Jodiwarrendesigns

One of the decorating rules I believe in most?

Only buy what you love.

Years ago, I bought this David Shrigley tea towel featuring a hot pink ice cream cone and the phrase “Life is Fantastic.” It’s supposed to be a kitchen item. It’s a little weird. And I absolutely love it.

Over the last five years, furniture has moved, walls have changed, and rooms have evolved. Yet somehow, this little piece keeps finding a place in my home—always in this small corner that’s visible from the street and one of the first things I see when I pull into the driveway.

That’s the thing about buying what you truly love: it sticks around!

Swipe through five years of one very persistent hot pink ice cream cone.

Still here. Still fantastic.

57 degrees and cloudy=East Coast Memorial Day Weekend.

bar cart styling | east coast summer | coastal decorating | vintage finds

We have a college graduate and I couldn’t be prouder! Our whole family loved his time at Ithaca and feel fortunate that we had many excuses to visit our soccer (and lacrosse for one season!) player. He made so many fantastic friends and so did we—not to mention a wonderful education. Congrats to the class of 2026! Go Bombers!💣🎓⚽️🥍

Heading out for a day of consults, discovery calls and selections…while this song is lodged firmly in my head. And now it’s stuck in yours. Sorry!! Must redo the workout playlist stat. Have a day, gang 🤌

This room had great light, sat right at the front entrance of the home…and barely got used. Unacceptable!

When my client and I first tackled this space a few years ago, it felt crowded, hectic and lacked a real sense of purpose. She had collected several large furniture pieces over time, but the room wasn’t functioning in a way that supported how their family actually lived.

Since a renovation is not on the table for a while, we started with one simple question: What do you want this room to do?

The answer: extra gathering space, cocktails with friends, holiday overflow and a quiet place to unwind.

With this goal in mind, we edited the room strategically—keeping the best pieces, relocating others and creating a layout that finally gave the space direction. One major shift was moving a beautiful china cabinet out of a dark corner into another room where it could truly shine. This made room for a cozy little bar area that instantly helped define the room’s purpose.

We also spent a fun morning creating gallery walls using art she already owned, an instant personality punch with zero dollars spent.

Fast forward to a recent visit and seeing this room stopped me in my tracks—not because it was perfectly finished, but because my client told me they actually use it now. Guys, this is why I do this job-I literally can’t think of a better thing to hear.

While bigger renovation plans may eventually happen, this thoughtful shuffle gave the family a version of the room they could enjoy *right now.* And sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of transformation a home needs.

Interior decorating, use what you have decor, sustainable design, functional spaces, real life design

Does the thought of a gallery wall send you into a tizzy? I hear you.

This is exactly where my client started—staring at this TV wall (vents, in-wall speakers… all the things you can’t move) and feeling completely stuck… with a baby shower on the calendar and a house full of guests on the way.

So we kept it super simple. We met, pulled together a mix of her meaningful vintage pieces plus a few budget-friendly finds, and mapped out a layout that lets the art shine while quietly downplaying the not-so-pretty necessities—all while keeping the TV front and center.

Now it feels layered, personal, and ready for hosting… without a big spend or a full overhaul.

If you’ve got a wall like this that’s been staring back at you for way too long, this is your sign. You don’t need perfect—you just need a plan (and someone to help you see it).🙋‍♀️

gallery wall ideas, hiding vents, decorating tricks, wall styling

A decorator’s work is never done! With that in mind, here’s a peep at some vintage finds that snuck their way into my house this spring.

So. Hard. To. Resist. Fun. Stuff.

vintage decor, antiques, secondhand, thrifted design, home styling

What a weekend! Junior prom…Senior day…World traveler back home💕💣🇮🇹

What inspires you? Hands down for me, it’s travel.

Our recent stay in this amazing Florence hotel room was a masterclass in layered, thoughtful design that feels completely effortless (it’s so not).

Here are my big design takeaways: the pattern mixing is fearless, the headboard fabric is the star, and instead of one oversized rug, they layered three smaller ones in rich, contrasting patterns around the bed—so much more interesting.

Even the patterned lampshades are doing their part, casting that soft, flattering glow that makes the whole room feel warm and inviting. And the walls—trimmed in fabric—are a quiet but confident detail you don’t often see in residential spaces, but absolutely could.

And then there’s the view (the view!!!), quietly handing over the perfect color palette.

For me, this room is a reminder that the most compelling spaces aren’t perfectly matched—they’re thoughtfully layered, a little unexpected, and full of ideas worth bringing home.

Florence, travel design, interior design, interior decorating, pattern mixing, Firenze, Italy, hospitality design