What kind of carpet is in the bedrooms? The carpet in the bedrooms at the DIY Duplex is LifeProof PetProof Cantor in the color Twine from The Home Depot.
Why did you pick carpet for the bedrooms? This is actually the first time I have put carpet in one of my home renovations, and a few factors played into the decision. First, I really thought about how this house would be used. The plan for the Duplex was to rent for a bit and then turn into an Airbnb (More about why here). After I started decorating each room, we decided to Airbnb it right away. Either way, it was super important to have durable flooring throughout the house (we are actually seeing some chips and other wear and tear on our non-LifeProof laminate flooring in our other Airbnb…). If you missed the post about the LifeProof Vinyl Flooring we installed in the rest of the Duplex, check it out here! I decided to transition from vinyl flooring to carpet in the bedrooms for a couple reasons: 1) Since the upper and lower units in the Duplex will often be rented to different groups of people, I wanted carpet to muffle footsteps on the second floor when guests are in their bedroom at night. 2) The basement under the Duplex is unfinished and not heated, so the floors on the first floor can get chilly in the winter, so I wanted to make sure guests’ feet were warm at bedtime!
Why that color carpet? I went back and forth A LOT on the carpet color. The rooms are not that big so I did not want a dark color that would feel heavy. And I also wanted the transition from the lighter Beacon Oak LifeProof flooring to carpet not to be too stark. The Twine color was soft and worked well with the flooring and the wall color (Behr Swiss Coffee and NYPD). And my thought process on the lighter color is that guests will be more cautious of walking on it with shoes seeing that it’s a little lighter, which will help keep it looking great!
Why did you pick PetProof Carpet? Keeping in mind that there would be a lot of foot traffic in the house, I needed something durable! Plus, we allow pups at our other Airbnbs, so wanted to make sure that if we do the same at this one, the carpet would be able to withstand pet stains and smells. PetProof Carpet checked all the boxes because it has a lifetime pet stain warranty, superior softness and exceptional durability! Plus, it has a spill shield technology for built-in stain protection that will never wash off or wear off, and is easy to clean, making it great for guests with children and pets.
I am SO EXCITED about this series of Milwaukee Guides we have been working on for 2020, and I could not wait to kick it off with My Top Ten Thrifting & Antique Shops in Milwaukee!!! You all have watched me decorate our Barnhouse and Airbnb’s with second-hand goods (Check out this thrifted room makeover and this one too) and I always get asked about my GO-TO spots. Now you have my faves in one handy guide! Are there more than 10 great ones here in the city of Milwaukee? YES! But I wanted to narrow it down to my favorites I currently have on high rotation. I also wanted to stay within the city limits, but if you have a place I MUST check out, let me know in the comments. I see some thrifting roadtrips in my future.
Before we jump in to the list, may I offer a suggestion? I might be a little biased, but I believe the perfect weekend in Milwaukee would be to stay at one of our Airbnbs in Walker’s Point, The DIY Duplex or I SPY Abode, (All the listings here ) and check a bunch of the antique stores off the list! Six of the ten are in the Walker’s Point neighborhood!
Drumroll please….
Jenni Yolo Presents: My 10 Favorite Thrift and Antiques Shops in Milwaukee – 2020
Antiques on Pierce 1512 W. Pierce St., Milwaukee Antiques on Pierce is by far the antiquing mecca in Milwaukee. It is a three-story giant warehouse with a bunch of vendors — hundreds of vendors, actually! You’ll find a little of everything. The vendors have everything from jewelry to furniture to art. There are many booths with different styles. If you can only go to ONE antique store when visiting Milwaukee, this is it.
Serpentine Salvage 835 W. National Ave., Milwaukee Serpentine Salvage was formerly Antique Addicts, and now run by a super chic woman who has a great eye for vintage clothing and home decor. I have purchased some beautiful accessories for myself and my home here! Keep up with their Instagram for new items @SerpentineSalvage.
Good Land Antiques 3391 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee Good Land Antiques is a hidden gem that’s SO GOOD, and the owner is the sweetest! If she wasn’t so sweet, I would have kept this one for myself, because I never leave there empty handed. This is definitely one of my go-to places. Prices are low so things will move quickly, which makes for constant turnover. I’m often swinging into Good Land Antiques just to see what’s new (and if you see something you love, you have to buy it because it won’t be there next time)!
