Young House Love

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A Crisp & Classic House Tour

This house crashing adventure in Northern Virginia had us drooling over materials and finishes, especially in the kitchen and the bathrooms. Talk about a gorgeous place to come home to. And here’s Melissa The Homeowner now, so let’s go in.

Hc Meet Owner

Her house was actually built in 1940, but she and her husband Jim added an awesome addition to the back of the house in 2009 which included a new kitchen. And it just happened to be one of the most amazing ones we’ve ever been in. So we’ll cut right to the chase. You can see it down the hallway near the front door…

Hc Kitchen Hall

… and it’s glorious. Is it not? Everything from the thick crown molding and the vintage-esque lights over the island (from Amazon) to the crisp subway tile and gorgeous glass fronted cabinets had us at hello.

Hc Kitchen Shot

We also really loved the black honed granite counters paired with the white cabinets and the stainless steel appliances. And that hood was amazing. Jim actually made it. Yes, it was fantastic. And the pot filler was snagged for around $75 on clearance when Home Depot Expo closed. I think hoods and pot fillers like this are what dreams are made of.

Bc Range Detail

The kitchen opens up to a family room on the other side of the large multifunctional space. And yes, you can watch TV on this flatscreen while cooking. Life is good for Melissa. We especially loved the striped tone-on-tone drapes (from JC Penney) and the cozy gas fireplace. This is one of those awesome family homes where people really live (see the toys tucked into that corner on the right and all the books on those built-ins on the left?).

Hc Family Room

The back of the house shows the 2009 addition that we mentioned (the kitchen and that family room were added along with a main bedroom and bath upstairs). Which means Melissa and her husband got to create this gorgeous back patio with nice wide steps leading out to a grassy play area for their son and daughter.

Hc Back Patio

There’s also a more formal living room in the front of the house, and the fireplace was especially lovely thanks to the crisp lines of the mantel.

Hc Living Room

Here’s another little stolen detail, just a quick shot of a frame arrangement on the stairs leading up to the second level (she got the M at Ross for $6). So personal and sweet.

Hc Stairway Frame Collage

Here’s their son’s room which had custom floor to ceiling built-ins that Jim actually made himself. Talk about getting tons of function out of one wall. And the rocking horse was DIYed by Jim’s father (handiness runs in the family).

Hc Sons Room

And here’s their daughter’s room with a charming cherry branch mural on the wall (from ebay) and a DIYed nightstand by Melissa (don’t you love the large white stripe down the center?).

Hc Daughters Room

Their main bedroom is airy and welcoming with a nice peaked ceiling and lots of windows.

Hc Master Full

The bed even had sort of an exotic vacation vibe going on. Ooh la la.

Hc Master Bed Detail

But that bathroom is really what brought me to my knees. Look at that gorgeous giant sink vanity topped with more black honed granite (just like the kitchen countertops). And the floors. They killed me.

Hc Master Bath Full

Here’s a closer look. Marble basketweave (from The Tile Shop). I was in heaven.

Master Bath Detail

There’s also a basement with a giant playroom that was in progress when we crashed. But it has since been officially finished and it. is. awesome. Check it out here. And here’s the sweet little basement guest room (complete with a headboard that Melissa DIYed and bedding from JC Penney)…

Hc Guest Room

… and an equally charming and cheerful guest bathroom (with towels from Bed Bath & Beyond and art from Target).

Hc Guest Bathroom

So thanks a million to Melissa and Jim for inviting us in and letting us snap away! There’s not much that we love more than snooping around a lovely house like hers! And since we definitely didn’t capture every detail (or even every room) be sure to head over to Melissa’s blog for more photos and details. Hooray for hump day house crashings!

Psst- Wanna virtually poke around a ton of other awesome casas? Click here for eye candy galore.

Comments

  4. Stacie says

    Thanks for the pics! They are great! I love the paint colors in the master bath and the stairway! Do you think Melissa would share?

    Reply

  5. Katy says

    This is catalog living if I’ve ever seen it! Can I live in the sun spot on the kitchen floor? please? is that weird for me to say? I feel like I would be really motivated to constantly do my laundry and organize my mail in that house.

    stunning!

    Reply

  6. Rebecca @ the lil house that could says

    Hmm how do you guys manage to get so many wonderful houses to crash? Do people submit them or you find them in cyberspace yourself?

