Welcome to another exciting edition of our beloved House Crashing series, where we explore the most inspiring and uniquely designed homes. We understand your eagerness to discover a diverse range of interior styles, so when the incredibly talented Katrina extended an invitation to tour her Richmond townhouse, we were absolutely thrilled to accept. Katrina is not just a mom; she’s a visionary creator who has masterfully blended an impressive collection of found and vintage treasures with brilliant DIY projects. It’s a true testament to personal style and resourcefulness. Today, we’re honored to introduce you to Katrina, her charming son Luke, and her supportive husband Nate, as they open their doors to share their remarkable living space.
Stepping into this stunning townhouse is an immediate immersion into warmth and sophistication. The entryway is enveloped in a gorgeous, cozy wall color – Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray – a choice that perfectly sets the tone for the entire home. This deep, inviting hue is beautifully complemented by the rich, gleaming wood floors, which Nate, Katrina’s husband, meticulously installed himself across all three levels. The attention to detail is evident everywhere you look, transforming what could be a typical townhouse into a truly one-of-a-kind abode. From the elegant vintage light fixture casting a soft glow to the unexpectedly charming, repurposed wooden shoe molds that now serve as quirky coat hooks, every element has been thoughtfully curated. This initial impression instantly signals that you’re entering a space brimming with personality, creativity, and a deep appreciation for unique, collected pieces that tell a story.
Ascending the stairs, you arrive in the main living room, a space that continues the sophisticated narrative established in the entryway. Here, the same rich Gauntlet Gray wall color creates a cohesive flow, yet the room takes on a distinctly lighter, airier feel. This is achieved through clever design choices, incorporating numerous lighter pops within the furniture, such as a crisp white sofa or a pale-toned accent chair, and the striking white mantelpiece. These lighter elements provide a beautiful contrast against the deeper wall color, preventing the space from feeling too heavy. Furthermore, a carefully arranged collection of pretty frames and strategically placed mirrors, including dazzling starburst designs, work in harmony to bounce natural light around the room, making it feel more expansive and vibrant. Katrina’s ingenuity shines through with her DIY touch on the Target starburst mirrors; she expertly applied Grecian Gold Rub-N-Buff from Michael’s, transforming them from standard store-bought items into luxurious, gilded statement pieces that radiate elegance and reflect light beautifully, adding an extra layer of sparkle to the room.
One of the most captivating and clever design solutions in the living room is found above the fireplace. Katrina faced a common townhouse dilemma: an awkwardly placed pre-wired hole for a TV, positioned on an angle that didn’t align with her preferred furniture arrangement. Rather than conforming to the builder’s layout, she devised an ingenious and aesthetically pleasing alternative. She sourced exquisite paper butterflies from a shop called Embellished Paper on Etsy, known for their delicate craftsmanship. These beautiful white butterflies were then artfully pinned to an old, rustic pallet. The rough, reclaimed wood of the pallet provides a striking textural contrast to the delicate, ethereal paper butterflies, creating a stunning focal point that is both organic and elegant. This innovative display completely conceals the unsightly TV hole, turning a potential design flaw into a unique, handcrafted art installation. It speaks volumes about Katrina’s ability to transform challenges into opportunities for creative expression, prioritizing beauty and thoughtful arrangement over conventional utility. The mix of rustic and refined is truly breathtaking.
Moving a little further into the living space, we discover a truly delightful and thoughtfully designed play area for little Luke. This zone is a perfect representation of Katrina’s signature style: a harmonious blend of old and new, and an artful combination of DIY projects with savvy store-bought finds. The foundation of this area is a practical bookcase from Ikea, a testament to affordable and functional design. However, it’s the personal touches that elevate it from simple storage to a charming, eclectic nook. An antique map, rich with history and character, adorns the wall, adding an educational yet whimsical element. Above it, an oversized clock commands attention, its bold presence contributing to the playful scale of the space. Perhaps the most charming DIY touch are the mason jars, which Katrina painted a crisp white and then ingeniously hung on the wall. These repurposed jars serve not only as delightful decor but also as clever storage solutions for small toys or art supplies. Together, these elements—the modern Ikea piece, the vintage map, the whimsical clock, and the handcrafted mason jars—coalesce to create a casual and inviting atmosphere that feels both curated and comfortable, perfectly suited for a creative child’s play and imagination.
