I’m thinking we should post pictures of blue ceilings more often on Instagram, at least judging by the reaction we got to this pic from the Homearama Showhouse on Monday. Then again, it may have just been thanks to Sherry’s dancing girl emojis.
As those high-steppin’ cartoon ladies indicated, we’re pretty psyched about how things are shaping up over there. The bold “Skydive” color that we chose for the office ceiling (by Benjamin Moore) came out better than we imagined, and we even got to use one of our favorite lights that we designed last year. But although there has been TONS of progress since our last update two weeks ago, it’s unfortunately not the kind that makes showing the rest of that room any more exciting. Once you look down it’s still pretty empty.
Emptiness aside – the hardwood floors have all been sanded and stained/sealed (hence being covered for protection), most of the house’s painting is done, most of the lights and cabinets are installed, and even little details like doorknobs are getting checked off the list. Since we fell hard for the look of a backplate in our own house, we went that route as sort of a nod to what we’ve enjoyed here, but upgraded them with white porcelain knobs. Here’s a close up for you, and you can see two of them together in a more panned out shot of the doors above.
The glass pocket doors that lead to the dining room have also been installed. They still need to be painted, along with the front door, but we’re loving them. Especially that transom window at the top. Oh to have 10 foot ceilings…
Don’t mind the height or crookedness of any light fixtures. We walked through the house a while back to pinpoint all the lighting locations we’d need – not only for fixtures and sconces, but for can lights as well – so those junction boxes all had to be installed ahead of time (and we had to select all of our lights beforehand, so we could determine their placement). Now that the electrician has put everything in, it’s exciting to see things in place – but we still have to adjust them once the furniture is in (for example, our dining chandelier will hang a lot lower – it’s just lifted for now so people don’t walk into it).
As for fixture sources, the Loft Shade Chandelier is hanging in the foyer and the light in the dining room shot below is the Industrial Modern Island Chandelier, both generously donated by Shades of Light. We’re also excited to see the dark color on the walls (it’s Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore) above the wainscoting we shared two weeks back. Although each room is only around 5-10% complete (they still need furniture, art, window treatments, and accessories – most of which we have selected, but some of which are still on our eight-page shopping list), it’s a lot easier to visualize things now that there are actually painted walls and light fixtures to reference.
The living room and kitchen are open to each other, and they’re both staying white (which will allow us to add a lot of color with furnishings, art, & accessories), but we also added a Hale Navy (by Benjamin Moore) accent wall to the fireplace, which is mostly complete. That same navy color will be on the kitchen island across the room, so we can’t wait for the space to come together more. You can also see a hint of the dark Jacobean floor color on the edge of the stairs in this photo.
We really like the white painted mantel and marble surround against that dark navy fireplace column. It’s a gas fireplace but the cool herringbone brick pattern in the back makes it feel little old and weathered. Our builder had it wired for a TV above the mantel, but for the show we’ll be hanging art there instead of one of those fake model-home flatscreens – and it just might be an oil painting of Burger The Wonder Dog.
The kitchen cabinets are installed, and shocker-for-us: none of them are white – although the ones in this picture aren’t really their final color. Everything’s still in a pretty unfinished state (some of the doors and drawers are missing, there are no counters or appliances, the backsplash still needs to be installed, etc) but we couldn’t resist sharing a shot of one of two lights that hang over the giant kitchen island. We’re really trying to step out of our comfort zone and take risks to keep the show fun – and we thought these Accordion Chandeliers, which were also donated by Shades of Light, fit the bill. They look kind of crazy right now, but we have a plan. At least we think we do.
They’re the very first fixtures that we selected for the house back in December, so it’s kind of a mindfreak to finally see them in place. The island below them is also Hale Navy (a nod to that fireplace on the other side of the room) so we can’t wait to see how they look when things come together more.
Upstairs is seeing similar progress. Many of the lights are in (there are three of these Glass Jug Pendants in the hallway), and the glass pocket doors were installed on the playroom / reading room / library. Meanwhile the stairs are still a death trap thanks to their lack of a railing. It’s a miracle I haven’t fallen over that yet while trying to take a picture. And I basically put a security detail around ol’ preggers every time she even looks in its direction.
