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HOME & GARDEN : DESIGN FEARLESS IN DESIGN LONGBEACHMAGAZINE.COM 37 WRITTEN BY JOEN GARNICA PHOTOGRAPHED BY MATT FUKUSHIMA Kelly McLemore showed no fear when she entered Garnica Interiors' "Fearless in Design" Contest on Facebook mid-September. It's no surprise Kelly's favorite quote is listed on her Facebook page as "Whether you think you can or can't – you're right!" Not only did Kelly can, she did! – win the first Garnica Interiors "Fearless in Design" Facebook contest. Kelly is an Arbonne International Independent Consultant who loves vintage and thrift shopping for her home. Last month, I was greeted by Mr. Pickles (a very happy Pembroke Welsh Corgi pup) as I walked into Kelly and her husband Dan's home nestled between the Traffic Circle and Signal Hill. I immediately saw her love of vintage. Kelly's home is peppered with 60s vintage finds that complement mid-century inspired new pieces. Q&A with Kelly McLemore Joen Garnica: Congratulations Kelly! How did you feel about winning the Fearless in Design contest? Kelly McLemore: I am really happy! I wanted to win. I was really happy you had the contest. It made me finish the room with a hard deadline. Without the contest I would've still been working on it. Joen: Did you have an inspiration piece when you started your master bedroom? Kelly: Yes. I purchased a grey and yellow coat that I really love. I really liked how the two colors went together so I started there. The room was very different before. I had my mom's hand-me- down quilts and a blanket on the window as a curtain. It was really bad. Joen: What piece(s) did you start with? Kelly: I already had the dresser. I got it at a thrift store in North Long Beach for $20. I loved it! My husband didn't want me to get it. I think he just didn't want to carry it. It's pretty heavy. Joen: Part of the contest rules was to describe how Garnica Interiors Facebook decorating tips/posts inspire you. What inspired you in our many decorating tips and information? Kelly: I look at all of the photos and tips you post all the time. I like the bold colors. I saw a photo of — I believe — it's a kid's room. It had bright colors so I added bold colors to my décor. I used your tip about hanging curtains high to the ceiling to make a room appear larger. My favorite tips are about repurposing/refinishing old things to give them new life. Joen: Tell me about how you combine old and new into your décor. Kelly: I look at a lot of magazines like Dwell and Atomic Ranch. They mix a lot of old and new. I enjoy repurposing old and sometimes tacky things and making them new and cool again. Joen: What is your favorite piece in the room? Kelly: I really like the birds on the wall. I got them on ebay for $5. They are Syroco gold birds from the 60s. I spray painted them high gloss black. I have more of them in my project box. My husband always asks me why I'm doing this or asks what I want with all this "junk." He doesn't see my vision. I can take something that is in poor condition, clean it up and make it look really good again. Joen: We got a lot of comments on our Facebook page about the turquoise phone. It seemed to be a favorite. Does it work and where did you find it? Kelly: It doesn't work. It's never been plugged in. Haha I don't even have a land line. I found it at a thrift store. Joen: You were able to get a lot of good tips and information from Garnica Interiors Facebook page. What's the best piece of advice you would share with readers about starting a decorating project? Kelly: Go with things that make you comfortable and happy. Stick with your style. Stick with something that's not too big of a project. I'm still sore from painting! Joen: You say "stick with your style". How did you identify your style? Kelly: I've always liked vintage shops, thrift stores and estate sales. I didn't want to make my room too new. I wanted unique pieces. Things I couldn't find just anywhere. If I like the way something looks or maybe not, I can always make it look the way I want. Joen: Making things look the way you want. Is that challenging? Kelly: Sometimes. I have things in my project box that didn't turn out so well. My husband got his grandmother's art deco vanity. It had been painted with regular paint. We tried to refinish it and it was a nightmare! I will probably not attempt refinishing wood again. Joen: Where is the vanity now? Kelly: We stuck it in the garage. We will probably send it out to get professionally done. I am not touching that again! Joen: What is your best find? Kelly: Probably the table lamp. I've had it for over 15 years. I love the tiered lamp shade. I also like the chair. I got it at a Leisure World estate sale for $25. I've seen them on ebay for like $300. Joen: What other fun decorating projects are you are working on? Kelly: I'm working on my home office. The colors are going to be light blue walls with red, white and black accessories and furniture. I have a vintage vinyl padded hope chest and a bunch of old suitcases from the 40s and 50s. I can't wait to see what other tips you post! n Follow Garnica Interiors on Facebook. Facebook.com/ GarnicaInteriorsFan