Continuing our exploration of the living room, as you turn to the left of Luke’s vibrant play area, you get a fuller sense of the space’s transformation. It’s always fascinating to witness the journey a home takes, and this room offers a compelling narrative of how a blank canvas can be infused with personality and life. To truly appreciate Katrina’s vision and the depth of her design choices, it’s essential to see where it all began. This is what the living room looked like before Katrina and Nate moved in and embarked on their creative journey to make it distinctly their own – a simple, unadorned space waiting for its story to be told.
And now, behold the remarkable metamorphosis! This is the same living room, transformed into a vibrant, stylish, and deeply personal reflection of Katrina’s aesthetic. The contrast between the “before” and “after” is truly striking, showcasing the incredible power of thoughtful design, strategic color choices, and a generous dose of creativity. It’s a testament to how personal touches can elevate a standard space into something truly extraordinary and inviting, making it a perfect hub for family life and entertaining. The room now feels purposeful, warm, and utterly unique, a vibrant expression of the family’s character and flair.
What truly captivates in this transformed living room is Katrina’s masterful understanding of balance. The deep, dark walls, far from feeling oppressive, create a sophisticated and cozy backdrop. Against this rich canvas, the light-colored furniture truly pops, creating a striking visual contrast that adds depth and dynamism to the space. Furthermore, the large frames on the wall introduce a burst of joyful color through their cheerful yellow squares. This isn’t just any store-bought art; it’s another brilliant DIY from Katrina. She cleverly took inexpensive Ikea frames and paired them with vibrant yellow paper, then added some affordable medallions from the craft store. To elevate these simple elements, she spray-painted the medallions a gleaming silver before placing them within each frame. The result is a series of stunning, architectural art pieces that look far more expensive than their components, demonstrating how creativity and resourcefulness can yield spectacular results on a budget. This blend of dark walls, light furnishings, and custom colorful art makes the room feel both elegant and inviting.
Katrina’s talent for infusing small, deliberate touches that tie a room together is simply exceptional. A perfect example is the paper mache deer head, a stylish accent from Z Gallerie. Initially, this piece was all white and had a somewhat “plasticy” appearance, lacking the unique character that defines Katrina’s home. To remedy this, she ingeniously modge podged it with various wallpaper scraps, transforming it into a textured, bespoke work of art. The coolest part? She then topped it with a few extra paper butterflies, those same delicate accents used on the fireplace mantel. This thoughtful detail not only adds a touch of whimsical elegance to the deer head but also brilliantly echoes the butterfly motif from the other side of the room, creating a cohesive visual thread. As Katrina explains, “He was all white and a little plasticy looking so I made him look a little more special.” This personalized upgrade is a testament to her philosophy of making every item, no matter its origin, feel uniquely her own and contributing to the overall narrative of her home’s design.
One of the most admirable aspects of Katrina’s approach to home design is her unwavering courage to make her townhouse truly stand out. She demonstrates an extraordinary ability to imbue character into every corner, unafraid to veer from conventional decor. No detail is too insignificant for her creative touch, and I was continually delighted by the subtle yet impactful upgrades she integrated throughout the space. Take, for instance, the wide, graphic stripes she meticulously painted on just the inside of the pass-through leading to the kitchen. This unexpected burst of pattern creates a stylish visual transition and adds a bespoke architectural element without overwhelming the entire wall. Equally impressive are the custom burlap curtains she crafted with her own hands. Far from being ordinary, these curtains were ingeniously fashioned from old grain sacks, imbuing the space with an authentic, rustic charm and a rich texture that store-bought curtains simply cannot replicate. These thoughtful, personal touches are what truly differentiate Katrina’s home, showcasing her commitment to unique, handcrafted elegance.
