Inside a Historic Richmond Home: Chuck and Mim’s Artistic, DIY-Focused Tour

When our friend Noah Scalin — a published author and skull enthusiast — suggested we tour his parents’ remarkable house in Richmond’s vibrant Fan district, we were eager. Chuck and Mim, both established fine artists who moved from New York City to this charming 100-year-old Richmond home, have shaped the space to reflect metropolitan loft sensibilities while honoring the house’s historic character. The result is a lived-in, creative home full of thoughtful DIY details, collected finds, and carefully chosen artwork. Here’s a virtual tour of their space.

First, the exterior greets you with classic Fan charm, a hint of the historic architecture inside and the contemporary touches that make the house uniquely theirs.

The entryway features custom tile commissioned from a fellow artist, a small but meaningful detail that sets the tone for the craftsmanship and personal touches found throughout the home.

The living room is bright and inviting, furnished with an eclectic mix of pieces: chairs discovered on the street, thrift-store finds, DIY artworks, and a few modern accessories. Chuck and Mim complement their collected furniture with art from student exhibitions at VCU, an affordable way to build a one-of-a-kind collection while supporting emerging artists. Much of the décor evolved over time and on a budget, proving a high-style look doesn’t require high-end prices. Chuck even hired an art student to patch original floorboards — a smart way to preserve history while supporting local talent.

The kitchen is modest but highly functional, with open shelving and a peninsula that offers ample workspace and casual dining. It’s an example of how practical layout and thoughtful styling can make a small kitchen feel generous and welcoming.

Throughout the house, historic elements such as tall ceilings and the original staircase coexist beautifully with modern furnishings and artwork. This mixed approach—merging contemporary, industrial, and vintage pieces—creates a cohesive, comfortable atmosphere rather than a period-specific museum.

One striking design move is how the couple blends old and new without letting the house’s era dictate every choice. Modern, clean-lined pieces sit naturally alongside antique architectural details. The result is a curated, personal home that feels intentional rather than overly matched.

Chuck and Mim have a talent for creating memorable focal points. One example is a recessed, backlit niche they added into an otherwise plain wall. Backlighting from a window plus a hidden light source below turns the niche into a gallery for glass bowls, plates, and vases, transforming a simple wall into a custom display.

The hallway between the public areas and the bedroom demonstrates thoughtful cohesion: instead of disguising the transition between dark bedroom flooring and bleached floors on the other side, they used both finishes in the hall to create an intentional and eye-catching transition that visually connects the spaces.

The bathroom remodel shows their skill at combining design and resourcefulness. They built a linear sink vanity with horizontal wood strips and echoed that pattern in a custom radiator cover. The original door was reused: the knob was re-chromed, an interior panel removed, and recycled glass from a former window inserted. A large glass-block panel now brings generous daylight into the room, and a nearly invisible floating glass shower with a rainhead fixture completes the modern, airy feel.

Chuck’s DIY spirit extends to custom metal doors inspired by a favorite designer. By taping a checkerboard pattern, sanding exposed squares to create a brushed effect, and adding streamlined handles, he achieved a dramatic look without the high price tag.

Being working artists, Chuck and Mim make use of studio space. Chuck’s studio is a collector’s delight, full of salvaged metal letters from old Richmond signage, vintage gadgets, and tactile objects that spark creativity. He’s not shy about asking stores for their retired letters during renovations, a small practice that yields big character.

One final DIY highlight: a cost-effective light installation inspired by a pricey Parisian fixture. Chuck collected clear film canisters, drilled small holes in their tops, and threaded white string lights through them. The flexible, moveable fixture now provides a soft, diffuse glow in the open living area and demonstrates how creativity and thrift can achieve striking results.

Chuck and Mim’s Richmond home is a wonderful example of how historic architecture and contemporary living can complement each other. The house celebrates originality, reuse, and thoughtful design choices that prioritize personality over trend. Many thanks to them for opening their doors and sharing a space that’s equal parts gallery, workshop, and home. Which detail inspires you most — the stainless checkerboard doors, the custom radiator cover, the striped hallway, or the bedroom niche?

For more inspiring home tours, explore other projects in our House Crashing gallery.