Traveling down Mt. Vernon Ave. in Del Ray, you can’t miss Kiskadee, the bright yellow 1920s-era house with a black and white striped awning (the colors of the bird bearing the shop’s name). Stepping inside, you realize this is no ordinary clothing and accessories store, there’s so much more to see and love including small-space storage solutions and creative interior design to replicate in your own home.
First let’s talk about small-space solutions, after all, it’s a huge issue for Del Ray homes. I love how this wall of built-ins transforms the front entryway.
In my home the front doorway is always cluttered — mail, shoes, kid stuff — but with these built-ins, everything here is neatly displayed. I imagine a similar set-up in a home, with baskets and bins to store shoes, winter accessories, mail, keys, etc. and higher shelves for books and breakable decorative pieces.
In the upstairs shoe room (converted from two merged bedrooms), there are two closets flanking a window. What I appreciate about the closets (and the built-in window seat between them) is the way they make storage a lot more manageable. Having the shelf and the cabinet doors seems like it would be easier to keep things organized, instead of a traditional closet where everything gets jumbled.
Looking at the trim, these are not original to the house, but a well-planned addition.
I also love how the store owners aren’t afraid to use home furnishings in unique ways. In addition to the typical store racks, they intersperse pieces such as this shabby chic china cabinet to hold bathing suits and seasonal clothing.
Similarly, a secretary desk in the shoe room displays and holds boxes of shoes. A comfortable chair nearby is available to sit and try on a few pairs.
Another chair by the front entryway lets shoppers (and their shopping partners) rest and soak in all the lovely pieces.
Simple accents like fresh flowers make you feel at home as well.
The store gets its name from the bird, Kiskadee, so you’ll notice a bird theme throughout. Here, for example, is one on hooks holding belts.
A few birds also blend into the design of the black and white ceiling-mounted curtains that provide privacy for the dressing rooms.
Some of the merchandise shares the theme – these silver cups adorned with chicks in the upstairs baby room are some of the many gift options.
And you can’t miss the birds in one of my favorite design elements, the wall mural by the front door.
Speaking of murals, there are even hand-painted creations on the floor in the front room.
There are beautiful original hardwoods in the rest of the house, the floors softened with various black and white indoor/outdoor rugs, a wise move for high-traffic areas.
This wouldn’t be a DIY Del Ray post without some DIY, so here are a few of my favorite DIY-able finds. First, I love the ottoman up in the shoe room. It feels like it was upholstered with a rug and now I’m wondering, should I look at rugs as the material for my next upholstery project?
In the jewelry and accessories room on the main floor, shimmering necklaces and earrings drape on a display stand shaped like a tree branch. You could do the same with a real branch found in your yard, secured to a base, turning storage into an elegant design element.
I’m also wondering how I could convert one of these gorgeous belts into a strap for a camera (as opposed to the bland strap on mine that’s a walking billboard for Nikon).
Over by the register, scarves tied on the rungs of a ladder create yet another brilliant pop of color. As a scarf fanatic, I’d love to find a way to hang a rail or rod in my bedroom to organize my own collection.
And finally, when you’re in Kiskadee, you can’t miss the drool-worthy clothing, shoes and accessories, not to DIY but, for a change, just to enjoy as is.
Kiskadee is located at 2205 Mt. Vernon Ave. in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. Check out their website, Facebook and Twitter for more.
