Psst—sorry about yesterday’s truncated post, Reader users. A bad embed caused the cut-off (we prefer to share full posts, so if something appears shortened, you’ve spotted a glitch).
We’re painting again today! Not surprised? Neither are we. We’ll have another painting post tomorrow, but for now we wanted to share a house tour that felt too charming and inventive to keep to ourselves. It’s a lovely example of homeowners who buy a house and confidently make it their own. Over our time writing about homes, we’ve learned that the more personal you make a space, the less it might appeal to everyone else—but the more it will feel like yours. So don’t be afraid to leave your mark.
On to the tour: first, how sweet is the exterior of Laura’s house in Reno?
Here’s Laura with her dog Emma. She’s also the mother of three kids, so you can imagine she stays busy.
When you enter the home you find a wide foyer with a curved wall. Laura and her husband Dan got resourceful here: they turned old secondhand chairs into wall shelves. After cutting the chairs in half, they painted them a soft seafoam green (Seacliff Heights by Benjamin Moore) and mounted them to the wall. Small potted plants rest on each chair-shelf, adding life and charm to the space. It’s a simple, clever project that makes a big statement.
The dining room is a standout. An entire wall is covered in shutters Laura painted in a mix of soft, beachy tones. Many of the shutters came from Habitat for Humanity ReStore, thrift shops, and Craigslist. The room’s light fixtures and chairs (found on eBay) add to the eclectic, personalized feel. The table is an unexpected find too—an old university conference table repurposed to fit the space.
The kitchen blends classic and creative elements: traditional white cabinetry and subway tile pair with playful hanging pendants that Laura and Dan fashioned from Home Depot lamps. The couple doesn’t take their home too seriously, which shows in the welcoming, layered look. The industrial bar stools—once science stools from the same university as the dining table—add a quirky, cohesive touch.
To improve flow, Laura closed off one doorway and used secondhand window panes to subtly divide the space while keeping it open and airy. A colorful bench picked up at a thrift store was spray painted Lagoon by Rust-Oleum and given a glaze to soften the finish, creating a relaxed, slightly worn look that fits the home’s aesthetic.
In the bedroom, sheer curtains from Ikea are hung from the ceiling to create a makeshift canopy, adding height and a breezy, cozy atmosphere.
The bathroom references Laura’s childhood home from the 1920s with detailed tile work. Thick black counters and white cabinetry give the space a bold, classic contrast. Laura dreams of extending the subway tile all the way up the wall behind the tub to the ceiling, but for now she’s added an old thrift-store ladder and several hanging plants to bring texture and warmth to the room.
Many thanks to Laura and Dan for sharing their beautiful, fearless home. Their approach is inspiring—making bold, personal choices can transform a house into a space that truly reflects the people who live there. My favorite detail? The shutter wall in the dining room, especially with the glass pendants suspended in front of it. Gorgeous.
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