Quick update: Today we’ll be getting cozy in Boston at the West Elm on 160 Brookline Avenue for cookies, cocoa, and a book signing at 6pm. More info here. We’d love to see ya there!
We shared a sneak peek of this House Crashing adventure in our post about Cincinnati, and we finally sifted through the 200+ photos that we took to get this post together for ya. So let’s let ourselves in, shall we?
Did you see the little welcome note right on that happy yellow door? So cute, eh? And I love the three glass panes in that door. As for who lives here, meet Rick and Jessie. They were literally the sweetest folks we met the entire time we were in Cincy. Not only did they wait for us for over an hour at our hotel when our plane was delayed (eeks!), but they were so nice for the entire few hours we spent with them (since we didn’t have a car in Cincinnati they drove us to their house, chatted me up while John shot the place, and then drove us back to our hotel). So we’re officially “real friends” since we spent so much time bonding. Haha. But enough chit-chat. Let’s get to their awesome casa.
There were lots of homemade touches around the house, like this cool mason jar vase hanging from a rustic wood coat hook next to the yellow front door (which is painted in Valspar’s Santa Monica Blvd).
As for their kitchen, you might recognize it from this Reader Redesign. It’s always fun when someone invites us to crash them after we’ve seen one of their room makeovers, and let’s just say the rest of the house was just as awesome as their amazing kitchen (which was so much fun to see in person).
The cabinets are Ikea and they hung them all themselves as well as selecting things like butcherblock for the island and gorgeous soapstone for the rest of the counters.
This picture doesn’t do it justice (it looks a lot more “loud and swirly” than it really was in person – it was very subtle and sophisticated). It’s this gorgeous dark stone that looks like honed black granite but they said it’s really easy to take care of (no issues with staining or scratching so far). We’ve heard dark honed granite can be a bit higher maintenance, so soapstone sounds like a great alternative.
Where they built in their fridge they also added a framed out chalkboard, which was so sweet. The funniest part was that it said “we love the sun in our house” but ironically we were shooting just after the sun went down thanks to that delayed flight (our first house crash ever without natural light) – but we’re so thankful that we still got a bunch of good shots. It’s kinda hard not to when a house is this charming. How sweet is that yellow stool?
Here’s a shot from the kitchen looking towards the dining space they’re working on. They’re going to build in a bench against the wall for sort of a banquette feeling and add some giant art on the wall between those floating shelves that they hung. And that sweet striped runner is from Dash & Albert.
They also had this awesome wood wall in their living area that John and I loved. And everything from the media cabinet that they painted themselves to the homemade art (where they showcased dates that were important to them) had us grinning like fools. It really was one of those awesomely personalized homes.
There’s also a little desk area across from the wood wall in the living room, with a cheerful green filing cabinet and some more handmade art.
I love that yellow glass lamp (from World Market) with the swirly canvas behind it.
In the hallway, their homemade ruler that they use to measure both of their girls had us smiling (which Jessie actually did as one of our Pinterest Challenges).
Rick and Jessie have two daughters, and their youngest one’s room was full homemade art (framed craft paper)…
… and a homemade mobile…
… while their other daughter’s room had things Clara would totally go nuts for (check out that amazing play kitchen!!!!).
This plastic animal art was especially awesome. Yup, I totally had a moment with it. Love. Jessie actually got the idea here and did her own spin here.
So there you have Jessie and Rick’s charming home. We are SO GRATEFUL to them for waiting for us and being such amazing hosts while we traipsed around taking photos and chatting their ears off. You can see more over on their blog, but first let’s play the favorite part game. We all know I’m crazy about the animal art but I also love love love that play kitchen and those dark soapstone counters. And John was especially enamored with the apron sink and the modern dark window trim above it in the kitchen.
Psst- Don’t wanna stop snooping around? You can check out dozens of House Crashing adventures right here.
sara says
Love all the bright, happy yellow things – their door makes me want to run home and paint my door. And all the sweet details around their home. I do remember this house redesign and how they under mounted there domsjo sink as I was in the middle of my ikea cabinets / domsjo sink / soapstone counter kitchen renovation too.
JG says
You will probably hear from a number of folks about this… Soapstone is actually *higher* maintenance than honed black granite. Granite is a hard stone, soapstone is one of the softest stones used for counters! To my eye it is the most beautiful though! But you have to be willing to accept that it will develop a patina as it gathers scratches and marks easily over time, and enjoy the patina. And actually in many cases these days honed granite is being used as a lower maintenance, harder surface stand-in for the look of soapstone! (Soapstone often is more black, with less veining that you see here).