    I have that M! As well as an R for my name :) I’ve been debating whether or not to spray paint them white to match my office. I mean they were inexpensive enough, but I still love the brown tones!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We just ring the bell and expect to be let in. Haha. Just kidding, people send them our way (and since some of them are pretty far away, we just try to make it out whenever we’ll be in that neck of the woods). There’s nothing we like better than snooping and snapping away – and then sharing the goods with you guys of course.

      xo,
      s

  12. Sarah says

    O.M.G. As I scrolled through these pics, I was floored by the kitchen (and every room for that matter). Then, as I read the last line that set up the master bath, I rolled my mouse-scroll to see the master bath AND IT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY! Like, heart-stopped. I’m still recovering! Well done and thanks for sharing :)

    Reply

  15. Elizabeth says

    I used to live in Arlington and just ADORE all the older homes and how so many young families transform them with love. Great walkable neighborhoods with lots of character. Melissa’s house is stunning! Great vision!

    Reply

  20. Jen says

    Beautiful, beautiful home — especially the kitchen/family room. So warm and inviting! I love the windows flanking the fireplace, and all the built-ins! Sigh. :)

    It does have one trend I’ve noticed lately that I just don’t understand: bathroom sink counters with space underneath. It looks pretty, but who wants to clean under there?

    Reply

  23. Brandi says

    Yes the bathroom and the kitchen had me too! The tile in the bath is just perfect and I love that style vanity. I bet they saved so much money with the husband being so handy, how nice!

    Reply

  24. Natalie says

    I love her mix of modern and traditional… classic is the best word…
    It feels so light and airy, all the while warm and welcoming…

    Pouting about how all the old homes in my area are in…. well, is there a nice word for “ghetto”… I like the way house hunters call this “transitional”…

    all the old homes with character like this where I live, are only transitioning from bad to worse…
    So I have a home built 1995 that is too old to be new, and too new to be old…
    but I’m working with it.

    Keep the house crashing coming… WE LOVE IT!
    ~nat

    Reply

  25. Vicki says

    Hello from Australia!

    What a beautiful home! I just love the architecture of the homes you feature – filled with such history, I love it.

    You have a great blog and I love reading it.

    Vicki :)

    Reply

  27. Kaylyn says

    Beautiful house. That master bath vanity is TDF. Something to keep in mind for when we move into a bigger home. I love her girl’s room… it’s so pretty and girly, without being “in your face” girly. Does that make sense?! LOL!

    Reply

  29. Jordon says

    Classic/traditional is not my style but this home is exquisite! Melissa has curated her collections in a lovely way. I love the comfortably layered, collected vibe that remains clean & uncluttered. Bravo!!

    Reply

  31. susan says

    Thanks for the tour. Now back to reality and my house…which I am so thankful for. Great ideas on this post. Sorry to hear about your dog. susan

    Reply

  32. My Beautiful Life says

    I am amazed Jim built that hood. It is gorgeous. I hopped over to her blog, and saw the playroom with the new built ins. Those turned out awesome!

    What I want to know is where she got the shower curtain-I love that aqua/white combo.

    Reply

  33. Alexandria says

    Can you find out where she got her light fixtures for her kitchen?!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE, and redoing my kitchen and those would be PERFECT!!!

    Reply

  34. Karen says

    Wow… stunning! That’s my dream house. I love everything about it… especially that tile floor in the master bath and that gorgeous kitchen.

    I wouldn’t change a single thing.

    Well done, Melissa. You have a beautiful home.

    Reply

  37. Jessica says

    I am a sucker for subway tile and those basketweave marble floors! Love this home! It’s got such a beautiful mix of classic and cozy! Thank you for letting us see your beautiful home, Melissa.

    Reply

  38. katie says

    What a beautiful home! I live in Northern Virginia too. It’s probably a fun little road trip for you guys cause you can hit up the Leesburg Outlets while you’re here, right?

    Reply

  39. Christin says

    Ok, hands down, best. house. crash. EVER! Seriously, this house is perfect. It’s home-y and not showy at all. It doesnt’ look like it’s straight out of a catalog b/c there are so many great personal touches. It’s gorgeous, functional, and lived in. Amazing! Thanks so much to Melissa and Jim for sharing!!

    Reply

  40. Megan says

    I just checked the JCPenney website and I don’t see those curtains. I wonder how long ago she bought them? I would love a horizontal striped curtain in an apple or lime green.

    Reply

  41. Melissa says

    I really LOVE the curtains in the Living Room, but I can’t find them at JC Penny’s. Any ideas where I could find something similar?

    Reply

  43. Jenna says

    Can they adopt me?

    I mean.. I am 29 years old, but I promise to not take up too much room. I can just live in that master bathroom.

    Reply

  46. Paige says

    man…not only is that house gorgeous, but it’s in ARLINGTON?! I LOVE LOVE LOVE nova…so rich in history.

    My favorite things were all the built-in shelves (esp. in the playroom–wowza), the master bath tile floor, the accessories in the guest bed/bath…and that amazing screened in porch. oooo la la.

    I popped in over at her blog and saw the pics when they bought the house in 2002–man, it’s come a long way. That’s crazy that they are only the 3rd owners!

    Reply

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