I don’t usually write these House Crashing posts, but this home in particular is very special to me. Well, at least it will be over time – it’s my parents’ new house here in Richmond. Since we literally crashed their pad for a few days post-Hurricane Irene (when our house had no power) and have spent many an evening hanging out over there, we figured it was high time we snapped some pics to share with you guys.
That’s Dad and Mom right after moving day back in May (they’ve since painted the lavender door bright red). I’ve mentioned before how they sold their house of 32 years in Northern Virginia (aka, my childhood home) and relocated two hours south in Richmond to be closer to some of their kids/grandkids and downsize to an easier-to-maintain home (part of my mom’s retirement goals was to never have to mulch again). They landed in a beautiful new-ish community of duplexes about 15 minutes from our place and, despite it being smidge smaller, in many ways it feels quite grand in comparison to their previous digs. Just take their half bath as an example.
A lot of the design of the house is courtesy of the previous owners (my parents have been there less than 4 months) and when house hunting, my parents feared their style was a bit too formal for their tastes (their last bathrooms were more of the bold paint variety, not the floral wallpaper type). But somewhere along the way they figured “I’m retired, so who says I can’t have an ornate gold mirror in my half bath?”
We totally dig it. Maybe it’s partially just the pleasure of seeing my parents embrace a new style, but it’s also just fun to go into a house that takes risks or makes decisions you wouldn’t necessary think of for yourself. You know, it helps you stretch a little. And clearly my Mom is learning to love her new look, as she purchased this light fixture from Ballard Designs to replace what the previous owners had taken with them. She said she “never thought that she’d purchase something like this in a million years” but it’s really playful and goes perfectly in there.
Even at just four months in, my parents are making the place their own. For instance, the previous owners left them the great drapes and large ceiling medallion… but no chandelier. So my parents actually moved this slightly-too-large-for-the-space fixture from their breakfast nook into the dining room, where it’s much better suited. Three cheers for working with what you got.
While they’ve definitely had to purchase some new furniture to better fit the space, they’re also have fun mixing in their existing pieces – like this awesome wicker chair scored at Pottery Barn a few years ago. The side table is a new on-sale find from Ballard Design. Sherry has said it’s her favorite thing in the whole house. It has little clawed feet clutching a ball on the bottom, and it is of course her favorite finish (ORB).
That chair sits in the large open living room, which has great lofted ceilings, some sweet built-ins and a cozy electric fireplace.
Of course, the most popular conversation piece in their new home is this custom cabinet. Most of the houses in the development have a little builder-basic white closet here, but the previous owners went all out and had a piece designed using reclaimed wood and ironwork from Caravati’s (a local architectural salvage place). The old owners used it as a liquor cabinet, but my non-drinking parents display frames & dinnerware on its top shelves (those top doors flip open and slide into the piece so they’re invisible) and store photo albums and games in the bottom drawers which are hidden behind the two doors on the bottom.
The cabinet sits beside their kitchen, which has an awesome island in the middle (it houses the sink and dishwasher) as well as a killer pantry cabinet at the far right. Not to mention another pantry closet that’s not pictured (it’s on the far left beyond the magnet board on the wall).
We’re jealous of a lot of things in here – awesome black-but-still-subtly-flecky granite, extra-hight ceilings, stainless appliances, etc, etc. Good thing we get to come over for dinner regularly.
Oh, and here’s that breakfast nook I mentioned that once housed the much-bigger dining room chandelier, which they replaced with a more modestly-sized one from Ballard Designs. And see those colorful chairs? They’re from Pier 1. My mom called us up and said “come see the chairs I got for the breakfast nook, they’re unlike anything I would ever have chosen even a year ago – I’m so in love with them.” It’s so fun to watch them have fun with new things for their new house.
Just beyond those big bright windows in the kitchen is their patio. It’s perfectly sized for them… and the fence is great for keeping the grandkids from running away! We’ve already broken in a plastic baby pool out there (Clara didn’t want to leave).
The second story of the house features a large landing that acts as my dad’s office and a play area when grandkids are visiting, plus two guest bedrooms – including this one that we stayed in during the whole no-power-for-three-days-after-Huricane-Irene thing. It was already painted that warm color (wish we knew the name to share it, but my parents inherited already-painted walls in every room, so they don’t have a clue). Oh but the bed frame is from Ballard Design (my mom likes to wait for sales and use coupon codes).
We didn’t get pics of the other guest room (Clara was napping in it) or the main bedroom (that’s still sort of a work in progress) but maybe someday we’ll snap those for you to complete the tour when my parents have had a bit more time to settle in (they’re such good sports for letting us crash a house they’ve lived in for, oh, 380 fewer months than their last place).
Oh, and I can’t forget one of our favorite features of the house. This is a brick from our old house (removed during our first home’s kitchen doorway widening project) that we gave to them a few years ago. I can’t remember the exact occasion (maybe there wasn’t one) but they’ve had it out on their new doorstep since day 1.
