I am SO EXCITED to share our backyard dining area at the Barnhouse! It seems unbelievable that the picture below is how this space looked last year at this time. This backyard has been such a labor of DIY love (and exhaustion, ha!). Last Summer we cleared out garbage, leveled, built the fence, laid the pavers and rolled out sod...then we needed a break (Check the BACKYARD highlights on @ISPYDIY IG for more info.) This Summer it’s time to really amp up the backyard and make it the space our family can enjoy for the few nice weather months we get here in Wisconsin. The first area I tackled was the dining area!
The gazebo was the game-changer in the backyard! It really defined a space for the dining area, and provides the right amount of shade for us to hang out with the babe on hot days. The Wood & Steel Gazebo by Sunjoy was delivered in a compact box and we were SUPER impressed on how concise the directions and organized the parts were. They even included a bag of extra parts that were labeled EXTRA PARTS (so we didn’t freak out when there were loose nuts and bolts after it was done!!). They recommend having a few people do the assembly together, but quarantine… so Mr. Yolo assembled it by himself over the course of 3 days. He said with a couple helping hands it would have taken about 5 -6 hours. My favorite features? It’s real wood! The metal roof is so slick, it’s translucent at the top to let in a little light. AND we could hang a chandelier, which makes it the most cozy place to hang in the evening. It just feels SO magical!!! I am so happy with it, and would highly recommend!
I really wanted to mix the old and the new back here. The table and the outdoor rug is from World Market (link at the end), and the chairs and bench are vintage. The mix felt perfectly eclectic!
I came out of retirement to make a charcuterie board, ha! Preparing them before parties was stressing me out, so I took a hiatus. But this one felt right. I am excited to make more this Summer!
World Market reached out about shooting a video campaign in the space, so you might see it popping up in their marketing! The video was to promote their outdoor products, so everything on the table (and the table) is from World Market. Links are at the end of the post!
For the video shoot, my neighbor (and wonderful friend) created this insanely beautiful (and yummy!) burger bar and homemade focaccia! The Yolo residence is definitely still working on the whole cooking dinner thing, but Mr. Yolo has grilling down! So we can’t want to create more burger bars for family dinners 🙂
I am back with another affordable rug round-up! You all loved the last one at the DIY Duplex Airbnb, and since there is some down time at our I Spy Abode Airbnb, we are doing some updates and refreshing some rooms. Loloi Rugs came out with a new line of printed rugs, called Hathaway, and the colors and pattern work PERFECTLY with the design of the house. Plus, I love these printed rugs because they are super durable, and easy to clean, which is ideal for the Airbnbs. The design is printed on a mat-like material, so they are soft and would be great for a kids room/nursery, but can also hold up to wear and tear from guests and pups. AND they are affordable. The 5X7 is just over $100! I always find it super helpful to see a rug in someone’s home before purchasing, so I styled up 4 rooms with different rugs from the collection. Heads up, you can’t buy the rugs directly from Loloi, but the whole collection can be purchasedon Amazon
First up! The living room. We bought this teal sofa bed from IKEA a couple months ago, and I wanted a rug that would work with the color. I love that this one had a little teal in it, really pulling the room together. In general, the house reads a little cooler because of the Sherwin Williams Pure White walls. The rug looks less tan in this space, and the colors are a bit bolder.
This is actually the same pattern rug as the living room, just in different colors, Navy/Tan. I LOVE how the peachy pink picks up the color of the Behr Spiced Brandy door and the copper accents in the kitchen. I was thinking that the perimeter would be charcoal, but it’s closer to a dark blue. I honestly did not decorate this house with any blue, but once I laid down the rug and stepped back, I loved the color!
Since the dining room rug is bolder, I wanted a more muted rug runner for the kitchen, but with those same peachy pink colors, so went with the Beige version. This rug is my favorite from the collection. It’s so pretty, and the colors could work with so many different designs. A green accent chair would really pull out the olive tones, or you could play up the different blues…I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with this rug!
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!
