When Julia invited us to tour her home—a typical cookie-cutter Pennsylvania house from the outside, constrained by community rules even down to the front door color—we fell in love the moment she virtually welcomed us inside.
Meet Julia. She shares this home with her husband Jarrid, their 10-year-old son, their 6-year-old daughter, and three affectionate cats.
The house strikes a lively balance between quirky, playful details and classic, elegant choices. Soft neutral walls and crisp white molding pair with unexpected elements like a cardboard deer head and a sparkling crystal chandelier. From the hallway you can glimpse the living room, where these contrasts continue.
I love how classic pieces—a round mirror, a tufted sofa, and a white pedestal table—sit alongside bold geometric patterns in the rug and the curtains (those stripes are hand-painted onto plain white Ikea panels). A transparent coffee table keeps the seating area feeling open and airy. Most furnishings come from thrift stores and estate auctions; the few splurges were on the kitchen counters, the sofas, and the bed. Ikea plays a big role in the home too, which makes for an inviting, layered mix.
Julia manages to keep orchids alive, which is impressive. One of her practical tips for living with two kids and three cats is to use indoor/outdoor rugs—easy to clean and durable.
I appreciate Julia’s fondness for playful décor—cuckoo clocks, gnomes, and deer figures—things she calls “silly” around the house. Those whimsical touches make the space feel personal and joyful.
She repurposed a lamp into the chandelier over the kitchen sink, and those are the countertops she invested in. Small handmade details, like the blue stripe she painted on the stools, add warmth and personality.
From the living room you go up the stairs to a hall featuring a ceiling fixture Julia crafted from a bowl. She also painted the dresser and lamps in that space. One cherished piece is a painting by a German World War II–era artist who knew her grandmother’s family, making it a sentimental keepsake.
In her daughter’s bedroom, Julia found a headboard in a neighbor’s trash and repurposed it. Horizontal stripes on the wall contrast with thinner black-and-white stripes on the headboard and bedding, creating a lively, coordinated look.
An art wall across from the bed displays rotating pieces using a simple wire-and-clip system, so the gallery can be updated easily and frequently.
True to her love of quirky items, Julia hung a cuckoo clock in her daughter’s room and painted it together with her. It’s a delightful reminder of the projects they do as a family.
Julia is still searching for the perfect bedside tables and is considering reupholstering the chaise herself. Meanwhile, the room’s lofted ceilings, chandelier, and DIY family portraits over the bed make the space feel polished and personal.
She painted a dresser herself and added neon handles for a fun pop. Wood slices from a craft store serve as mounts for white animal heads, giving the piece playful character.
The backyard is lush and charming, and if you look closely you’ll spot a feature that their cats absolutely love.
Julia built a cat enclosure—a wire tunnel that connects to the house through a cat door in a living room window—so the cats can safely explore outdoors. It’s a brilliant DIY solution that their pets clearly enjoy.
Thanks to Julia and Jarrid for sharing their warm, creative home. Jarrid prefers baking, cooking, and yard work over DIY, but together they make a great team. Favorite highlights include the inventive light fixture made from a bowl, the hand-painted striped curtains, and the overall blend of cheerful, whimsical accents with timeless style. Which detail stands out to you?