You guys know Lesli, right? She’s a friend of ours who lives in out in the country (Greenwood, Virginia) and happens to be an amazing painter (you might remember our giveaway with her). She has an awesome blog and a sweet old house – complete with extra high ceilings that we covet and 100+ year old details that make “old farmhouse” the dream for so many people (us included). So we can’t wait to show you around. Let’s get to snooping…
Almost every item in Lesli’s home has been loved back to life. Like the old bench that sits in her entryway, which she got secondhand for $50 and painted a fresh new color. All of the mixed and matched art above it has such a fun and casual vibe – almost like it’s a beach house. The best thing about this house out in the country (with gorgeous views of the mountains) is that nothing feels too precious. Clara had a blast (and I didn’t have to have fifteen heart attacks worrying that she’d break something since the house was so kid friendly and fun). Oh and see that suitcase that Clara’s standing on? It can be seen in this Burger birthday video (Lesli’s daughter actually gave it to Clara to take home – how sweet is that?).
To the left of that entryway are two large rooms with awesome envy-inducing high ceilings. The room in the front is a living area, and the one in the back was once a formal dining room but Lesli realized that her family got more use out of making that another sitting area with a big couch for reading (you know, so Lesli can curl up and read in one space while the kids watch TV in the next room). So she moved the dining room to the other side of the house and made this side into one big casual chill-out area.
I think some of the most noteworthy choices that Lesli made in the room had to do with color. Look at those bold patterned curtains! That awesome kid-art with bright pink mats! Even the colorful Uglydoll on the couch is inspired! Too many exclamation points? Sorry, this room just gets me excited. And the coolest thing is that Lesli actually designed the fabric for those curtains herself (it’s a horse painting that she did, which she uploaded to Spoonflower and duplicated a bunch of times to create an abstract ikat-ish effect). I got woozy when she told me that. Seriously, it was horse-print-induced hysteria.
Here’s that room behind the one we shared above (which used to be the formal dining room until she moved that to the other side of the house). I love that Lesli made things work for her family instead of being locked into using the same layout that the previous owners did. And see that round coffee table? It was actually a kitchen table from Lesli’s old house, but she cut the stand down to make it coffee-table height. Isn’t that a smart use-whatcha-got trick?
Check out that big mirror over the mantel. It’s original to the 100+ year old house. Gorgeous, right? Lesli was so humble about everything but I was totally standing there drooling. The cool thing about this house is that it’s a great example of how you can fill an awesome old farmhouse with inexpensive items and reinvent old thrift store pieces. And nothing feels like you’re going to break it or ruin it… it’s approachable and comfortable.
Here’s a secondhand cabinet that she rescued with some fresh paint. I love the pops of yellow and the wooden fish on the wall with the name of her city painted on it. And see that bolt of fabric leaning casually in the corner? I love it there. The whole house is so refreshingly unfussy and easy.
Here’s her upstairs bathroom complete with a few more pops of color in the art and the textiles. It’s cool to see how Lesli mixes old (the ornate antique mirror) with new (the geometric bath mat – which is actually a TJ Maxx find) along with a whole lotta fresh white.
Lesli’s bedroom was having some drywall work done in a few areas, but we were able to sneak this shot of the corner of the room complete with a fun graphic chair, a non-working fireplace that she filled with books, and a window cornice that she actually made out of fabric and foam core (seriously! she took one down and showed me and it looked so legit – I never would have guessed it was foam core under there and not wood). And as for a little more info on that chair, she got it cheaply because it was a floor model and then recovered it with $9.99 Dwell Studio fabric from U-Fab (she found a great upholstery guy out there who only charged $100 to recover the chair!).
Now on to my favorite room in the house! You may have seen her daughter Phoebe’s room since it actually won in a recent Washington Post kids room contest, but even if you have, it’s totally worth a second look. Everything from that awesome colorful chandelier (from Urban Outfitters!) to the bold blue wall with the fun pink border and some more patterned fabric cornices (plus that great geometric rug that she got on clearance from PB Teen for $150!) was completely fun and charming.
Without a doubt my favorite thing in the room were the beds. Can you believe that Lesli got them at a thrift store for super cheap and then painted and upholstered the back herself? It looked complicated (how do you curve the fabric like that?) but the curved panel actually just pops out so she added some batting and some fabric, pulled it taut and stapled it in the back, and then just screwed the panel back on. Easy peasy. The fabric is Premier Suzani Slub in Corn. Don’t they look like a million bucks?
