John’s sister Emily has been nonstop since our last post about helping her move into the beautiful new home she and her husband Todd designed. In just a month she’s furnished, styled, and softened nearly every room, and she kindly let us come back to photograph the finished spaces. The result is modern, comfortable, and thoughtfully detailed — here’s a closer look at how the house came together.
The exterior reads clean and contemporary, with wide windows and simple lines that emphasize the view. Built on a corner lot with green space on three sides, the house was designed to take advantage of its surroundings. Though it looks like a single-level home from the street, it actually spans three generous floors carved into a steep hillside. The main entrance opens into the top-level living area, while the lower level walks out into the backyard through large sliding glass doors — a clever use of the sloped site that brings light and landscape into every level.
Step through the front door and you enter a bright, open-plan living, dining, and kitchen zone. White walls create a calm backdrop while warm wood tones and stainless fixtures add texture and a touch of shine. The pared-back palette keeps the interiors feeling sleek and unfussy, allowing furniture and accessories to stand out without competing with bold finishes.
The kitchen strikes a balance between high-end and accessible pieces. Contemporary glass-front Jen-Air appliances sit next to an Ikea island topped with a Restoration Hardware pendant light — an easy-to-love mix of investment items and smart budget buys. Thoughtful touches like generous work surfaces and practical storage make the kitchen both beautiful and functional for everyday family life.
One clever feature is the pull-out pantry Emily convinced her builder to incorporate. Sourced from Ikea, the pull-out unit is accessible from both sides, letting the kids reach snacks without disrupting meal prep. It’s a small detail that speaks to smart, family-friendly planning — plenty of accessible storage tucked into a streamlined footprint.
The master suite occupies the top floor and includes an attached bathroom with both a soaking tub and a separate shower. One standout design element is the sliding barn door on a stainless track that conceals the bathroom entrance. It provides privacy while contributing a contemporary rustic accent that complements the home’s clean-lined aesthetic.
Instead of traditional built-in closets, Emily and Todd chose contemporary freestanding wardrobes from Ikea. These modular storage units were deliberately integrated into the floorplan to maximize flexibility and visual simplicity. The couple liked the solution so much that they used similar armoires in the children’s bedrooms, creating a cohesive look throughout the home while keeping construction costs down.
The kids’ rooms are still evolving, with DIY projects and personalized touches planned for the near future — including an upholstered headboard tutorial they intend to share. In the meantime, the guest bedroom shows how layered, affordable decorating can look polished: Target bedding, a few West Elm pillows, an Ikea lamp, and a thrifted chair combine to create a welcoming, stylish space without a big budget.
Overall, Emily and Todd’s home demonstrates thoughtful, modern design paired with practical solutions for family living. From the panoramic windows and multi-level layout to the mix of high-low furnishings and clever storage, each decision supports both style and everyday function. If you’ve been inspired by the pull-out pantry or the sliding barn door, let us know — and if you have your own room makeovers to share, we’d love to see them. For now, that’s a wrap on this house tour — thanks for coming along.