Young House Love

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House Crashing: Joyful & Happy Go Lucky

Can you believe it has been a month since our last house crashing adventure? And while February’s house tour was from across the pond, this one was local, so we got to stop by and soak up all of the details in person.

Meet Becky and Brian (and their dog Fergie). They live just outside of Richmond with their two daughters and this charming red door. It’s Heritage Red by Benjamin Moore – and she got that charming “Hello” decal here.

Beck and Brian At Red Front Door With Wreath and Hello Decal

When you walk inside, there’s a room to your right that they call the music room. Let’s just say that the yellow piano, which Becky painted herself, had my heart immediately. It was Brian’s grandma’s piano that was passed down to their family (here’s a link to Becky’s post about painting it). Becky also found the swivel stool at an antique store and made the slipcover herself. It was such a fun house to walk through because so many things had a secondhand story or a handmade touch.

Bright Yellow Painted Piano in Music Room With Guitar On Wall

Her dresser-turned-bathroom-vanity was another example of Becky and Brian putting their stamp on their home. She got it at a local secondhand shop, painted it and distressed it, and then her dad and Brian cut out the middle and added a recycled sink basin (picked up from the Habitat For Humanity ReStore). Becky also loves to collect old mirrors to hang in groupings on the wall, so she always has an eye out for them at thrift & antique shops.

Farmhouse Green Bathroom Vanity With Collage of Mirrors On Wall

There’s a first floor guest room which had such a cheerful vibe, even with those moody walls (they’re Gravel Gray by Benjamin Moore). The playful rooster art was a $30 find at the Yankee Candle Store in Williamsburg.

Fun Bedroom With Paisley Bedspread and Yellow Dresser

The pretty bedding is a Bed Bath & Beyond find, and the dresser is another secondhand score that Becky painted herself. She also distressed it with a palm sander and filled in the distressed areas with Walnut oil or glaze – and added those cute numbers for each drawer (found at a craft store).

Yellow Dresser DIY With Numbers Down Drawers

Becky worked in some more personal touches in the kitchen, like a panel of chalkboard paint on the pantry door, and by painting the stools that she got from Ikea red with a homemade chalk paint recipe that she found online.

Kitchen With Wood Cabinets And Corner Pantry With Chalkboard Door

The main bedroom was a really soft and sweet space. The floral coverlet on their bed is a $20 Rosebowl Flea market purchase from Pasadena, CA. I loved that Brian didn’t mind pink in the bedroom, and the mixture of the wooden bed (from Pier 1) and the pine bench at the foot of the bed (from HomeGoods) was interesting to me (instead of pairing it with painted or distressed wood). Becky doesn’t remember the color on the walls, but Palladian Blue or Quiet Moments by Benjamin Moore might be close.

Large Bed With Funky Pillows And String Lights On Headboard

This homemade jewelry rack is another example of Becky’s ability to see something and reimagine it. She got it at the Junk Bonanza Flea Market in Shakopee, Minnesota as an old crib railing, initially thinking that she’d hang magazines or blankets from it, but it turned out to be perfect for her jewelry.

Jewelry Display Rack In Bedroom With Vintage Chair and Art

Her daughter’s room has more feminine touches and the sweetest secondhand hutch that Becky also found in Minnesota. It even came that color so she didn’t do a thing to it.

Vintage Desk In Kids Room With Hanging Pictures

But possibly the coolest spot in the whole house is Becky’s basement studio. She runs an Etsy shop called Farmgirl Paints, where she sells stamped leather cuffs made from secondhand belts (no wonder she has so many thrift store finds, right? She’s always patrolling for belts) – and everything happens down in her basement studio.

Leather Jewelry Cuffs On Display Racks

The green wall along the back of the studio is chalkboard paint that Becky had mixed up at Lowe’s in “Spring Green” and she got the shop sign made by American Vintage Inc (she sent her an inspiration picture with reclaimed wood, metal sides, and frosted bulbs and this is the end result).

Large Downstairs Workshop With Vintage Stage Letters Light Up

There were so many creative details in this basement to document. Like this cool twine Farmgirl Paints sign that Becky made – and even posted a little flipagram tutorial on Instagram.

Farmgirl Paints String Art Above Desk

There were a lot of work stations for various shop jobs (making the leather bands, stamping the metal disks that go on them, adding snaps, billing, packing, etc). It was such a fun work environment thanks to all of the color and the playful wall decor. How cool is that old “humble” sign Becky found?

Home Office Craft Room Workspace With Map And Vintage Arrow

She also mixed in some big box finds, but the funny thing is that I assumed everything was thrifted or homemade due to all of her other pieces. So it shocked the heck out of me when she said this numbered wall cubby was from Target a while back.

Small Wood Display Shelf In Home Office Craft Room

There’s also a room that’s tucked away in the very back of the basement that Becky calls her art studio. To make the desk, she and her husband dug through an awesome old salvage yard here in Richmond called Govenor’s Antiques. The owner helped them pick out the perfect doors (there are two of them, joined in the middle, braced along the back wall, and further supported by two legs that they made out of spindles on each end). It’s 13′ long and full of crafting supplies. I was like a kid in a candy store.

