When Julia invited us to crash her house, which she describes as a typical cookie cutter Pennsylvania house on the outside (she’s not allowed to change much, even the color of the front door), we fell in love the moment she virtually let us inside.
Here’s Julia now. She lives here with her husband Jarrid, her 10 year old son, her six year old daughter, and her three kitties.
Their house definitely feels like a nice mix of quirky and fun with elegant and classic choices. Soft neutral walls with white molding are mixed with a cardboard deer head and a pretty crystal chandelier. You can see her living room peeking out down the hallway of this shot.
I love the mix of classic items like the round mirror, the tufted sofa, and the white pedestal table with bold geometrics like the rug and the curtains (Julia painted those stripes onto plain white Ikea panels). And the transparent coffee table keeps things light and airy. As for where she buys things, most of them are thrifted or bought at estate auctions. The only splurges in the house were for their kitchen counters, sofas, and their bed. She also says Ikea plays a huge role in her life too. Gotta love a mix.
She can keep orchids alive. I know, I’m jealous too. And one tip to living with two kids and three cats while keeping the house looking good is that she uses mostly indoor/outdoor rugs since they’re so easy to clean.
I love this shot because Julia describes herself as “a huge fan of silly things around the house – like my cuckoo clocks, gnomes, and deer. My brother hates it!” My brother doesn’t get my ceramic animal obsession either, Julia. Fist bump.
She made the chandelier over the sink from a lamp, and here are those counters that she splurged on. I love the blue stripe that she painted on her stools too. Such a sweet and personal touch.
From the living room you walk up the stairs on the left to this hallway. I’m obsessed with that ceiling fixture that Julia made from a bowl. She also painted the dresser and lamps. The painting is from a known German WW2 painter that knew her grandmother’s family. She says it’s one of the most treasured items in their home.
In her daughter’s room, Julia picked the headboard out of a neighbor’s trash. I love how she went for it with horizontal stripes on the wall and thinner black and white stripes on the headboard and bedding.
Here’s an art wall across from the bed so you can see more of those striped walls. And I love the simple wire and clip system for an interchangeable art gallery.
As Julia mentioned, she loves quirky items like cuckoo clocks and deer pillows, and this is actually a cuckoo clock that she hung in her daughter’s room after her daughter painted it with her. I’m a huge fan of doing projects with Clara, so I love the idea of painting something like this with her someday.
Julia says she’s still searching for perfectly sized bedside tables (she thinks the mirrored ones are too small) and she’s thinking about attempting to reupholster the chaise herself this fall or winter. That’s the kind of project that makes me rashy just thinking about it, so I’m rooting for her. And in the meantime I love those lofted ceilings and the chandelier in there as well as those sweet and personal family portraits that she DIYed over the bed.
Julia painted this dresser herself (I thought the neon handles were fun and unexpected) and got wood slices from the craft store and mounted white animal heads on them to beef them up. Look guys, that’s Ramsey on the left!
Out in the backyard it’s lush and charming. And if you look closely you might see something pretty awesome, especially if you’re a cat.
Yup, Julia made a cat enclosure consisting of a wire tunnel for them with her own two hands. They enter it through a cat door which is in the living room window above the couch. No joke, but I think Burger would live out there. I swear he’s half cat.
So a big thanks goes out to Julia and Jarrid for sharing their lovely home. As for Jarrid’s DIY help, he doesn’t like to work on projects at all, but he loves to bake, cook, and work in the yard so Julia says it’s a fair trade. You can read more about certain projects and how she did them over on her blog. My favorite parts of their house tour have to be that light fixture that Julia made from a bowl and those striped Ikea curtains that she painted as well as her general happy-go-lucky-meets-elegant style. What’s your favorite part? It’s the cat tunnel isn’t it?
Sarah {Lacquer and Linen} says
I just love Julia’s style!! Her home has so many beautiful personal touches. I can’t wait to see her tackle that chaise, she’s very brave!!
Ms. A says
Loving the couches in her living room. Any idea where they are from?
YoungHouseLove says
Hope she drops in with that info for you!
xo
s
Jennifer R. says
Wow, not what I expected from the outside. I guess you shouldn’t judge a book by the cover!
I love the design feel of the house. It does seem a little fussy and fancy with a 6 year old though! Glass tables, ceramic potted orchids, etc. Must be a very well behaved 6 year old! :)
LOVE the cat walk. My cat would never come in if he had that. Also Love the striped curtains!
Caitie says
Gorgeous house!! Also did anyone else think Julia looked like Kate Middletons doppelganger? I had to do a double take!!!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s funny! I think she looks like Kristen Davis! http://www.kfddesigns.com/
xo
s
Rebekah says
Super cute house and just wanted to say that I love the photography on this crash! Great job!