YoungHouseLove says
I have heard that about light soapstone, but when we saw the dark stuff they said they loved it and we didn’t see a single scratch or water ring or anything (which we hear the lighter stuff can attract). Maybe they’re just especially gentle, though! Haha. It’s such a gorgeous stone!
xo
s
sara says
It (soapstone) is a little soft! I have had my counters in for a month, and I love them, but I dropped a small 2×2 tile sample (that I was using as a coaster – I have little coasters all over the counters, to protect that newness – haha!) that landed corner side down and left two tiny chips on the counter. And then last night, while baking, I took the baking sheet out of oven and lifted it to put on the cooktop, but wasn’t high enough and rammed the edge into the counters edge and left a mark. That’s what is referred to as the “patina, as it ages” I think!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! Definitely patina! Haha. Thanks for the tips Sara!
xo
s
Jessie @ Cape 27 says
We can definitely second that soapstone is a softer countertop material. We do have one small dent near the sink area where a heavy bowl was dropped. When it first happened I think we both had a mini panic attack, but we’ve learned to “love” the natural wear and tear now. And after a few weeks the spot darkened to match the rest of the counter and is hardly noticeable now! I wouldn’t go as far to say that we baby our counters, but we could be harder on them. I think soapstone is a personal choice. It just depends on the lifestyle you live. Hope this helps!
Jessie
Pam the Goatherd says
I love that pallet wood wall! Someday I hope to have a house that will support that!
Also really love the splashes of bright yellow scattered throughout the house. Very cheery!
Elaine says
What a beautiful home… it feels like home. Fav: the wooden wall… .LOVE …LOVE LOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEE :)
Claire says
I am so curious what all the dates mean! I figure they are along the lines of engagement date, wedding date, house purchase, and birth of their daughters. Am I right? I love that piece of art!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I think it was bought house, wedding, daughter #1, and daughter #2. So cute, right?
xo
s
Jessie @ Cape 27 says
Sherry, you were listening! Haha. You got it right :)
Jessie
Randa says
This home is very inspiring!
On another note, is that a sleek black cat I spy in the bathroom shot? Sherry, did you make it okay (i.e. without allergic reaction)? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I was fine! She was a doll and I resisted the urge to rub my eyes! Haha.
xo
s
Tania says
Such a great home! Thanks for sharing. I think however the link to the play kitchen is broken? By the way, I finally got to flip through your book last night and I must say, as a long-time YHL reader, I really enjoyed it and just posted my five star review on Amazon. I know it’s taken a lot of time and effort to get the book out on top of producing the blog and raising your darling family but you should be very proud (I know your readers are!). Looking forward to delving into it deeper this weekend and of course, still hoping some California stops get added to the tour.
YoungHouseLove says
Her site has been going down intermittently so perhaps that’s why that link didn’t work? Hope it’s up again soon! As for the book, you’re so sweet!! We’d love to meet you in CA, Tania! Truly, you are such a sweet friend at this point, we’re hoping we end up out there!
xo
s
Tania says
Awww, thanks, Sherry! It takes such guts and generosity of spirit to share your lives like you guys do each day on the blog. Beyond all the fun decorating ideas, you know that I am so grateful to you for posting Clara’s birth story because when it happened to me, I knew from the blog that it was serious enough to get in an ambulance and not muck around with the advise nurse phone line so I would really love to be able to thank you in person and introduce you to my sweet little munchkin!
As I’ve said before, I’m hoping that you’ll consider a sequel to the book focusing on projects for/with kids. The posts where you’ve made stuff for Clara always make me tear up (especially the stamping in her closet one). It’s so touching how much heart you put into those projects — always reminds me of the dollhouse my parents lovingly built for me. Those things make a house a home!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh Tania, you’re so sweet! I’m so glad your little one (and you) are ok! So scary. I love your idea for a kid focused book too!
xo,
s
PinkPanthress says
That yellow Door is so sunny & inviting! ?
P.S.: The black Cat looks very adorable!
Allison @ Gold Stars Double Rainbows says
I love the wooden wall! So cozy. Have fun at the book signing tonight!
Tirsa says
What a lovely home.
