Vintage Show Pony
Location: Danbury, Connecticut, USA
In a world awash in greige and playing it safe, some choose to live out loud, vividly, joyfully, and on their own terms. This issue, we step into Jonny Carmack’s unapologetic technicolour dreamscape: a home that doesn’t just bend the rules – it rips the script and rhinestones the remnants. From maximalist murals and thrifted wonders to a faux fur hallway, this space is a love letter to queer creativity and defiant self-expression. What began as a DIY hustle quickly blossomed into a full-time career, a magnetic creative brand, and a beacon for anyone craving colour, character, and chaos in the best possible way. Welcome to a home that proves rules are made to be reupholstered.
How has living in an alternative home impacted your daily life?
My home has changed my life. It’s given me a career, a community and confidence to be myself. Since sharing my home on social media, I’ve gotten national and international attention through publications, television interviews and even books and magazine features. I have people coming up to me while I’m out booping and bopping and, I’ve connected with so many amazing people through my mass spreading of colour and joy. People like seeing other people do whatever the hell they want.
What feedback or reactions have you received from visitors or guests?
My friends love my home and all that it represents. It’s also super funny when a contractor has to come to fix something (the plumber really loved the faux fur hallway!) My content creator friends also have adored my home (mostly!!), and before any visitor leaves, they have to sign my Guest Check door mural I painted.
What were some of the most unexpected challenges you encountered during the renovation process?
Probably that I didn’t know how to operate a drill. Ha-ha! I truly knew nothing when starting this huge home project. One notable challenge was the front porch. It wasn’t to code, and also, it was falling apart. I didn’t know how much money certain projects would cost either, so anytime something goes wrong in the home, I panic that it’s going to be a huge, unexpected expense!
Were there any design compromises you had to make due to practical constraints?
Yes. I have always dreamed of arched doorways in every room, but we quite literally can’t make that happen in this house due to the lower ceilings and narrow passageways. It makes me sad (it ruins my life), but life is all about compromise. My design choices distract from those harsh lines anyway!
Can you share any particular moments when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem?
I distracted from limitations by being limitless everywhere else. When I can’t get my way, it bothers me, and I get super stubborn and fixate on something else to get me out of the spiral. For instance, I wanted an arched entrance to the staircase, but I couldn’t make that work, so I decked the whole thing out in faux fur to draw the eye to other elements of the design.
What was your initial budget for the renovation, and how did it change throughout the project?
I had very little budget after the down payment for the home. My partner Mitchell and I saved for a few years and had family help with the down payment, so as you can imagine, we had like no money to do much of anything. This is really the birthplace of my interior design journey because I began thrifting and sourcing vintage furniture on Marketplace and styling it within the home. I did this to be able to market the pieces well enough to sell, and that’s where Vintageshowpony began. During this process, I really inspired myself to push the limits of my curation and started redoing my house with some of the income I was making running the resale business. In my first year of Vintageshowpony, I made more than I ever had in a single year. This is where the more fun and iconic projects came into play that I’m most known for online.
How did you prioritise your spending to achieve the desired aesthetic without overspending?
Thrifting! Everything I did was on a budget in terms of furniture and DIY. I began teaching myself how to paint murals, reupholster furniture and so on. I am very strict with myself when it comes to spending large amounts of money because I never knew what it was like to have any. I grew up wanting more, and as I grew older, I realised that there were ways to treat myself on a budget. I think no matter how much money comes in or out of my life; I will always be weary of overspending. I am not one of those bougie gays who wear designer – I guess I’d rather be the designer than wear or decorate with it.
Were there any cost-saving measures or DIY elements that you incorporated into the renovation?
Many of my projects were DIY’d. This happened when I started being more front facing on social media and knew I had an interest in interiors. I needed a unique and bold entrance into the industry, and so I chose to jump into the world of DIY. I am nowhere near an expert and quite literally fail all the time (which I get criticised for online), but the power of learning and evolving is why I keep at it. Content creation is now my full-time job, and my home has quite literally become my career.
