Metamorphosis Monday: Side By Side

Thank you Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting this great Met Monday! For more beautiful transformations, run over to Susan's blog. I received a wonderful gift from a wonderful blogger, and new friend, Karl of HudsonGoods.com, and HudsonGoodsBlog.com last week, which spurred the animals into a decorating frenzy that was worthy of met Monday! Below are some side by side changes that the animals did last week during their tirade of decorating adventures on the house, (read about them here).

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on the image. Here you can see the living room and how it has changed significantly just by switching out the ottoman and the leather chairs/couch. I love it as it is now, and I think the dogs did a great job with their first quick change.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on the image. An alternate view - the chairs really help to open up the space from the hallway/entry.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking the image. Here, probably the most significant change. The sunroom goes from dark and cozy to warm, light, and inviting with the addition of the sofa and seagrass wingback.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Click on the image to enlarge.

And now, back to the whole reason that these changes occurred, Karl Miller, and HudsonGoods.com. I had the proud pleasure of interviewing Karl for the blog, about his products and the joy he takes in HudsonGoods.com and the quality of the products he provides. (Having enjoyed one of the beautiful items of his collection, I can gladly proclaim: SHOP WITHOUT WORRY!)

ABV: I've perused your online store, Hudsongoods.com, and you've got some really great stuff! How do you go about picking the accessories, furniture, and unique finds that you offer for sale?

HG/KM:I design all of the furniture pieces myself. They have a vintage feel and are made to look old, like a family heirloom, but function as new. I prefer painted pieces with light distressing and natural tops to show the beauty of the wood. I shop all over to find accessories that will go with the vintage style of my furniture collection. I stay true to our natural elements, metal, wood, glass, and choose products that are "green" whenever I can. Barn stars made of salvaged tin from old barn roofs, old marine wood made into picture frames and recycled glass into display bottles. I also pick up special finds and may have only one or two available on the web site. It takes more time but I think it is great to have unique one-of-a-kind pieces in your home.
ABV: What moved you to start the store? What did you do in your life prior to being the owner of Hudsongoods?
HG/KM: Believe it or not, I worked in financial services for 25 years. With the recent downturn in that industry, I decided it was finally time to follow my passion and do what I enjoy most in life. So I left that career and started another in home design and now I enjoy going to work every day. It is great being your own boss and doing what you really love in life.
ABV: Your slogan is, "Homes are meant to be lived in" and I couldn't agree with you more. What's your best advice on getting that chic, but lived in feel?
HG/KM: There are no formal rooms in my home, each one is decorated for casual living, and yes there are TV's! I avoid using a lot matching furniture, my kitchen and dining tables are different than the chairs around them. I do believe in buying a few substantial pieces for each room, a large sectional, hutch or table and building around them. Achieving that lived in feel is choosing pieces that are not untouchable and that you can use without worrying about scratches or ring marks. They also should be pieces that you love, to look at and sit in, every day. Warm colors for the walls and fabrics are also important. My favorites colors are sage green and creamy yellow. I think those are the only two colors in my entire home, inside and out!
ABV: Buddy, your trusty side kick, and co-conspirator in HudsonGoods seems to love your products just as much as we do, which one do you think is his favorite?
HG/KM: Buddy, who by the way, is a girl, definitely loves the pillows the best. They are hand hooked from pure wool and she has been known to rest her head on quite a few of them. I recently purchased the "Lie Down" pillow for the store which features a dog. I had to get it!
ABV: And which is your favorite?
HG/KM: My favorite piece of furniture is the Bombay dresser. I love the curved lines and the antique white will go with any room color and the wood top is beautiful. Believe it or not, the top is stained with actual coffee grinds to get an amazing chocolate brown finish. My favorite accessory is the Wood and Metal Clock. (FEATURED IN MY FIRST IMAGE IN COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES FOYER) It is oversized and made of heavy wood and rusted metal. It has a rustic charm but can also provide a dramatic contrast in a very contemporary space. I have it over my fireplace in my bedroom and love looking at it every day.
ABV: You said you design all of your furniture. What do you think of when you are designing?
HG/KM: I think the inspiration comes from years of going to flea markets, estate sales and of course shopping. I always have vintage chic in mind and natural elements. I have a new spring collection coming out soon that features planked wood tables on metal bases. The inspiration came from antique wood trolly carts and industrial metal containers which are gaining popularity. An upcoming blog post will feature photos of the pieces that inspired the new collection which will simply be called, Metal and Wood.
ABV: Your rooms are featured on the very popular HGTV, RatemySpace site, where you've gotten really great ratings. What room is your favorite, and why?
HG/KM: I have to say that my back porch is my favorite. I live out there in the summer. I installed a royal blue awning with side panels that keeps it cool in the sun and the seating is comfortable and cushy. I live about a mile from the beach, so there is usually a great breeze as well. I will admit that Buddy and I have been known to take quite a few naps out there!
I was fortunate to have them showcase my porch on the cover of HGTV.com and in one day it received over 2,000 views. It is an amazing site!
ABV: What's in store for Hudsongoods.com? Anything new hitting the shelves soon?
HG/KM: I have several items for spring and summer that I will be introducing one at a time on the cover of the web site. They are mostly for outdoor living and include wood lanterns for the back porch, birdhouses, bird feeders, lemonade clocks and for indoors, one of my new favorites, a vintage red truck pillow. And of course the metal and wood table collection for places to gather with friends and family.
ABV: You have your own blog at Hudsongoods too! How has the blog world been so far? What can we look forward to reading there?
HG/KM: I have really enjoyed writing posts for the blog as well as reading other blog sites. There is an amazing amount of talent out there. I have enjoyed going to new places but I have also been lucky to meet some really great people on all of the blog sites. I never realized there were so many! I spent many years living in New York City and it is just a wealth of information and material. I enjoy bringing its unique products to people who may never get a chance visit. Of course, I try to find products that are similar to my own vintage style. Many of the stores I frequent also offer their products on-line and most visitors would never have the time to find many of the places. I do plan to introduce some of my own products on the blog as well and the antics of Buddy!

ABV: Any tips for what products everyone should have this summer?
HG/KM: Summer time is about enjoying the outdoors. Expanding your living space with the back deck or patio is a smart and growing trend. Make it livable with comfortable seating and great accessories. Wood lanterns, candles, plant stands, ferns and pillows. Eating outdoors is always great too and plastic dinnerware is now very fashionable and practical. I may offer some John Deere accessories next year for outdoor dining. I thought they were very retro and cool. I would also recommend buying a small package of Morning Glories and planting them in a sunny spot along a fence or deck. You will be shocked at how fast they grow and how beautiful the blooms are!

I really recommend running over to HudsonGoods.com and viewing some of the fantastic accessories and furniture available. I promise you won't be disappointed in the wide variety, and beautiful craftsmanship of the items available. And don't forget to check out Karl's own beautiful backyard patio on his blog: Hudsongoodsblog.com and leave a comment - tell him Artie sent you!

Happy Monday!