TJM Designs

Happy Valentine’s Day to me!! My new transmission is finally ready to be installed in my van, Frankenstein! 😍😍It went out on my 44th birthday, 9/13/23, which topped out at one of my worst birthdays on record. After waiting patiently for exactly 5 months and 1 day, the transmission gods have finally come through. I cannot wait to get this little tank back on the road!! I have not been myself and totally lost without it…. Hoping 2024 can make up for lost time and give us some new memories.🤞🤞🚐🚐

Happy Monday everyone! It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for…. The outdoor kitchen reveal (Part 1 of several)!!…If you’ve been wondering why you haven’t seen us in the past 5 months or even the past 4 years….. this is where we’ve been spending much of our ”free” time, right here in our backyard! ….. This story started with a showing (a little over 5 years ago), that quickly became a dream, and now finally a dream come true…. I’m telling you, we had to dig deep to find the energy to wrap our heads around what we were about to take on, or should I say “take back” (nature had a good hold of this one)…. Somehow, through tons and tons of planning, back breaking labor, and near miss divorces, we transformed a neglected 1890’s carriage house and wood working shop into a BAD ASS garage we call “The Workshop” PLUS an outdoor living space straight out of a vacation property- including all the amenities: ✅ climbing wall, ✅swimming pool, ✅ dining table for 12, ✅ lots of lounging zones, ✅concrete kitchen, ✅ TV (for movies and soccer games), and lastly (my favorite) ✅ hot tub 🤩😎…. After 4 years ( plus another 16 or so) of hard core DIYing it, I think we’ve earned a relaxing soak and a LOT of recovery time….While there are few words that can explain the difficulty we faced with this project or the overwhelming joy we are feeling since finishing it, I CAN safely say….we are officially retired from MAJOR house projects!!! Did you hear that Kevin?!?! I said it out loud! 😆Thank you for trusting the vision and sticking it out ‘til the end….We are quite the dynamic duo!💪💪👊👊 And thanks to all the folks that supported us along the way!! ❤️❤️❤️

We recently christened the outdoor patio and kitchen! Man I love outdoor living!! Gearing up for another fun filled pool party weekend. Can’t wait!🤩 P.S. outdoor kitchen photos coming soon.

Frankie’s weekend gig! We had such a blast at TGP Festival Of Nations doing what we love…. Skating and grooving to some of the best music around!! .stl totally crushed it and I’m so honored to be a part of it all!

Before and After of my new toilet seat!! It’s the little things, the small details, that bring me the most joy.🚽🤩😍 bathroomdesign

I took the day off Friday to get Frankie’s master cylinder replaced and spend some time with my VW mechanic and friend, Glenn (don’t even ask how long I’ve been driving around town pumping the brakes in order to stop😬😳😳). I’m more of an analog type of gal, especially when it comes to vehicles…..That’s Glenn behind me. He’s trying to retire, but he still work on my van, my “moms” bug, and my sister’s bug. I bet he’s been working on VWs for like 50 or 60 years. He is very well known in the vintage VW community. Anyway, I gotta say, it got me all mushy inside…. I’m almost 44 and I’ve known Glenn since I was 16. I LOVE VWs! I always have!! My mom had a couple of different bugs before I can remember. I looked at the old bug photos all of the time and always knew I would get my own bug one day….You see, I’ve always been a dreamer. I spent a lot of time alone as a kid, and I filled that time dreaming about all the places I’d go, all the things I’d have, and of course, all the beautiful houses I’d own when I got older. A VW bug was #1 on my list! A VW Westfalia was #2…. Sooooo, When I turned 16, my parents surprised me with my very own VW bug (I paid 1/3 for it and they covered the rest as a gift). It was quite the surprise at that! My mom rented out a grade school gymnasium, invited all my family and closest friends, and tricked me into thinking we were playing volleyball or something😂😂….. When I walked into that gym, there was this perfect little deep red 1971 VW bug parked inside with a big giant bow tied to the top and everyone was gathered around it…. I thought I was in one of my dreams again! I could not believe my eyes!!…I drove that little bug all through HS and College (picked up a pretty cute guy in it 😉). My mom still has it today! We go on a lot of country joy rides in the bug when we go home. My girls love how cute and fun it is. That was definitely one of the best days of my life! Shortly after that day, I met Glenn…..You don’t find many guys like him, and I am thankful he has helped me keep living my VW dreams!! I know living my dream is really hard work (sorry Kevin😘). But man, it’s worth it!

Before and After Alert!….. I visited my very good friend a couple of weeks ago and helped give her sunroom a much neeeeeeded refresh….I simply removed the blinds, cleaned, and potted lots of beautiful low maintenance plants in all the right places…. The simplest updates can bring loads of happiness, especially when you’re surrounded by nature. 🪴🌱🌵🥰🤩

Frankie is now official!! Nothing better than driving my dream van to my dream job! Thanks to for making it happen!🤩😎✌️🏠

The outdoor kitchen has begun….. slowly but surely we’re getting there! Stay tuned. It’s going to be quite the transformation!🤩

Is your bedroom a space that is lacking in style? Do you keep the door closed when guest arrive? 😳😳 Perhaps these before and after photos are just the motivation you need to take your bedroom to the next level 🤩…..