The jack-and-jill shared bathroom between the kids’ rooms is shaping up nicely. Nearly everything is in except for the faucet, sink, and mirror. They were preparing to install the counters as we left to get Clara at preschool – so we can’t wait to see those in place. The main color in this room is in the vanity, which we had the cabinet company paint Courtyard Green (this is the one we matched to a side table that we saw in Target).
It’s not a great shot of the floor, especially because it’s dirty at the moment, but they’re white lantern tiles from the builder’s local supplier, Mosaic Tile (with gray grout so it’s more kid-friendly over time).
The last update we have for you guys is an area that we’re calling “The Atrium.” It’s a little spot between the closet (to the left) and the bathroom (to the right). We’ve ordered a big leaning mirror for that wall (which is painted Stonington Gray by Ben Moore), so that will go right under the Driftwood Pendant that we purchased. We loved it so much in person that we were almost tempted to get one for our nursery at home, but we worry it won’t give off enough light for a whole room (it just needs to illuminate that small nook in the showhouse).
The most exciting thing to report is that builder John and his crew are fast at work trying to wrap everything up in the next few weeks so that we can start moving furniture in before our early April deadline (the house is supposed to be finished so it can be photographed for press for the show during the first week of April – and of course we have our own mid-April due date to work around for finishing touches). We’re simultaneously thrilled and terrified to be moving from the construction phase to the furnish & accessorize phase. Just hopefully not in that way that makes anyone go into labor…
MORE PAINT COLORS WE LOVE
You can check out more of our favorite go-to paint colors by touring our homes in the menu at the top of our blog. We’ve also written these detailed deep-dive posts about our favorite paints:
- The 12 Best White Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White
Psst – Wanna see the finished showhouse? Click here for Our Full Showhouse Tour, which includes final pictures of every room, the floor plan, budget info, a video walk-through, and shoppable showhouse furniture & accessories.
Molly says
I LOVE the doorknobs you have chosen! The white knobs against the dark plate look fabulous. Its little things like that which make a house feel more special and less cookie cutter for sure. Great job!
Rachel says
Hi Sherry. Totally unrelated question. We just moved into a place and the people who lived here before us did an awful job of painting. They got bright red paint ON the caulk for the bathroom vanity. Do you think if I recaulk with white caulk it will cover the red paint? Or will the red paint show through? (It took 3 coats of primer to cover the red on the walls.) I have removed the caulk where I can, so it needs a new caulk job anyway, but should I kill myself over the last few spots, or will they get covered up? Thanks! (On a related note, got my ticket to Homearama for my birthday weekend and can’t wait to make the trip to Richmond!)
YoungHouseLove says
I would try cutting out the caulk if you can and then recaulking with white paintable caulk. Then the red definitely won’t bleed through. If you’re nervous about that you can try painting or just recaulking over it first (it just might work!). Good luck!
xo
s
Jamie says
I’ve been a long-time lurking YHL fan but THIS deserves a comment. You both have incredible talent and vision! What a wonderful experience to literally design from scratch. Everything looks great!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Jamie!
xo
s
lisa says
OMG…I want to move to Richmond (from California) so I can buy that house….love all the colors you have chosen. We’re redoing my soon to be teen daughter’s room…thinking we just found the cieling color! Skydive!
As always, amazing job and thanks for sharing!
Christy Niebaum says
*singing* Show-show-show-showhouse, you make me feel so gooooooood. Wouldn’t change you if I couuuuuuuuuld. *and…scene*
For real, though. Looking super flossy. Love it. *applause*
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Thanks Christy!
xo
s
Jolene says
Wowzas!!!! It looks FABULOUS! You guys are killing it already! Keep up the good work!
Amanda E says
Drooling over all those beautiful saturated paint colors and bold lighting choices. Do you think this experiment will help you confidently go bold in your own home, or is this a “fun to design but wouldn’t want to live there” direction for you guys?