From the kitchen side, the view of the pass-through and those remarkable grain-sack curtains is even more striking. The brilliance of using grain sacks is multi-faceted; not only do they offer an incredible depth of texture, but the fact that they often feature designs on both sides makes them akin to double-sided curtains, providing visual interest from any angle. This thoughtful choice creates a wonderfully collected and authentic feeling, instantly drawing the eye. Adjacent to this, my gaze was immediately drawn to a series of gleaming, oversized glass containers – I confess, I had an irresistible urge to rub my face all over their smooth, cool surface, a testament to their tactile appeal and pristine presentation. Katrina’s kitchen continued to evoke giant smiles from us, particularly because it proudly displayed the very same gray penny tile that we had so lovingly installed in our own last kitchen. Discovering such a personal design connection in her home was a pure delight, and yes, I absolutely took a moment to gently pet it, feeling an instant bond with her design sensibility.
Beyond the delightful penny tile, the kitchen continued to steal my heart with its sophisticated yet approachable design elements. The dark wood counters exude warmth and elegance, creating a beautiful contrast with the painted cabinets, which are expertly fitted with cool, dark Ikea hardware. This combination strikes a perfect balance between modern functionality and timeless appeal. However, the absolute crown jewel of the kitchen is the incredible built-in banquette that Katrina and Nate custom-added to the other side of the space. This brilliant addition not only maximizes seating and dining efficiency but also creates a cozy, inviting nook perfect for family meals or morning coffee. Above the banquette, a giant white mirror is strategically placed, acting almost like an additional window. Its generous size beautifully reflects light, making the entire area feel more spacious and open. Perched atop the banquette is a practical shelf adorned with pretty decorative baskets, offering stylish extra storage for kitchen essentials or decorative items. I am also a huge admirer of Katrina’s keen eye for lighting and furniture choices; the pieces, including the chairs and table sourced from The Decorating Outlet here in Richmond, appear effortlessly elegant yet incredibly chic, demonstrating her knack for finding high-quality, stylish items at accessible prices, contributing to a truly refined and comfortable kitchen dining experience.
That mirror, in particular, deserves its own moment of appreciation – truly, me-ow! Its sheer size and ornate detailing make it a magnificent statement piece that commands attention and adds a touch of grandiosity to the kitchen banquette area. The way it reflects light and creates an illusion of expanded space is nothing short of brilliant. What makes this piece even more special is its origin: Katrina managed to acquire this stunning mirror at an auction in Lynchburg, undoubtedly for a steal. This discovery underscores her talent for sourcing unique, high-impact pieces that infuse her home with character and history, proving that incredible design often comes from unexpected places and a sharp eye for value.
As we continued our ascent through Katrina’s remarkable townhouse, a noticeable and delightful shift in atmosphere occurred as we reached the third floor. While the first and second floors embraced the comforting depth of the rich gray tones, Katrina made a deliberate and highly effective choice to lighten the palette on the top floor, where all the bedrooms are nestled. Here, a soft and gorgeous blue tone, Olympic’s “Oasis,” washes over the walls. This transition immediately creates an airier, softer, and more serene ambiance, which is a perfect distinction for private sleeping quarters, fostering a sense of calm and retreat. The change in color palette feels like stepping into the clouds, a truly soothing experience. And of course, the journey up was made even more enchanting by the captivating art displayed along the stairs – it had me at hello! I was particularly drawn to a unique installation featuring rustic wood planks from which vintage glass bottles were artfully wired, a brilliant DIY creation by Katrina herself. This innovative piece adds a touch of industrial charm and artisanal beauty, perfectly complementing the tranquil blue hues of the upper floor.
The master bedroom, a sanctuary on the serene third floor, is a testament to comfort and elegant simplicity. The room boasts a sweet lofted ceiling, adding an architectural dimension and a sense of spaciousness that feels both intimate and grand. At the heart of the sleeping area is a plush bed adorned with fluffy white bedding, inviting pure relaxation and luxury. This pristine white creates a crisp contrast against the soft blue walls, enhancing the room’s tranquil atmosphere. Anchoring the bed is an elegant tufted headboard, a classic choice that adds a touch of sophisticated texture and timeless style. But it’s Katrina’s knack for repurposing that truly adds character. Beside the bed stands a beautiful vintage gate, which she ingeniously uses as a unique holder for her jewelry. This unexpected element blends functionality with antique charm, making a statement while keeping personal treasures beautifully displayed and organized. Every detail contributes to a serene and stylish retreat, perfectly balancing comfort with thoughtful design.