Check out my latest before and after reveal….If you’re spending a lot of time in your home office these days, it may be time to spruce it up a bit! This project was not only affordable, but I also taught my clients how to DIY it…. A small investment for a world of difference!🤩

Spring Break 2023: Part 3- Back to Chatty for more climbing and city fun! It was a great trip!! Can’t wait to get back on the road again! 🚐

Spring Break 2023: Part 2 - We headed to Rocktown, a climbing area on top of a mountain in Georgia. The climbing and camping were peaceful and primitive which was just what we needed. Then the rain came and nature kept us “indoors” for almost 24 hours. 😳 We crocheted, ready Harry Potter, watched Harry Pottter, tried NOT to kill each other and FINALLY got a chance to get out and and go for a post rain evening walk…..let me tell you…. if two kids, two adults, and a 50lb pooch can survive 24 hours crammed in a VW camper van….we can survive just about anything!!🤪🤪😂 Part 3 coming soon!

Spring Break 2023 Part 1: We were undecided on where to go this year so we chased the decent weather and landed in Chattanooga, an old favorite. The plan was to go camping and climbing, but it was pretty cold the first couple of days so we took a self guided hotel tour instead. After viewing several options, we landed at “The Moxy”, a super hip and not too serious boutique hotel in downtown. I’ve got a couple of exciting projects in the works and was inspired by the aesthetic of this place, plus they were dog and kid friendly (double bonus)! 🤩 Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3…..

Spring Break 2023 Part 1: We were undecided on where to go this year so we chased the decent weather and landed in Chattanooga, an old favorite. The plan was to go camping and climbing, but it was pretty cold the first couple of days so we took a self guided hotel tour instead. After viewing several options, we landed at “The Moxy”, a super hip and not too serious boutique hotel in downtown. I’ve got a couple of exciting projects in the works and was inspired by the aesthetic of this place, plus they were dog and kid friendly (double bonus)! 🤩 Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3…..

I am so excited to share a project I’ve been working on for the past year….. a custom built Modern Craftsman Style home! I recently got to visit and, even though it’s not quite finished, and definitely not styled, I wanted to give everyone a little sneak peek. This was such a cool project to be part of and the homeowners have been a joy to work with. We brought in all the modern necessities for easy family living plus several historic elements like antique doors, antique windows above entryways, and stained glass (not pictured), to give this home the perfect blend of new and old. 🤩 I’ll share more once they’ve gotten settled in!

Took a little climbing/ camping trip over the long weekend….Nothing like van livin’, Mother Nature, and crushing some rocks to feed the soul! 😎🤩

I sure do love a good bathroom renovation! We took this builder grade half bath to the next level!! Here are the before and after photos…

This project was especially fun to be a part of! We got to take out a wall, expose the brick, and put in a new staircase that looks like it’s always been there….Here are the before and after’s!

Walls, walls, and more walls…. Here are some before and after photos of blank wall transformations. If your boring walls are calling for a pop of fun, I can make it happen! 🤩

This is the article from the Post -Dispatch…. It will be in tomorrow’s (11/13) paper too!

Historic Southwest Garden home includes renovated 1800s carriage house Tamara and Kevin McCarthy's 1912 home in the Southwest Garden neighborhood of St. Louis is a perfect reflection of their personalities, passions and family lifestyle

We got the opportunity to be featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for our historic home. This was such a fun experience! Thanks to all who made it happen!

Photos: At home with the McCarthys of St. Louis Tamara and Kevin McCarthy mix her smart design sense with his creative ingenuity to personalize their family home in St. Louis' Hill neighborhood.

So I recently did an “IKEA hack” on the unfinished Tarva dresser for one of my clients. Here are the before, during, and after photos of the transformation….. I also painted the metal bed ( from IKEA) the perfect shade of desert pink to complete this sweet bedroom design. I LOVE how it all came together!! Thanks for trusting me with this project!

This year for my birthday I asked Kevin and the girls for a solo camping trip in Frankie, my van…….Of course, that also included designing and building out the rest of the interior complete with a potty box/ ottoman, front console, and a small table with cup holders.🤩 always knows the way to my heart! And, thanks to and a few key throw blankets I inherited from my grandparents, I was able to add the perfect amount of Bohemian vintage charm Frankie needed. I’m not gonna lie, I spent much of my trip staring at my van and taking it all in….. I still can’t believe this is my reality!! 43 is gonna be the best year! 🚐☮️✌️🧗‍♀️🛼🤩😎

We’ve been in our house for 4 years now and have slowly been renovating the exterior, mainly our carriage house/ workshop. It has been a major labor of love! When we first set eyes on this run down and neglected backyard space, I knew exactly what to do with it. I definitely have a few more ideas up my sleeve (mainly an outdoor kitchen, bar, hot tub, and pool deck)….. But for now, we are resting and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Here are some before and after photos….. more to come of the inside of our new workshop and of the overall renovation process! P.S. Thanks to my amazing partner in all things rehab, ! You always make my design dreams come true!!

Puerto Rico, Part 3 (Reserva Marina La Queva del Indio). This marine reserve is located on the north coast and is even more beautiful in person!

Puerto Rico, Part 2! These are from the Island of Vieques where we kayaked in the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay (no photos but a super magical experience) and also Rincon, a surfing town on the west coast of PR.

Kevin and I were lucky enough to visit Puerto Rico and it was just what we needed! These are part 1 of the trip (Old San Juan)….

These are the final before and after photos of Phase 1 of this design project….If you like this transformation, and your home needs updating, please reach out. I am passionate about all things houses, I’m pretty darn handy, and I can work with any budget! I have A LOT of creative ideas up my sleeve….My specialty is creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also extremely functional for “real” living. It actually starts with a good system for organizing all the stuff you “need” but don’t want to “see”. Once there’s a good system in place, it’s much easier to keep spaces beautiful! Check out some of my earlier posts of my own home…. Can you believe I have two wild girls and a crazy dog? My house looks like this most of the time. I am a super perfectionist and can’t handle it any other way…. Just ask my husband, he’ll tell you all about it. 😉😂