You may remember when we took you on a virtual tour of one of our favorite homes ever — a charming bungalow in Charlotte.
It belongs to our friends Matt & Kristin (and their adorable dogs Simon & Sage):
We love this house so much we had to come back for a second visit. On that return trip we noticed more details that felt like small brilliance: clever, practical, and instantly stylish choices you can copy in your own home. Below are five simple decorating ideas inspired by Matt & Kristin that make their bungalow feel pulled together and charming. Consider this a part two of the tour with quick, usable tips you can implement today.
And this (see the original House Crashing tour for more):
It’s an unforgettable home, and these five ideas are easy to adapt to different budgets and styles. Here they are — practical, decorative, and worth stealing.
Idea #1: Group bold art for a cheerful, graphic gallery effect. Matt & Kristin collect art without breaking the bank. They mix one-of-a-kind pieces with affordable finds, then hang similarly bold, colorful works together in an arrangement that feels semi-balanced but intentionally off-kilter. The offset placement of smaller frames beneath a larger central piece creates dynamic tension that reads modern and curated. If you don’t have original art, make your own: buy canvases in varied sizes and use saturated hues to color-block simple shapes. The result feels intentional and high-impact without a huge investment.
Idea #2: Don’t default to white interior doors. Every interior door in their bungalow is stained a deep ebony, which instantly adds contrast and definition to otherwise modest rooms. Even bifold closet doors and basic bedroom doors read more sophisticated with that moody tone. If your doors are natural wood, stain them; if they’re painted, try a rich black like Benjamin Moore’s Black Satin or Deep Caviar. A dark door color is an easy, dramatic upgrade that anchors a room and feels surprisingly luxe.
Idea #3: Paint window sashes for crisp definition. Black window sashes act like eyeliner for the house — crisp, framing, and elegant. If your window frames are wood or metal you can paint them with latex in a rich black for a sharp effect; scrape any stray paint from the glass with a straight razor for clean lines. If you have vinyl frames, add contrast with white curtains or Roman shades edged in black ribbon, or use black curtain rods to introduce the same linear drama. It’s a small change that visually sharpens the entire room.
Idea #4: Personalize a pendant light. Kristin found a drum pendant with a bold fabric and it became a standout feature. Rather than settle for plain white shades, choose patterned or textured fabric, or recover an existing shade with fabric to suit your room. You can recover a cheap drum shade with less than a yard of fabric and a bit of craft glue or iron-on hem tape. A customized pendant adds personality and elevates everyday spaces like breakfast nooks or dining corners with minimal cost and effort.
Idea #5: Make a pretty, functional drop zone for cards and letters. Kristin bought a deep wooden bowl for its warm orange tone and discovered it made the perfect landing spot for cards and correspondence. Instead of tossing cards immediately after reading them, she places them in the bowl in the front hall. Once a year she sorts through and keeps only the most meaningful items. The bowl becomes a tidy, sentimental staging area that honors the notes you receive without cluttering surfaces — part organization, part memory box, and completely attractive.
There you have it — five approachable, high-style updates inspired by Matt & Kristin’s bungalow. Each idea is adaptable for different budgets and tastes, whether you’re collecting art, staining doors, painting window sashes, customizing lighting, or creating a meaningful drop zone. Which one are you most likely to try? Have you spotted other easy ideas in their home you’d recommend? Share your favorites and start stealing these small but smart moves to make your home feel more considered and charming.