Large Chalkboard Wall With Desk In Front

That green lamp has a great story too. Becky was antiquing in Charlottesville, Virginia and I fell in love with that HUGE barn light, which was hanging right over the checkout counter in a small shop. So she sweet talked the owner into selling it to her.

Chalkboard Wall With Vintage Light In Home Workspace

Possibly my favorite organizational coup of all was this old school display case made of wire that Becky picked up at The Screen Door antique shop in Asheville, North Carolina. She bought it without having any clue what she’d do with it, but soon realized that all of her little tubes of craft paint fit perfectly. And how cute is the chalkboard camper that Becky drew on the chalkboard wall behind it?

Tabletop Paint Display On Desk Made Out Of Old Door

We want to send a HUGE thanks to Becky and Brian for so graciously inviting us into their joy-filled home and allowing us to snap photos to share with the interwebs. You can read more about her life/shop/house over on her blog, but first I’d love to hear what your favorite parts were, or what has you inspired (her whole house made me want to thrift like crazy). Between the decal on that shiny red front door, the yellow piano, and her tricked out basement studio, it’s hard to even pick a favorite.

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Click Here To Check Out Nearly 50 Other Homes We Crashed

Comments

    • Carol says

      ABSOLUTELY AGREE! Can’t wait for our next home to make more personal changes like this. Since we are moving in the next year or two, we don’t want to personalize our place too much.

  3. normaleverydaylife says

    What a cute house! I love the way she has repurposed so many things. The crib rail for her jewelry and the pretty hutch in her daughter’s room are my favorites! I love house crashing days :)

    Reply

  4. Lauren says

    Hey – love your blog so much!
    that piano is amazing!!!
    was just thinking it would be fun if you guys crashed one of your older houses to see what the new owners got up to! :)

    Reply

  5. Tamara @ Provident Home Design says

    I LOVE their green overhead barn light! Great sweet talking skills, Becky!:-). The pops of colors throughout their home are fun and refreshing. I would agree that their bedroom paint color could be BM Palladian Blue. It is one of the colors I am toying with painting in my bathroom makeover. It a great blue color with LOTS of green undertones.

    Reply

  6. Hilary says

    Would you ever consider a post on putting a bedroom together that touches on mixing woods or similar but different fabrics? We have a bedroom with a sitting area and are struggling to figure out what to do with the bench at the end of the bed (a necessity for our dogs to get up on the bed). I love their solution but have no idea how to pull off the “matching but not too matching” look that this house has.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That could be a fun post! My first thoughts would be to grab some different options for pillows and throws from a place like HomeGoods and have a little “bed fashion show” to see what mix you like. You can take pictures of each setup to remember/compare them, and return the ones you don’t like. You also can search sites like Pinterest or Houzz to find mixes/color palettes/looks that you like and draw inspiration from them as well.

      xo
      s

  7. DebinNYC says

    You got me spending money, Mrs. P!! I bought the door decal over at Etsy. I love these two, how sweet is that home? Tell them, I’m coming down for a visit!! :)

    Reply

    • Melissa @ReThreads Charlottesville says

      Becky, your house is so inspirational! When I got to the part about your leather belts turned Etsy cuff bracelets I thought it sounded very familiar. Perhaps you’ve been into my consignment shop in Charlottesville? I remember someone coming in looking for old leather belts for that purpose. Regardless, if you ever find yourself in Charlottesville, pop on in! If you get in touch in advance I can try to put some aside for you that you might like. :)

    • Kat S says

      Becky, please post your chalk paint recipe!! I want my chairs that perfect red like yours!

    • Steph Stimson says

      So great to see Becky featured on YHL! Love this girl’s work (I sport my FGP cuff every Saturday when I sing with our worship band) and her blog. And now I know Honey’s real name. ;-)

  15. rachael says

    Beautiful!! I love colorful homes, and she did a great job. I wish I lived in Richmond so you guys could come to my house, too!

    Reply

  16. Maureen says

    I know this is so bad, but all of this house crashes just make me feel bad about my own house. lol They are all usually very unique and original! I am so jealous of people that can pull it all together like that. I really, really love that comforter in their guest room, and just the general cheery vibe the house has!

    Reply

    • em says

      Hey, Maureen, I feel like if you can appreciate a house like this one (and YHL), then you can add personal touches to your house as well. I like Sherry’s recommendation above- just go buy some stuff that you like that does not come in a pre-matched set, and try it out together (and return whatever doesn’t work!) Or, start with a small, easy project, like painting an end table a funky color. I also recommend trying DIY/thrifted stuff for kids rooms- I generally feel bolder with my kids’ rooms and feel like my kids are impressed by the lamp shades I made for them, even if the seams are not perfect (PS- fabric covered lampshades are the easiest project in the world). For me, seeing houses like these (and YHL) doesn’t make me feel bad about my house, it makes me feel inspired to express my own creativity.

