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?
Annmarie@smartstylishandgreen says
Thanks for sharing the photos! Love it when people mix splurges with one-of-kind finds from estate sales — ’tis the only way to get a home that is uniquely you.
Amy Beam says
Julia,
I adore your style. It is fresh and modern, but also playful and seems to reflect your families personality. Great job and it seems much hard work.
Koliti says
Gorgeous!
Yep, count me in on the cat tunnel lover crowd – awesome idea! I bet the lizards in the yard wished we had one.
Crystal says
Love the cat tunnel. That is just so cool! Where did she purchase the wire hanging system in her daughter’s room? Is it IKEA? I SO need one for my little guy’s artwork!:)
YoungHouseLove says
Hope she drops in with that info for ya!
xo
s
Erika says
That cat tunnel is awesome!! My favorite part :)
danielle says
it’s the cat tunnel! i need to make something like that for our PICA-ridden dog who eats EVERYTHING he finds in the back yard…
Andrea says
I love Julia’s style! Love the cat tunnel – what a great idea for those of us who don’t let their cats out. I really liked the stripe on the stools, the curtains, and the walls in her daughter’s room. I’m always worried my lines will be crooked! :-)
Kayli Schattner says
Wow! What a beautiful house- I love all of the little surprises and quirky additions.
Cindy says
I’m not a cat person, but that IS pretty rad. My favorite space is the living room, especially that coffee table. I also love the orange lamps and mirror. :)
Tirsa says
Love all the splashes of color around the house. Such an inviting place. Thanks for sharing!
Anne Weber-Falk says
Yes, the cat’s tunnel. That is my FAVORITE!!! Love that! Someday I am going to do that for my cat.
Brynne@TheGatheredHome says
So excited to see Julia’s home featured today!!! Julia – you’re the awesomest!
Angie says
Speaking of Ramsey, saw this “taxidermy” that seems perfect for John — and super easy to DIY with any old bicycle parts lying around!
http://www.remodelista.com/posts/bicycle-taxidermy
Keep up the great work on the new digs.
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
Melanie says
OMG I LOVE the cat tunnel! I wish I could build that for my 5 kitties but our HOA would despise it! LOL yea for kitties!
Meredith F. says
I really enjoyed having a look at Julia’s house!
On another note, have you ever read the Skippyjon Jones book by Judith Schachner to Clara? Your comment about Burger being half cat reminded me of this hilarious book about a cat who thinks he is a Chihuahua. The flip side of Burger! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
I love them! So cute!
xo
s
Beth says
Most awesome cat walk, ever.
Kim says
Yeah, that cat tunnel is pretty sweet! My cat would LOVE that! His previous owners declawed all of his paws so he’s an indoor cat, but he loves to sneak out on the patio if he gets the chance. He doesn’t like to walk on grass, though (it’s a weird texture issue he has with it… he avoids certain textures… it’s actually pretty funny to watch, since he’ll purposely walk around things that he doesn’t like to touch) so this little cat tunnel would be his outdoor-dream-come-true!
Chaney says
LOVE seeing this here! I love her house too! Thanks for sharing :).
Jessica Huber says
Ahh, a German girl after my heart! With my husband’s family being from Switzerland, I also have cuckoo clocks, deer and the like added in the house. Mixed with modern, in my kids playroom, it’s so fun! She’s inspiring me to paint a lamp a glossy, bright color. Love this!
Christina @ The Murrayed Life says
This might be my favorite house crashing you’ve done! I love the mix of old and new, funky and classic. So well done! And it’s really inspirational to me that even though they have to conform on the outside, they still made such a personalized nest on the inside. Great job guys!!!
erin says
love all the quirkiness!!! it’s great to see a mix of ikea and other stuff, like i’m not a huge fan of ikea, but you do it so well that it doesn’t feel like anything is ikea!
and that cat tunnel is pretty awesome.
Laura stutzman says
Yay Julia!! Was so excited to see this and know you must be dying:) Julia is a great blog friend and she deserves the feature for not only being budget conscious and brilliant but also a very supportive genuine person! Love following all her great finds and DIY talent!
Laura
House Envy
Holly P. says
It’s the cat tunnel…I am in LOVE with that cat tunnel and want one immediately!
Julianne says
Pretty creative style! Nice home, and yes, that cat tunnel ROCKS!!! :0)
Bethany @ Dwellings By DeVore says
love her and her house!
Sheris says
That wire system for displaying artwork is fantastic – did she mention where it can be purchased?
YoungHouseLove says
Hope she stops by with that info! I’ve seen them at Ikea I think!
xo
s
Sabrina says
I have to go with the cat run. Double bonus since I’m allergic to cats, so this way I could watch them do their crazy cat thing without them getting their dander all over me.