YoungHouseLove says
That was all Julia! She submitted all the photos via email and they were so awesome we said “done and done!”
xo
s
Ashley says
Dude! That cat tunnel is GENIUS! My cats would freak and be out there all. the. time! I’ll have to remember that for the future.
I also love the painted curtains. Off to check out how she made them on her blog!
Jennifer says
So excited to see Julia’s home being featured here. We share a connection to the same little town in Germany and I love all her subtle little nods to our shared heritage (the garden gnomes, cuckoo clocks, everything!). Great feature!
Jenn says
Cat Tunnelllllllllllllllllllll
jenn from much to my delight says
It’s such a small thing, but I love the turquoise rim on her kitchen stools. So subtle, but really adds a nice pop to that space. Also, I really love that she greeted you with bare feet!
Brandi says
So excited for Julia! It’s been a pleasure getting to know her and her blog this past year. She’s a great blogging buddy with impeccable taste!
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says
That cat tunnel is awesome! Well her whole house is. I would never have guessed the inside would be so customized looking at the outside.
Veronica says
Any chance you guys know where she got the geometric area rug in the living room? I just LOVE it! Is it an outdoor rug?
YoungHouseLove says
I believe so! I’d hop over to her blog and see if she has the source listed there.
xo
s
Sara says
I love that it’s a ‘normal’ builder house in the outside-just goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover! I love all the rugs and fabric and prints-that bold mirror on the landing is amazing! I can’t wait to peek at her blog for someof the tutorials.
Jeanet says
Oh dear, another blog I HAVE to follow. So many ideas from these photos alone. Thanks for the inspiration.
Linda says
The garden and the kitty tunnel are the best! Below is a link to the famous Bob Walker kitty house, speaking of decorating for our feline buddies. I think they’ve sold that house and are moving east. But between this house crashing and Bob’s house, I really must step up my game for my kitties!
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/pets/2013/07/18/take-tour-the-cats-house/eM1wIDzkjsxbKZOmmDKG4J/pictures.html
YoungHouseLove says
Those cats a LIVING THE LIFE!
xo
s
Amy says
Yup! The cat tunnel. So cool! I really like the outside round patio. Very cozy! And, I also really like the blue trim on the kitchen bar stools, such a fun little accent! Beautiful home!
Leah says
Cat tunnel FTW!
Sarah says
I love the cat tunnel!!!!
Also where is that great living room rug from? I now covet it.
YoungHouseLove says
Someone else was asking that too. Hope she drops in with that info!
xo
s
Natalie says
My jaw wide open at that tunnel of cat… Must do this…
And those painted lamps just inspired me to do the same to our so outdated green and gold ones we got for free from a church rummage sale. Thanks for the link to her blog, you guys are great!
Sara says
I love the two mirrors that went unmentioned. The red one in the hall by the cool light she made out of a bowl, and the turquoise one in their bedroom.
Wendy says
Love the personal touches that make her house a home. It must be difficult for a creative person to be restricted by a home owners assoc., but she certainly has overcome the disappointment!
The cat tunnel? I prefer Cat Walk:) Great idea for house cats to get some fresh air and light!
Jill says
Hee hee! They are shaking their little (furry) tushes on the cat walk!
Megan Poletti says
I absolutely love the color palette in this house. The pops of neon and blue amongst the white and grey is just beautiful. And all the deer! Be still my heart. Me want.
Lauren Nicole says
That light fixture made from a bowl is brilliant … pun intended! I also really love their landscaping. I long for a yard that has that coordinated, easy feeling to it like theirs.
Megan Nugent says
What a beautiful home, I just may incorporate some of her design ideas into our home!
Sarah says
Fellow rug lovers, I found it!
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Poolside-Grey-Bone-Indoor-Outdoor-Rug-53-x-77/6551506/product.html
YoungHouseLove says
Sweet! Thanks for sharing the link Sarah!
xo
s
April Southers says
Beautiful house!!! She has awesome skills :) But by far my favorite is the cat tunnel!! Now if only I had the fence I would totally be doing that at my house!!
Laurie says
It is the cat tunnel. Sorry Julia! That is a stunning home and I LOVE how creative her design is. I love seeing things that surprise me and that I would have never thought of. The colored edge on the stool. Brilliant. Just that little pop and detail that kicks that area up a notch.
My Scarlet would love that tunnel though. I have a little dog/cat door too that I would like to figure out how to utilize for her so she can play outside.
Lauren (in PA) says
If I’m not mistaken…isn’t that Clara’s same dresser with the orange lamps on it?!
