Owner sticks neck out for store

Andrew Edwards

Not everything in Leona Aanderud’s Mesa Verde decorating and

floral-design store, called Your Place or Mine, has a zoological

theme.

The large giraffe carvings at the front of the store, however,

combine with silk plants and other decorations to give the entryway a

jungle feel.

“I like the silk trees, and I like the giraffes, and I like the

two of them together,” Aanderud said.

The giraffes, carved from mahogany by the N’debele tribe in

Zimbabwe, share space with art prints depicting monkeys and

turtle-shaped lamps.

A contrast to the nature-themed decorations are the prints of

European architecture and the vineyard-themed decor that occupy other

nooks in the store.

“The whole idea in my mind is to separate it into little

vignettes,” Aanderud said.

Aanderud, who designs her store’s floral arrangements, also works

for Franklin Realty in Corona del Mar. Money made in real estate

allowed her to plant her store’s seeds.

“That’s the reason I could do this,” she said. “I had a couple of

good years with them, but this is what I always wanted to do.”

In addition to crafting decorations from silk flowers, Aanderud

also makes pillows and puts together the store’s gift packages.

“I think the gift boxes are my favorite thing to,” Aanderud said.

“I get to put whatever I want in them.”

For Costa Mesa nonprofit Project Cuddle, Aanderud made a gift

basket that included a baby’s tub, a plush duck and diapers.

“Then I made a wine one because I feel the parents need both,” she

said.

On May 5, Aanderud plans to hold an open fundraiser at her store

for Project Cuddle from 4 to 7 p.m. Project Cuddle is a nonprofit

that has a crisis line for pregnant women who are at-risk for

abandoning their babies. Aanderud said 20% of gross sales will be

donated to the group.

“It should be a fun evening,” Project Cuddle founder Debbe

Magnusen said. “We should have all kinds of gifts available for

Mother’s Day.”