When Danielle and her husband Nick shared the listing for their beautifully restored Church Hill home, we couldn’t resist visiting in person. They purchased the house in 2003 when it was in rough condition and worked closely with the Better Housing Coalition to bring it back to life. Records show the property dates back to at least 1855, and although it’s unclear whether it was rebuilt after 1865, the house is undeniably historic and required a great deal of renovation when they bought it.
After two years of dedicated work, Danielle and Nick moved into the finished home in 2005. It became their first family home and a place they cherished for years. Now that their boys are older, the family is relocating to Bon Air for school reasons, but they’ll always love the Church Hill house they revived with so much care. Below is a closer look at the spaces and details that make this home so special.
The entry foyer feels grand yet welcoming, centered around a classic light fixture and highlighted by transom windows above the double doors. Those architectural details immediately set a timeless tone for the rest of the house.
In the entryway Danielle placed a large mirror she found on clearance, repairing a small missing piece and bringing the frame back to life. She paired it with a standout green cabinet sourced from a local thrift shop, painted in a soft Palmetto shade and glazed for depth. The result is a striking and practical entry vignette that mixes vintage finds with thoughtful refinishing.
The living room brings cheerful color into the home with sunny yellow accents. A sale-find side table and dramatic floor-to-ceiling curtains create a layered, layered look that balances comfort and style. The scale and texture of the drapery help define the room and make it feel cozy despite the high ceilings.
The kitchen feels elegantly Parisian, with granite counters that resemble marble, ornate wooden bracket details beneath the counter lip, and a classic subway tile backsplash. Metal stools make for family-friendly seating that’s easy to clean. Danielle cleverly combined two runners with rug tape to create a larger custom rug area for the kitchen, an economical and effective solution.
A deep double sink and a vintage-style faucet provide both style and function. Across the kitchen, a large bulletin board displays the boys’ artwork and keeps family life visible and organized. Over the sink, an industrial-style pendant light adds a touch of modern contrast to the classic finishes.
Directly off the kitchen, the playroom is practical and durable. Wall-to-wall seagrass carpet gives the room texture and warmth, while an Ikea patterned rug introduces color and pattern. White shelving units offer generous storage for toys, books, and magazines, making the space both tidy and accessible for children.
A beautiful gallery of vintage airplane watercolors hangs in a neat grid in the playroom—a meaningful collection that honors Danielle’s grandfather, who served as a Navy pilot. The arrangement is both personal and visually compelling, adding character to the family spaces.
Upstairs, the home offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Danielle and Nick created a small, framed moment along a diagonal wall featuring a cabinet and a curated set of frames containing treasured items like an ultrasound photo, baby footprints, wedding pictures, and family portraits. The bold black accents in the table and lamp add drama without overwhelming the composition, and white frames help integrate everyday elements like the thermostat into the display.
The hall bathroom features floor-to-ceiling subway tile, a smart renovation choice that also concealed wall issues discovered during the restoration. The tile extends behind the mirror for a seamless, unexpected look, and a non-working fireplace mantel remains as a decorative architectural feature that brings historic charm into the bath.
The master bedroom is calm and inviting, softened by breezy gray-blue curtains and a patterned headboard that gives the space a tailored, comfortable feel. The cover and lamps were sourced as sale finds and secondhand treasures, illustrating the thoughtful mix of new and used furnishings throughout the home.
Their older son’s bedroom is playful and well-appointed, featuring a nailhead denim headboard, a bold orange patterned rug, and lively window treatments. A planet mobile and graphic curtains add whimsical pattern and interest, while a long dresser provides ample storage topped by a driftwood-style lamp and a small, sentimental owl ornament placed there by family.
The guest bedroom is equally charming, with vibrant green curtains, scroll artwork, and a compact desk that makes the space both stylish and functional. Each room in the house demonstrates an attention to detail that balances historic architectural elements with modern family life.
Nick and Danielle’s Church Hill home is a thoughtful restoration that celebrates the house’s heritage while serving the needs of a modern family. From curated vintage finds to practical design hacks, the home showcases how careful renovation and personal touches can transform an older property into a warm, functional, and beautiful family home.
Psst—check out more house tours and renovation stories in our House Crashing series for inspiration and real-life renovation ideas.