John’s sister Emily has been busy since our last post about helping her move into the gorgeous new house she and her husband Todd designed themselves. In only a month she’s furnished, styled, and finished nearly every room, and she kindly let us come back for a fresh set of after photos. Welcome to the house tour.
The exterior is sleek and modern, with clean lines, abundant windows, and outdoor living on the front deck where Emily and Olivia like to relax. Built on a corner lot with green views in three directions, the design takes full advantage of the panorama. Although the home looks like a single level from the street, it’s actually three generous floors built into a steep slope: you enter the top-floor living area from the front and step out from the bottom floor to the backyard at the base of the hill.
Inside, the entry flows into an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area. Crisp white walls, warm wood tones, and stainless-steel light fixtures create a look that’s modern, airy, and refined without feeling fussy.
The kitchen is a standout: glass-front Jen-Air appliances, a Restoration Hardware pendant over an Ikea island, and a thoughtful mix of high-end and budget-friendly elements that blend seamlessly. The result feels purposeful and polished.
One clever detail is an Ikea pull-out pantry integrated at the builder’s suggestion. It’s accessible from both sides, so Emily’s two snack-happy kids can grab treats easily—a practical and kid-friendly solution.
The master bedroom sits on the top floor and includes an attached bathroom with both a jacuzzi tub and a separate shower. A standout feature is the sliding barn door on a stainless track, which provides privacy while adding rustic-modern character.
Instead of built-in closets, Emily and Todd opted for a wall of contemporary freestanding closet units from Ikea. They preferred leaving the floorplan flexible and tucking these wardrobes into the rooms, a decision they repeated in the kids’ bedrooms where Ikea armoires replace traditional closets.
The kids’ rooms are still being finished, and Emily has several DIY projects planned—like a custom upholstered headboard—so there’s more to come. For now, the guest bedroom is a charming mix of affordable and curated pieces: Target bedding, a couple of West Elm pillows, an Ikea lamp, and a thrifted chair give it a comfortable, collected feel.
What do you think—did the pull-out pantry or the sliding barn door catch your eye? If you have rooms you’d like to share, feel free to send photos. We’ll be back with updates on the kids’ rooms and some DIY tutorials soon. Until next time.