The room that her sons share was just as sweet with fun orange accents (the over-sized ceiling shade and the curtains that she made with this fabric were awesome)…
… but my favorite things in that room were these crazy.awesome.lamps. They were just cheap glass lamps that she got from Target, but they were fillable – so she decided to fill one of them with a bunch of tiny toys that her son had collected when he was younger but no longer plays with. And the other one got filled with old cars that used to be enjoyed all the time. I thought it was such a cool way to keep something sentimental around that your child might not actively play with anymore. Imagine the possibilities: legos, polly pockets, colored pencils, rubber erasers, the list goes on! Now I can expand my shadowbox obsession to fillable lamps…
So there you have Lesli’s awesome house. Thanks so much to her and the family for so graciously inviting us over to crash! We had the best time, and couldn’t wait to share all of her creativity with you guys. I mean, from those spoonflower curtains that Lesli designed herself to the lamps full of kid paraphernalia, we definitely left feeling super inspired! Now let’s play the what’s-your-favorite-part game. I gotta stick with those genius thrift store beds that she completely redid for Phoebe’s room. Amazing.
Psst- Don’t wanna stop snooping around? You can check out dozens of House Crashing adventures right here.
Okay, I don’t know if you are able to help me out with this or not but I have to find out about the teddy bear on the bed. My daughter has recently fallen in love with Winnie the Pooh and the bear looks like Pooh to me. I’m not a huge fan of licensed character products and this looks like Pooh without looking too much like him (if that makes sense). Can anyone help tell me where I can find this adorable teddy bear?
I hope Lesli drops in with that info for ya!
xo
s
The Disney Store used to sell a line of “Classic Pooh” characters about 15 years ago. I have Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Rabbit and love them. But for some reason, they no longer have them. I did a quick search and it looks like Bed, Bath and Beyond may have something that would work. Or you could try eBay or Amazon. Just make sure you use “Classic Winnie the Pooh” or “Vintage Winnie the Pooh” to search.
Okay, you will laugh, but my daughter won the teddy bear in one of those squirter games at Kings Dominion amusement park! They are located in Richmond VA…it is cute!
I’m completely enamored with Lesli’s home. The originality, the color choices, the fact that everything looks fantastic but approachable and comfortable. Thanks for sharing! I tried to pick a favorite room/item but there’s just too much awesomeness in there to choose from. I think if I lived there, I’d never leave the house!
What an amazing house! It’s so hard to choose a favorite part. I love the color palette in her daughter’s room and how it’s totally reminiscent of the chandelier hanging. So much fun! And I love how bright her living room is — I am totally into the light-meets-colorful palette! Thanks so much for sharing with us.
I love how bright everything is. Even with some of the walls a darker blue the room is offset by bright curtains etc. Those lamps filled with toys are too cute!
SO SO EXCITED to FINALLY meet my DIY IDOLS!!! And if a woman with Blue Hair decides to show up, I will make sure to not listen to a Single Word!!! See you soon!! BTW, Sherry I will have a white ceramic owl for your signature as well!
Hahahahah, so funny! Can’t wait to sign your owl Leanne!
xo
s
Don’t worry- your sad dream from last night won’t come true- there will be tons of people there! :) Looking forward to meeting you guys tonight in DC!
so many good fabrics! love the light blue ikat on the couch pillows.
Leslie’s home is so colorful! I don’t think the hubs would let me get away with quite so much pink though…
PS. Premier Prints Suzani? Favorite fabric ever. It’s what I used on our curtains for the Fall Pinterest challenge!
I am SO glad to hear there are others out there with random, crazy dreams!! My crazy dream confession: I am stuck in a U-Haul truck, in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by crocodiles and chunks of ice and all of a sudden!!! BATMAN AND ROBIN!!! They swing out of the sky (?what?) to rescue me!! Well, at least your dream had something to do with your actual life :). Maybe we could have our dreams analyzed…what would they mean?!?
Have fun in DC!
Hahahah, I like that one. I always had a crush on Robin…
xo
s
Me too! :)
Oh-my-adorable-house-ness! Freaking precious. All of it.
I absolutely love the chevron couch and the painted church pew. I need to find myself an old farm house!
Love the lamps-so adorable.
I have a nosey question. Did you guys photoshop the couch (4th picture down) or are my eyes tricking me? If so, may I ask why?
This house is so bright, quirky and fun. It is amazing how you guys can crash so many houses and none are even remotely similar. Each one has their own personal, very different style and somehow I love just about all of them. How does that happen?
Nope, we didn’t photoshop the couch! Maybe it’s just the focus (the bottom part of the skirt is a bit blurry since John was focused on a higher spot in the photo). Hope it helps! And as for the homes we crash, they’re all reader submitted so we just have some awesome and stylish readers. Hahah! We love them all for sharing their lovely homes!
xo
s
What’s interesting about this house is that she seems to block off all of the fireplaces instead of making them the focal point of the room. I have a corner fireplace and it is a bear to decorate around. I kind of like Leslie’s approach of using it for a bookcase or just putting a love seat in front of it and focus on the TV. Must more liveable.
