When Cindy contacted us a while back to do a giveaway with her eco-fabulous store, we never knew that after she rewarded one of our readers with a super fun party pack, she’d still have a lot to give. Namely, a House Crashing tour of her amazing (and Earth-friendly) home right here in Richmond. So without further ado, meet Cindy, her husband Robert, and their gorgeous mid-century rancher:
Whenever we go house crashing, we’re not really sure what to expect. We usually find the houses we invade through friends of the stylish homeowners (and this case was no exception- one of Cindy’s friends tipped us off that she had an amazing casa right after her giveaway went up on our site). But as we curiously strolled up the front walkway to the house, we were instantly & overwhelmingly smitten by the gorgeous room that awaited us. Here’s the punchy turquoise front door that leads into the happy and bright pink living room (which Robert actually painted himself- gotta love a man who’s secure in his masculinity).
Awesome local art, clean-lined furnishings and a happy colors abound, creating a modern yet oh so inviting aesthetic that had us beaming for the entire tour. We also loved how everything from the no VOC paint to the secondhand furnishings (like the blue chair above, which Cindy had recovered) come together to create a luxe look with style to spare.
We also took note of Cindy’s use of twinkling white lights in her pink room that created a magic, come-hither look that lured us right through the front door. She snagged that gorgeous table lamp from Ikea (we love that she mixes old with new and cheap-o with antique!) and even lined the back of that built-in nook with glittering wallpaper to bounce around even more light.
Beyond the joyful pink living room is a gorgeous dining room full of moody ambiance. We drooled over everything from the unique moroccan-inspired lanterns and the modern ghost chairs…
… to the eco-frienly built-ins (made from sustainable wood without any VOCs or formaldehyde) which even have a little wine-chiller worked in at the end.
And then there’s the all-green addition that Cindy and Robert had built when they felt a bit pinched in their formerly teeny-tiny home. They didn’t go super huge (as all eco-peeps agree is a bit of a waste) but did add a functional kitchen with cork flooring, a recycled glass backsplash and countertops, and energy star appliances. Cindy mentioned that it wasn’t a walk in the park to find installers who were well versed in eco materials and practices, so a lot of the work fell on their shoulders (we can only imagine how much time and research this beautiful kitchen took!) but they’re extremely happy with the extra time they spent to make informed and beneficial choices along the way. All without sacrificing an inch of style I might add.
And all the green perks aside, just look at their dream of a pantry. See those floor to ceiling doors that resemble a giant armoire on the left? Imagine all the stuff you could store in there (along with that amazing island).
Of course the dining area had me at hello thanks to the white ceramic antler chandelier (we all know how I feel about white ceramic animal paraphernalia by now, right?). And that charmingly rustic yet oh so modern wood dining table below was the perfect counterpoint. Oh and one more note about the cork floors: Cindy mentioned that it’s pretty funny when you drop a knife and it pierces the cork and lands like it just hit a dart board (sticking out of the floor at a 90 degree angle). The cool thing is that when you pull it out, the cork self-heals so there’s nary a mark in sight. Just had to toss in that little detail because it tickled us to no end. After all, we do have a love affair with cork in our kitchen.
We especially appreciated Cindy’s spot-on use of brilliant yet surprisingly soothing and happy colors (that pink living room had us relaxed from the second we stepped inside, and this punchy green bathroom just made us smile).
And we especially loved how colors felt layered and lovely throughout the home- like Cindy was always thinking about what rooms would be visible beyond certain spaces. Doesn’t the pop of green beyond the inky blue bedroom look luxe and amazing? Especially with the crisp pops of white (in the trim, that leggy wood table in the hallway, and even the clean white sink base).
But perhaps the most green-with-envy-inducing space was the amazing (and of course, eco) bathroom that Cindy & Robert designed with function and form on an even playing field. The recycled tiles and sustainable wood built-ins are amazing, right down to the pull out trash can in the middle of the wall unit and the leftover kitchen countertop slabs that they salvaged and reused in here.
So what do you guys think? Was that a fun little house crashing sesh or what? Any favorite features or rooms of the bunch? Any drool to wipe off your chin? Do tell.
Robyn Rissman says
Please oh please divulge the name of the green paint in the bathroom–I have NINE sample green paint colors on my bedroom and I’m STILL not satisfied I’ve found the right one. I’d love to know what this one is Cindy–it’s gorgeous.
Jocel says
Great colors! I do have my eye on that white leather settee by the twinkling lamp. Where can I get one??
Virginia says
Thank you so much for answering my question about the sink manufacturer so promptly! Love it!
I would love to know how everybody decides what to do first after purchasing a house that needs some love (and sweat and money). It often seems overwhelming and frustrating.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Virginia,
Good question! We actually have a post all about that very subject coming soon! Stay tuned…
xo,
s
Juliet says
How do you do it? You two leave no stone unturned in this city! I’m so excited to see Cindy’s home featured. I was there one time a few years ago for a meeting and have been talking about all the interesting, meaningful and fabulous details ever since. The closest I’ve gotten again is to visit her awesome eco-friendly shop, Monkey Grass.
Thanks to all four of you for the tour!
Liz says
Beautiful home! I’d love to know what the paint colors were, especially the blue room and the green in the bathroom.
Jennifer S. says
We are trying to use green products as we renovate our house (slowly) and have purchased many things from EcoLogic. Love it. We drool over cork floors.
Cindy’s house is great. Thanks for sharing.
Melanie says
Hello! Your home is beautiful. I’ve been having such a hard time finding a color for a new bedroom but I immediately fell in love with the pink color in your living room! Would you mind telling me which shade and brand of paint that you used?