Further enhancing the master bedroom’s unique charm are two standout elements that perfectly encapsulate Katrina’s artistic flair. First, an oversized coral-pink lamp provides a vibrant pop of color, strategically chosen to pick up and complement some of the subtle tones within Katrina’s extraordinary homemade art piece hanging above it. This artwork is truly a marvel of DIY creativity; she used pastel crayons on a canvas, meticulously blending colors to create a soft, abstract design. To give it a professional, polished finish, she then poured a thick layer of clear resin over the entire surface, which not only protects the artwork but also adds an incredible depth and a glossy, museum-quality sheen. This technique transforms a simple crayon drawing into a sophisticated, custom art piece, demonstrating that high-end results can be achieved with accessible materials. For those inspired to try their hand at resin art, materials can easily be found at craft stores like Michael’s or JoAnn’s, allowing anyone to replicate Katrina’s innovative approach to personalized bedroom decor.
Adjacent to the master suite, Luke’s nursery is an absolute vision of charm and whimsical delight, designed with both serenity and playfulness in mind. The room is outfitted with light-colored furnishings, creating a bright, airy, and calming atmosphere that is ideal for a baby. The focal point of the wall decor is a sweet tree decal kit, which provides a lovely, organic backdrop. However, true to her creative spirit, Katrina didn’t just apply the decal; she made it uniquely her own by adding adorable little chalk creatures peeking out from behind the trees. This imaginative addition transforms a standard decal into a personalized, interactive mural, adding a touch of childlike wonder and storytelling to the nursery. It’s a perfect example of how small, handcrafted details can inject immense personality and warmth into a space, making it truly special for its little occupant.
While we regret that wider shots of the nursery didn’t turn out as planned, we were fortunate enough to capture a delightful curtain detail that perfectly encapsulates another one of Katrina’s ingenious and charming DIY tweaks. This particular project highlights her ability to elevate inexpensive, off-the-shelf items into custom, artistic statements. She took simple, budget-friendly Ikea curtains and, with remarkable creativity, colored them using nothing more than a regular old Sharpie marker. The result is a stunning, watercolor-ish effect that imbues the fabric with a painterly and whimsical quality, making the curtains appear bespoke and incredibly unique. This clever hack not only demonstrates exceptional resourcefulness but also offers a brilliant way to personalize a child’s room with artistic flair without breaking the bank. It’s these innovative, hands-on solutions that truly make Katrina’s home a treasure trove of inspiration for creative living.
Our House Crashing experience in Katrina’s Richmond townhouse has been nothing short of extraordinary, a true masterclass in creative and personalized home design. We extend our immense gratitude to Katrina for her incredible hospitality, for opening her doors, and for generously sharing such a wealth of design inspiration with all of us. Her home is a vibrant testament to the power of DIY, curated finds, and fearless personal expression. Now, it’s time for our favorite-part game! For me, the undeniable highlight was the cleverly designed eat-in area of the kitchen, particularly the built-in banquette, which perfectly combined functionality with elegant style and provided an inviting hub for family life. John, on the other hand, was completely captivated by the brilliant color palette shift that occurs when transitioning upstairs to the third floor. The serene, light blue of Olympic’s “Oasis” created a distinct and palpable change in atmosphere, truly making it feel like you were ascending into the clouds on that top floor, a peaceful retreat from the deeper tones below. Katrina’s home beautifully showcases how every detail, from the grandest transformation to the smallest artistic touch, contributes to a living space that is both deeply personal and endlessly inspiring.
Update: We’ve recently discovered that Katrina once maintained a blog. Although it’s no longer actively updated, we thought it would be valuable to share the link for those who wish to explore more of her past design insights and projects.
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