect when I found it, but I had no idea it was a valuable piece until I did a little online research and stumbled upon THIS.  Wow!  Let's just say I didn't pay nearly that much for it. 

We used a budget-friendly trick to create a sophisticated gallery wall using wallpaper samples and inexpensive frames and mats.  

 

 

Yet another item that can be changed out as the child grows.  I can see a handmade art gallery happening here a little later on. 

 

 

 

 

The wall stripe was critical to adding a little visual interest on the large wall.  Paint remains one of the most inexpensive ways to add impact to a space.  I love the clean look of it.  

 

 

We also amped up the drapery with a little playful detail.  You can't lose with pom-poms in kid spaces.  

 

 

During the initial consultation, I mentioned the idea of creating a reading wall and they loved it.  These acrylic shelves are perfect for displaying books for years to come. 

 

 

 

Lastly, I have to say that some of my favorite details in this space are a few last minute additions.  There's no secret that I have lots of décor in my home, but every now and again I realize that something I own works even better in a client's home.  After picking up another vintage globe for myself a few weeks ago, I decided that it worked much better in this nursery than in my living room.  So I ended up selling it to my client.  How cute is it!

I also knew that I needed something else to tie in the orange accent I added late in the project.  My friend and fellow small business owner Jennifer of Pure and Simple made this custom pom-pom garland and it couldn't be more perfect for the space. 

 

 

 A few final details...

 

  

 

So, what do you think?  I love this project so much and I hope it brings this young couple happiness for years to come. 

 

Special thanks to Cam Richards Photography.