Young House Love

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A Beautiful House Tour In North Carolina

We’re back with another house crashing adventure from our recent road trip through Charlotte, North Carolina. You already caught a sneak peek of the amazing kitchen, so we’re back to fill in the blanks. And oh man, this family couldn’t have been sweeter if they were made of sugar. Seriously. And their completely transformed 60’s ranch couldn’t have been more charming. Even the outside had us at hello (you know we love a brick ranch).

Hc Exterior

Since they tackled such an amazing makeover, we decided to toss in some before pictures to show you just how far Kristen, Stan, and their one year old son Davis have taken it (well, Davis was in the belly most of the time- they worked hard to complete their renovations just days before he was born). And in baby compatibility news, he and Clara got along swimmingly. Cute, huh?

Hc Portrait

Here’s the photo we shared in last week’s sneak peek, but now we have actual info for ya. Like that gorgeous oversized lantern above the island is by Troy Lighting (here’s a link), the vent hood is a GE Profile 36″ island hood, and the butcher block counter is from Locust Lumber (right outside of Charlotte).

Hc Kitchen Light

And look at the spread they tossed together to greet us! Nuts, chocolate candies, ice cold grapefruit drinks, and even animal crackers for the kids. Did I mention this family was sweeter than sweet?

Hc The Spread

Of course I played the role of Debbie Downer by suggesting that we wait to eat/drink so we could snap our photos beforehand. You don’t wanna know what that island looked like after we snacked (just picture scrunched up napkins full of half nibbled animal crackers, a few matchbox cars, and a bunch of empty glasses).

So we ran around grabbing photos as fast as we could (animal crackers awaited!). Here’s a wider view of the lovely kitchen that leads out into their family room:

Hc Into Family

And this is what the kitchen looked like from the same angle before they started their renovations about a year and a half ago:

Kitchen Before

Pretty darn amazing, eh? Here’s the other view of the kitchen from the now-adjoined family room (well, I guess it was always adjoined, it just had a tiny door and now has a nice wide opening).

Hc Into Kitchen

Here’s the same angle before the makeover:

Looking Into Kitchen Before

Any open jaws? Ours totally were when we checked out those before pics. Here’s a nice shot of the whole family room now, complete with pillows and table lamps from Target and a handsome worn leather chair from the Mitchell Gold outlet in Hickory, NC.

Hc Family Room

Just for fun, here’s a before shot of that room. Isn’t it stunning how much some light paint (with primer) on that paneling did for the room (Kristen actually followed our tutorial). And of course that big opening to the kitchen changed the space immensely too.

Fam Before

But back to the room as it looks now, I was in love with the casual and welcoming mix of textures and furnishings. Nothing was matchy-matchy but it all felt layered and inviting. Like the big patterned rug (handed down from Stan’s mom and dad) along with the old chair that Kristen recovered using this navy geometric fabric. The red side table was a an old secondhand wood one that she transformed with red spray paint (True Red from Lowe’s) and some spray on high-gloss finish (for a lacquered look).

Hc Chair Table

Kristen also let us poke through some other rooms in the house, even though they’re still a work in progress. Look how sweetly this little guest room is coming along. I love the matching headboards (another lucky hand-me-down from Stan’s parents) along with those fun pillows from West Elm and the cheerful rug from Crate & Barrel. I’m sure when Kristen finishes up in there it’ll look even more amazing.

Hc Guest Room

We also snuck some shots of Davis’ nursery because there were great ideas all over the place. See the fun patterned curtains? Kristen made them with fabric from Duralee. And since she’s such a fan of layering cheerful textiles, she brought in another pattern (from Etsy, called Teeny Tiny Zoo, in the color “Pool” by Alexander Henry) for the pillow and even covered her drum shade with it (for anyone who wants to cover their own lampshade with fabric, here’s a tutorial we wrote a while back).

Hc Nursery2

We also loved the DIY-ability of these awesome painted canvases. Kristen got them from this fun boutique (actually as a gift from a friend), but you could print out animals, cut out their silhouettes, trace them onto canvases, and fill in the space around them with paint in varying tones for a similar look.

Hc Nursery3

The mobile was also adorbs. Yup, I said adorbs. Anyway, it was made of felt by Eleni Creative, and worked so well with the fun animal fabric… which Kristen used as mats behind some sweet baby photos that she framed above the crib. Genius.

