Bananas, Cheeseburgers & Ghetto Blasters...

I love quirky. You know—decorating with the most unlikely of pieces—items that can only be found in the clearance section because no one else wanted them? Those are my favorite pieces and definitely the ones I get most excited about. Not only are they super fun but also super cheap.

Take these banana bookends for example. I fell in love with them. Even better? My teenage son did too. They’re super fun, bright, and totally unexpected.

They’re a statement piece for sure and a piece of decor you’re certain not to find in a lot of homes. I encountered these gems on sale for $4.04. Seriously? It’s like they were giving them away and I? I will gladly take them.

Apparently I couldn’t stop with just bananas either. My youngest son is a cheeseburger fanatic and when I saw cheeseburger bookends (on clearance too), well, it just made sense. How could I not? Still fun. Super quirky. Crazy awesome. And functional to boot!

Hey, remember ghetto blasters? Remember watching videos on MTV where rappers would carry them on their shoulders? I totally just dated myself but the good news is that someone at Target did. They remembered (!) and made some amazing artwork that found itself in the clearance pile just waiting for me. I snatched it up for just $3.04 and I love the fun it emotes sitting there on that shelf next to the infamous banana bookends.

Other items? Well, other pieces I’ve purchased are so ugly, they’re cute. Take these two following pieces: the golfing dog figurine (minus the club), and Mr. Mustache—the fabulous planter I hauled back all the way from Hawaii. Two unconventional pieces that add a whole bunch of life to the spaces they’re in.

Look at him sitting there with that fabulous ‘stache. He just belongs! Unique and unexpected. He may not be for everyone (and I get that), but pieces like these are what makes decorating my home a blast. Side note: ignore the frame that has yet to be filled with a photo…I’m gettin’ there.

How about a golfing dog? I can’t even make this stuff up. Look!

Again, not for everybody but it doesn’t have to be. “Golfing Dog” was found in the 90% off clearance section at Hobby Lobby, all alone and missing his golf club. I mean, I had to rescue him…and I’m so glad I did. You might be reading this thinking I’ve lost my mind, but it’s not like I actually made this stuff. Someone else gets that crazy credit! I do appreciate pieces like these though and adore the spunk it adds to the space it’s in.

Ok, one more (although I do have other craptastic items): Regal pug bust. Look at this thing! It’s literally a bust of a pug, dressed up in fancy historic garb. Iconic!

I know, I know—-but he’s fun and I love him. And yes, this guy was also on clearance. Not many could appreciate or be willing to place him in their homes. LOL

So, what’s the point of this whole post? Don’t be afraid to implement quirky, unique items into your living space that maybe only you could love. They add a ton of character, liven up the rooms they’re in, and definitely serve as a conversation piece. How could they not?! ;)

Love, J

A Room With a View

Make that a medical office with a “view.” Get it? Okay, maybe not.

Anyways, I was first contacted by “M” during this past summer. As the new director of Pinnacle Medical Center here in Yuma, AZ, she wanted to update their waiting room, add additional seating, and address a major issue that needed to be dealt with.

Ready for before and after pics? They’re my fave.

Before, the waiting room was nice but a little bare. With Venetian plaster covering each wall, the previous administration of this medical practice had invested a number of dollars into making this space beautiful. The problem? Venetian plaster in a commercial setting isn’t always the best idea. See the area on the wall that appears stained? Well, that’s exactly what happened. After years of patients resting their heads on those walls, this was the end result.

And it needed some fixing.

My first thought was to run board and batten moldings 3/4 of the way up the wall. This would cover the area that needed to be covered and look really nice as well. Throw in some pictures of our local Yuma landscape, along with a tad bit of faux foliage, and bam! Maybe something like this:

However, after receiving the quote to do so, moldings were not in the budget, but (!) after scrolling through my Instagram feed a few weeks back, I found an idea that would work perfectly—a mountain landscape. This would not only deal with the main issue of those stains but also liven the walls up, introduce some serious pops of color, and make the overall space fun.

After seven hours of priming and painting, here is the end result:

Thanks to Sherwin Willaims for the inspiration and Pinnacle Medical Office for allowing AFC to create this mural. Did I mention they give tetanus shots, too? So if you happen to step on a rusty nail while cleaning your chicken coop, this place will definitely help you out…wink, wink. True story.

The Details:

Paint: Sherwin Williams (Distance, Baked Cookie, Cavern Clay, Caramelized, and Moth Wing)

Mural: A Fresh Coat-Yuma

OH, BABY!!!

I seriously love the opportunity to renovate rooms and redecorate homes. Transformations are just so much fun. Even better? A surprise room reveal!

Friend, Crossfit coach, and daddy-to-be, "A" wanted to surprise his wife with a beautiful nursery. This means I had 2 1/2 days to design and decorate this sweet, rustic, woodland-inspired room while mama was away at her shower. Challenge accepted! I was so honored and over-the-moon excited to do this for "K."

The good news? No paint was needed. This gorgeous home already had beautiful, light grey walls. The graphite grey crib was already in place, and the crib sheet served as the inspiration for the whole room. Pinks, greys, rustic wood, along with hints of Robin's egg blue became the backdrop for this sweet space.

After roaming the aisles of Hobby Lobby, Target, and Kirkland's--in what came to be whirlwind shopping trips--I pieced together the main gallery wall.  

