Inside Lesli’s Restored Farmhouse Near Charlottesville, Virginia

You probably remember Lesli—our talented painter friend who lives out in the country near Greenwood, Virginia. She runs a lovely blog and lives in a charming century-old farmhouse with soaring ceilings and original details that give the whole place its warm, lived-in character. We visited recently and loved how she mixes vintage finds, DIY projects, and kid-friendly touches to create a colorful, comfortable home. Here’s a look around.

The entryway sets the tone: secondhand furniture given new life. A $50 bench was painted a lively teal, and a relaxed collage of mixed frames above it keeps the space playful and unpretentious. With mountain views outside, the house feels open and inviting rather than precious—perfect for family life. Little Clara jumped on a vintage suitcase during our visit, and it turned out to be a sweet hand-me-down from Lesli’s daughter.

To the left of the entry are two large rooms with enviable high ceilings. Lesli swapped the formal dining room out for a cozy reading and lounging area, moving the dining space to the other side of the house so the family could use the rooms in a way that made sense for them. The result is one airy, kid-friendly zone for relaxing and another comfortable living room for conversation.

Color is one of Lesli’s biggest design tools. Bold patterned curtains, bright mats framing kid artwork, and cheerful cushions give the room personality. She even designed the curtain fabric herself—an original horse painting she repeated to form an abstract, ikat-like pattern. That level of customization makes the house feel uniquely hers.

The adjacent sitting room used to serve as the formal dining room, but Lesli repurposed it into a relaxed spot with a large couch and a round coffee table that began life as a kitchen table—she simply shortened the base to bring it down to coffee-table height. It’s a practical, creative reuse that fits the house’s resourceful spirit.

Over the mantel hangs an original, oversized mirror—one of the many historic details the house still preserves. Paired with thrifted and refreshed furnishings, these architectural elements create a layered look that feels curated but accessible. Lesli’s approach shows how inexpensive pieces and a few well-preserved originals can coexist beautifully.

A painted secondhand cabinet brings in a cheerful pop of yellow, and a whimsical wooden fish on the wall bears the town’s name—small personal touches that make the home feel like a collection of stories. A bolt of fabric leaned casually in the corner signals Lesli’s maker mindset: the house is unfussy, practical, and full of potential.

The upstairs bathroom continues the theme with a mix of old and new: an ornate antique mirror alongside a geometric bath mat and fresh white tile. These contrasts—vintage details balanced with modern textiles—give each room a curated, eclectic feel without feeling overdone.

Lesli’s bedroom was mid-repair, but we did capture a cozy corner with a graphic-upholstered chair, a non-working fireplace filled with books, and a fabric-and-foam-core window cornice she made herself. She also shared a smart upholstery tip: she found a floor-model chair and recovered it affordably, proving that a designer look doesn’t have to come with a designer price tag.

One of the standout spaces is Lesli’s daughter Phoebe’s room, which features a colorful chandelier, a bold blue wall with a playful pink border, patterned cornices, and a geometric rug sourced on clearance. The twin beds are thrifted finds that Lesli painted and reupholstered—she removed the curved panels, added batting and fabric, stapled the fabric on the back, and reattached the panels for a high-end look achieved with straightforward DIY steps.

The boys’ room complements the home’s bright palette with orange accents and curtains Lesli made herself. A clever personal touch: clear, fillable lamps are filled with small toys and vintage cars—an inventive way to display sentimental items that are no longer in everyday use.

Lesli’s farmhouse is a great model for approachable, family-friendly design: original architectural details, a fearless use of color, and countless DIY transformations. From Spoonflower-printed curtains she created herself to lamps filled with childhood keepsakes, the house is full of creative touches that feel personal and practical. Our favorite? The thrift-store beds that were painted and reupholstered to look custom-made—proof that thoughtful DIY and a few well-chosen vintage elements can make a house feel truly like home.

If you’d like to see more house tours and creative home projects, there are many other features and home-crashing visits to explore.