PS – Sorry if someone already said this (I made it thru pages 1-2 of comments but really should be working!!) You said mantle but I think you meant mantel. (Mantle is more typically an old fashioned cloak, though it *can* mean “mantel.” Mantel is a shelf over a fireplace.) :)
YoungHouseLove says
We definitely are having fun “shopping” this house for ideas that we can either adapt/tweak/steal for our own house. Haha! I think some things are harder to get away with in our spaces (ex: a ceiling that bright in a room without such big windows or high ceilings might not work as well) but other things make us say “we can totally do this at home!” – for example, I totally want a transom window somewhere… assuming we can squeeze one in under our regular height ceilings.
xo
s
hollyloo says
stunning!! that ceiling totally takes the cake.
hey, do you that driftwood light fixture would be big enough to hang over a 60″ round table (ceilings are 8 feet). love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Honestly I think it would be too small. Bummer it doesn’t come in a larger size!
xo
s
Lisa says
Wow- lots of interesting choices, so far! I was wondering why a dining room would need to be closed off with doors…we’re usually running in and out of our dining room if we’re eating in there. I guess some people close the dining room off when they’re not eating? Learn something new every day! :)
YoungHouseLove says
We learned that too! Apparently some buyers use the dining room as a part-time meeting room too (it’s larger than the office and seats more people) so they like the option to close it off (or they just like to keep young kids out by being able to draw the doors shut). We originally leaned towards glass french doors, but we realized that pocket doors were more flexible (no disturbing flow, so pretty to look at, and they can be rolled completely out of the way for nice open look if you don’t want them there).
xo
s
Sarah says
hi guys! I’m sure you’ve already mentioned it somewhere but, i’m curious to know what the color is that you used throughout the main areas of the show house?? thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
The white walls in the living and kitchen are Simply White by Ben Moore.
xo
s
Jennifer says
I’d like to move in please ;-) Too bad my family and our source of income is across the ocean. They may visit though. :-)
qs777 says
I also cannot pick my favorite part. Love the paint, the lights, the moulding, etc. Can’t believe you are able to make this many great decisions while pregnant!
I hope you will be able to post lots of pictures when it is done for those of us who live too far away. If not, please try and post a picture of the island. Mine is dark brown right now and I was thinking about navy. Just not sure if it will work with the slightly yellowy/beige cabinets (they were already there and new when we moved in) and just don’t think I have it in me to paint all of them. I wish my house had all of the light coming in that this one has.
YoungHouseLove says
We definitely plan to share more photos as things come together, and then some fun after shots (along with a video) after the show closes. Can’t wait!
xo
s
Briel K. says
I wish I lived close enough to come and see everything in person when it’s done! Alas, 2600 miles is a bit far. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, we’d love to see you Briel!
xo
s
Dina says
Love the navy pain color on the fireplace wall. What color us it?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s Hale Navy by Ben Moore.
xo
s
panda flannel says
That ceiling is gorrrrrgeeeouuuussss. My friends asked me to put together a mood board for redecorating their restaurant and I wanted a blue like that for the ceiling (it’s the Northwest, we’re desperate for blue skies.) Skydive is absolutely perfect! Did you get ceiling paint tinted for it, or just use flat wall paint? Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s just flat wall paint by Ben Moore in that color I believe.
xo
s
Sayward says
Frantic, desperate call to my boyfriend during my prep period:
Me: Hey. do you want to go on a weekend vacation to Richmond, VA with me in the middle of May? I need to know immediately. Say yes or no right now!
Adam: … To meet my grandma??
Me: Hahaha!!! NO. I mean, yeah, sure, whatever. I wanna meet her too. But seriously, will you go? There’s a blue ceiling and a doorknob! Say yes or no right now! *hyperventilating noises*
Adam: … Is this something to do with your blog people?
YoungHouseLove says
Hilarious. Get your buns down here.
xo
s
Sayward says
Real time update: 9:54 pm: We’re in. (woooo!!!)