I’m totally stealing the ruler idea! The moment I saw it I knew exactly where I can put it. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Lindsey says
I LOVE the “hello” on the front door :)
Olivia says
Very reminiscent of your house but unique in its own way. Love it!
heather says
I can never read the word “Hello.” without reading it like Hannah Hart on the My Drunk Kitchen YouTube series. Ever. It’s totally ruined now. By ruined I mean awesome. Also, I need to stop watching My Drunk Kitchen but it’s just too good.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahah!
xo
s
Vicki says
GAH!! This house is simply perfect! Pinning happening all over the place on this one. Just gorgeous.
Sue says
I don’t have children and there are no plans to have children, yet I really want the ruler on their wall! Love it!
The red animal art creeps me out, just a bit.
This may be a strange question, but is it possible to start putting rough measurements of the rooms/house in your posts? Where I live, small houses are the norm (mine is 633 sq feet per floor and 3 floors). As much as I love some ideas, I can’t imagine them working in my small home. It looks like everyone has beautiful big houses, and I struggle with how the decor/ideas translate in smaller homes. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to figure out how to work that in (sometimes my brain threatens to explode with all of the sources/color names/info I collect each time we crash). Just for your reference, this was a very modestly sized home. Maybe Jessie can drop in with some dimensions/square footage for ya.
xo
s
Jessie @ Cape 27 says
Hi Sue,
Our home is fairly modest in size. With it being a ranch, we only have one floor and no basement. It’s about 1500 sq. ft total. The living room is about 11×15, so not large by any means :)
Jessie
Diana says
I always try to figure out from the couch il the living room (couches have roughly the same depth), bed in the bedrooms, table in the dinning room and so on. Seeing how there’s not much hollow space in between their couch and the coffe table and then the media center, it must be a cozy living room.
Congratulations, Jessie, for your beautiful house, for all the work you’ve put in with such awsome results, but most of all for your perfect family!
Sherry, I hope you are better now, and I “think” that at some point, in near futurre, some good rest is in order. Don’t beat yourself up!
Jennifer W says
I especially love that happy curtain above the sink and the homemade swirl art, but there’s also lots more to love. :)
Lynnette says
Lurve lurve lure the Arts and Crafts door! Craftsman is my favorite style!
Kati H says
Loved the post in every way- except for the use of the word “traipse.” Sure, it can mean shlep around, mosey, amble, stroll… but it has connotations that suggest giving a disapproving judgment while doing so, like traipsing through a house with style from the 80s.
YoungHouseLove says
Really? My mom says I traipse around when I’m excited, so that’s definitely the visual that was untended. Haha. Picture a hyper skip through her home while permasmiling!
xo
s
Cassondra says
Love all the splashes of yellow! It’s hard for me to imagine where yellow should go in our house but I love how they used the color everywhere.
candace says
HOLY AMAZING house crashing, YHL! Thank you, I loved their beautiful home and now that I’m in the process of buying my own (fingers crossed!) I can’t wait to use this as massive inspiration! They had so many gorgeous personal touches, it made me swoon!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo
s
Lynn says
weirdness…the last couple of your posts have this “Richmond Habitat for Humanity” wallpaper all over it so that I can’t read the text on the iPad; I can only see the pictures. I had to come all the way to the desktop (firstworld problems!) to see if it was just an iPad thing. And it appears to be…any ideas? Thanks! Love your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, if you clear your cache/data/cookies on the iPad it should all be fine again! Just a weird smart phone glitch. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Katrina says
I’ve been reading their blog for a while and love what they’ve done with their house!! So glad you house crashed them :)
YoungHouseLove says
They were such sweet folks! So glad we got to meet them in person!
xo
s
kat says
I love this house! SO pinnable! And perhaps proof to my husband that a “white” kitchen looks so clean and modern and fresh.
Michaela says
So… long gone are the days of the dark kitchen cabinets? White is obviously the new trend. I’ve always been drawn to the really dark wood cabinets, but your blog is changing my mind!
YoungHouseLove says
Well, we have a fun house crash lined up with dark cabinets, so they’re definitely still in too!
xo,
s
braelin says
This house is the epitome of YHL style!
Kristen @ LoveK Blog says
What a beautiful home! I’m really starting to get inspired to add some color bursts to our almost completely neutral home. Better put my brave pants on. :)
Heather Gray says
Love their style! I am soooo stealing the coat hook idea with the jar vase!!!
Wendy says
Love the growth chart! With our first one due any day (week?) now it would be perfect, though with the height in the family… we’d take it up to 7 feet just in case.