But the girl’s room is my favorite–the UO chandelier and the beds are so perfect!
My favorite is definitely the fireplace filled with books. I kind of love anything filled with books so this makes me super happy! Also, the chevron couch is pretty much the best. I need to find that kind of upholstery master that inexpensive. Wow!
This has to be my favorite House Crash so far…..LOVE IT!!
One of my favorite houses in a while! Somehow feels homey and realistic but also super trendy and designer-y.
Pinned, pinned and pinned! EEK! Gorgeous.
So does she need a nanny or a roomie?! Totally in love with this house. Thanks for sharing! How often do you guys go home from a house crashing and want to change it all up cause your so inspired?
We are constantly inspired to push things more and make our house “more ours” after coming home from house crashes, if that makes sense! It’s great because we don’t want to scrap everything we’ve done, just add even more personlized and fun details without fussing about if it’s “proper” to do something.
xo
s
These colors are so happy. This is one of the most beautiful tours you’ve had in awhile. I love it. Thank you Lesli for sharing your home.
Hi Sherry, what time does the event on Dec 1st start?
If you click the Our Book tab under our blog header there’s a book tour button on that page with all the info for every last tour stop! I believe the event time for the Living Social event varies since you sign up for different time blocks. Hope it helps.
xo
s
Sherry, I’m having trouble finding that info too – the living social website just lists 2 events on the 1st, but doesn’t say what time they are, and neither does the tour info on your book page. I’d love to go, but have other stuff that day, so can’t just buy a ticket without knowing when it is…Hope you can provide some more details!
If you click the “book now” button on their site it says the different time slots and you can choose the one you’d like!
xo,
s
WOW! So beautiful! However, there are 2 things I’d really love to see: a close-up of the horse patterned curtain material and a pic of the outside of that great house (someone else mentioned that as well)! One of my favorite crashes so far, fo sho!
This house is so pretty, I feel giddy looking at it! Thanks for sharing!
I liked the fireplace surround–I am thinking of doing that in my living room because I am never pleased with the furniture placement and lacks a focal point. I think that might help. Sherry or John, do you have an input on fireplace surrounds for decorative purposes? Thanks!!
We loved how Lesli cozied up her house with such casual ease and charm – it really seemed to work well for her family instead of following “you should do this” decorating rules. I say go for it!
xo
s
Favorite house crashing post ever! Want to pin every one of these images! Does Lesli have a source list on her site? I’m dying to know where the chevron couch is from…
I know she got that reupholstered using the same guy and inexpensive fabric. Hope she drops by with more info for ya!
xo
s
I think this might be my favorite House Crash yet. You’re spot on that everything looks so live-able and comfortable.
I am in loooooooooove with that fauz-fireplace/bookshelf. I emailed the photo in my interior designer friend with the caption “I need you to make this happen for me.”
That house is fantastic! What’s strange is that I don’t think I’ve ever loved every single room in another person’s house before and when I look around mine I have nothing even remotely close to that style! I love that chandelier, the pink lined shelves…all the slipcovers….the round coffee table…the mirror over the fireplace. ALL. OF. IT. Maybe I’m decorating my house all wrong?
How does Lesli keep her place clean with pets and kids and all that light colored furniture? Also think its super cool that her hudband is cool with all that pink and “girly” colors in the living space. How did she manage to do that?
Hope she drops in with tips for ya, Dee!
xo
s
Hi there,
A. I would be lost without my DYSON….I have been through 3…I FILL the tank!
B. All / most of the furniture is slipcovered and can and are washed frequently…
C. The furniture that is not slipcovered…the brown sofa does not show dirt and for the chevron sofa I made a cover, out of the same chevron fabric that LIVES on the sofa, unless “real” people come by!
D. The kids have never worn their shoes in the house…now if I could just get the dogs to wipe their feet!
Thanks!
he must just be a cool husband!
I love all the fabric she uses throughout her house. It makes me want to get bolder with my fabric and color choices. I have slowly been introducing more color into our house but I think I really need to step it up with the fabric selection.
Awesome house crash!
What a cozy, sweet space! It actually feels a little English to me (the mix of pale colours on the walls + colour and patterned accessories + old house charm). That pale pink on the walls in the living space -at least that what it looks like- is gorgeous. I wouldn’t have thought to go pink in a main living area, but it looks amazing!
Off to check out Leslie’s blog now..!!
OBSESSED doesn’t even come close to describing how I feel about this house! Thanks for sharing!
Those cornice boxes just changed my life. That is all.