Sara Guza says
Love the little art gallery idea..perfect for my son who loves to make art! And the painted curtains have me wanting to make some of my own!
statia says
OH.MY.GOD. A CATIO! I had to get all capsy, because I’m SO stealing that idea! I LOVE IT.
katalina says
must have plans for the cat enclosure!!
even though her HOA won’t let her change the color of a door but you can have a cat paradise enclosure?
HOA rules here are so strict in no va that you have to fill out forms to maintain deck stain and front door colors and plantings! and yet you can live next to someone that never cuts their grass and illegally makes the basement windows bigger over the weekend!
Dani says
Holy cow. That living room is amazeballs.
I also have deer cushions and cuckoo clocks and our next house will be having a cat run – Julia you’re a woman after my own heart :D
Kelly says
Their house is awesome but as a fellow animal lover have to admit I am totally taken with the cat tunnel. Love it!!
Shawna says
How does one paint curtains?
YoungHouseLove says
You can mix latex paint or acrylic paint with textile medium to make it more flexible so it works on fabric. We did a tutorial for painting striped curtains in our book if it helps!
xo
s
Debbie says
Really lucky six year old girl! Who else has a lily pad “canopy” bed?
Cyndi says
I love Julia’s “splurges” particularly the sofa/loveseat and bed. If she is following comments, can I find out where she got them, brand, model/style, etc? Both the sofa and bed are almost exactly what I have been thinking to purchase myself. Thanks!
Also, is there anyway to post an additional picture of the cat tunnel entrance in the living room. Would love to see how she did that. My kitty would love it to. :)
YoungHouseLove says
I think you’ll find all that info over on Julia’s blog if that helps! She also may drop in with more details here for you.
xo
s
Lisa says
Yay, Julia’s house! I’ve been following her blog for a while. You missed her pretty powder bath!
Kayla @KR Dixon Designs says
Love Julia and her style! I’m so glad you featured her home! I do not know how she keeps those orchids alive! Mine die so fast and never bloom again:(.
Blessings,
Kayla
Brianne says
If your orchid dies, you can cut the stem to about 1 inch from the base, keep watering it (3 ice cubes once a week), and a new stem will grow and flower. This at least works if the leaves are still green – I did this with my own orchid and it worked!
Emily says
Ugh, MAJOR house envy! One year in and our house is nowhere near finished (thankfully some rooms are though). Julia has such great taste/vision.
Laura says
Yes my favorite part is definitely the cat tunnel. It makes me want to have a backyard for my indoor kitty!!!!
Janke says
I LOVE Julia’s house! My favorite things: the living room and – of course! – the cat enclosure! I’ve been showing pictures of it to my husband for several weeks after I came across it on Pinterest. The cats and I are begging him to build something like this for our backyard. Fingers crossed, fingers crossed….
Greetings from a fellow German girl! :)
Renee says
I love the ikea wire system for hanging kiddos’ art in her daughter’s room. Especially on the horizontally striped painted wall. I’m imagining something like that in our house but covering the WHOLE wall. A mix of photos, prints & kids’ art. Inspiring!
Nancy says
I love the cat tunnel. I is kind of hidden and not “in your face” but what lucky cats to have a creative owner so that they can enjoy the great outdoors!
ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
That cat enclosure is pretty cool! Smart idea! I love those blue lined stools in the kitchen, too!
Kathy S says
Where does she get a paintable cuckoo clock??
YoungHouseLove says
Hope she drops in with that info!
xo
s
Dana says
I love the grey that she used? What color is it? How she keep her house so light, and clean with 2 kids?
YoungHouseLove says
Hope Julia stops in with paint info (feel free to hop over to her blog for that as well). As for the kids thing, I think she addresses that on her blog (along with how she lives with three cats and keeps it nice and fresh in there).
xo
s
aussiebeachgirl says
I’m so glad you showcased Julia’s house. The exposure is very well deserved! My item of choice is that fantastic light fitting over her dining table – such awesomeness! Cheers, heather x
Sheryll & Critters. says
I love every single tiny detail of Julia & Jarrid’s house. And YES, I absolutely, desperately wanting to copy her kitty kat enclosure for my 5. I have two that whine and whine if I don’t let them outside and it worries me so much that they will get hurt. My Maine Coon does not leave the property, but my little girl Sapphire will and it makes me crazy.
I think it is the purrfect house!
Ashley says
Love the curtain above her kitchen sink. Did she make that herself?! Would love details on that!
Gwen, The Makerista says
I know her! What a great feature! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
I saw her beautiful cat enclosure on Pinterest! It’s amazing!