Quick update: Today we’ll be getting cozy in Boston at the West Elm on 160 Brookline Avenue for cookies, cocoa, and a book signing at 6pm. More info here. We’d love to see you there!
We shared a sneak peek of this House Crashing adventure in our post about Cincinnati, and after sorting through more than 200 photos we finally put this full tour together. Let’s step inside and take a good look around.
Right away the cheerful yellow front door caught our eye, complete with a tiny welcome note and three glass panes that let light in. The house belongs to Rick and Jessie, who were some of the kindest hosts we met in Cincinnati. They waited for us at the hotel when our flight was delayed, drove us to their place, let us photograph the house, and then drove us back. We spent a few hours chatting and touring the home, and by the end of the visit we felt like friends.
The house is full of handmade, thoughtful details. A mason jar vase hangs from a rustic wooden coat hook by the front door, and the door itself is painted in a bright, welcoming yellow.
The kitchen might look familiar if you follow reader makeovers. Seeing it in person was a treat—the space is clearly loved and well used. The cabinets are Ikea units that the owners installed themselves, paired with a butcherblock island and soapstone countertops across the rest of the kitchen surfaces.
The soapstone is a beautiful dark surface that reads like honed black granite in photos, though it felt more subtle and sophisticated in person. Rick and Jessie mentioned that it has been easy to maintain so far and hasn’t shown problems with staining or scratching, which makes it an appealing alternative to other dark honed stones.
Where the refrigerator is built in, they framed a chalkboard that adds a warm, personal touch to the kitchen. A simple yellow stool pops against the darker finishes, and the chalkboard message about loving the sun in their home felt especially sweet—ironically, we were shooting after sunset because of the delayed flight, so we worked without much natural light for the first time during a House Crashing visit. Even so, the house’s charm translated well in the photos.
From the kitchen you can look into the dining space they’re working on. They plan to build in a bench for a banquette effect and hang large artwork between floating shelves. A striped runner grounds the area and adds a cozy, finished feeling.
The living area features a striking wood accent wall that immediately drew us in. DIY projects are sprinkled throughout the home: a painted media cabinet, custom art prints that display meaningful dates, and other personal touches that make the space feel curated and authentic. Each handcrafted element added personality and warmth.
Opposite the wood wall is a small desk nook with a cheerful green filing cabinet and more homemade artwork. The layered styling—mixing practical storage with art and color—creates a lived-in, creative vibe that balances function and style.
A yellow glass lamp adds a playful note on a side table, paired with a swirly canvas that complements the lamp’s shape and hue.
In the hallway, a homemade growth ruler records the heights of their two girls, a simple and sweet family keepsake. That kind of personal detail appears throughout the home and gives a clear sense of the family who lives there.
Both daughters have rooms filled with creative, handmade touches. The younger child’s room showcases framed craft-paper art and a homemade mobile that feels whimsical and age-appropriate.
The other daughter’s room includes a fantastic play kitchen that any child would adore. The home-made plastic animal art mounted on the wall was one of those clever, memorable details that made us smile—an imaginative use of simple materials to create something distinctive and fun.
Rick and Jessie’s home is both practical and personal, full of DIY projects, thoughtful details, and meaningful family touches. We’re grateful they welcomed us, let us take photos, and shared stories about their home. My favorite moments were the playful animal wall art, the charming play kitchen, and the deep, rich soapstone counters—while John was especially taken with the apron sink and the modern dark window trim above it in the kitchen.
Psst — if you want to keep exploring House Crashing tours, you can find dozens of adventures in our House Crashing category.