Hc Mobile Frames

So there you have Kristen, Stan, and sweet little Davis’ lovely house in Charlotte. Thanks so much for letting us swing by and share the photos! Let’s bring down the house for the whole fam and play our usual what’s-your-favorite-part game. Ours were that amaaazing lantern hanging above the island in the kitchen, the fabric covered shade in the nursery, and that awesome navy chair and red end table in the family room.

Psst- Still in a snooping mood? Check out a ton of other houses that we’ve crashed right here.

Psssst- John and I saw Bridesmaids this weekend (our second movie at a theatre since Clara was born!). 1) It was hilarious. 2) I had lots of fun noticing a heart shaped earring and short skirt pattern when it came to Kristen Wiig’s wardrobe. 3) I wanted every single dress that her rival was wearing. Anyone else?

Comments

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We always share a ton of link love when the person that we crash has a blog. Sadly Kristen doesn’t have one yet- but we did suggest that she jump on the bandwagon since she has so many awesome ideas!

      xo,
      s

  2. Tanya says

    That lantern in the kitchen – amazing!! We’re planning a similar reno on our kitchen/dining room … opening up the wall and all. This gives me some great ideas!

    Reply

  3. Nicholin says

    Thank you so much for sharing. The before/after photos inspire me to come up with ideas for our house (it’s hard for me to think ‘out of the box’).

    Reply

  4. bridget b. says

    Love this house!

    Sherry, can you tell us where they moved the oven to during the renovation? I have a similar layout in my kitchen with a double oven on the end of a wall that I would like to blow out and I would love some ideas on a new location for the oven.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  6. Allison says

    Knocking down that wall was key to this beautiful renovation! I love how they mix and match the chairs / tables / etc in the living room. Looks so homey and stylish but not “trying too hard.”

    Reply

  8. Laura says

    This house is so cute and inviting! I would love to know where she got the end tables that she uses at each end of their sofa- they’re exactly what we’re looking for to use as nightstands!

    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Hi Laura! Thank you so much for your sweet comments. The end tables were a lucky hand-me-down from Stan’s grandmother Betty. We were so grateful for them as we had been hunting for just the right thing beside the couch. Contemplated putting a sofa table behind the couch and putting the lamps there too but we love those tables too much to put them somewhere else!

  9. Elizabeth says

    I have a quick question…what type of high gloss paint did she use on that table? I have some things I want to paint, but I really want them to end up glossy…and nothing seems to really give me the look I want.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      She used regular spray paint followed by a high gloss lacquer spray (you can find it at Lowe’s or Home Depot in the spray painting aisle). just be sure to apply thin and even coats with drying time between (as opposed to one thick drippy one).

      xo,
      s

  10. melissa says

    What a cute house; and everything is so DIY-able (Is that a word?)

    I love how Kristen “addressed the elephant in the room” subtley and tastefully. She is obviously up on all the new decorating trends – LOL!

    Reply

  13. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says

    That kitchen came out great! I really liked this “crashing” the house was really nice without being “out of a magazine nice”. Some of the houses, while absolutely gorgeous, make me feel inferior in my decorating abilities ;)

    Reply

  14. Rachel says

    Okay, maybe I’m just an idiot and I’ll take that title, but I do NOT understand where the wires to all these table lamps go! When you have a lamp on a table away from the wall, where is the wire to plug it in? Are people buying lamps operated by batteries that I don’t know about?? I have a lamp by my couch but my couch is a couple feet from the wall and the wire just sits along the carpet all the way from the outlet to the lamp. I don’t trip on it, but it’s unsightly! HELP!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Sometimes people add floor outlets next to their sofa if it’s floating. It only costs $100 or so if you get a bunch of estimates and it can really make a room functional and keep people from tripping. Here’s hoping Kristen can drop in to clarify what she did for those lamps!

      xo,
      s

    • Kristen says

      We struggled with that too Rachel! I always marvel at the TVs/DVRs sans wires in magazines too!
      Sherry is right–we are in the process of moving our outlets to underneath the sofa (which is more baby-safe to have them hidden completely and will look better overall) But in the meantime we used extension cords to get them to the wall, which thankfully isn’t too far away, and then put a heavy runner down over them to cover them and so our son wouldn’t trip on them. It’s nice too bc our window treatments are so large they cover the outlets and walls where they plug in so you can’t see them.

