Inside a Kid-Friendly Modern Home: A Five-Year Update on Emily and Todd’s House

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since we first dropped in on John’s sister Emily’s home. They’ve completed many more rooms since we last visited, and the house continues to feel cheerful, practical, and stylish — the kind of modern, lived-in family home that proves white walls and kids can coexist beautifully.

The front door is painted Cornichon by Martha Stewart, and that happy green always makes you smile when you pull up to the driveway. Emily and Todd live here with their three children — Jake, Olivia, and Emanuel — and a sizable dog named Tuck. It’s a hardworking household with a four-year-old, a tween, and a teen all running around, and the design strikes a great balance between durability and a clean, modern aesthetic.

Emily’s approach to decorating is resourceful and relaxed: thrifted finds, yard sale treasures, hand-me-downs, and well-chosen affordable pieces from places like Ikea and HomeGoods. They splurge occasionally when something special is worth saving up for — for instance, their sofa from Crate & Barrel replaced an older hand-me-down one after a few years.

Living and Dining Areas: Practical, Unfussy, and Full of Light

The main floor feels open, bright, and uncluttered. Todd is a photographer, so large windows and strong natural light were priorities in the house design. The result is a space that feels airy without sacrificing personality. A yard-sale dining table, a HomeGoods ottoman, and a rug from Marshalls prove that smart shopping goes a long way.

The furniture choices are intentionally practical: wooden West Elm chairs avoid upholstered seat stains, an old rustic table hides dings caused by play, and a mix of chair finishes keeps the look informal and charming. Lighting has a big impact too — a secondhand Sputnik-style fixture adds glam up high where kids and pets can’t reach it.

Design Tips from Emily

• Choose bold patterned rugs — they conceal stains and traffic wear.
• Opt for wipeable furniture materials like leather or faux leather; they’re easy to maintain and can gain character over time.
• White walls make rooms feel open and airy; small marks are easy to remove with a Magic Eraser.
• A white sofa can be protected with a washable white blanket that blends in rather than sticks out.

Kitchen: Wood Cabinets, White Appliances, and Smart Storage

The kitchen shows how contemporary choices can feel unexpected and polished. Instead of stainless steel, they chose sleek white appliances from the Jenn Air series, which still look crisp and modern after five years. The island was built from Ikea components and topped with West Elm stools for a comfortable, everyday setup. A pull-out, double-sided pantry next to the fridge adds exceptional convenience — accessible from both sides, it’s the kind of functional detail that makes daily life easier.

Kids’ Rooms: Color, Function, and Personality

The main living spaces remain light and neutral, while the bedrooms are playful and colorful. Olivia’s twelve-year-old room features no-sew curtains made with hem tape, an upholstered headboard the family built, and a pink-painted dresser topped with affordable acrylic to protect the finish. The walls are painted in Valspar’s Lazy Days — a calm base for bold curtains and organized storage niches above the wardrobes.

Hooks behind the door add simple hanging storage for bags, while built-in mirrored wardrobes from Ikea maximize floor space. A small recessed niche above the closet gives a place to store colorful bedding and bins, showing how thoughtful builder tweaks can add real functionality.

Olivia’s desk and headboard are practical and pretty — the desk surface protected by acrylic keeps it usable for crafts and homework. Jake, now fourteen, prefers a more subdued look: a blue accent wall, plaid bedding, a stained red side table, and sporty wall storage for basketballs give his room personality without fuss.

Basement and Recreation Area: Durable and Kid-Proof

The finished basement doubles as a rec room for friends and family. Concrete floors were painted with a glossy, wipeable floor paint, and a large leather sectional makes for an easy-to-clean seating area. This combination provides durability for messy play and flexibility for adult gatherings.

Playful Details and Everyday Functionality

One of the house’s most charming features is the back of the metal front door, which is magnetic and serves as a rotating gallery for kid artwork, photos, and magnets. It’s a casual, joyful touch where the kids frequently stop to display new creations. Small, smart choices — weathered wood furniture, wipeable fabrics, high-up statement fixtures — make the home welcome and practical.

Final Thoughts

Emily and Todd’s house is a great example of how a modern, white-focused home can be fully lived in, kid-friendly, and beautiful. Practical decisions, layered pops of color, and a few well-placed design upgrades make the home feel effortless and well-suited to family life. Thanks to Emily, Todd, Jake, Olivia, Emanuel, and Tuck for letting us take so many photos — it’s inspiring to see the ways thoughtful design and everyday living come together in one warm, functional home.

P.S. The latest edition of Clara Conversations is up on Young House Life — she keeps getting funnier by the day.