Whimsical is the word that came to mind for this house. You can tell they have younger children and don’t mind decorating with that in mind, instead of around it.
BTW: I did the foam valance thing back in 1997 at our first house in the Bellevue area (Richmond). I used wooden skewers to connect the front and top pieces to the two sides, putting batting on top that I secured with spray glue, staple gunned the toile fabric on, and hung those suckers on L brackets. No one knew the difference and they never fell down or came apart. That’s what I call an inexpensive, no sew window treatment!
So smart!
xo
s
This is my favourite house crashing feature to date :) I LOVE how creative she was. It’s so refreshing to see how she went with what she LOVED vs. what she had seen elsewhere. This is a true trend-setter. Bravo!
FYI on the lamps- my mom is a huge tradition person- so for my sister and I we had all these birthdays that had certain gifts- our 6th birthday was a bank that my artist dad made, 13th was a hope chest, but the cool lamp gift was 21st – she got a blue tinted glass fillable lamp and filled it our lives – box with our baby teeth, graduation tassle, christening invitation, graduation announcement, charms from our great grandmothers, etc — all sorts of lifetime memories- VERY AWESOME!!!
So sweet!
xo
s
I think this is my favorite house ever! I love the casual calm but colorful all together.
Sherry!! Saw this and thought of you. http://www.etsy.com/listing/105356087/pink-rhino
Love it!
xo
s
I am in love with the dot runner! I’m off to see if Lesli lists where she found it on her blog.
I am in the middle of my second “fixer-upper” and would agree with almost everything on your list of “things to overlook” EXCEPT for wallpaper. I took down layers, upon layers, in my first home and vowed never to buy a house with it again. Of course that meant that the second house would have even more and I talked myself into it anyhow. Taking down wallpaper is bad-but what can be worse is the damage to the walls left after the fact. We finally had to admit defeat and hire professional painters and drywall guys to repair some of the damage. It wasn’t a huge setback-but it did eat into budget cushion.
Oh yeah, some of it can be evil! So sorry it was so difficult!
xo
s
Sherry… Being a Leslie myself, I always like to hear about other Leslie’s… but is her name Leslie or Lesli… you have it both ways :)
Sorry! It’s Lesli! We have three friends named Lesley/Leslie/Lesli!
xo
s
After Leslie offered a YHL discount I ordered a painting of my dog-baby Urban. It turned out amazing and now my co-worker ordered one of her Lulu as well. Thanks for sharing Leslie with us! Her house is an amazing inspiration.
Isn’t she fantastic?! Such a talented lady!
xo
s
Love this tour! (I did notice a couple of inconsistencies in Leslie/Lesli, just a heads up!).
For a home packed with color you should check out the blog “Whatever” here: http://megduerksen.typepad.com/ She’s a mama of 5, leads craft weekends, is a talented photographer and lovessss color. She has a home tour button in her sidebar if you scroll down (though the house is now just for her craft business).
Thanks Maggie! All fixed! And that link is awesome!
xo
s
Hi John & Sherry,
Your book is on the list of 2012 Best Books by Slate.com!!!!
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2012/11/best_books_2012_slate_staff_picks_their_favorites.html
You guys probably already know that, but I was just so excited to see it, I thought I’ll share!
Sue
Ahhhh! It’s such a nice write up! We’re blushing.
xo
s
the fabrics all over this house are to do for! I can’t wait to live in a “forever home” (meaning anything that isn’t involving a 1 year lease) so that investing in curtain rods and drapery will be absolutely necessary :)
I think you’ll be hard pressed to find any mullets in that part of Georgetown tonight. Have no fear.
Haha, it’s true! Especially blue ones on gals…
xo
s
I love so much about this house but I think the make-your-own-print horse curtains are my favorite! I love that it’s a horse print that you wouldn’t recognize as horse-y unless you looked closely – so creative!
P.S. Who do I need to talk to in order to get a Michigan location on the book tour? ;)
Haha, we’d love to end up there!
xo
s
Hey look! She’s got a giveaway on her blog!
I’m trying to find a cool discount fabric store (as in not all stuff for granny quilts and kiddie tie blankets (not that there’s anything wrong with either)) in the Detroit area. The only one close by caters to … the auto industry. Hmmm …
This house just makes me happy to look at. Why don’t I have more fun with color?
wow–what a gorgeous home….
ona different topic—when i saw this mirror, i instantly thought of yours hanging in your bathroom.
http://www.bhg.com/christmas/indoor-decorating/pretty-christmas-living-rooms/#page=5
Love that!
xo
s
You’re on Slate! http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2012/11/best_books_2012_slate_staff_picks_their_favorites.html
Ahhhhhhh! Such a nice writeup!
xo
s