Quick note Book holla! -We’re publishing this post early since we’ll be at our stop in Wilton, CT this morning and then we’ll be at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ at 5:30 pm (and staying as late as it takes to hang/sign/geek out with everyone). More details here. We’d love to see ya!
A little while ago we took a road trip up to Northern Virginia to crash an awesome house that we thought you guys would love. It’s in a charming town called Herndon, and Michele and Nate poured some serious love (in the form of some serious work, time, and sweat) into their home. So let’s get our with the tour on, shall we?
Here’s the sweet couple now. They were so friendly and humble – we were so happy they invited us over with our camera (and Clara) to snoop around. Thanks again guys!
If you peeked past them in that picture above you’ve probably already noticed that awesome painted wall that Michele did with some painter’s tape and a whole lotta time and dedication. I also love that console table, which she revealed was from HomeGoods for some crazy cheap price but it was a bright orange-y wood tone, so she stained the whole thing down with some darker walnut stain. Always a good reminder that if the lines/materials of something are good but the color is baaad, you can save it (and probably save some money on the item thanks to that less-than-appealing color). And if you peer past it into the living room you might recognize the rug. It’s actually the same Pottery Barn clearance guy from our guest room. It’s a nice splash of color that draws you into the room from the entryway.
Beyond the living area is a charming dining room with two light fixtures from Overstock above the table (I thought two of them was a fun choice!). And do you see that sweet wainscoting that they added along with some awesomely textured walls thanks to… fabric?
Yup, they starched some textured linen fabric (on sale from Joann) and stuck it up on the wall! How awesome is that. Here’s her tutorial on that for anyone interested (I love that it’s removable, so it’s even a cool idea for a rental).
As for their kitchen, let’s just say they put in some major time here. Not only did they do things like tile the backsplash and redo the counters, they actually built the cabinets themselves. Yes, they built them from scratch! So inspiring, right? I can tell you that in person they looked amazing. I seriously never would have guessed. Oh and those stools are lucky Crate & Barrel outlet finds.
They also created this awesome little wine nook in an odd recessed area by adding a bench and lots of wine-a-licious built-ins.
Here’s the money shot for ya. Does this gorgeous marble mosaic tile say “how you doin?” or what? In lurve. I petted it. No shame. And that awesome apron sink is from Overstock in case you’re in the market for one.
The family room was super cozy and welcoming. Everything from the large scale art they made to the stone wall and the dark wall color was totally doing it for us. We both were like “this room – yeah we want it.” Oh, before I forget, the wall color is Benjamin Moore Gunmetal Gray. This was just one of those rooms that sucks you in and you want to snuggle down on the sectional. So casual and inviting.
Here’s a better shot of the art, which they actually made with an ebay map and some reclaimed wood that they already had (more on that project here). And how cool is that awesomely nature-esque tree trunk coffee table? Here’s the story on that from Michele: “We made it! A pretty bad storm rolled through VA and we contacted a tree guy that we know in the area. He was taking care of some larger trees that had fallen and we asked that he cut us a chunk. It is a red oak. We counted about 110 rings and it was about 350 lbs! We let it dry out for a few weeks and Nate begin using a chainsaw to carve out the inside to lighten it up. (This was NOT an easy task!!). We spend weeks sanding it, chiseling off the bark, etc. After we had a smooth, hollowed out stump, we tung oiled it. Thanks for reminding me about a post that I need to write!”
We loved that every nook was an opportunity for Michele and Nate. They even added some great wood detailing along the stairway walls, and the awesome orb-like light is super cool too. They actually made that with a light kit and a big metal cage that they found at a secondhand store.
Here’s the guest room, which had a pretty cool story when it came to those dressers along the wall. They’re actually Nate’s from when he was a kid, and instead of retiring them, Michele refreshed them with some paint and new hardware (Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray, with pulls from Home Depot). You know we love that use whatcha got spirit!
This bathroom was another showstopper when it comes to details that they added (like the penny tile border along the wall, the awesome dark floor tile, and the vanity that they got from Lowe’s). It felt really classic and crisp in there.
Boom. I just hit you with a detail shot. How you like me now?
Seriously, that bathroom was awesome.