YoungHouseLove says
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT. And another smaller woot for good measure.
xo
s
Melissa says
I am completely loving the color of the ceiling in the office. Do you have any tips for painting a ceiling a bold color? I would love to do this in my daughter’s room. She wants a bold blue on the wall, but it is a small room and I’m wondering if it would be better to paint the walls white and the ceiling this type of blue. But, the ceilings are pretty low, and I’m worried it might make the room feel even smaller. Would love your input.
YoungHouseLove says
I think if it’s a small room, going with white walls and a bold ceiling could work. Maybe as long as it has at least one or two windows? I’m assuming the ceilings are 8′ so I’d step down the color intensity (maybe grab a swatch with Skydive on it and slide one or two shades lighter, so it doesn’t feel closed in?). Good luck!
xo
s
Tricia says
I should read this post again on St. Patrick’s Day, because I am green with envy over that lighting–all of it!! Beautiful!
Erin says
I’m getting so excited to see the final product (or as much as we blog readers can see). There are so many great design choices you’ve already made and the process from studs to where the house is now has been interesting to view. Great work you two!
Sarah @ An Inviting Home says
My favorite thing as a kid was to walk around the Homearama houses with my dad every year. This is so much fun to see all of the decisions and design choices that go into a house. You guys rock at this!
~Sarah
Steph Nelson says
Very nice, you are making me want to move in!! Hope the peeps with the cash want to as well come May! :)
Any idea what this house will go on the market for?
Can’t wait to see what you pick out for furnishings!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Steph! It’s going to be in the 500s I think. These showhouses definitely are “fully loaded” for the event, so the prices tend to reflect that (one of the houses is going to be in the 900s I think! It has a pool!).
xo
s
Diana says
UGH I can’t even believe how amazing this experience is. I would LOVE to be involved in something like that! I know you guys are having tons of fun but I’m sure it’s also overwhelming. I bet when it’s done you’ll be missing it like crazy, though! I love your choices, especially the “master atrium”. Can’t WAIT to see it finished!!!
Lisa says
amazing! I wish I could hire you to help me with my house! like, rent the whole family, make a weekend of it! bravo!
Krista says
Love what you are doing with the Show House!! I had a question about the driftwood chandy in the Master Atrium…….how do you change/install the light bulb? Do you have do take one of the pieces of wood off, install, then reattach?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
There’s a gap in the top of the orb (sort of the top side if that makes sense) to slip a bulb and your hand through, but it’s an irregular opening so it looks like part of the fixture. Pretty smart!
xo
s
Angel says
I hope when this is all said and done you add the show house to your “house tours” page under all your actual houses. I know you won’t live there, but it would be nice to be able to oogle it whenever I want lol.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that idea! We definitely want to do a full page of the showhouse (sources, after pics, etc).
xo
s
Lee Ann says
Is it insane to love a doorknob?
YoungHouseLove says
Never. I love them too.
xo
s
Sarah @ Sarah's Daybook says
Yay! So pretty! I am *obsessed* with that blue ceiling… and the fireplace… and the green vanity…
Totally wish I could move in!
Sarah
http://www.sarahsdaybook.wordpress.com
Rachel says
Question. I LOVE that light and am considering using it above the table in our eat-in kitchen area. Do you think it would produce enough light for the small-ish area?
YoungHouseLove says
Which light are you thinking? The wooden one in the atrium? Or the one in the office? We used the one in the office in our dining room and it was nice (especially on a dimmer so we could adjust it). I think either of them would most likely work for a small-ish area though, so you should be good to go!
xo
s
Rachel says
Whoops, sorry I wasn’t specific! I was talking about the one in the office. I thought I remembered you using it in your dining room in your previous home! I’m going to order it now! Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
Hope you love it! We had ours on a dimmer which was really nice.
xo
s
Laura says
Ah! I love it all! The house is going to be raffled off in one of your Fab Freebies, right? :)
Seriously though, I’ve been telling my husband I want to paint the vanity in our kids’ bath and I think the pic of the green vanity might just be the ticket to get him on board! Any tips on painting cabinets? Ours aren’t real wood, they’re the more “cost effective” type with the hard, enamel-like coating on them, so I’m a bit nervous about the paint adhering.
