We know you guys love seeing a wide range of homes when it comes to House Crashing, so when Katrina invited us over to run around her townhouse and snap some photos to share with you guys, we jumped at the chance. She’s a super creative momma who lives right here in Richmond with a lot of awesome found/collected items mixed with things that she has DIYed herself. And here she is now, with her adorable son Luke and her husband Nate.
When you enter the townhouse, there’s a gorgeous cozy wall color (Gauntlet Gray by Sherwin Williams) that envelops you, along with the rich wood floors that her hubby installed himself on all three floors. Everything from the vintage light fixture to the quirky wooden shoe-molds-turned-coat-hooks really makes the space feel one of a kind.
When you walk upstairs there’s the living room, which is painted the same rich color, but has a lot of lighter pops (in the furniture, the mantel, etc) along with pretty frames and mirrors to bounce around a lot of light. The starburst mirrors are from Target but Katrina used Grecian Gold Rub-N-Buff from Michael’s on them to get that gilded look.
Those paper butterflies were actually something Katrina bought on Etsy (from a shop called Embellished Paper) and pinned to an old pallet to cover up the hole that the townhouse builder had left over the fireplace for a TV (she didn’t think putting a TV in there made for the best furniture arrangement since the fireplace is on an angle). I loved the mix of the rustic wood and the delicate white paper butterflies.
And here’s little Luke modeling his play area, which is a mixture of old and new (and DIY and store-bought). The bookcase is from Ikea, but when it’s mixed with the old map, the oversized clock, and the mason jars that Katrina painted white and hung on the wall, it has a casual and eclectic feeling.
Here’s the rest of the living room as you turn to the left of the little play area for Luke. Well, this is what it looked like before they moved in and made it their own…
… and this is what it looks like now.
I love how the dark walls balance the light furniture and the large frames add color with those cheerful yellow squares. Katrina just grabbed some Ikea frames and used yellow paper and some inexpensive medallions from the craft store that she spray painted silver inside of each frame to create some architectural art for a steal.
I also love the little touches, like the paper mache deer head that Katrina topped with a few extra butterflies from the mantel project – just to bring that detail to the other side of the room. The cool thing about that deer head is that he’s from Z Gallerie and Katrina modge podged him with wallpaper scraps. “He was all white and a little plasticy looking so I made him look a little more special.”
I love that Katrina isn’t afraid of making her townhouse stand out from all the others. No detail is too small for her, and I loved noticing small upgrades that she added, like the wide stripes that she painted just on the inside of the pass-through to the kitchen, and the burlap curtains that she added (she made them from old grain sacks herself).
Here’s the view of the pass-through from the kitchen. I thought the fact that the grain sacks had designs on both sides was so smart (they’re like a double sided curtain with tons of texture and a cool collected feeling). And you know I wanted to rub my face all over those gleaming over-sized glass containers. Katrina’s kitchen also brought a giant smile to our faces because the same gray penny tile that we used in our last kitchen was just sitting there, waiting for me to pet it. So I did.
The dark wood counters and the painted cabinets with cool dark Ikea hardware stole my heart too. But my favorite part of the kitchen was the awesome built-in banquette that Katrina and Nate added to the other side of the space. The giant white mirror almost felt like a window, and the shelf on top with pretty decorative baskets added extra storage. I’m a huge fan of Katrina’s lighting and furniture choices too. They just looked easy yet really elegant. The chairs and table are both outlet finds here in Richmond (from The Decorating Outlet).
Mirror detail. Me-ow. Katrina bought it at an auction in Lynchburg for a steal.
Katrina used the same cozy and rich gray tone on the walls of the first and second floor, yet on the third floor where all the bedrooms are located, she lightened up with this soft and gorgeous blue tone (Oasis by Olympic). Walking up to this floor definitely felt airier and softer, which was a nice distinction for the bedrooms I think. And of course the art on the stairs had me at hello. I especially loved the wood planks with vintage glass bottles that Katrina wired up herself.
Here’s Katrina and Nate’s bedroom, which had a sweet lofted ceiling, fluffy white bedding, and an elegant tufted headboard. I also loved that vintage gate next to the bed (Katrina uses it to hold her jewelry)…
… and the oversized coral-pink lamp (it picked up some of the tones in Katrina’s homemade art that was hanging above it). She used pastel crayons on a canvas to make the art and then poured thick clear resin over it for a polished look (you can grab resin to DIY your own version at Michaels or JoAnn’s).
The nursery was really charming too, with light colored furnishings and a sweet tree decal kit on the wall, which Katrina made her own by adding little chalk creatures poking out of the trees.
I wish the wider shots of the room had turned out, but we did manage to snag this curtain detail that captured another one of Katrina’s tweaks that was really charming. She took inexpensive Ikea curtains and colored them just using a regular old sharpie for a watercolor-ish look that was painterly and whimsical.