Goodwill on Oklahoma Ave. 153 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee I love Goodwill. Period. Their mission is wonderful and I love supporting them. For home decor, each store can be hit or miss. But at this specific location in Milwaukee, I have had more hits than misses. The Goodwill on Oklahoma Ave. is my fav, but try to hit up ones all over the city. The key to Goodwill is stopping by often. Goodwill, unlike a lot of the antique stores, you get into the nitty-gritty of thrifting. This means you really have to dig and imagine the pieces in your space. Here in Milwaukee, the rows of tchotchkes are color-coded which is amazing, but often paintings are just piled on a shelf and you’ll need to pull things out and take them out of the chaotic context that they’re in. A lot of the antique stores will curate and set them up in a way that you can visualize them in your house. Goodwill offers great value, but you have to visualize it on your own. You can do it!
Habitat for Humanity Restore Walker’s Point 420 S. 1st St., Milwaukee If furniture is what you’re seeking, the giant Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Wauwatosa is what you’ll want. But if you want to stay within the city limits, check out the Restore in Walker’s Point. The Walker’s Point location carries mostly furniture, doors, and kitchen cabinets from renovated homes. The Walker’s Point Restore has a small section of knick-knacks, but I’ve had the most success with furniture. My favorite scores have been a kitchen table and chairs I refinished for the Barnhouse, fireplace mantel (project TBD!), vintage trunk, and an old dresser I restored for a guest room. Restores also have live-edge wood (LOVE!). This is how I made the Barnwood ledge and Live Edge coffee table. The live edge wood can range from $40-$400.
Third Point of View/Antique Center-Walker’s Point 1134 S. 1st St., Milwaukee Third Point of View and Antique Center-Walker’s Point are two stores in one building. The space has multiple levels and both stores carry a ton of hidden gems. There is A LOT of stuff in a tight space. They. Are. Packed. But, if you zero in on your vision, you can find a lot of good items. In particular, Third Point of View has been a place I’ve found fabulous art pieces.
Dandy 5020 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee Vliet St. is an up and coming area in Milwaukee where you’ll find Dandy. A husband and wife bought this warehouse that they use as an antique store and venue for weddings, comedy shows, etc. They carry mid-century modern antiques and have an impeccable eye for style. You’ll find great treasures at Dandy. And they even have an Airstream inside!
Clinton Street Antiques 1110 S. 1st St., Milwaukee Clinton Street Antiques is only a recent find of mine. The guy who runs it has a great eye for curated, unique pieces like antlers, pennants, glassware, and nostalgic items. I’d say Clinton’s pieces have a more masculine vibe. It’s a smaller shop that’s definitely worth a stop. And, it’s right next to Third Point of View!
Farm Girl Art and Antiques 803 S. 5th St., Milwaukee Farm Girl Art and Antiques is a must visit. If you are into the farmhouse style, you will likely find the perfect decor items. Because it’s a consignment store you get varying aesthetics from the different vendors, which I love. It’s an amazing place to shop for art and small furniture like benches and stools. I’ve lost count of how many benches I’ve bought from here. And all my antlers come from here to. During holidays, they have seasonal decor that’s constantly changing.
Riverview Antique Market 2045 W. St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee Riverview Antique Market is a multi-level store that has a ton of gems in it! Riverview Antique Market has a bunch of vendors with a little bit of everything, which is amazing for browsing without purpose. In the past, I have had success with lighting, and found some great chandeliers for the Barnhouse!
OUTSITE THE CITY LIMITS Chattel Changers 2520 E Capitol Dr, Shorewood, WI 53211 Chattel Changers is technically not in Milwaukee, but it’s worth heading right outside the city limits to visit this 40 year Antique Store. The walls are covered with art, and I leave with at least 3 painting every time I go!
Thrifted Art, Rugs, Books and Furniture in my Loft!
I am working on a big ‘ol post with Thrifting Tips and Tricks, but here are a few answers to Frequently Asked Thifting Questions!
How often do you go thrifting? It really ebbs and flows. If I’m decorating a house, I’ll go every few days. Otherwise, I try to avoid it if I’m not currently working on a project so that I don’t pick up things I don’t need. Sometimes I set aside hours and make it a full-day adventure, but not always. Sometimes I pop in and out in 15-minutes, oftentimes walking out with at least one thing I love. My advice is don’t be afraid to make a quick lap and decide there’s nothing there for you that day. The joy of thrifting is going often and seeing what’s new.
What are your top thrifting tips? It sounds crazy, but thrifting involves some strategy! My tips include:
– If you’re looking to find something specific, go to a larger store with multiple booths so you have more options to find what you like.
