Quick note Book holla! -We’re publishing this post early since we’ll be at our stop in Wilton, CT this morning and then we’ll be at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ at 5:30 pm (and staying as late as it takes to hang/sign/geek out with everyone). More details here. We’d love to see ya!
Recently we took a road trip up to Northern Virginia to visit a fantastic home we knew you’d enjoy. Located in the charming town of Herndon, Michele and Nate poured a lot of love, time, and hard work into their house. Let’s dive into the tour.
Here’s the friendly couple. They were welcoming and humble, and we appreciated them inviting us (and Clara) to explore and photograph their home. Thanks again!
Behind them you can see a striking painted accent wall Michele created using painter’s tape and a lot of patience. I also loved the console table—an inexpensive HomeGoods find that was stained a darker walnut to tone down its original bright orange finish. It’s a great reminder that good lines and materials can be saved with finish work. If you look past it into the living room you’ll spot a colorful rug similar to one we used in our guest room; it adds a pop of color that guides you from the entryway into the space.
The dining room is charming, with two matching light fixtures hung above the table for a playful, balanced look. Notice the wainscoting and the textured wall treatment—they achieved the texture by starching and applying textured linen fabric to the wall, a removable technique that’s also rental-friendly.
The kitchen showcases major DIY commitment: new counters and backsplash, and cabinets they built themselves from scratch. They also sourced stools at a Crate & Barrel outlet—great finds. Adjacent to the kitchen they carved out a cozy wine nook with built-in storage and bench seating, turning an awkward recess into a functional feature.
One standout detail is the marble mosaic tile—absolutely gorgeous—and the farmhouse-style apron sink they chose from an online retailer. The combination feels both elegant and approachable.
The family room is cozy and inviting, thanks to large-scale artwork, a textured stone accent wall, and a deep wall color (Benjamin Moore Gunmetal Gray). The room pulls you in and makes you want to relax on the sectional—casual, warm, and comfortable.
The art above the mantel was made from an eBay map mounted on reclaimed wood, and the unique tree-trunk coffee table is a handmade piece. Michele explained they salvaged a red oak trunk after a storm, carved and hollowed it out, sanded and tung-oiled it until it became a striking, functional centerpiece.
Throughout the house Michele and Nate added thoughtful wood detailing, like trim along the stairway walls. The orb-like pendant in the stairwell was crafted from a found metal cage combined with a lighting kit for a distinctive statement fixture.
The guest room features dresser units that once belonged to Nate as a child—Michele refreshed them with Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray paint and new hardware. It’s a great example of updating and reusing what you already own.
The main bathroom impresses with details like a penny-tile border, dark floor tile, and a simple vanity sourced from a national home store. The result is classic, clean, and well-considered.
Downstairs, the powder room features a full accent wall of tile paired with simple sconces, a pedestal sink, and a rustic wood-framed mirror they made from salvaged lumber. The materials and finishes give the small space a big personality.
The garage was another highlight—so well organized and functional that one of us joked about moving in. Rather than discard their original kitchen cabinets when building the new ones, Michele and Nate repurposed them in the garage, priming and painting them for durable storage. The workspace was tidy, inspiring, and full of clever storage solutions.
Personal touches are sprinkled throughout the home, such as framed model airplanes Nate built as a child—kept and returned by his grandfather—and meticulously labeled bins of hardware that reveal a true type-A approach to organization.
And the backyard—wow. It felt like a private retreat: stone steps, carefully planned hardscaping, an outdoor kitchen assembled over time, comfortable outdoor furniture, and a tucked-away hot tub. The landscape details are exceptional—no surprise since both Michele and Nate are landscape architects. Planters collected and refreshed over time help unify the space.
That’s Michele and Nate’s amazing Herndon home—full of thoughtful DIY, creative reuse, and landscape-forward outdoor spaces. If you enjoy house tours, there are plenty of inspiring features here: the eBay-map artwork, the handmade tree-trunk table, the built-from-scratch kitchen cabinets, and the incredibly organized garage. What’s your favorite detail?
Psst—if you want to keep exploring, there are dozens of house tours available for more inspiration.