Oh, and in related news, we heard the new owners of my parents’ old home are having a great time there. They’re a family with young kids that are having a blast befriending other kids in the neighborhood, so it seems that the ol’ cul de sac is once again seeing some of the action it had back in the ’80s when my generation was there. Though I did hear that my sister’s old bedroom is now Baltimore Ravens purple. Wow.
Psst- Check out a ton of other House Crashing adventures here, or search through individual rooms for inspiration (by color or type of room) here.
Elizabeth says
I’m thinking the paint color could be Benjamin Moore Monroe Bisque? Thanks for sharing the tour, I always love your house crash posts!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Elizabeth!
xo,
s
gayla says
loving the parentals new digs John!! i am all about small house, “souped up” IDK why but I would trade 1500 with all the bells and whistles for 2500 boring ANY DAY ;)
Ly says
That “overly ornate” gold mirror and gorgeous wallpapered bathroom might be one of my favorite things you’ve shared! :)
Nice home! Well done!
Chaucea says
What a beautifully written House Crashing post, very thoughtful and so warm and positive. It was really a pleasure reading it. Thank you! :-)
Jess says
Your blog is such an inspiration considering my current impending house buy situation.
Your parents house is gorgeous. I’m so glad it’s making them explore different tastes and design ideas. Love that bed and the chairs in the breakfast nook.
Barb K says
I LOVE that bathroom, the wallpaper is gorgeous! The mirror and faucet look wonderful! And that built-in in incredible too.
Jennifer says
I think it would be pretty awesome if you guys were able to house crash your old house in a few months and see what they have done to it!
YoungHouseLove says
Don’t think we haven’t asked! Haha. Still waiting by the phone…
xo,
s
Kelly says
We have the exact same gold mirror in our house! Not by choice, the woman we bought it from left it. We’re far from being retired like your parents, so it doesn’t quite fit our house or our tastes. :)
I bought spray paint to see if that makes it any better. If not, I figure it was free, so no harm will be done.
Any tips for spray painting something with that much detail?
YoungHouseLove says
I would just keep the coats nice and thin. Mist it. Five thin and even coats are better than one or two thick and drippy ones!
xo
s
Audrey says
I love that you both have such stylish parents – it’s in your genes to be thrifty and fashionable. ;)
AmandaonMaui says
Wow, I love their home! I’ve been wanting to downsize as well. I’m getting a bit burnt out on the larger house thing. Staying in this tiny hotel room for two weeks is really making me realize that I do want to downsize. The biggest part of living somewhere smaller is keeping it tidy. It doesn’t have to be clean, it just has to have a place for everything (and I have to put everything in its place).
While I know I could never live in a “tiny house” (under 1000 sq ft) I want to do something between 1200-1600 square feet. Something cozier. It’s time to go minimal in my life. I feel like I’m ready to go home and get rid of some stuff.
I think we’re also going to start changing our house hunting strategy. We’re basically tring to move 3 families onto one property. My boyfriend and I, his mother, and his brother’s family. This means we need three living spces.
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating says
I just got a new Ballard Designs catalog in the mail yesterday and was smitten with a certain side table. Today I’m catching up on some blog reading, and there’s the same table in your parents’ house!
Carly says
I just bought the exact same rocker that’s in photo #7 (for $3!) at a yard sale. Problem is that mine was painted black (and is majorly chipping off). I will be sanding it down and repainting it soon, but haven’t decided on a color yet. But I’m a little confused on what to do about the cane. Do I paint that too? Just put cushions on top? Eeek!
YoungHouseLove says
If it shows I would paint it- and if it’s completely covered by the cushion it’s probably not necessary! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Lena says
Wow, their home is beautiful. First of all I LOVE the ornate built-in. That has to be my favorit feature. The floors in the kitchen look amazing, I love that deep color. The cabinets are very pretty and I love the high ceilings. May be a funny question but are those 42″ cabinets (plus the crown moulding) and 10′ ceilings or 34″ caninets and 9′ ceilings?
The house looks really great, and exactly how I picture homes in Richmond.
Do you have any idea who the builder was?
Lena says
Oh and that yellow paint makes me happy lol
YoungHouseLove says
We think they’re 10′ ceilings with 42″ cabinets. Hope it helps! As for the builder, we’re not sure. They were built around 10 years ago.
xo,
s
Dee's House says
How cool is that to have mom and dad close by? Our son moved to our little TX town about a year ago and I told him as long as he’s here, we won’t move. I just love having him close by to stop by for lunch or lend a hand.
And of course the whole concept of ‘downsizing’ resonates loud and clear for me!
dee :)
Robin says
I have the same bed that is in your parents guest room. Do you think it’s possible to paint it white and how would you do it?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I’d spray prime and paint it (metal works well for that). Thin and even coats are key!
xo,
s
Emily says
Where are the barstools from? I love them!
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe try hopping over to her site to see if she lists their source there?
xo
s
Emily says
What is their website? I don’t see it listed!
Thank you!!!
Emily
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, I thought this comment was on a more recent house crashing with a link to the website! This is John’s parents so we know the source. Haha! They’re from Pier 1! Hope it helps.
xo
s