Good luck with the last few weeks of pregnancy…praying for a full-term, sleep-loving, even-tempered little bambino!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I wish we could give this house away on the blog. Can you imagine?! As for the cabinets, we have only painted wood ones, but I’d google around for a “how to paint laminate” tutorial. I think a site called Life With Lindsay comes up with some great info.
xo
s
Kimberley B says
I’m in love with the Skydive paint! What paint colour is the white in the office? Thx! The house is gorgeous. And I love that driftwood pendant!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Kimberley! It’s Simply White by Benjamin Moore (it’s also what we used on trim and doors).
xo
s
Jess says
That whole fireplace area you’ve got going on … uh, GORGEOUS!! Thank you for taking us on little virtual tours. I would love to come wander through it in person, but don’t live close enough … so I very much enjoy all the pictures!!
Timothy says
i love you guys so much. i just had to say that. haha
YoungHouseLove says
Love you right back, T.
xo
s
Nicole @ Liberty Belles says
love the ceiling color! looks awesome!!!
Meredith Jones says
I am absolutely in LUUURVE with those for knobs. I loved yours already in your house but the white just sets it off so well for that house. Great pick!
Erika H says
Hey! Love how the house is coming along- thanks for sharing the pics. We are looking at changing out our lovely gold 1990’s knobs for something a little more funky and the ones pictured above would definitely fit the bill. Are those only available through designers, or can you order them directly? I clicked on the link, but couldn’t really find any prices, etc. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a good question! I think if you call the number on their site they can give you that info (about a local distributor, etc). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Talitha says
I would buy that house rightthissecond if it weren’t 3000 miles away. You guys are geniuses!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Talitha!
xo
s
Carla says
Wow, I love your choices for the show house, so I can’t resist asking …
I think you’re playing it a bit safe with your new house. Are you finding that decorating someone else’s house kind of frees up your creative energy? Do you feel like you have more freedom to go hog wild and make bolder choices when it’s not your own home?
We bought our first home a few months ago. I had dreams of filling it up with color, and instead I went very neutral. I painted everything with Benjamin Moore’s Standish White, a very warm cream color. It feels refreshing, but it’s definitely not what I thought I’d be doing.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a really good question! I think we’re trying to balance making choices we’ll want to live with for the long haul since we plan to be here for a long time, but also trying to have some fun with things (like our blue front door that’s also blue on the foyer side, or our bold striped stair runner over something neutral – or even things like teardrops and a canopy in Clara’s room or a light blue sunroom planked ceiling). I definitely think we’d like to take more chances on things like light fixtures and rugs/accessories when we get more to those stages. That’s really the fun part for me ;)
xo
s
Melanie says
That made me smile…..each room is only 5% – 10% done…
Thats my ENTIRE house! I marvel at your attention to detail, its those bits we are needing to pull ourselves up on and get finished. Now our ‘big work’ (a side return extension) is done we are enjoying living with the drastic improvement but also living with a hell of a lot not yet finished. Nothing like a due date …though….to hurry it all along, huh?! xx
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s true!
xo
s
Ashley S says
Oh its so sweet of you guys to design the house of my dreams for me, too bad its so far away from where I live. :-) Seriously though I’m lusting over the lighting fixtures you guys chose for this house. Please tell me you guys will do a walk-thru video of the house once its finished and before it is sold off????
YoungHouseLove says
For sure! We’ll do that as soon as the show ends for everyone. Hope we’re not too shaky to capture it!
xo
s
Lauren says
Looks amazing! Are the white porcelain knobs new-style knobs or mortise-style knobs? We have the same door knobs you have in your house (and you have here) and are trying to retro fit the antique glass knobs that came with our house. Any tips?
YoungHouseLove says
So cool! These are reproduction new ones I believe, but maybe try an architectural salvage place for other knob options for your older doors? They might have old ceramic ones, etc.
xo
s
Elizabeth says
Hello!
Loving your show house sneak previews!
This question is completely unrelated to the show house, expect for the part where this shiny, new house is making me a little more down on our 1917 home. Wondering if you’ve ever dealt with asbestos in the pipes in the basement and if so, what you did to finish them/make them better before you sold. Any info would be so appreciated!
