I have favorite big time / professional / elite designers whose style I’m drawn to but recently even my favorites’ work feels a bit stuffy and unrealistic. The spaces they design are totally stylish and magazine-worthy but not exactly what I envision my family living in on a day-to-day basis. Instead, I find myself drawing inspiration from homes decorated by the people whom live in them. Maybe – ? – it’s because I’m staying at home with the kids and spending almost all of my time in the house. Whatever the reason, I’m sharing the top five homes that inspire me to make my house a home. As far as I know, they are homes that have never been featured in print. Yet.
Each of them inspire me for different reasons – mood, architecture, light, character, décor, materials, etc. – and the range in aesthetics is broad. But the one thing they all have in common? I could totally picture my family living happily in each one. Here we go.
If I had to pick one to be a ‘dream house’ for my family, this would be it. HH would affectionately call it cheating but…the owners hired an architect to transform an original bungalow into this modern masterpiece. The modern architecture and sleek materials are right up HH’s alley and I like the wood tones, pops of color & pattern, and eclectic textiles. This home is clean and bright with just the right amount of warmth and cozy texture to make it feel welcoming. Truth be told, I would probably add a tad more décor-wise but I’m drawn to the simplicity of living with less.
With polished concrete, wood and tiled surfaces, I could see the shell of this house holding up to the abuse of our young family for years and years.
I’ve only seen peeks at this small and family-friendly home and I want more! I’m hoping the full house tour will pop up on Apartment Therapy someday. Anyhow, right off the bat this space feels oh-so-cozy and personal.
The oversized black and white photos, the pops of red, the painted brick walls, the overscale décor pieces, the neatly tucked in kid stuff…all of it makes me want to snuggle in with my family. This space is less than 900 sq ft {!} and yet it feels livable even for a family. The owner admits to tweaking each and every thing she could over a six year period. She bought the small condo as a single woman and has since added a spouse, a dog and two kids into the mix, revising the décor as necessary. For example, she and her husband turned the master bedroom into a kids’ shared bedroom. She’s passionate about living with only the things she loves and nothing more. So inspiring!
This home is owned by an interior designer but it doesn’t feel stuffy or too perfect so it makes the cut. I can appreciate all the work that this designer says went on behind the scenes {i.e. behind the walls}. You know I’m a sucker for showing houses a little TLC. The designer and her partner worked for months to bring plumbing and electrical systems up to date. Only then could they think about décor and furnishings.
Images of this home creep into my mind often. The tuxedo kitchen, the blue-black accent walls, the vintage rugs & pillows & throws, the mix of old + new…they all make this home unique and beautiful.
This home is owned by a writer and stylist. It has been so lovingly decorated that I had to include it in my top five. Oh, that bedroom!
This house is fearless. Fierce even. Moody walls? Check. White walls? Check. Ostrich wallpaper? Check. Trellis wallpaper? Check. Amazing art? Check. Everywhere I look something catches my eye yet it doesn’t feel cluttered or busy. I like that each room is different but you can tell they were decorated by the same person. Rules schmules. This home inspires me to be a little braver in my design choices. My family would have fun living in such a bold space!
Finally, this home is my #1 out of the five. It is the result of a year-long renovation of a 1950’s midcentury house. The owners {an architect and his wife} wanted nothing more than to create a simple, well-crafted space that works for the way their family lives. I love the idea of keeping quality family time in mind when renovating or decorating a home.
Square footage was added in the kitchen to make it a natural gathering spot for the family. The numerous wall built-ins scattered throughout the home provide moments of storage and display while keeping unnecessary furniture off the floor. I love that there isn’t a formal living room – just one relaxed and comfortable family room. To me, the décor is spot on for a stylish family. Much of the furniture and accessories are widely accessible. West Elm, IKEA, Home Goods, FLOR and CB2 are well-represented but they are mixed in with vintage midcentury pieces and meaningful art to give them a more lived-in feel.
The other thing I’m really drawn to about this home is its connection to the outdoors. During renovation, windows were reconfigured to optimize natural light and views of tree canopies while retaining privacy. The yard has all the things an energetic family would want – swing, trampoline, fire pit, outdoor dining – but they are simple and understated. This home is special indeed and one that I would never want to leave. It addresses all the things I look for in an inspiring home: mood {happy & casual}, architecture {well-thought & simple}, light {great natural lighting with views to the outdoors}, character {midcentury modern roots}, décor {elegant, family-friendly & accessible}, materials {high quality & durable}.
Those are the livable yet stylish homes inspiring me at the moment. Of course, I have many more house crushes but these five really do it for me. What homes do you look to for inspiration? I’d love to know. Please leave links to your favorite homes in the comments section below. With the bevy of resources available nowadays, I feel like I’m always missing something good!
Check out who won the mini Templeton here!
images: 1 & 2) Adrienne Breaux for Apartment Therapy 3 & 4) Apartment Therapy 5 & 6) Kristin Sjaarda for The Marion House Book 7 & 8) Anna Beth Chao, Ben Corda 9-11) Adrienne Breaux
budget decor, DIY, family life, inspiration, interior design, kid-friendly