-The best way to thrift is to not have a gameplan because finding exactly what you’re looking for can be challenging. The more you go, the more likely you’ll find pieces that fit your needs.
-It’s totally acceptable to ask for a better price. Just see if there’s any wiggle room.
-If you love something, you should get it because there’s a good chance it won’t be there the next time you go back. There are still a few things that haunt me that I wish I had purchased. Ugh, the regret!
-When you walk into a store and see something you like, put it in your cart or have it marked sold before someone else scoops it up.
Enjoy finding the diamonds in the rough! Happy Thrifting!! And let me know in the comments if there are any other guides you would like to see on I SPY DIY!
You all have been following along on @ISPYDIY Instagram while I decorate the DIY Duplex. I have been getting a ton of questions about the rugs. You know how much I LOVE Loloi rugs! I have them everywhere in the Barnhouse, so I was super excited when they wanted to work together to deck out the Duplex! I picked a few rugs I have used before, because they are just THAT GOOD, and a bunch of new ones. The best news is, they are all under $300 and ALL on Amazon (I made a list for you to shop HERE!)
Let’s jump in with this one in the downstairs bedroom, Lucia Distressed Area Rug in Grey/Sunset. We actually put carpet in most of the bedrooms to help with warmth and noise dampening, but I am a fan of layering rugs on carpet. It finishes off a space, grounds the bed, and especially for a small room like this, adds some visual interest. The high/low pile on this rug is SO SOFT, and depending on lighting and direction it’s facing you can see more gray or peach (most woven rugs look lighter or darker depending on the direction you are looking at it). It complimented the art perfectly in this room!
I talked all about the Loren Collection Vintage Printed rug in the room makeover post for this bedroom HERE. I LOVE it, used it in the Loft at my house, and would use it again and again. The pattern is printed on the rug (not woven) which is great for a couple reasons; it is SUPER durable (with 2 pups we put it to the test and it looks perfect after a year) and the low profile is great if you need a door to swing over it…which two do in this room. The muted pattern with a few pops of blue is gorgeous and could work in so many spaces.
I have always loved the look of layering rugs, it adds depth and texture to a space. Jute is my go-to for layering, and the Ivory Edge Rug worked perfectly! The jute is more tan, and leather is woven through in shades of grey, which paired beautifully with the blues and grays in the Layla rug layered on top. I picked this one because I wanted to compliment the blues and cool tones in the stained glass window. This rug does read a little bluer in real life, but that is also being highlighted by the blue light coming through the stained glass. Sidenote: buying rugs online can be a challenge, because lighting can affect how it looks, buying from Amazon has the huge perk of a easy return process!
I actually planned on putting this rug in a bedroom, but after painting the table this blue color and staining the bench, the blush and greyish-blue colors in the Skye Printed Distressed rug pulled together the whole space. This is also a printed rug, which is great for a dining area, because you don’t have to worry about food hiding in woven areas!
The famous rug that EVERY blogger has in their home! I get it, the Layla in Olive/Charcoal is a great rug at an AMAZING price (I have a smaller one linked because the 5×7 is currently sold out). We have two in the Barnhouse (on the landing and entryway). The color is beautiful and it’s indestructible, even when the dogs peel downstairs to bark at the mailman. There are a ton of questions about this coloring of this rug, and to be honest it can really vary depending on lighting and paint color. In my house, it read too green in the office with my Evergreen built-in, but in this blue room all the pretty olive, rust, and blue tone pop!
For the upstairs bathroom, I did not want anything that competed too much with the wallpaper, so the monochromatic color palette of the Mika Stone/Ivory rug was perfect. I also picked this one because it’s an indoor/outdoor rug so it will be more resistant to water when guests step out of the tub!
Photographing a rug in this little bathroom is tough, but trust me that the blues, reds, and tans in the Loren Sand/Multi are rich and bold! I had a similar vintage rug in here, but got nervous leaving my precious vintage rugs at an Airbnb, so this was a beautiful substitute that pulled together the wall color and wood tones. This is also a printed rug, which works great in the bathroom, because it’s similar to a bath mat.
This is a tight room, so you can just get a peek at the Loren Silver/State rug in the downstairs Master bedroom. The pattern on this printed rug is super sweet, and reads more on the blush side, which would make it SUPER cute in a nursery.
SHOP THE RUGS!
There you have it!! You can shop all the rugs in my Amazon Store HERE! And let me know in the comments if you have any additional questions!
