Quick update: Tonight we’re cozying up in Boston at West Elm on 160 Brookline Avenue for cookies, cocoa, and a book signing at 6pm. We’d love to see you there!
We teased this House Crashing visit in our Cincinnati post and finally sorted through the 200+ photos we took. Ready to let ourselves in?
See that cheerful welcome note on the yellow door? It was a perfect first impression. Meet Rick and Jessie—two of the kindest people we met in Cincinnati. They waited for us at our hotel when our flight was delayed, drove us to their house, chatted while John photographed the rooms, and drove us back. After that many shared stories and laughs, we felt like friends. But enough small talk—let’s tour their lovely home.
Little handmade touches are everywhere, like a mason jar vase hung from a rustic wood coat hook beside the door. The door itself is painted Valspar’s Santa Monica Blvd, and the glass panes add a lovely, airy detail.
The kitchen might look familiar if you followed a Reader Redesign post. It’s even better in person—the rest of the house matched its charm. The cabinets are IKEA, and Rick and Jessie installed them themselves, pairing butcherblock on the island with soapstone across the other counters.
The soapstone has a deep, subtle pattern that reads more refined in person than the photos suggest. They reported no staining or scratching issues so far, and it feels like a smart, low-maintenance alternative to honed black granite.
Next to the built-in fridge they framed out a chalkboard that reads “we love the sun in our house.” Ironically, we shot after sunset due to the delay, but their warmth and the home’s thoughtful details still produced great photos. That cheerful yellow stool was a standout accent.
From the kitchen you can see into the dining area they’re developing. Their plan includes a built-in bench for a banquette feel, large art between floating shelves, and a striped runner that adds warmth and texture.
In the living room a reclaimed wood wall creates a cozy focal point. Every piece felt personal—from the painted media cabinet they DIY’d to homemade art displaying meaningful dates. The house was full of thoughtful, smile-inducing elements.
Opposite the wood wall is a compact desk area with a cheerful green filing cabinet and more handmade art. Little vignettes like this show how practical and pretty can coexist.
I also loved the yellow glass lamp paired with a swirly canvas—a simple pairing that brightens the room.
In the hallway they use a homemade ruler to track their daughters’ heights—a sweet family touch that made us smile.
Rick and Jessie have two daughters. The youngest’s room featured framed craft-paper art and a handmade mobile that felt whimsical and personal.
The older daughter’s room was packed with playful, kid-sized delights—like an amazing play kitchen that any child would adore.
One of our favorite details was the plastic animal art—a fun, quirky statement that Jessie adapted from an idea she loved and made her own. It was a delightful, whimsical touch that captured our hearts for a moment.
That’s a wrap on Rick and Jessie’s charming home. We’re so grateful they waited for us and welcomed us in while we photographed and chatted. Our favorite parts? The plastic animal art, the play kitchen, the rich soapstone counters, and John’s love for the apron sink with dark window trim above the kitchen sink. If you enjoy peeking into other houses, there are plenty more House Crashing features to explore.