A Hotel for Dogs (Part 1)

Yep, you read that right. For the past four (+) months I’ve been working on this semi-top secret project that I’ve been itching to share with you—and now I finally can! It was definitely hard to keep this all under wraps…especially when my clients are the cutest puppies, and my job included designing a slew of canine rooms. Sweetest gig ever!

If you have yet to board your pup at The Pooch Parlor here in Yuma, AZ, then by all means do so now. Not only are their boarding facilities the most fun (according to me), but the play area on this facility boasts a ball pit, doggie tube, water feature, and just a ton of overall fun. Plus, their posh puppy rooms are air conditioned. Perfect for this Yuma heat.

But before I blabber on too much, let me introduce you to the first FOUR themed rooms located in this hotel for dogs.

1. Central Bark: With the NYC famed park as the design inspo for this doggie room, I wanted to infuse super bright colors, cool patterns, and fun artwork. After searching Etsy, I literally found everything I needed. Everything! Love me some Etsy.

Central Bark

A beautiful shade of green serves as the backdrop for some ultra bright artwork and decor. Fun & festive!

The design board was a snap to create. The hard part was limiting the number of pieces I could use in each room. However, here is the end result:

I know where my pups will be staying next time we’re out of town. Even better? See that doggie door on east facing wall? That leads us to our next room and two dogs can have access to one another which is such a cool feature if you have more than one pooch like me.

2. Home Sweet Home: I wanted to include a feminine option to one of these four large rooms and what better way to keep those pooches from getting homesick than to provide them with a space like this? LOL.

Home Sweet Home

“Whistler’s Mother” rocking her pooches along with soft, pastel colors that soothe.

And the completed room…

This room was a lot of Hobby Lobby, along with some Etsy, and a hint of Wayfair. And seriously? How about that bed? Awesome. I only wish I could lay down a braided rug to complete this look but we all know how hard dogs are on rugs. Oy.

3. Salty Dog: I don’t know about you but this summer I’m heading to the beach. Dogs (most dogs) love the beach as well so why not give them what they want? A beach themed room? Done.

Salty Dog

Cool coastal colors mixed with beachy/rustic decor complete this pooch palace.

Here she is…

Equal parts Hobby Lobby and Etsy on this one (and some Wayfair). So simple but still super fun…and beachy (minus the sand).

4. The Bachelor Pad: How could I not? Creating the vision board for this room had me in a fit of giggles. I’m not even kidding. Conducting searches for “Pin-up dog” amongst other bachelor type doggie items was just too. much. fun.

The Bach Pad

Poker dogs, a large sofa, and pin-up’s. Yah, this definitely happened.

Make sure to reserve this room soon. I have a feeling there might be a waiting list.

Stay tuned because the Pooch Parlor has SIX more rooms (I designed) to offer you. Even better? They’re having an Open House THIS WEEKEND on Saturday, April 27 from 10-2! There’ll be guided tours, drawings for prizes…the works! I’m so going and bringing my pooches with me too.

What do you think? Would you be down to board your dogs in digs like these?

Part 2 coming soon!

Love,

J

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

INSPIRATION--a little bit goes a long way...

When it comes to decorating a space within your home, all that's needed is one key piece of inspiration. No, seriously. An entire room can be designed around anything, really.  And when it comes to said "inspiration", the sky's the limit. A piece of artwork, a tea towel, a table runner, a throw pillow...and yes, even a shower curtain can serve as the main feature to revolve a whole room around.

Want some examples? Here is one of my faves. This bathroom was lacking major appeal. However, see that shower curtain? It was the key piece to redesigning this space...the inspiration behind it all. The walls went from a bland white to a brilliant teal (the same teal found in that curtain). AFC then added extra storage, some fun wall art, and lots of color to complete the look. BUT! It all started with an inexpensive shower curtain. Pretty amazing, right?

Next up? This boys bathroom. Both of "K's" boys are heavily involved in sports and she wanted to kick up their bathroom a notch but wasn't sure how. It started with a sign she found, and the rest just came together. One gallery wall later [along with new shelving, a custom fabric red ticking shower curtain (not pictured), a few decor pieces, and a cool towel hook feature], and this sports-themed bathroom was complete. And all because of a simple sign found on a recent outing. So cool!

And how 'bout this master bedroom? "L" had a number of pieces with a beachy theme and her walls were already painted in a calming blue hue, however the rest of the room just needed some cohesion.

With the coastline as our inspiration, AFC brought in bright pops of color, a rustic screen divider, and some amazing lamps (yay, Target!). We then incorporated a simple gallery wall and this room was done. And how can I not mention that AMAZING headboard created by Nate Koogle? Gorgeous, right? It makes the room!

It literally just takes one piece of something (!) and a whole room can be transformed. I just love that!

Love,

J