    • Kate says

      We have the same comforter- I’d volunteer to mail it to you but it’s in storage while we’re abroad…

  20. Paige @ The Room Kit says

    Speaking as somebody who is a diehard white kitchen fan (and who painted her own cabinets white last summer) I LOVE their wood cabinets! I’m totally having a moment. It’s just nice to see something a little different, ya know?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It was such a warm space! The funny thing is Becky told me she was debating painting the cabinets (maybe just the uppers) but didn’t know how it would look with the current backsplash and granite and I said the same thing as you – that I loved how warm and charming they were as-is!

      xo
      s

    • Becky @ Farmgirl Paints says

      I’ve so been on the fence with painting them. There is that part in me that would like a lighter brighter look and white SUBWAY tile!! Oh I’d love that. But I know these are beautiful too. I’d hate to mess it up.

  22. Lindsey says

    I love her eclectic style. I could never pull it off, but it’s such great inspiration!

    Have you seen A Beautiful Mess’s blog today? They revealed an office desk that I think you might find interesting. Even though you just added one to your office, this might be a nice option down the road.

    Reply

  25. cheri s in iowa says

    I’m so glad I clicked over to Farmgirl Paints. Those pictures of your family doing your thing are the sweetest!

    Reply

  26. Jan says

    Humble was a gas station when I was a kid … I think they were part of the Esso–>Exxon group. And that bathroom vanity looks a lot like my son’s dresser, which has been in our family for eons and is solid mahogany … as a fan of beautiful old furniture, I’m kind of hoping this was a less-exotic-wood version that got cut up and painted :-/

    Reply

  28. Gina says

    I’ve always loved Becky’s style. It’s a feast for the eyes!! And yes, it makes me want to go thrifting/antiquing!! :) Maybe she’ll weigh in and tell me which shop in Charlottesville she bought the light from. :) Becky? ;)

    Reply

  29. Susan says

    That is a very lovely, homey, sweet tour!

    I think my favorite part was the bedroom. I’m a sucker for cheerful colors, and a lover of wood that screams, “I was once a tree! Look at how warm and solid and unique I am!” I know, I’m a weirdo…

    The guest bedroom completely made me feel like I was looking at your last home’s guest room, but in another dimension or something. The dark walls, the bed coverlet, the bright pop of yellow, etc. I wouldn’t doubt if it was inspired – even subconsciously – by you guys ;)

    Great house crashing ;)

    Hugs and prayers for you and baby.

    P.s. Sherry, I really admire that you still read and respond to comments. I don’t know how you work it in, but it’s awesome – no need to respond to this comment!!!

    Reply

  31. KayGray says

    Love it!! Maybe Becky can chime in and share where they got that fabulous light fixture in the music room??! I checked out her page but couldn’t find the source. Thanks :)

    Reply

  35. Elaine says

    The “humble” sign is probably an old Humble Oil Co (pronounced “um-ble” or “rumble” with out the R)sign. They’re from Humble, Texas (again, no H) and later merged with Exxon. Just a fun fact.

    Reply

  39. Brittany says

    What are those pink and red things pictured that she has her leather bracelets hanging on? They are so cute, but I can’t figure out what they are. Love the rest of the house. Makes me wish I played piano!

    Reply

  40. Ashley says

    Absolutely love this house!! Pinning everyone of these pictures to my decor folder for future reference because this is the mood I want for my house :) Great job!

    Reply

  44. sarina says

    I’m digging that little hutch desk in the girl’s room. I have smaller rooms and that would be so awesome to find something like that for my guest room!

    Reply

  46. Bekka says

    Aw man, I love seeing other people’s work studios!!! As a self-employed artist myself, I always get so inspired (and a little jealous) when I see a really great studio!

    That barn light immediately jumped out at me when I saw it – so cool!

    You guys should do more artist/artisan studio crashes! Love it :)

    Reply

  47. Jen S. says

    This is probably my most favorite of the houses you’ve crashed. It is 100% my style and if I had the financial resources my house would look just like this :) Since I can’t redo my whole house I’ll just have to start small with some inspiration projects from their house.

    Reply

  48. Frances says

    I love this whole house, but my favorite thing of all is the craft paint storage. Such a smart idea and you can see all the colors without digging.

    Reply

  49. Brian Strahle says

    John and Sherry,

    I just want to thank you both for coming to our home and crashing. We feel truly honored and blessed. I enjoyed meeting you both and getting to know you better. You guys are sweet people and I wish you all of the best. I love that you labeled our home as “Joyful & Happy Go Lucky.” I agree our home does feel very colorful, happy and comfortable. Unfortunately, I can’t take the credit for it. Becky does all of the decorating and comes up with the ideas. However, I am often the one that has to take the idea through the execution phase – like the ‘floating desk’ out of two old-doors. That project nearly killed me. In any case, I am extremely proud of my wife, and thankful for you showcasing it on your blog.

    In regards to her style – I would say she simply buys things she loves, brings them home and waits (or looks) for the inspiration of where to put them. She knows if she loves them, the right spot will appear. I think her advice would be – decorate your home with what you love – not to follow a specific style or trend.

    Thanks again!

    Reply

  50. Rosie S says

    What a fun, cheery house! Love it! And love that Junk B is just around the corner…..makes me think of all the ‘possibilities’ to find! Love the green light fixture the best!

    Reply

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