And speaking of bathrooms, this one was a powder room downstairs, and it was really cool because they added an entire accent wall of tile (from Home Depot). It looked so great with the sconces and the pedestal sink and that awesomely rustic wood mirror (which they made with some old wood). This picture doesn’t do it justice at all.
And the garage. Oh the garage. Let’s just say that John wanted to move in. It was awesome. Again they were so smart about using what they had, so these are actually their original kitchen cabinets. Yup, instead of demo-ing them out when they built the new ones, they moved them right into the garage and primed/painted them. It was such an organized and inspiring room. Made me wanna build something.
There were some really cool personal touches too, like some old airplanes that Nate framed (he’d made them as a child and his Grandpa saved them and gave them back to him as an adult). How sweet is that? And of course John was drooling over the supreme organization going on when it came to all of those labeled screws and nails (it might have inspired this recent basement project). The funny thing is that when John asked Nate if he cleaned things up because we were coming to take pictures he said “nah, I’m just a type-A guy.” So funny!
And we saved the best for last. How awesome is this backyard? Did you faint? I almost did when I rounded the corner and saw this. I was all “wait, am I in Hawaii? How did I get here?”
Not only was there an outdoor kitchen that they paintstakingly pieced together over time, but they also have some great outdoor furniture and even had a hot tub tucked in the back. Yeah, buddy. I was in heaven. Jersey girls like me love their hot tubs. Just saying.
And look at those pretty stone steps. The hardscaping in the front yard and the backyard were so great. It was like extra credit. It went the extra mile above regular garden borders and stairs and felt so special and upgraded, you know? Nate and Michele are actually both landscape architects, so that might explain why they have some seriously swanky outdoor areas. And the planters all around the yard have been collected over time (some are leftover from the previous owner and they spray painted them oil-rubbed bronze to freshen them up).
So there you have it, Michele and Nate’s awesome house in Northern Virginia. You can read more about their amazing DIY journey here on their blog, but first let’s play the what’s-your-favorite-part game. I’m all over that giant map against the dark walls of the family room. And John’s very much in love with that garage. As in, he smiles like a fool when I mention it. I’ve been calling him Young Garage Love for weeks.
Psst- Don’t wanna stop snooping around? You can check out dozens of House Crashing adventures right here.
Justine says
What a beautiful transformation. I am in love with the tiles in that kitchen and I also have to admit a clean organized workspace like that garage made me catch my breath a bit. Great crash!
Lauren says
Ahhh! Your book just arrived on my doorstep today! So excited – it’s an early birthday present! I’m taking the day of work on Monday to celebrate my bday, relax, and flip through every page in a leisurely fashion. Can’t wait!
Lauren says
*take the day off of work
Oops!
YoungHouseLove says
Hope you love it!
xo,
s
Angela K says
OK, this is totally off topic, but I am sooooo excited to tell you that the Fedex Guy just dropped off my copy of your book!!!! Just from looking at it for a few minutes, I can tell you that I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I’m going to be giving these as Christmas gifts to many of my family members/friends! Congrats to you guys for such a great accomplishment!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Angela! You’re so sweet!
xo,
s
katie says
oh my gosh, i totally thought the art in the living room was a window!! Makes the room look so much bigger!
Jamie@VTmamateurs says
WOW! Favorite house that you’ve crashed thus far…I’m in love with too many elements to name just one or two. Beautiful custom wood work throughout…and I’m obsessing over that console table!
Lauren says
Yay! Just got an email from Amazon saying that your book has shipped and will be here on the 5th! Can’t wait!!!
Heather says
Guess what the UPS man just brought???!!! THE book! So excited to dig in. Happy Friday!
YoungHouseLove says
Yay!!
xo,
s
Carly says
One word – amazeballs!
Martina says
Hang on while I pin half of these pictures…
Erin {Home Everyday} says
That powder room tile is amaze-balls (is that how you spell it?) anyway, it is! I needed some warm toned bathroom inspiration. Thanks youngsters :)
Sandra says
This might be my favorite house crash, too! I’m totally drawn to all of their projects, and I appreciate the layered neutrals and how they still represent the masculine member of the family in the design choices.
Claudie says
I’m in love with this house! It is so put together, but it really does feel like you could go in, kick back, and relax without feeling like you might break something delicate just by breathing, ha!