  15. Paige says

    I love the punches of color and pattern! In fact, if they want any more kids, I know a 25-year-old they could adpot who would be veeeery happy living there…

    Reply

  16. liz tsang says

    i found myself nodding (not “nodding off”, to clarify) when reading all your comments, sherry – love all these amazing improvements! that kitchen light fixture is stunning! and i wholeheartedly agree with your bridesmaids comments… loved it! but i kinda preferred kristin wiig’s wardrobe. great post!

    Reply

  17. Jess says

    I am absolutely in love with the artwork in the nursery. After seeing it, I’ve decided to DIY some of my own canvases for our baby girl’s room. While I’ve seen lots of cute wood and canvas pieces that I like out there, I think creating something will be that much more special. Plus, it allows me to add the green, pink and chocolate colors I’m currently loving for her space.

    Reply

  18. Bethie says

    Gorgeous! I wish my “after” pictures looked half as stunning!

    PS: You’re missing your second parenthesis under the first before pic.

    Reply

  20. Tara says

    Love the kitchen! I have been wavering between off white or white for the kitchen cabinets, but this sold me on the white! I also love the silhouette prints in the nursery. I’m not much of a painter, so I may just cut out silhouette out of coloured paper and frame it, but it is PERFECT!
    Thanks!

    Reply

  22. Sara says

    LOVE the teeny tiny zoo print! someone bought me burp cloths when my son was born and i WANTED to find the print so badly so i could DIY a few burp cloths or other stuff. THANKS for posting where to find!!

    Reply

  24. Joy says

    WOW ! That reno sure looks like the ‘open the wall’ between your dining/kitchen plan. Nice to see how someone else worked it out.
    – Joy

    Reply

  25. Piechmama says

    i actually really liked the look of the chair (glider?) in the nursery. any additional info on it? it looks cozy and comfortable without being too squishy-sit-down-and-can’t-get-up-while-holding-the-baby…not that i’ve ever been in that situation. :)

    i also have a bit of stove envy.

    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Thank you so much! It is insanely comfy. It was an estate sale find and was “blush and bashful” PINK when we bought it. It is on the smaller side and not your typical glider size. It fit me just right–my test was whether when I was holding the baby if both my elbows reached the arm rests comfortably–thankfully they did. Although I have wished it was a recliner a lot of nights! :)
      Thank you too about the stove. It has certainly encouraged my love of cooking!

  28. Nicole says

    love the kitchen! we’re getting ready to start a kitchen reno, so i was wondering if you could tell me what appliances you went with? do you like them? we’re shopping for ours now, and there are a lot of options out there! thanks!

    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Hi Nicole! Thank you and good luck with your reno. It is so worth it once it’s all done! The toughest part for me was when we were without a sink so be sure they do that at the very end. Otherwise it’s amazing what you can do with a microwave and grill ;) Anyway we love our appliances and did a lot of shopping around to get the best deals on what we wanted. We went with Kitchenaid dishwasher (model KUDC20CVSS3) and Ktichenaid 30″ slide in gas range along with a GE profile 36″ Island hood. Hope that helps!

  29. Molly says

    Can I just say that with all of the awesome house things, I am most impressed by the fact that there is sugar on the rims of the drinks!! And those fabric matted pics in the nursery?? I die.

    Reply

  30. Karen says

    What a wonderful renovation. I love the kitchen, especially that vent hood. Looking at it from the living room, it’s almost like a piece of sculpture.

    I also really like those rustic wooden doors that are visible from the kitchen.

    The blend of modern, traditional and rustic all works together beautifully.

    Reply

  31. Danielle says

    Will be stealing many of these ideas for our son’s room and new nursery. I love that having another baby has inspired me to completely re-do our son’s room in addition to getting the nursery ready…my husband does not feel the same :o)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      If it helps, tell him it’s a Judd Apatow movie (the same guy who did Knocked Up and Superbad) and definitely felt like one of his films. There was even a scene that even grossed me out so much I had to look away (watching others vomit – even fake vomit – is not my thing).

      -John

    • Leigh Anne says

      My husband and my two brothers went to see Bridesmaids with me. They all loved it and thought it was hilarious!

  34. Kim says

    I loved Bridesmaids too! I thought it was hilarious but also thought Kristen Wiig brought some heart to the story. Seriously though, I had that Wilson Phillips song stuck in my head for weeks! I turned to my friend after the movie and told her I wished they had performed at my wedding.

