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Name: Lori and Greg Loomis
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Size: 1,950 square feet
Years lived in: 4 — owned

Many of us have loved seeing the country-farmhouse-inspired style in our favorite catalogs, but we doubt any of you have seen it implemented as well as in Lori and Greg Loomis' Richmond, Virginia home. We first saw Lori's home in a House Call, and we love what she's done since.

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After moving to Richmond from a small place in Washington, DC four years ago, Lori and Greg worked hard to fill out their home on a budget, and the result is a cozy and comfy home — ready just in time for a brand-new baby. Our favorite parts are the elements that we think fit perfectly in the Mid-Atlantic, and that can really be incorporated by almost any style: the white farmhouse sink and white subway tiles in the kitchen, the butcher block in the kitchen, bold striped roman shades, and plates on the wall — oh, and baskets! Baskets are a godsend for organizing.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: When we first moved to Richmond, we were both coming from small apartments in DC, so we had a lot to buy to fill the house. I spent a lot of time at thrift stores and antique shops, as well as scoping out CraigsList, to furnish and personalize our space. So, I would say that we have an eclectic style but that I generally gravitate towards the cottage look.

Inspiration: I get a ton of home decor magazines that I am always ripping pages out of and putting in a house file. I also love reading decor blogs like Apartment Therapy for ideas. Finally, I love visiting the homes of friends and family for ideas (my mom and grandmother both have beautiful spaces).

Favorite Element: We added on the back family room last year and expanded and remodeled the kitchen. I love the new combined living space both for entertaining and for just hanging out together.

Biggest Challenge: Closet space! Our house was built in 1925 and has tiny little closets. We had to take a portion of the master bedroom and add an additional closet, but we still struggle with storage space. So, we had to think about creative ways to add storage when we were decorating the house and designing the new addition.

What Friends Say: I like to think that friends and family enjoy coming over to our house and that we've created a cozy, welcoming environment.

Biggest Embarrassment: We have a dog and two cats that are constantly shedding, making it hard to keep up with cleaning, so I try to avoid looking at our floors most of the time! Also, we've done some work in the backyard but still have some work to do yet with pulling out and replacing overgrown bushes and ivy.

Proudest DIY: When we first moved in, I repurposed some of my husband's bachelor furniture (really just painting it and putting new knobs on a few pieces) to make it more of an updated style. I was glad that we were able to use most of what we had and not spend a ton on new furniture. A little bit of paint really can make a huge difference.

Biggest Indulgence: Remodeling the kitchen and adding on a family room to the back of the house. I really had to talk my husband into this one, but now we are both so glad we did it.

Best Advice: Buy what YOU like and don't worry about what other people are going to think/say about your space. You are the one that is going to live in your home, so it should make you smile.

Dream Source: My husband and I were in France a few years ago and stumbled upon an outdoor flea market. I was only able to buy a small picture because of travel, but I would love to have picked up a few pieces of furniture and linens while we were there.

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS


KITCHEN & FAMILY ROOM

    • Butcher-block island and stool: Craigslist
    • Sectional sofa: Room & Board
    • Pillows: TJ Maxx
    • Slipper chair: Target
    • Glass lamp: local antique store; shade from Target
    • Sofa table: local antique store

LIVING ROOM


DINING ROOM


GUEST BEDROOM

    • Bed, dresser, and skinny chest: Vintage
    • Bedding: TJ Maxx
    • Chair: Reupholstered thrift-store find
    • Mirror and vintage prints: West Elm

Thanks, Lori and Greg!

Images: Lori Loomis

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