Amy says
Best house crash ever. I’m swooning!
Jess says
Really loved this house tour!! Definitely going to add them to the blogs I read on a regular basis…
Lyndsay @ that 70s house says
I love this house crash! One of my favorite parts about it is their family room. Too many times I look at design magazines and house crashes and I wonder how the people live in such a *designed* space…where their TV is…where they “hang out”. We have a TV above our fireplace too in our family room and while it might not be the best design choice, it’s real life! Their house looks awesomely stylish, but still lived-in and comfortable :). love it!
heather says
AHHH I want that staircase light. I wa that staircase light. I want that staircase light!
*deep breath*
We now have wide opens stairs and we’re putting a big pendant light up. This just inspired me to potentially make my own. I have to stop writing. I need to go back to looking at that picture. And then petting it. Then ogling the wood on the walls. Ohh mon Dieu, it’s perfect.
Cori says
This is by far my favorite “crash” you’ve been involved in. :) A real house that a real family could live in! Rooms that made sense and were beautiful but not over the top. Please do more of these!!!!
Marissa says
This is absolutely one of my favorite crashes!
I was wondering where they got the sectional in the den?
Michele Ament says
The sectional is from Belfort Furniture. I believe it is local to NOVA (Northern Virginia)
Allison says
I’m normally not a fan of the house crashing posts, but OMG this is amazing.
Jessica C. says
I seriously just pinned every single picture in this post! WOW what a house!!!!
Dalenna says
Every time I read ‘Penny tile’, I hear the Cougar Town guys sing song-y “penny can”.
LauraC says
Wow! So beautiful! Great job Michele and Nate! My two favorites (though I really love every picture) are the entryway table and the stump coffee table. Love!
Kate says
WOW I love everything about this! The wall is so bold and cool and I love the color scheme in there. I also love the low hung art in the guest room and the map!
Sam says
This is my favorite house crashing too! I love everything about it! But WHAT I LOVE MORE?!?! I just got my copy of Young House Love via UPS from Amazon. I could have kissed my UPS man when he showed up with that sweet little package.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Hope you love it.
xo,
s
Stacey says
I 100% thought that large map in the living room was a huge window! That’s awesome.
Danielle says
Wow. Their house is amazing! I LOVE the orb light fixture they created and that wine rack/sitting nook is fantastic. Great job!
Lauren says
Favorite house crash ever! I love this for the simple fact that they turned what appears to be a standard 1980’s colonial into something truly unique.
I always love your house crashes, but they tend to be older or cottage-y houses that already have some character or charm to begin with. This one gives me hope for my boxy, boring house in the suburbs :)
Alice says
So much talent and skills! I love all the hand-made items and all the grays and rustic touches. I could totally see myself living in their house very comfortably.:)
Emma says
I am beyond in love with this house! I think I love their brick wall project the best. You have amazing vision Michelle and Nate!
Laura says
Got your book today – wooooooo! I’m hooked and have only read the preface. Can’t wait for the rest of it. Glad you were able to keep so much of your personality in it :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Laura! That’s so nice to hear.
xo,
s
Alison says
OMG!!!!! Can I move in there??
I love the entry way lamp, wine storage, bathroom and kitchen updates.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it all!!!
I need to borrow them to come help me decorate my house.
Katrina says
that is a stunning house. they have awesome taste! i really love all the different ways they have done the walls. very very nice house crashing here!!
Jennifer says
We have that exact floor plan (also northern VA). I just sent my husband the link with the instructions to make our house look exactly like that :-)
PS – amazon tells me your book will be to me on Tuesday – can’t wait!!
Donna says
Love this house! This is my FAVE house crashing to date!!!
Rachel Farley says
I love the dining room table and chairs! Where are they from?
Michele Ament says
They are both from Crate and Barrel thanks to some gift certificate wedding gifts! I believe that the table goes on sale often there.
Stephanie says
Wow! I love their house. Everything is amazing.
Sarah L says
What a great house crash! I loved seeing the garage. Our garage has our old cabinets mounted too, which we love. However, we have been wanting to paint them and paint the garage floor (with those kits they have at Lowe’s/HD. It was so nice to see it done! Now, dude, I have to get on that already! :)
katie says
Just got my YHL book!!!!!!!!!!!! Question, did you decide to keep the cover matte to cut down on costs for us?