I have the same one.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah – looks really close!
xo
s
Emily says
Hard to pick a favorite, but I love her entire living room and those mounted animal heads over the tv in the bedroom! Can’t forget the cat tunnel, that’s pretty darn cool too :)
Laurie at Laurie Jones Home says
Seriously would have never guessed that house would look like that on the inside! It’s like the whole can’t judge a book by it cover thing! (: What a fun and pretty house that just screams the family’s personality! Thanks for sharing!!!
Andrea says
:D so funny! I came across Julia’s blog when I searched for outdoor ideas for cats ;) love her house!
Sehr schön!
Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland :)
Andrea
Lorelei Reed says
The cat tunnel!! Genius!!! My poor rescued ferral kitty, Bad Alice (believe me she earned her name, let’s all have a moment of silence for the $1000 white leather sofa that hit the trash pile before it was even paid off!) is exiled, albeit in luxury, in the master suite…partly due to the potty training adventure she is on (you have to devote a toilet soley for her use for the duration of the process) partly do to the aforementioned sofa incident and partly due to the arrival of Miss Maizie Belle the 9 month old dinosaur-sized Bouvier Des Flandres puppy with the heavy prey instinct….a cat tunnel to outside would give her a grand change of scenery…I better run right over to her blog to get the instructions!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, Bad Alice made me laugh (while observing a moment of silence for the leather sofa, of course).
xo
s
Theresa says
Julia your house is AMAZING! I actually completely love how the outside is “cookie-cutter” and the inside is so personalized. I love everything. Your house is beautiful! I have no clue how you manage with a glass table with kids but it looks fab. in there. xo
Kiran says
I don’t think there’s anything I don’t like! It’s fun, quirky, and relaxing. I feel more creative just looking at the photos. I can’t imagine how much inspiration flows through everyone who passes through Julia’s front door!
Celena says
I like the house & truly my favorite part IS the cat tunnel. It’s hard to find something for kittycats that doesn’t look tacky and this is spectacularly done. And I seem to be developing an attachment to ceramic/cardboard/etc deer heads & antler sets! Thanks for sharing.
Diane says
The cat tunnel is purrfect!
Cassie says
Beautiful!!
I hope Julia is ready to have her house featured on Pinterest, because I just pinned things!!!
Question: Did you happen to ask what they do with the cat tunnel door in the winter? Do they close it off or have they magically blocked it from a cold breeze and snow coming in?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a good question! Maybe it’s like a doggy/kitty door so it’s insulated when closed and only lets air in when they push it open? Hope she drops in with that info!
xo
s
Julia @ Cuckoo4Design says
Oh and in my excitement I forgot to mention earlier that one of my readers mailed me some pictures of her tunnels which are for her 8 chihuahuas, so not only cats like it.
I hope she lets me write a post about it one day.
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow, that’s AWESOME!
xo
s
Heather @ Forsythia + Oak says
This looks exactly like a development in my hometown- so weird! I wonder if she’s my neighbor haha.
Kasey @ Debt Perception says
I LOVE the catwalk/enclosure thing! That’s definitely a dream home feature I want!
Diana says
I love how she’s taken something so builder basic and made it so gorgeous & personalized on the inside!! I am amazed.
Julia at Home on 129 Acres says
So my first favourite thing is obviously her name. But my second favourite is wing chairs. Wing chair with deer pillow! Wing chair bed! We Julias love our winged furniture.
brittanyMakes says
We love Julia! And of course we love her home! So awesome to see her home featured here :) Congrats Julia!!!
Beks says
I would TOTALLY do that cat crawl thing. My cat, Henry, LOVES going outside, but he’s also a wimp, and declawed, so he wouldn’t be much good outside. But having a place for him to go is a great idea!
oh Holland says
Tremendous ingenuity, stunning results!
I’m aching to see Julia unleashed on a vintage home with no regulations controlling the exterior.
betty (the sweaty betty) says
I love all her colors. my house is a grey pallet as well. I need to hijack that curtain idea! i’m in need of some new curtains!!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
Julia has a fantastic sense of style, and I love how her personality shines through her design! She is also one of the sweetest bloggers around! Thanks for featuring her.
Mikki D says
For another great redesign inspiration… You guys need to check out what Daniel just did with his kitchen over at Manhattan Nest (www.manhattan-nest.com). Amazing, right!? I knew you guys and your readers would love it… and for only $1200. Wow! Always fun to see all the great talent out there… Love your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
He’s amazing! John and I were just drooling over it yesterday night!
xo
s
Jennifer says
Awesome! We share a love of brightly colored mirrors and picture frames. Borderline obsessed with the red mirror in the hallway. Scratch that, completely obsessed with the mirror in the hallway!
cassie says
Julia is one of my favorite people with amazing style! She and I have now met in person twice- one to thrift and once to take our kids to Hershey park! She is beautiful inside and out and I can’t say enough good things!