So thanks so much to Katrina for opening her house up to us and letting us share all of the inspiration with you guys! Let’s play the favorite-part game. I’m calling the eat-in area of the kitchen, and John’s all over the color palette shift that occurs when you transition upstairs (it really felt like you were up in the clouds on that top floor).
Update: We just learned that Katrina used to have a blog, so although she no longer updates it we thought we’d share it in case you wanted to check it out.
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L O V E this house! What gorgeous, cozy and unique style she has. Thanks for sharing!
Love this townhouse crash! We live in one now (we rent, so we can’t do quite so awesome stuff like flooring), and it’s cool to see how people make these smaller spaces their own!
I love stripes she painted on the inside of the pass-through. Such a great idea! I also love the nesting tables next to the bed. Any idea where they’re from?
Hope she drops in with that info!
xo
s
My dad built those for me as a gift. I think I get some of my creativity from him!
Oh my gosh! This. is. AMAZING.
Love the colors, love the lighting, love that living room, love the stripes in the pass through from the kitchen, love their room, etc etc. This is so Restoration Hardware meets West Elm! LOOOOVE it!!!
Thanks for bringing us something awesome this hump-day morning!
This is my dream home! Everything in this townhouse matches my style. Love the mix of vintage and modern pieces. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Totally agree!
This was my favorite house crash of all time! I feel like I could just move right in…but I won’t, don’t worry ;)
I was wondering where they got the tree decals in the nursery. I think they would be perfect in our playroom!
Hope Katrina stops by to share her source!
xo,
s
I got them from the etsy shop JL9 Design
Well done Katrina! What a beautiful home!
OMG. THIS. IS. AMAZING.
Love the colors, love the living room, LOVE the lighting, love the wood shoe things on the wall, love the stripes in the pass -through, love their master bedroom, just love it ALL!
This is very Restoration Hardware meets West Elm, don’t you agree?
Thanks for bringing us something so awesome this hump-day morning!
I like the old gate in the bedroom and the nesting tables. Surprise surprise, I find the rustic and shaker/craftsman-esque piece in the house to love the most haha. #predictable
Wow, they did a great job introducing lots of interesting little details into all the rooms. I feel like I’m not so great at that part of decorating. Like once I get furniture, rugs, and large art in place, I kind of lose steam. Very inspirational.
I love their built-in banquette! So cozy and full of style.
Wow, I love this space! Katrina is quite talented! I’m curious if she does something design-y for a living. :)
It would be fantastic if she dropped in with some sources for some of her finds: the baskets in the eat-in nook? The giant blue glass jugs? The clock next to the Richmond map? LOVE.
Hope she stops by soon! She has her little guy all day but hopefully can come by when she has a chance.
xo,
s
Thanks! I do actually do something design-y for a living :). I was the buyer for Shades of Light and now that I am an almost full time stay-at-home mom, I design the covers for their catalogs on the side. It is a fun creative outlet for me!
As for me stuff: The baskets are from Home Goods, the glass jugs are salvage find here in Richmond, the clock is also from Home Goods, and the Richmond map is from The Decorating Outlet.
I have those same curtains from Ikea! The Sharpie really does add a little somethin’ somethin’ to really make them stand out. :)
Hi! If Katrina drops in, please ask her where the black and white animal plates in the kitchen nook are from–or if anyone else has an idea?
Anyone recognize them?
xo,
s
They are from Target. They were on clearance when I bought them though, so not sure if they are still available. Hope they are!
I just read through all the comments to find this answer. :-) And now I’m scouring the internet for them! Thank you for posting!
I want to know where they got the map of Richmond that’s hanging over the play area. I luuuurve it! :)
I’m head over heels in love with the butterflies over the raw wood! As well as the burlap curtain paired with clean classic lines! Such an awesome job!
Such a beautiful home!!! Wow. Love everything about it. I do not have a keen design eye, so it’s fun learning from all of you designers :)
So much creativity and inspiration in this home! I hope my home turns out this beautiful and unique once I’m done with it – if I’m ever done with it – and them maybe it could be a house crash on YHL! :)
I really like the palette of warm wood, cool gray, and metallics they are using in this home. Seems like a tricky mix of colors, but this combination works great.
I LOVE the mirror in the banquette area!! Also love the curtains that she drew on – they look awesome!
I have a few things to get off my chest –
1) Love, love, love this townhouse and it’s textures and patinas. So original!!!! Katrina has “the touch”.
2)In the spirit of kindness over perfection, please can we all agree to stop spell checking YHL? If you get the gist how about letting misspelled/misused words go?
3)Thank you YHL for not making every posting a commercial for a product. I understand the need for bloggers to make money and advertise, but I have stopped following several other bloggers because it’s just too much.
Love it!!
What a beautiful home! I love the high shelves – great storage, creates a ‘nook’, and out of the way!