So excited. I’m in grad school, was going to write a paper but it may need to wait…
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, all about keeping it affordable and printing it in the US.
xo,
s
Pam says
My books arrived today!!! One for me the other is a Christmas gift for a friend. YAAAAAAYYYYY!!! I know what I’ll be doing all weekend :)
By the way, this is the best house-crashing post ever! Love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo!!
xo,
s
mp says
I’m amazed that they built the kitchen cabinets themselves!!! I can’t even imagine putting IKEA cabinets together, much less building something from scratch! And I love that mantel! Did they build it themselves (and if so, how?) or did they find it from the awesome tree guy?
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s hoping they drop in with that info!
xo,
s
Michele Ament says
We used a solid piece of cedar that we got from a local lumber yard. It had been aged for a while so worked well for what we wanted. It was a 6″x12″ beam. We ripped it down to about 10″ and the stone is then rested on top of that so there is about 5″ of actual mantel space.
Jess says
This house is beautiful!! It’s so warm and inviting and fantastic.. LOVE the wine storage too!
Tracy B says
I came home from work early because I am sick, and guess what was sitting in front of my door! – Yep, my preordered copy of your book. My plans for the night now include turning on my fire, downing some cough medicine and curling up to read your book. I can’t wait. My good friend who lives in another state have decided that we are going to pick a project to tackle together every few weeks and see who’s is better. (My guess is hers will be). It will be a fum way for the two of us to keep and touch and share the YHL!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Tracy! Feel better!
xo,
s
caroline says
holy moly. everything was picturesque! in my area too …
in other news- I GOT THE YHL BOOK EARLY!!!! I did a happy dance and may have gotten teary eyed reading the beginning- so happy for the two of you :)
trying to read slowly so i can make it last!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Caroline. You’re so sweet! Sniffle.
xo,
s
Caitlin says
Favorite house crash ever! And as you know that’s really saying something. I want them to reproduce so I can see them do a nursery… also because they’re an awfully cute couple. That fabric on the walls is toooooo die.
Michele Ament says
We actually have reproduced and Baby Ament is due in April! We have a ton of ideas for nurseries but need to find out the sex first. Little Clara has predicted a girl, but we shall see! We find out next week. Keep checking in on our blog for how the nursery progresses. Thanks for the very sweet kind works!!
Lindsay says
Sigh* As a military family I have hopes for one day having a place to call our own for more than 2-3 years, and I WILL be returning to this post for inspiration! I adored the front entry wall, the metal cage light, and holy GARAGE?! Who knew a space meant for cars and tools could be so ….beautiful!
Kristin says
Wow…gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous!
Megan says
LOOOOOOVE that house!! Definitely one of my favorite house crashes yet! Especially since from the outside of the house I didn’t expect it to look anything like that on the inside. Fantastic!
Oh, and P.S. I’m reading your book right now! Highlight of my day was coming home to see it on my doorstep. Yippee!:)
YoungHouseLove says
Ahhh so exciting Megan!!
xo.
s
Megan says
I’m a total nerd by I’m freaking out that you just responded to me;) I so want to go to the DC book tour and meet you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re so sweet, we’d love to meet you!!
xo,
s
Jane says
Love their house! Did they mentioned where their sectional is from?
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s going they stop by to answer questions soon!
xo,
s
Michele Ament says
Belfort Furniture, which I believe is local to Northern VA. I hope that helps!
Jennah says
OK, maybe my comment didn’t post earlier, but I swear I will cut a b*** for that rug. You have made me obsessed with it and I can’t find one similar that is both affordable and not dhurrie/flatweave. You’re killing me by showing someone else who has it!!
Michele Ament says
I stalked Craigslist for a very long time to find that rug! It finally popped up in my area for $200.00!! Lucky find!
Christina says
Wow what a beautiful home! Love everything & the garage is inspiring.
P.S.
Received my YHL book today!! SQUUUEEEEAAL!!!! I’ve looked thru every page quickly & now I’m going to read every page one by one! Congrats! I’m totally making the canvas stretcher headboard 1st!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Christina!!!
xo,
s