Jessica says
I absolutely love the kitchen and could totally see it working in my own home especially the cabinets going all the way to the ceiling. Any chance of a source on the cabinets? And I had never thought of cork flooring but for the sounds of it, it might be a better option for me.
Megan says
Beautiful home, what a great use of colour.
Alisha C. says
I love all the bold uses of color in this home, that is definitely my style. I am also jealous of all the different uses of light in the living room area. I can not figure out how to light my living room because of the vaulted ceiling and all of the angles!
casey says
wow! That is a really charming little house! I love when people express themselves through their homes. I need to get better at that:) Thanks for sharing!
Heather Kasdan says
Oh Em Gee!! What beautiful pink paint you have! Cindy… if you are still responding to comments will you tell us what brand and color the pink paint is? My second bedroom is screaming for so pink walls!! :-)
Averill says
What fun colors! I especially like the turquoise front door next to the pink walls of the living room. Thanks for the tour!
Cindy Bennett says
Thanks everyone-
Jessica- Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend the guy who made our cabinets, and they were custom. If Old River uses Formaldehyde free plywood and water base stains and finishes, I would recommend them as a good alternative. At the time we had those built, it was hard to get European/ frameless cabinets, and that’s really what I wanted. Stephanie at Ecologic also has some resources she could provide.
Everyone who asked about paint colors:
The Master Bedroom is Slate Teal Eggshell Benjamin Moore Eco Spec (also very similar to Ben Moore Aura in Lucerne or AFM Safecoat Fantasy Blue)
Powder Room- Olive Moss Benjamin Moore Eco Spec as well (Similar to Mythic Arapaho Valley available at EcoLogic)
The Pink is AFM Safecoat Fragile Pink.
Thanks again!
Amy says
I guess dropping a knife on cork flooring is different than a dog traipsing around on it. We were going to install cork flooring throughout our first floor, but the installer who’d done other cork floors recommended against it since we had a dog. We were given some sample planks to test out, and our dog never seemed to harm them, but it felt silly going against an expert. I guess a dog could potentially “dig” up parts of the cork? Not sure; any thoughts?
colleen says
Oh my gosh- what a charming and happy home! I absolutely love the bright pillows in the living room; I’d love to know where they were purchased/who made them?
Cindy Bennett says
Amy- My thought on the floors is that they are not going to wear any worse than hardwood. As a realtor, trust me, I’ve seen floors that dogs have done a real number on, so I can’t imagine that your dog is that much harder on the cork. They’re not going to dig up cork anymore than they will wood, vinyl, or carpet…Recently a friend redid her kitchen and wanted to use cork. Her contractor would not only not install, but wanted her to sign a waiver saying she held him harmless for damage! What it boils down to, often, is that the contractors are not familiar with them, and they like familiar.
Colleen- Thanks for your comments. They are actually from my shop MonkeyGrass, which is located in the Shops at 5807 at Patterson and Libbie in Richmond and online at http://www.monkeygrassonline.com. They’re made by a brilliant artist, and each is one of a kind. I do have some others available on my website, but if you have a color story you like, that’s not available, email me and we can probably get them done for you.
meagan says
I love love LOVE the black coffee table and was wondering if you could tell me where you got it?
Cindy Bennett says
Meagan-
Thanks! It’s actually a West Elm find from a few years ago. They probably still have something kind of similar.
C
SWM says
Where did you get your ghost chairs? All the ones I source are SO expensive :-/
And if you don’t mind my asking, who did your replacement windows? We have a ’50s ranch almost the exact same style (we even painted the brick the same color and added black shutters!) and we’re about to have our windows replaced. Thanks to the tip from Sherry, we’re using Window World. They have the “prairie” grid option with their horizontal sliders, which look like yours. Is that who you used?
Thanks!
SWM says
Cindy, did you happen to use Window World to do your windows? We’re considering them but are stuck on the decision about grids vs. no grids. Looks like you went for a prairie perimeter look. Did you do all your windows or just those facing the street? Any advice is much appreciated. Your home is lovely!
Cindy Bennett says
SWM- We actually used Richmond Window to do our replacements- they’re Anderson casement, with the grille between the glass. LOVE that they’re so easy to clean. Window World is definitely a MUCH less expensive option, they just didn’t have the casement windows, so we sprung for the Andersons. Secret on the Ghost chairs- they’re authentic, but ordered (crazy!) from Questo Design in Holland- literally about $150 cheaper PER CHAIR than anywhere stateside, and the shipping (especially when ordering 6) was pretty reasonable, and very fast. Who new!? That’s my little “I rock the internet” modern furniture secret! Sorry for the delay in response- have a great weekend!
Casey says
I have been searching for the blanket on Cindy’s couch for months! Please help me find it!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Casey,
Here’s hoping Cindy drops in with that info soon!
xo,
s
Tanya says
Love the exterior too. Do you remember the paint color?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tanya,
Unfortunately we don’t remember the exterior color, but here’s hoping Cindy drops in with that info soon!
xo,
s
pat says
Love the throw on the sofa…where did she get it? Love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s hoping Cindy stops in with that info for you!
xo,
s
pat says
I’m thinking the throw looks similar to one I saw in Anthropologie some time back…love it.
Pat
Lesley says
love the chandelier/lamps in the formal dining area!!!! So pretty!!
ashlee says
this is the first time i’ve come across this house crash! what a colourful little spot! absolutely love the coral living room.
Devon says
Hi! What company and paint color is the exterior of your home? It’s beautiful with the roof and door!