Remember our friends Carey and Jordan? Earlier this year we “house crashed” their home and I still swoon over their mudroom. This time we visited another one of their projects: a freshly renovated, furnished rental in the Richmond area. It’s full of style, smart budget choices, and plenty of ideas you can steal for your own place.
The house is a sweet ranch being used primarily as a long‑term furnished rental with occasional short‑term stays between tenants. The look mixes thrift and discount finds with a few elevated touches: thrifted pieces, HomeGoods and Target accessories, plus higher‑end details like Restoration Hardware cabinet pulls that make the kitchen read more expensive than it is.
Carey tracked down great bargains in unexpected places — for example, she found the rug at a showhouse sale after the event ended (it’s a Justina Blakeney design for Loloi). A marble coffee table and sectional from CB2 were bought secondhand from a friend who was moving, which is a great tip for getting designer pieces at lower cost.
One of the most striking parts of this tour is the before-and-after transformation. Small, inexpensive changes — especially paint — delivered dramatic results. The living room and foyer were unified with Agreeable Gray by Sherwin‑Williams, opening up the floorplan and creating visual flow.
The front door was repainted in a deep, moody black (Caviar by Sherwin‑Williams) and they installed a sculptural pendant in the foyer. Small decor finds — a HomeGoods table and lamp and locally made framed prints — complete the entry without breaking the bank.
The kitchen before looked dated, but the after is almost unrecognizable. They didn’t gut the room — the existing cabinets remained, but a local carpenter built new inset doors and the whole set was painted Extra White by Sherwin‑Williams. That change, plus new black granite counters, classic subway tile backsplash, updated hardware from Restoration Hardware, a glass pendant over the sink, new stainless appliances and continuous hardwood flooring, completely modernized the space.
They also added a small cafe table for four to the kitchen area, which increases functionality without crowding the room. Using an outdoor rug under the table is a smart rental move — it handles spills better and stays looking good longer.
Small changes like removing an ornate header above the sink, swapping out a fluorescent fixture, and repainting open shelves turned a country‑looking nook into a clean, modern display. The result is bright, fresh and surprisingly cohesive.
The dining room felt dated and wallpapered before. Now it’s bold and lively with Indigo Batik on the walls, balanced by white Ikea curtains, a light‑wood table and soft neutral lighting. A large mirror above the sideboard reflects light and prevents the space from feeling too heavy — an easy trick for darker rooms.
Off the dining room, a small brick-walled nook was transformed into a cozy office/reading space. A playful pink chair and a small blue filing cabinet add personality, while a faux fiddle leaf and curated accessories keep the area inviting and functional. Little, colorful touches like these make a rental feel lived‑in and memorable.
The master bedroom went from worn and wallpapered to calm and layered. Carey and Jordan paired crisp white bedding and trim with a cozy wall color (Roycroft Pewter by Sherwin‑Williams). A textured rug and a bench at the foot of the bed add warmth, while simple, clean nightstands and lamps keep the look pulled together.
The bathrooms were updated with classic finishes: vintage‑inspired floor tile, crisp white fixtures, and thoughtful storage. A custom wood vanity in the master contrasts beautifully with white hex floor tiles. Simple upgrades like quality mirrors, sconces, and a colorful rug make a small space feel finished and inviting.
This tour is full of practical takeaways: paint can completely transform a room, new cabinet doors are often more affordable than full replacements, mixing high and low pieces yields a layered look, and choosing durable materials pays off in rentals. Carey and Jordan’s thoughtful balance of budget finds and key investments created a rental that looks intentional, comfortable, and modern.
Big thanks to Carey and Jordan for letting us photograph their work. If you’re local and interested in renovating or renting older homes, they help buyers and landlords bring properties back to life — their hands‑on approach shows in every room. And if you get the chance to meet Carey, be sure to say yes when she offers gumbo — it’s famously delicious.
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