We can’t believe it’s been five years since we house crashed John’s sister Emily. Back then we visited right after they moved in; now they’ve finished many more rooms and it’s fun to see how the house has evolved.
Their front door is painted Cornichon by Martha Stewart — a small detail that always makes me smile when we pull into the driveway.
Here’s the family now. Emily and her husband Todd live with three kids and a sizable dog named Tuck, so this is a busy, hardworking home with a four-year-old, a tween, and a teen running around most days.
The house feels welcoming and relaxed without being precious, and it still reads as clean and modern — the kind of place that makes people do a double take and ask, “Three kids and a big dog live here?!” Emily has a knack for mixing thrifted finds, hand-me-downs, and affordable pieces from places like Ikea and HomeGoods with occasional splurges, so the home feels curated but completely lived in.
For example, the dining table is a yard-sale score, the ottoman came from HomeGoods, and the rug is from Marshall’s. They do save up for bigger items sometimes, like the sofa from Crate & Barrel that replaced a hand-me-down couch they used for a few years.
Their pared-back, clutter-free approach enhances the sunny, airy feel of the house. Todd is a photographer, so large windows that flood the rooms with light were essential when they designed the place themselves. The “everything we need and nothing extra” mentality keeps the house functional for kids and pets while reducing dusting and cleaning time.
Practical furniture choices show that style and durability can coexist. The West Elm chairs have wooden seats instead of fabric, so stains aren’t a concern, and the rustic table wears dings well — when their youngest bangs it with a metal car, it just becomes part of the character. The mix of light wood end chairs, deep red side chairs, and a medium-toned table keeps things informal and full of charm.
Lighting is one of the features that really stands out in person. The dining fixture is a secondhand Sputnik-style find that adds glamour and sits safely out of reach of kids and pets.
Emily uses several smart tricks around the house:
- A bold patterned rug hides stains and wear.
- Wipeable furniture — leather or leather-like pieces — are easy to maintain and often look better with age.
- White walls create a clean, airy backdrop; small marks are removed quickly with a Magic Eraser.
- A white sofa can be protected with a same-color washable blanket so the cover looks intentional instead of “blanket-covered couch.”
We also get asked a lot about non-white kitchens, so here’s theirs with warm wood cabinets.
They chose sleek white appliances instead of stainless steel, which look modern and clean. The appliances are from the Jenn Air series, the island is from Ikea, and the stools are from West Elm. Next to the fridge is a pull-out pantry that opens from both sides — a functional detail we highlighted in our first visit and one they still love for its convenience.
While the main floor stays light and airy, the kids’ rooms are colorful and playful. Olivia, twelve, has bright no-sew curtains Emily made with hem tape and an upholstered headboard we helped create. Her pink-painted dresser is topped with a sheet of clear acrylic to protect it from daily wear.
The curtain fabric came from a local Richmond shop, and behind the door Emily added hooks for bags to boost function. Above the mirrored Ikea wardrobe there’s a niche the builder added to squeeze in more storage for colorful bedding and bins, which is a clever use of space. The retro-style prints on the wall have been in Olivia’s room for years and still feel cheerful.
Another shot of the headboard and the pink desk shows the acrylic top protecting the painted surface — a simple and affordable way to keep a beloved piece looking fresh.
Jake, fourteen, wanted a more subdued room but it still reflects his personality with plaid bedding, a blue accent wall, a stained red side table that reads almost transparent, and basketballs mounted on the wall that he actually uses. Small nostalgic pieces like a yellow safe and a red gumball machine add character.
The basement rec room is a great hangout when the kids have friends over. Emily and Todd painted the concrete floor with a glossy, wipeable paint and layered in a large leather sectional that’s held up through spills and sticky fingers over the years.
One of the best things about their modern white house is how well it showcases pops of color and playful details. The back of their metal front door is magnetic and serves as a rotating gallery for kid art, photos, magnets, and small treasures — a simple, casual display spot the kids use all the time.
Emily and Todd’s home proves that modern, light-filled houses can absolutely be kid- and pet-friendly. Smart decisions — weathered wood furniture, wipeable fabrics, elevated fixtures, built-in niches, and a pull-out double-sided pantry — make the home both practical and beautiful.
Thanks to Emily, Todd, Jake, Olivia, Emanuel, and Tuck the Mutt for letting us take so many photos. What’s your favorite part of the house? Mine is the front door — both the happy green exterior and the fun magnetic interior — and Olivia’s bright striped curtains. Also, John still lovingly admires their appliances every time he visits.
Psst — the latest edition of Clara Conversations is up on Young House Life, and it’s my favorite one yet (I say that every time, but the kid keeps getting funnier).