With an incredible amount of inventory, Hobby Lobby makes it so easy to customize and personalize any space. A rustic wood letter for baby "F," a doorknob, feather with frame,  framed expressions and artwork, not to mention those awesome 3D flowers, a clock, and that sweet little arrow. Put them together and this gallery wall is D-O-N-E!

Ok, how about that Pottery Barn Kids mobile? I found this gorgeous piece in their home and couldn't wait to hang it. And look at those butterflies!! Swoon-worthy for sure.

With the rocker chair on order, I wanted to give "K" an accent table to use once baby arrives.

I found this great rustic wood table at--you guessed it--Hobby Lobby. Paired with that adorable Pillowfort bear pillow (Target), marquee (Kirkland's), planter and soft pink lamp, this spot offers a bit of storage and a lot of cuteness.

Shelving was a necessity. As a lover of children's books, I wanted to give "K" and "F" a spot to store their favorite reading material. The scalloped shelving gave some girly flair while blending with the rustic faire. 

Last but not least, the changing table area. The changing table was already set in place but just needed a little decor..a little "umph." Also? Garland is a really fun accent to decorate with and this room boasts two of them in two different areas (pom and wood).

Baby "F" now has a nursery that's ready for her arrival...

Love, J

Paint is Magical

No, really. Paint can transform a room--both good and bad. Last week I received a call from a local realtor whose clients were eager to list their home, but before that could take place, a serious paint overhaul/makeover needed to happen.

See for yourself.

Let's start with the Red Room.

The Red Room had two red feature walls (along with a door frame) painted in a very deep, yet bright shade of red. However, when applied, the color was not distributed evenly. I selected Sherwin Wiliiams's Agreeable Gray (using Valspar Reserve paint with primer) to cover up the red and accompanying grey walls. AFC painted over the closet doors, the back of the main door, all that trim, walls, and finished with touch-ups to the ceiling in a bright white. 

Boom. No more red and instead, this room now boasts a nice, clean, refreshing look. Don't those pretzels look good too?

Ahhhh. So. Much. Better! That red felt like it was shouting at me the entire time I was painting and was anything but calming--whereas this grey is soothing, cool, and relaxing.

Next up? The Purple Room.

As I began painting Agreeable Grey (hey, it's a great color) yet again, I noticed that this room had previously been painted royal blue and yes, red before it's current lavender hue. This room was very dark and did not compliment the antique furniture it contained. 

See what I mean?

Such a deep, dark color that was actually closing this space in. There's a misconception that dark paint will in fact make a room appear smaller, however, dark colors can make the right space look bigger--unfortunately that wasn't the case here.

After painting all of the walls, trim, closet doors, main door, and tending to the ceiling for some clean-up work, this room is transformed!

Better, right?! The neutral color not only compliments the furniture but buyers won't be distracted by that deep, dark color on the walls. Win-win!

Okay, here's the last room we took care of. Ready?

This yellow was extremely bright. In fact, you couldn't see past the color in this bathroom. The yellow just consumed you.  The beautiful espresso cabinets and vanities were non-existent up against all that saffron. Agreeable Grey (yet again) to the rescue.

Paint definitely made all the difference when it came to this home--in the colors that were originally selected as well as the color used to cover them up. Now buyers will be able to look past the paint on the walls and take in the true size of each of these spacious and beautiful rooms. The high ceilings and skip trowel wall finishes (they may have otherwise missed) will now stand out.  

The investment will be well worth it.

Love, J

Dining Room Redo

Dining Rooms can vary widely as far as decor goes. Usually the first room one sees upon entering a home, the Dining Room can be formal, semi-formal, casual, or a mix of something in-between.

The "F" family messaged me in April to come check out their space. They had brand new furniture, beautiful crown moldings, gorgeous tile flooring, and an idea of the Dining Room they wanted to create...but just needed a little help pulling it all together. They desired an area that appeared more formal...warmer...and a place where their family (and extended family) could gather whenever they felt like it.

Upon walking in the front door, I immediately noticed two things that told me a lot about this couple's style: the color red (used in accent pillows on the front porch), and an overall traditional feel in their decor. 

Here is where we started...

Notice anything about the lighting? It's completely off-center from the window and table. In fact, it lined up with the front door but not the main elements in the room. This was the first thing that needed to be changed. And here's a list of the other items we discussed addressing in addition to:

1. Remove TV and TV mount.

2. Create a wall gallery of family pictures.

3. Add a buffet and additional seating.

4. Per owner request, leave curtains as is.

5. Dress up table with centerpiece.

6. Remove fan and replace with new light fixture only.

And here is the mood board I constructed. Deep reds, warm wood and metal accents, shelving, a rustic clock, and some foliage to compliment the elements.

Ready for the "after" pics? Here we go...

Wine and stemware storage were added to the walls by means of these sweet Pottery Barn floating shelves. An oversized clock, pictures, foliage, and a pop of yellow were implemented to create interest and cohesion to this wall as well. No longer bare, this portion of the room is officially decked out and ready for entertaining. 

One entertaining area officially made over! We managed to check off each item on the list of things to tackle and pulled it all together to create a unified, warm, and beautiful area for family and friends to eat, relax, and enjoy!

The Details:

Nile Rug: Pier 1 Imports

Chandelier/Lighting: Amazon.com

Shelves: Pottery Barn

Clock: Kirkland's

Decor: Kirkland's, Hobby Lobby, Michael's

Canvas Collage: Easycanvas.com

Electrical Work: Mike Fredricks-Yuma, AZ

Love, J