Who’s up for a little house-crashing? This beautiful older home is located in Richmond’s Forest Hill neighborhood, and we couldn’t wait to share it with you. The owner, Wendy, is a professional retail designer and merchandiser who also creates light fixtures and frequently lends her home to commercials and photoshoots. In short, the house is practically famous — and the styling inside proves why.
The welcoming front porch sets the tone with a soft blue ceiling, a chippy vintage door, and a cheerful red mail box. Wide porch steps lead right up to the entrance and hint at the home’s classic charm.
Inside, a grand staircase guides you upstairs while a shimmering silver accent wall catches the light. Wendy painted it herself with craft-store paint using a dry-brush technique that creates a vertical, metallic-grain effect — it reads like wallpaper but with handmade personality. Above a grouping of art, three exterior lights add an unexpected, industrial touch.
To the right of the entry is the dining room. A freestanding pink industrial cart on casters stole our hearts immediately, topped with a decorative white duck decoy that felt perfectly at home. Playful metal stars hover over the doorway, and small framed artworks dance across the wall, giving the room a quirky, curated feel. A large, school-style chalkboard fills one wall with notes and drawings collected over time, adding warmth and history to the space.
Wendy’s talent for transforming thrifted finds is evident throughout the house. Many pieces come from local secondhand shops and roadside rescues, yet the overall look reads refined and cohesive. For example, the dining table was painted the same metallic silver as the entry wall during a spontaneous New Year’s craft session with her daughter — a fun, family-driven update that elevated the room instantly.
Lighting in this home is exceptional. Unique fixtures and one-of-a-kind pendants bring character to each room; many are items Wendy has hunted down or designed herself. Close-up shots reveal layered textures, interesting finishes, and carefully edited displays that feel collected rather than staged.
The living room features a large teal sofa Wendy saved up for after many visits to the store. It anchors the space and complements another original fireplace, while a giant clock above the piano—given to Wendy by her father—adds sentimental value alongside its visual impact. The coffee table, another cart on casters, reinforces the home’s mix of industrial pieces softened by vintage charm.
From the piano you can see into the entry and dining areas, creating an open, welcoming flow. In front of the fireplace, a tripod floor lamp designed by Wendy stands out with sculptural presence and elegant proportions.
Near the kitchen and laundry area is a second staircase, a reminder of the home’s original layout and generous footprint. Wendy concealed her washer and dryer behind custom-made, chippy-painted doors that incorporate architectural salvage—iron grates, ornate corner pieces, and vintage hardware—blending utility with beauty.
The kitchen centers around an old school cabinet repurposed as an island, complete with long, shallow drawers that are ideal for linens and kitchen tools. A vertically mounted plate rack repurposed to hold napkins and linens demonstrates Wendy’s eye for functional, decorative storage.
A guest room in the back of the house showcases chipped, multicolored shutters used as a decorative headboard and a tin basket of faux blooms — another simple, inventive reuse that adds personality without fuss.
Wendy’s home is a lesson in thoughtful curation: an asymmetric gallery wall of frames, shelves, vintage letters, and even old lighting hoops feels cohesive because each piece is chosen with intention. Her bedroom features a graceful four-poster bed and an airy en-suite bath that reads like a beach house spread in a magazine, complete with light curtains and a weathered dresser repurposed for towel storage.
We left inspired by the way this house blends thrifted finds, handmade details, and quality vintage pieces into a stylish, lived-in home. Thanks to Wendy for welcoming us in — and for the reminder that creativity and patience can turn secondhand treasures into something truly special. Wendy is currently selling the house, so anyone interested can contact her through her site for more information.
Psst—check out our recently created inspiration gallery for more than 330 other stunning spaces and searchable ideas by color or room.