Did you work with a contractor or handle the renovations yourself?
I did an equal mix of both. For projects like building the back porch and redoing the front, I hired out. I also hired for the bathroom tile floors because I am not savvy in that area. I like to say that I myself do all the fun renovations, which you can see on my socials!
How did this decision impact the overall cost?
I don’t love hiring contractors because they are quite pricey, but whenever I feel I have to, I just limit my spending for the rest of the month and think about the property value going up with the much-needed changes. You can justify almost anything when you are a maximalist!
What advice would you give to someone trying to manage their budget for a similar renovation project?
I would say have patience. I often get asked how I made my time look the way it does, and there is no fast way to achieve this look. Because everything is vintage (and I changed these rooms so many times doing resale), you have to play the long game and experiment with different styles if you have the budget to do so. My living room couch was my fifth attempt at the living room design. I am not afraid of change, and everything you buy can be sold off when you find something better. Do not go crazy in a matter of a week and try to complete a whole apartment or house. I used to be the person running to the furniture store and buying a whole bunch of garbage to fill the space and get it done. Your home is your canvas. It takes time. Go to the thrift store.
Can you share your favourite stores or suppliers where you sourced materials, furniture, or decor?
Pretty much all of my paint is from Valspar, which you can buy at Lowe’s. I am not too precious about paint, so as long as it’s a shiny hi-gloss finish and colourful, I don’t mind. Get a sample size for $5. It goes a long way! The furniture is all from thrift shops, Facebook Marketplace or some modern stores like Homegoods. My favourite vintage store ever is in New York and is called the Newburgh Vintage Emporium. They are also queer-owned, which we love to see.
Did you discover any hidden gems or unique suppliers that you would recommend to others?
I have so many amazing artists always sending me their work from social media. I have an entire gallery wall of gifted art, and I love it so much. If you’re looking for artists to support and follow, check out my following list on Instagram. Some favourites are: @crystallowart and @ourmindflowers and @glam.globes and @towngirldisco
Were there any custom-made pieces or collaborations with artisans that added a special touch to your home?
So much amazing art is from super-talented artists I met online. There are so many I can’t possibly list them all. A special project I did was the front door mural with my partner and our friend Gabriella. It’s so special.
How did your choices of suppliers and materials contribute to your home’s overall theme?
My style is very recognisable now, so those who flock to me are all a bit gaudy and colourful and fun. I don’t accept any art or PR that doesn’t go with the theme!
How did you approach sustainability and eco-friendliness in your renovation project?
Sustainability is super important in my home, and that reflects in almost everything I do. The furniture is all second-hand for the most part, and I take such pride in that. It is way too easy to buy everything new and toss it a few years later when it breaks, or you get bored with it. That is not my vibe at all. So many of my peers within the content creator space buy everything brand new, and while I believe life is about balance, I think it’s important to be mindful of the planet we live on. I also thrift my wardrobe and have done TV appearances in things I bought at Goodwill. There are no real airs about me, ha-ha.
Were there any particular materials or methods you used to reduce your home’s environmental footprint?
I think the biggest contributor to the human footprint on this earth is the amount of waste we provide. This waste comes from fast fashion and fast furniture and decor. My method of second-hand design is something uniquely me in the current niche landscape I’m in online, and I wish that would change. I also dress second-hand and use cosmetics like Saie Beauty, which doesn’t use forever materials in their products.
How does your home reflect the cultural or historical significance of the alternative style?
My home is incredibly unique, and the references are strong. I see people mimicking my style now and trying to achieve similar looks (which is flattering, but also, please credit your boy!) I’ve talked a lot about this in the public eye on The Kelly Show, Tamron Hall Show and in various publications. I think I captured attention because everything I do is catered towards joy and fun, and my home is a safe space for everyone.
Are any particular historical periods or movements strongly influencing your design choices?
The 1980s have my heart, and I am endlessly inspired by it.
What has been the most rewarding part of your renovation journey?