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that’s a tough one. We have never dealt with that. Does anyone have advice for Elizabeth?
xo
s
Ally says
I am LOVING all of your choices so far – everything flows so beautifully! You are inspiring me to take some risks too!
I noticed that you have a variety if metals throughout the house in the light fixtures for example. I would love to read a post about mixing metals throughout the house yet still creating a cohesive look.
YoungHouseLove says
We did a really old post about that in 2009 here, but we think once the showhouse is more complete we can share some wide shots and explain how we tried to layer things in so they’d all go without all matching, if that makes sense!
xo
s
Emily @ Life on Food says
It is crazy how the colors transform the space. I am loving the blue fireplace. I really wish I was closer so I could see the finished house in person.
kate says
Love the sliding doors. Bet the thing you like about them best is that you don’t have to paint them yourselves!!
YoungHouseLove says
AMEN!
xo
s
MrsBrownie says
I love the color palette you guys are working with here. :) We have a similar, slightly darker teal on the ceiling of our foyer and I smile every time I come in the house. It makes me feel like I’ve got a little piece of Grand Central to myself.
Crossing my fingers that your baby cooks a little past his due date. But simultaneously that you won’t have to wait too long. It’s so magical getting to finally meet the person who’s been kicking and poking you for so long!
h says
What color is the wall behind the fire place? I need to have it.
It looks like a beachy dark blue am I right?
Long time fan of your blog!!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s a nice dark navy color called Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore.
xo
s
Amanda says
This house is coming along! I love that navy blue and the gray in the master atrium. Yea, I basically love everything. It would be awesome if a YHL reader bought the house!
Amanda says
Happy to see my post made it through! It yelled at me a few times last night when I was trying to hit submit! Haha.
Also! Please please please do a house crash of this house with tons of photos of every nick and cranny for those of us that totally-want-to-be-there-but-can’t-make-it-due-to-living-in-another-country … you know, that small issue of living in another country really puts a damper on quick weekend road trips to Richmond, VA (from the East Coast of Canada!).
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love that!
xo
s
Danielle says
I bought hale navy for our master bedroom when we first moved in back in July, I have never painted with something so dramatic. The paint is still in a can in my garage, but seeing it on the show house fireplace has fanned the fire in my heart for this colour. Love love love!
Gretchen says
Danielle, I saw a room at an Ethan Allen store years ago in Hale Navy and swore I’d have a Hale Navy room of my own someday. In our last house, we did the dining room…then we moved from PA to NV. I missed it so much that I now have a Hale Navy kitchen and I’ll always have a Hale Navy room somewhere. Do it! You won’t regret it!
Danielle says
You have me convinced! I have a strange master that is essentially an original bedroom that was doubled in size by an addition. There is structural evidence on the walls of addition (about a six inch jutting out of drywall on either side of the room where the addition attaches). The addition space is where our bed is and the original space is where we want to do a big dressing space. Do you think it would look ok to do Hale Navy in the bed area and a lighter colour in the dressing area or would it be too busy?
Gretchen says
I’d totally break it up and go lighter since you have the definition of another room:) we did something similar–kitchen has giant archway into family room so it’s kind of one big room. The family room is ivory, and it flows well.
Happy painting!
robyns says
I love everything! And I am glad you are showing it with art above the fireplace. I think so many people get sucked in to that tv above it and then don’t think down the road about holidays and how they won’t really be able to style their mantle….at least that’s the boat I am currently in. any future house will not have a tv above the fireplace! lesson learned!!
Patty says
You two never cease to amaze me. What a beautiful house and what a very special group of people you are working with on such a great cause.
My husband and I are redoing our bedroom, it’s a small room in a miners bungalow and as soon as I saw the white room with the skydive blue ceiling I knew I had to have it, it will bring so much light into the room. Lucky for me my husband agreed. Going to go and buy the paint tomorrow.
Keep up the good work, can’t wait for Monday.
Patty
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Patty, you’re so sweet.
xo
s