Also, (and I hope it’s okay to share this) there is a chair that is nearly identical to the one on the right in the 4th picture on this post
https://www.younghouselove.com/2012/07/i-am-the-egg-man/
The one that was sold when S & J returned to get it..
at the DI in Harrisville (UT) for $15. Yes, $15. It swivels and appeared to be in great shape. We have no room for it in our place, but perhaps someone in UT reading this might. (Wall and North Streets)
S & J, my apologies if it’s not okay to share this here.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that Wendy! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Natalie says
There are so many things I love about this home: the bright & cheery door, the sweet message, the butcher block island! thanks for sharing!
Question for you guys: Have you ever purchased refurbished/reconditioned large appliances? My hubs & I are on the market for a new refrigerator for our new casa and we can’t decide if we should just bite the bullet and buy new or save our pennies and buy something refurbished. We’d love your input! Thanks! :)
http://lovelylittlenest.blogspot.com/2012/11/new-vs-reconditioned.html
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh good question! We haven’t but we’d love to hear from folks who have! We generally try to wait for big sales and stack deals (we have saved over $500 doing things that way- Memorial Day is always a good one).
xo,
s
Jules says
I love the “hello” on the door. At first I thought it was photoshopped in until I read the next paragraph. So cute and friendly! And I admit I didn’t notice this until I read the comments but I second the fav for the interior doors. What a great space to call home.
As for design trends and similarities, honestly, I copy you guys in my own home some time. In fact, after looking at swatch after swatch and a few samples of trying to find the perfect grey, I decided to paint my common areas of the home Moonshine. I know it’ll be a winner and it’s relaxing to know it’s worked for other people too. Then, my bff and neighbor went and painted hers spaces that color before I got on that! And guess what? I’m still going to paint it Moonshine! Should I paint it a color I like slightly less because others have already done it? That makes no sense to me.
Oh, and I have a neutral colored sectional couch. BOOM!
Asten says
I can’t get enough of the sunny yellow accent colour. Thanks for sharing :-)
Jennifer says
EEK! I started following Cape 27 a few weeks ago and couldn’t wait for this House Crashing post!! I absolutely adore their house and all the handmade touches.
Amanda says
Wow! Everything about this home is absolutely stunning – I think I’m in love! :)
mp says
Love the house, but I’m a little confused: does the front door open onto the dining area & kitchen?
YoungHouseLove says
It opens into that living area and the kitchen is beyond it. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Linda Lyle says
Do you actually go to the house or just share photos? For some reason I was thinking you guys actually toured the homes but you’re never in any of the pics & it seems kinda like you try to convince us you’re there? Haha, I’m just curious!
Love your blog & your book is AMAZING! Also, I agree that it’s super cool they have similar but slightly different style- if we all weren’t fans of your style we wouldn’t be reading. You should also be so very proud that “YHL style” is even a phrase, you guys rock!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes we’re there unless we call it a virtual crashing (we have done maybe two of those and thirty in person crashes). We love meeting people and snapping our own pics! We dropped in when we were in Cincy for our first tour stop. It’s not really about us so we don’t typically get in the pics. Ha! We just ogle and drool.
xo,
s
Megan says
This is my most favorite house crash to date! I love this house!!!
Kelda says
I’m so bummed. I remembered the date, looked at the clock and realized I totally blew it. Completely missed getting to Boston to see you guys. Have been planning on it for the last month! I hope you guys had a great time, despite the weather!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw I’m so sorry! Next time for sure!
xo,
s
Annabelle says
Not sure if this is the right place to comment, but I just got back from your West Elm event in Boston. I unfortunately had to leave before winding my way through the line and up to your signing station, but I wanted to thank you for coming and for all the time and effort you put into this blog. Best. Blog. Ever. You also looked FAB btw. Congrats on your book and best of luck to you both!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Annabelle! You guys are amazing to come out in this weather!
xo,
s
Nicole @ Liberty Belles says
the rainbow on the picture ledge is adorable!