The most rewarding part of the whole journey has been meeting so many amazing creatives. Without this home and the design choices I’ve made, I wouldn’t have a community and wouldn’t have all this notoriety surrounding my style. I don’t chase fame or fortune – I am truly in it for the connection and the statement my little pink home makes to people who stumble across it. This is a queer home, and whether you love it or hate it – you’re looking at a queer creation, and I think that’s super important. We need more queer voices in the home decor space and also in the culture at large.
How do you feel your home renovation has changed or impacted your life?
It’s quite literally given me a career. I am signed to an LA-based talent agency now. I’m in books, TV, magazines and recently the Sunday edition of the New York Times. My journey has opened my family’s eyes to their one gay family member putting their name on the map, and that is something that has changed the way people perceive me. I have people who made my life hell in school now watching me on TV! Isn’t that great?
Have you connected with any communities or online groups that share your interest in alt design?
Yes! The maximalism groups on Facebook are so fun, and I adore seeing everyone’s fun and colourful homes. I’ve also made a large network of fellow DIY’ers and people who collect food-shaped items. We are all a bit strange, but it’s so fun!
How has your experience influenced or inspired others in your network?
I see so many of my peers taking direct inspiration from me. I’ve also helped some of them by designing their spaces. My philosophy is as long as you are crediting properly, you can try to achieve the look. I started with selling vintage and furnishing people’s homes, and now I teach people how to achieve similar styles that I made popular. I do DIYs all the time and shopping videos where people can go check out stores to find the hottest vintage, which my audience loves. I am not one of those influencers who makes my page all about me and who gate keeps. I want everyone to find joy in their homes and through my art.
Did you incorporate any modern technology or smart home features in your home?
I have really environmentally friendly AC units from Windmill Air that feel very modern and fresh. I also have a simply safe system ever since becoming more of a public online figure. Besides that, I am not too keen on having a smart home or anything like that!
How did you balance the integration of technology with the preservation of the traditional aesthetic?
Technology is in the background for me, which is funny because I use it to run my social media. But even my Samsung frame TV looks like fun art on my wall. I want it all to blend to not take away from my vintage capsule. I prefer things that are old to shiny and new.
Did music influence any design choices in your home?
I am heavily inspired by Lana Del Rey. I find her music and imagery to align so well with the creative landscape of my life. I also have pulled inspiration from other media like Lizzie Mcguire and The Muppets.
What kind of music sets the tone for your renovation or decorating process? Did it vary depending on the task?
I am almost always listening to Lana. If not her, then trendy pop girl music that I dance around to all day long in my little pink house. I used to want to be a pop star.
Were there specific songs or artists that became your “soundtrack” for the transformation?
I remember listening to Lana’s ‘Norman Fucking Rockwell’ on repeat when designing my pink lounge. She is just always playing.
Did music influence any design choices in your home?
It’s funny how art inspires art. I used to only post captions on Instagram with quotes from whatever song I was listening to at the time. I used to take a really cute photo of my home and then drive around with certain songs blasting, pull the car over and write the caption. It all mixed so nicely, and to me, the lyrics are everything.
Are there any specific resources or experts that you found particularly helpful during your renovation?
Actually no. I didn’t have Pinterest and wasn’t a super active viewer of social media when I began. I’m a huge reader, and my head is always in a book. I graduated college with a creative writing degree, and I’ve always leaned toward quiet hobbies. I pull importation from everywhere, but at the same time – nowhere I can pinpoint directly beyond everything I am consuming. I know the things I like really well. It turns out a lot of the people like those things, too.
Do you have any plans for further home modifications or additions?
I am currently in the early stages of planning a walk-in closet makeover! It’s going to be iconic.
How do you see your home evolving in the coming years?
I see it getting even more chaotic and happy as I age. I have zero interest in evolving my style into anything subdued or boring! My vision for my life is to live in full and vibrant colour despite what the world thinks of it.
https://linktr.ee/Vintageshowpony
https://www.instagram.com/vintageshowpony
Photos: Jonny Carmack
