We’re excited to share our Cincy adventures (we laughed, I cried, and yes — something got confiscated at the airport) and to show a few projects we’ve already started. We’ve kicked off a Pinterest challenge, have a before-and-after just about ready to share, and plenty of other projects happening around the casa — some duck-related, some not. The duck reference comes from a little wooden duck I scored for $4 at a thrift store here in Richmond (Diversity Thrift) about a year ago. After a full year of “maybe I should,” I finally did it. If you’re into my “Dude, Get On That Already” series, you can find more about that elsewhere. This makeover was fast and nearly free since I used materials I already had on hand.
The duck is about 8″ long. I pulled out a collection of craft paints leftover from past projects and used masking tape to create stripes across Mallory — yes, I named her Mallory because I thought she might be a mallard. As soon as I spotted her at the thrift store I imagined a burst of colorful stripes. It might sound eccentric, but the idea felt cheerful and Jonathan Adler–inspired: whimsical, bright, and playful. If you can’t have fun with a wooden duck, where can you?
I loved the striped-dachshund pillow look and wanted something similarly graphic for this little duck. I also found inspiration in posts showcasing painted ducks, which pushed me to go for it. Admittedly, the project didn’t go perfectly from the start — about ten minutes in I was staring at what looked like a hot mess. The first coat of paint didn’t cover well, and I realized in hindsight that a quick spray primer before taping would have saved time. It took several coats to get the coverage I wanted.
After removing the tape and touching up the unpainted sections freehand, the duck transformed into a dapper little friend. She’s perfect for a nursery, kids’ room, or playroom, but I also photographed her in the kitchen to show she can work in grown-up spaces too. Bold, colorful accents aren’t just for kids — a rainbow accessory can add a cheerful pop to a living room or kitchen if you love color. If stripes feel like too much, you can always spray a wooden duck a single glossy color — white, lime, or navy all give a fresh look. Honestly, a wooden duck is a fun, simple accessory for any home.
I like the added flair the stripes bring. She pairs well with the spiky yellow vase and colorful art on the shelf. I also get a kick out of her competing with a pig cutting board for prime kitchen real estate. Small decor pieces like this tend to travel around the house — today in the kitchen, tomorrow on the mantel or the console table.
Goose, there it is. Okay, that was a stretch — it’s definitely a duck — but I couldn’t resist. What small projects have you been getting on lately? A small note from my childhood: I don’t recommend trying to ride a duck. One of ours once bit my mom’s hand when we were young, so ducks may not be thrilled about being mounted (and no, she wasn’t attempting to ride it when it happened).