Alycia says
Hey Sherry and John…I’m LOVING the book! I can’t wait to try so many things I can’t even pick a favorite yet…I have a question though that I hope you don’t mind answering. On page 33, what color is the wall painted? Thanks so much and I’m still crossing my fingers that you’ll add Philly to the book tour!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man we don’t have the book in front of us to reference (we are in Boston at our hotel) but in the back there’s a source section with each tip by number and all those details, so hopefully it says the color back there!
xo,
s
camel says
I love you guys and enjoy these home visits of other design mavens and diy ers. However, Sherry, please review your postings and maybe consider a substitute for “amazing”. There is so much overuse of it just in this post. You are a good writer, but a synonym finder or thesaurus would be worth its weight in gold for developing your writing.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Camel! I just read it’s the most overused word in the English language right now, and I’m definitely guilty!
xo,
s
Sophia says
Sherry, your ability to turn criticism into something humorous and positive is AMAZINGLY inspiring :)! P.S. It was so nice to meet you last night! We were all, like, dorkishly nervous, but then you were both so gracious and friendly, of course, so that was awesome. You said I looked familiar–I like to think in the 10 years I lived in NYC we totally must have seen each other on the 1 or something.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny! I bet you’re right. Maybe we rode the subway together. Haha! Thanks so much for coming out Sophia! It was awesome to meet you.
xo,
s
julia says
great house crash! i love their wood wall in the living room the most :)
xo julesinflats.com
Danielle says
What a beautiful home! Thanks for sharing all the great ideas and inspiration!!
Danielle says
Best housecrashing EVER.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m going to walk around my house and figure out how many things I can paint in the front door’s bright, sunny yellow.
Thanks for visiting my hometown; I hope you enjoyed Boston! I miss it terribly sometimes.
Is there a schedule of tour dates somewhere?
YoungHouseLove says
Sure! If you click the tan under our header that says “our book” there’s a big green button that mentions our tour if you scroll down. Just click that and it’s all there :)
xo
s
Joal Broun says
What a great house!
lilly says
Awesome interiors! I got home last night super duper late from the boston book sign in because of the storm it was 4 hr drive :-( thank God we made it home safe at around midnight. My hubby is the best, sorry John if Sherry said u r the best she was lying (joking) because my hubby is numero uno. He came out of work early, drove down there, waited in line with me for about 2hrs (a line with about 1 man every 50 woman or so), he paid for my book, drove back an excruciating 4 hrs. Totally worth it to meet Sherry and John (2nd best man) in person OMG u guys are real and so cute and sweet. I was and still am walkinh around cheesy as heck from getttingvto meet u guys and finally going to West Elm. Anyhoo I got home a 12ish n started reading back cover, front cover, my sweet little msg from u guys (ty by the way) I only made it to page 16 vewy sleepy by that point. I wanted to ask if page 13 first column at the bottom paragraph is a typo? It says ” progress seems to ebb and flow” what does ebb mean I read it a couple times but still havebno clue what it means. Anyways still highly inlove with my book, my hubby, n u guys. I was so freagin excited I almost forgot to ask u guys to sign my horse head after we carried it all that time in my purse so happy I was still next to u and u were kind enough to sign him too. So sorry to tje girls that wee getting their books signed at that time I felt so rude to do that bit it needed to be done. I couldnt get home without tatoo-ing my horse and all the other ceramic animals were gonna make fun of him and call him a woosy. Sorry I should have just mailed u this testament. I love u guys, had so much fun yesterday my hubby n I will never forget that crazy storm road trip, and the book is everything I expected and more, cant wait to start tweaking things at home n shating ur ideas with my sisters. Xoxo much, much, much Love Lily.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it was so much fun to meet you Lilly! You’re so sweet. Thanks so much for coming out!! And as for ebb and flow, it’s just an expression that means “pick up and slow down” – sort of like how the tide ebbs and flows (comes in and out). So thankfully it’s not a typo! Whew. You know that’s my big fear. Haha. Anyway, I’m so glad you made it out and you know I loved signing that horse head. Hahahah! We love Boston. You guys were all so amazing and we’re still talking about how much fun it was!
xo
s
lilly says
Yea I have like 80 typos in that comment sorry again.
Lisa says
Some serious house envy here: LOVE the soapstone, Love the butcher block (are those from Ikea???? I’ll read thru). I’d trade our granite for soap, wood, or even Corian any day! the ruler RULES. Gotta copy that. Love the matching white highchairs. wanna see who goes in them!
xo
Onsite spraying says
Wow !! so beautiful home and nice decorations. i love it.thanks for sharing this post.
K.E. says
Love this house! I especially love the rustic and modern touches together – so stylish! I also loved that wooden wall… would be awesome for our to-be-finished-basement, someday! :)