Yay! We finally sorted through more than 1,000 photos from our ATL adventure and put together the first of several House Crashing posts. This one features Jae, who lives in the Atlanta area and kindly invited us over to snoop and take pictures. Her home is a great example of using bold color and pattern in some spaces while keeping others light and airy—a lively, well-balanced combination. Let’s get crashing.
Jae greeted us with warmth and good humor. We chatted and laughed the whole time (Katie B joined us too) and immediately noticed the cheerful yellow front door that sets a playful tone for the whole house.
Walking in, the dining room is on the left, painted in a bold, saturated hue and dressed with bright patterned curtains and cheerful artwork. The space instantly lifts your mood. A black-and-white striped rug and black frames play nicely against the white trim and beadboard—another example of Jae’s confident mixing of elements.
Here’s a wider view of the dining room, featuring a dining set Jae found on Craigslist—she painted and reupholstered the chairs herself for a personalized look.
We loved Jae’s sense of humor—her chalkboard read “House Crashed!” in celebration of our visit, which made us laugh out loud.
I also admired the oversized glass vases she’d collected and tucked around the house, some filled with simple branches. The eating nook in the kitchen felt calm and inviting—I could have happily lingered over tea and biscotti.
The other side of the kitchen includes glass-front cabinets and flecked granite counters that keep the space feeling light and fresh.
The mosaic marble tile backsplash was stunning—I couldn’t resist touching it. One of my favorite design moves in the kitchen is the black window sash; it adds a dramatic contrast that reads beautifully against the otherwise airy palette.
The peninsula features industrial-style stools, a stainless range hood, and open corner shelves that display Jae’s curated collection of pretty objects.
Off the kitchen is a handy laundry room and pantry with floating shelves that hold dishes and beverages. We also spotted a clothespin chandelier inspired by an earlier project we did—seeing it made us blush. The mix of wood trim with other wood-toned accents, like the clothespins and woven basket, felt cohesive and intentional.
In the living room, dark brick and original wood trim create a cozy, grounded atmosphere. The room still feels bright and crisp despite the darker elements. Jae mentioned possibly poly-staining the wood to unify the tone without painting it—an attractive compromise that keeps the original character intact. The mirror above the fireplace adds sparkle, and the only tweak on her to-do list is replacing the ceiling fan.
One of my favorite vignettes in the living room combined a cork-filled glass lamp, a pop of blue from a purse and a pouf, and a simple console desk—small details that bring personality and warmth to the space.
Upstairs, the bedroom felt like a breath of fresh air—serene, welcoming, and grounded by wainscoting behind the bed. Jae and her husband cleverly swapped beds with a friend, trading for a sleigh bed they loved. Small thrift-store finds get a facelift here too: a tired table covered in a slipcover becomes an elegant skirted nightstand.
Playful details continue with ornaments used as monogram markers for each side of the bed—simple, personal touches that make the room feel lived-in and loved.
We also peeked into a bathroom mid-renovation. Although the room wasn’t finished, Jae and her husband had already done a clever DIY: converting a dresser into a double-sink vanity by cutting holes for two sinks, adding faucets, and topping it with a slab of granite. We’re excited to see the finished space.
Many thanks to Jae for welcoming us into her home and letting us share these photos. Her house is full of thoughtful details, bold moments, and cozy corners that make it uniquely hers. What’s your favorite part? I’m torn between the black window sash in the kitchen and the charming laundry room, while John keeps raving about the kitchen and the clever double-sink dresser vanity.
Psst—If you’re hooked on snooping, check out more House Crashing adventures in our archive.