A few weekends ago I snapped some photos at my sister’s place. It all started with some French chairs and a Kijiji deal… I had half jokingly asked my sisters if anyone wanted to pick up some chairs for me before 9:30 am the next morning, ultimately knowing I would have to pass up a steal of a deal. My sister Kristin drilled me with a few questions (like “how badly do you want them?”) then responded that her husband would go and pick them up. I am telling you, the thrill of the thrift runs deep in our family 😉 We mixed business with pleasure and drove down for an impromptu family BBQ {they live about 2 hrs south of us} and a chair pick up. I have been wanting to grab a few shots of their place for a while now, and I casually mentioned that I might be able to do that too… Well, it worked out and today I am happy to introduce you to my sister Kristin Kelly Peila {or as I like to call her KK} – who literally had my laughing to myself as I was working on her interview- and share a few snap shots of their “Glam Ranch.” This is the first official House Crash in the Friday Feature Series, and the start of many home tours to ensue.
AK: Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
KP: These questions are always hard to answer! I could tell you where I work or what I do or how many kids I have but you could probably find that out from google so I will tell you something else. You know how they say your eyes are bigger than your stomach? Well my taste is bigger than my budget so I am constantly deal hunting, restyling, reworking and creative thinking. I make bone broth, but buy pre-hardboiled and peeled eggs. I take 200 pictures a day (almost). I married a cowboy and now have two mini cowboys and I thought I would live in New York and be a ballerina. Life happens.
AK: What were you looking for in a home and how did you land at the Ranch?
KP: We needed something with land so that my husband would stay, and something not too far from the city so I wouldn’t go insane. We found this perfect 1960s ranch house that was literally on a ranch but 5 minutes from the city limits. The interior left something to be desired but I can visualize and I knew I could make the house into our home.
AK: How would you describe the style of your home?
KP: Eclectic, colorful, fun, cozy with hints of glam, hence the Glam Ranch which I have named our home affectionately.
AK: As a Seasoned Renter, what advice do you have for working within the lovely limitations of your space?
KP: Ask for forgiveness later. Just kidding. But sell your vision: it took two years but I have finally convinced the owner to let me paint over my “gasp” wood cabinets with white paint. Don’t be afraid to make it your own. Hang pictures, its easy to patch drywall. Paint – I did and it made me so happy. I took down the awful white mini blinds and hung drapery panels. Don’t be shy with throw blankets, plants, baskets, texture, layers. Make it yours, be thoughtful.
AK: What is your favorite piece right now? Any good stories behind it?
KP:The sunburst clock hanging in my hallway. Recently inherited from my mom(our mom) it was my grandma’s (our grandma’s). I have loved it since I was a little girl and now its mine…evil laugh. But for real, It’s a family treasure and I love it.
AK: What do you love most about your home?
KP: My blue walls. Painting my walls dark blue (Dulux Approaching Storm to be precise) helped me to love the wood panels in the living room that I hated.
AK: What do you wish you could change?
KP: The lights. The floors. The direction of the house. We have this stunning view behind our house looking down into a beautiful valley with rock cliffs. You can see it from the bathroom window. While I can’t do much about that I am highly considering switching out some of the lights….stay tuned.
AK:Describe your perfect “me day.”
KP:Fantasy or reality? I’ll go with a hybrid. I wake up in a hotel room, alone. Breakfast in bed (eggs benedict and a dark roast coffee). Leisurely get dressed and everything fits. In fact, are my jeans getting loose? Now I go for a mani/pedi and remember I don’t like shellac and opt for the regular polish. Next I go to Starbucks for my second dark roast of the day and head to some sort of wicked antique market where everything is way underpriced. Then I go to the mall and shop by myself and everything I try on is on sale and looks so cute! Epic day. I meet up with some girlfriends for a glass of vino and we laugh and talk and solve the world’s problems. My phone rings, its my husband and he has made a reservation for some delicious restaurant and I need to meet him in 2 hours. Just enough time to freshen up! Did I mention he got tickets to the live SYTYCD? Dream day. Oh and the kids gave away half of their toys and did all the laundry.
AK: I know you are a seasoned Thrift Queen- what are you always keeping an eye out for?
KP: Sometimes I feel like these things just come to me and its my duty to the world to scoop them up. I have scored some pretty sweet deals but ultimately I am looking for something unique, quality and eye-catching. Occasionally I am looking for something practical…My most recent purchases have been the blue velvet wingbacks, the starburst clock and the mid-century credenza. I also found a beautiful hutch for a friend…I would have bought it for myself but I decided my marriage was more important. Right now, I am on the hunt for a 9×12 Persian rug.
AK: There are so many design trends that seem to come and go- how do you choose what works for your family and what is better left alone?
KP: For me, budget is a huge factor in my decision making. Given different circumstances I would probably be swinging from the Lyndsey Adelman chandeliers in my marble kitchen and jumping onto my mohair sofa. But… in all seriousness. I love trends that aren’t a huge investment. Go ahead and get those brass unicorn bookends but skip on the neon chevron sofa. I think the big pieces should be classics that you can re-imagine with different accents. Invest in the pieces you can’t live without and the pieces you will pass down. Changing your accessories can change your life.
I hope you enjoyed this tour and interview as much as I did! It is difficult to capture just how beautiful it is out on the Ranch. It simply takes my breath away! I love the velvet chairs and the pops of pink in the room- like the side table, orchid and throw pillows. All of the antlers and cacti keep things grounded. So many of K’s accessories were picked up for a $1 or $2 mostly second hand- she really does find incredible deals! She is toying with painting the IKEA desk a matte black- and I think that will look amazing! Hope you have a lovely weekend.
-Miss Ash