    Reply

  35. Karen says

    wow I love this “after” — is there a table by the back door in the kitchen? I see a chair in the pic.

    This is exactly the reno on my pipe dream list!

    Reply

  36. Katherine says

    Maybe it’s just this particular picture, but Stan looks like David Letterman some years ago…..
    Love the kitchen open, the house now looks like a totally different era (a’ka up to the minute fresh).

    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Oh my gosh this is so funny. The celeb look-a-like comments have been just as fun for us to read as the house ones; ) There’s a curly headed comedian theme going on. Young Letterman and older Michael Cera are new ones for sure–it may be the picture. He’s gotten a young George W Bush and also Bobby Flay before too which cracks us up. Too funny!

  37. kelly says

    that nursery is too cute!! love her home, very good ideas. i actually want to put up paneling and paint it white for a beachy feel!

    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Hi Kelly-was reading back through answering some posts (very late responses unfortunately!) and saw your comment. A good friend of mine Elizabeth Newman is a designer in Charleston SC, and she hangs wide wood paneling in kitchens horizontally as opposed to vertically then paints it almost like a white-wash. It is completely drool-worthy and gives an instant “beach” feel. If you’re still thinking about doing that I hope that helps!

  39. Rachel Tatem says

    They did a great job! Such an amazing makeover! My parents did the same thing with a 1960’s brick ranch… ripped a wall that looked much like the wall they took down in their kitchen

    Reply

  40. Stephanie says

    LOVE LOVE LOVE what they did! We are in the process of buying a home from the 1960s with wood paneling GALORE, so I’ve been googling “before & afters” of painted wood paneling. So fun to see the transformations! Thanks for your awesome tutorials.

    Reply

  41. Jamie says

    I was obsessed with the same fabric in the nursery last year when we were pregnant and we didn’t know what we were having…I tracked it down in Citron but it was sold out EVERYWHERE!!!! So I finally went with another animal print in Citron by Michael MIller and still love it. Now that our girl is 5 months I think I am going to start decorating a little more since we can go with a little more feminine style. BUt I am stealing the idea of using the fabric as mats in the frames…love it. Also loved Bridesmaids and saw it this weekend…my first movie since our baby was born in Jan. Totally hilarious. I was envying her necklace too and her HAIR!! “ok Stove, what are you an appliance?” :)

    Reply

  42. Oona says

    It appears the little white cups on the island (holding the chocolate) have feet. Am I seeing things? Could you ask Kristen where she purchased these? They are precious. They must be mine.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, they had little feet! Here’s hoping Kristen stops by with that info. I think I’ve seen some at Crate & Barrel if that helps in the meantime!

      xo,
      s

    • Kristen says

      Sherry is right. The cups are from Crate & Barrel. I think they’re intended to be for holding soft boiled eggs but I find excuses to use them all the time :)

  43. Sharon says

    Uh, Sherry, has anyone noticed your gag on us in the `We’re Digging’ frame? I notice you put an elephant-shaped teapot in there after your post on your Elephant in the Room dream. LOL

    Reply

  47. Lisa says

    Love the kitchen redo!!! But what I want to know about is that Yummy lookin grapefruit drink?? It look delish….what’s the recipe??

    Reply

    • Kristen says

      Hi Lisa! Cold beverages in the hot South are a must ;) These are called Salty Dogs and we made them with Ruby Red Grapefruit juice and vodka shaken and poured over ice with a salt rimmed glass. They are good without alcohol too and still look just as pretty!

  49. Marj says

    The kitchen turned out great– esp. the countertops. What did you use? Are the cabinets new as well or refinished?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I believe they went with black granite and new cabinets since they had to configure the whole room and couldn’t use the original cabs. Here’s hoping Kristen stops in with more info for ya!

      xo,
      s

  50. Nora says

    Gorgeous house! It leaves me in a quandary about my wood floors and I wonder if you could weigh in. I see they carried the same color wood from the family room into the living room and I know you refinished all your rooms in the last house to match the new, darker wood. I need new wood on the first floor but my upstairs is quite fine — albeit the same kind of orangey wood in this house (and similar to what you had in the last). I want to go dark downstairs, but then I would want to carry the dark all the way upstairs and into rooms that don’t really “need” it. Did your other rooms “need” refinishing, or did you do it just because you enjoyed the darker color? Thanks for any advice.

    Reply

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