You probably know Lesli — a friend who lives out in the country in Greenwood, Virginia. She’s an incredible painter (you may remember the giveaway we did with her), runs a lovely blog, and lives in a charming old house full of 100+ year-old details and extra-high ceilings we can’t help but covet. Her home feels like an ideal version of “old farmhouse” style: worn-in, welcoming, and full of personality. We were excited to get a tour and share it with you.
Nearly every piece in Lesli’s house has been given new life. In the entryway sits a secondhand bench she picked up for $50 and refreshed with paint. Above it she’s arranged a playful mix of artwork that gives the space an easy, beachy vibe. The house has gorgeous mountain views, but nothing feels precious or untouchable — it’s kid-friendly and relaxed. Clara had a blast exploring, and there was no need to hover nervously over fragile items. Fun little details, like the suitcase Clara stands on in one of the photos (a gift from Lesli’s daughter), make the home feel lived-in and personal.
To the left of the entry are two large rooms with enviable, tall ceilings. The front room functions as a living area, while the back room used to be a formal dining room. Lesli found that her family used that space more as a sitting area, so she converted it into a casual reading and lounging zone with a large sofa — the kind of practical change that makes the house work better for everyday life. She relocated the dining table to the other side of the house, creating an informal flow that fits her family’s routine.
Color and pattern are standout features in these rooms. Bold patterned curtains, bright pink mats framing kid art, and a colorful plush toy on the sofa keep the energy upbeat and cheerful. Lesli even designed the curtain fabric herself: a horse painting she uploaded to Spoonflower and repeated to create an abstract, ikat-like pattern. It’s the kind of creative, DIY move that feels both personal and unexpected.
Behind the main living area is the former dining room, which Lesli turned into a second seating area. She’s flexible with the floorplan, adapting the house to fit her family instead of sticking to the original layout. One clever repurpose: a round coffee table that started life as a kitchen table — she simply cut down the base to coffee-table height. Small, practical updates like this make the home both beautiful and functional.
A striking antique mirror above the mantel is original to the house and adds a dramatic, historic touch. Lesli fills the rooms with inexpensive finds and thrift-store rescues painted or refreshed to suit the space, so everything feels approachable rather than precious. It’s the kind of home you can relax in and actually live in.
Elsewhere, a secondhand cabinet she revived with paint offers a cheerful pop of color, and a wooden fish hung on the wall is labeled with the town’s name — a small, charming nod to place. A bolt of fabric propped in a corner adds texture and a casual, collected look; the whole house has an unfussy, easygoing feel.
Upstairs, the bathroom mixes old and new: an ornate antique mirror pairs with a modern geometric bath mat (a TJ Maxx find) and crisp white surfaces. In the bedroom we spotted a graphic chair, a non-working fireplace filled with books, and a handmade window cornice Lesli constructed from fabric and foam core — it looked surprisingly authentic and well-made. The chair was a floor-model bargain she recovered with affordable Dwell Studio fabric, and a local upholsterer charged only $100 for the work.
One of the standout spaces is Lesli’s daughter Phoebe’s room, which won a kids’ room contest in the Washington Post. It’s a joyful mix of color and pattern: a playful chandelier, a bold blue wall with a pink border, fabric cornices, and a geometric rug scored on clearance. The thrift-store beds in Phoebe’s room are especially impressive — Lesli painted and upholstered the headboards herself. The curved panels pop out, so she added batting and fabric, stretched and stapled it on the back, and reattached the panel. The result looks high-end but was a smart, budget-friendly DIY.
The boys’ shared room is equally well thought out, with orange accents like an oversized ceiling shade and custom curtains. One of the most inventive touches there are the fillable glass lamps Lesli found at Target: she filled one with tiny toys and another with old toy cars, transforming sentimental items into decorative features. It’s a simple, sentimental idea that keeps cherished objects on display without cluttering shelves.
Lesli’s house is a great example of how creativity, thrift-store finds, and thoughtful tweaks can bring an old farmhouse to life. From custom-printed curtains to repurposed furniture and lamps filled with memories, the home feels vibrant, personal, and entirely livable. Big thanks to Lesli and her family for welcoming us — we left feeling inspired and excited to try a few of these ideas ourselves. What’s your favorite detail? I can’t get over those thrifted, reupholstered beds — they’re brilliant.
Psst — Don’t want to stop exploring? You can check out dozens of house-crashing adventures in our archives.