Ooooh, I loove this house crash! I love how she has a kind of neutral palette, but adds all of the cute little accents and touches.
Gorgeous!! Very inspiring!
Awww what a cute abode! I love the butterflies of course and also the dark wood counters in the kitchen. Yep. Those are my favorite moments in the house. Great job Katrina and Nate!
My best, Lynn
wow! i love this house! i can’t pick one thing because i love everything. i have been looking for something like that gate for my jewelry for months! i also have a huge crack along one wall (that’s been repaired twice and keeps coming back. ugh, apartment living!) and have been debating those same butterflies to fly up the wall. it looks so good i think i might take the plunge. i think the house is so personal and sweet- i do especially love the ‘watercolorish’ curtains in the nursery!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! This house is amazing. Totally inspiring for a fellow town home owner… :)
LOVE this crash. There were so many bits that I dig, but sharpie-ing those ikea curtains? That’s just a stroke of genius. Will be stealing that idea, no doubt.
So gorgeous! I’m amazed at the transformation! I always look for homes that have details/character, but in the end is really up to how creative you can be.
What a unique, lovely and personal space. I love Katrina’s creativity and willingness to adapt/put a DIY spin even on NEW items in order to make them her own!
I have to say, that might be my favorite house crashing to date! I either want to move in there or have Katrina come decorate my house! I LOVE it! :)))
Wow! This place is amazing!
Um, SO CUTE. I love how the wall color changes as you head upstairs, too. It’s a nice touch to separate the spaces.
I love the striped pass through. And the old shoe molds and light fixture in the entry. Great snippets of inspiration.
How cool. I may have to borrow her cool idea of the stripes inbetween the kitchen and family room. I have the same window in my house. She is super talented and creative!
Good god this is a gorgeous home! I’m completely in love. I just adore the banquette.
IMPRESSIVE….that’s all I got.
I’m speechless with love for those stripes and grain sack curtains. Just in love.
This might be one of my favorite House Crashings so far. Not only because I love the end result and the taste is close to my own, but because it features a Row Home… err Town House (I live in Baltimore, we call them Row Homes). I have never really been too fond of these houses (even though they are plentiful here) – they always seem like a stepping stone to the house you really want and often end up looking cookie cutter and typical since there is only so much you can do when two of your walls don’t have windows. HOWEVER – this house doesn’t feel like that at all. Once you are inside, it is so unique and light and homey. It really inspires me! Thanks for sharing.
Amazing! I love the different textures and feeling throughout. Warm and rustic, with some metallics and luxury thrown in. My kind of space!
I have loved gray, yellow and bright white for a long while. Katrina has a great eye and I love her style. Really enjoyed this crash. Loved loved loved that mirror! Thanks for the morning eye candy!
LOVE this house crash! Where did you get the clock above the bookcase? Im in LOVE with it. MUST. BUY. IT. NOW :) Your house is so unique. Love your style!
Hope she drops in with that info!
xo,
s
I got it at Home Goods.
I’ve been reading your blog since the beginning (or near enough). Ring ring. That’s the sound of you just phoning it in Sherry. I would have rather looked at the pictures (which is what I did), as your write up was so tired and uninspiring. For a couple of ex-copy writers this sure is something that makes us question your credibility.
Dang. Somebody woke up crabby today.
Loved the post, for what it’s worth :)
This isn’t constructive so much as dismissive and insulting. If you couldn’t point out objectively what you didn’t like about the post, couldn’t you have simple clicked the handy back button on your browser instead?
I think this is so awesome and hilarious at the same time. I love the butterfly idea and me and DH did a similar thing with some dolled up plastic, wall decor birds from target. We also have an ‘enchanted forest’ themed nursery and panted a tree on the wall and have those same curtains from Ikea which we have talked about coloring in :P what a lovely house. I love seeing similar ideas play out in a completely different vibe (me and the hubby like a more country, beachy look :P )
Loved this house. I’m curious to know which one is your “most commented/loved” house crash?
That’s a good question! I’m not sure, but clicking through all the ones on our HC page might be an informal poll :)
xo,
s
love their style! it seems a bit eclectic to me!
I have to know where she got her living room rug!? Sorry if someone else already asked you…I didn’t read through all the comments :/
No worries, that’s from Shades of Light here in Richmond.
xo,
s
This has got to be my favorite house crash! Absolutely beautiful. Gave me so much inspo!
Love this tour! Thank you for showing a townhouse! Sometimes it’s hard to envision how to solve design problems in townhouses because the layout and porportions are so different from a single family home. Bring on the townhouse tours! (from a renter who plans to buy a townhouse)
I love it. Where do they keep the tv? Our fireplace is at an angle as well and I can’t figure out where to put the tv.
The TV is in a large white media cabinet that’s on the wall across from the yellow framed art. I think the piece was from Ikea but they added molding for a more built-in feeling.
xo,
s