My Houzz: Bright and Eclectic Ohio Family Home
A couple mixes vintage pieces with playful colors in a 1970s ranch house, creating a colorful and comfy space for their two boys
"I hated this house when we bought it," says Jody, an Ohio homemaker in the truest sense of the word. She and her husband, Danny, a sales manager, bought this 1970s ranch because they knew it would be a great place to raise their family. "All 4,000 square feet needed updating; both inside and out," she says. "But I love a challenge, and I was determined to give this house the heart and soul it deserved. I love it now."
Jody grew up in a century-old home with red woodwork, crooked floors, a big chalkboard and lots of family antiques. "It seemed like everything had a story behind it. Nothing matched, but everything went together," she says. "I have definitely adopted that in my own house." Taking inspiration from her childhood home, her current bright, eclectic house is filled with antiques and collected items from flea markets and antiques stores.
Who lives here: Danny and Jody and their two sons
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Size: 4,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That's interesting: The wallpaper in one of the son's rooms was from Danny's childhood room.
Jody grew up in a century-old home with red woodwork, crooked floors, a big chalkboard and lots of family antiques. "It seemed like everything had a story behind it. Nothing matched, but everything went together," she says. "I have definitely adopted that in my own house." Taking inspiration from her childhood home, her current bright, eclectic house is filled with antiques and collected items from flea markets and antiques stores.
Who lives here: Danny and Jody and their two sons
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Size: 4,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That's interesting: The wallpaper in one of the son's rooms was from Danny's childhood room.
Jody loves color, as seen on the bright red front door. The wreath was purchased at a barn sale.
Door paint: Maraschino, Behr
Door paint: Maraschino, Behr
"Welcome" written in multiple languages is a perfect invitation to enter the rest of the house. The living room is directly ahead, the kitchen is to the right and the bedrooms are to the left.
The zebra frame was purchased at the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market and repurposed with chalkboard paint.
The zebra frame was purchased at the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market and repurposed with chalkboard paint.
Jody's paint palette is often inspired by nature. In the living room, straw served as the primary color inspiration.
The couple's favorite places to shop for their house include flea markets, Harry & Annie's antiques store in Washington Courthouse, Ohio, and Anthropologie, where many of the living room furniture is from. The light blue P was part of a Philips lighting sign; Jody found it at the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market.
Wall paint: Expedition Khaki, Behr
The couple's favorite places to shop for their house include flea markets, Harry & Annie's antiques store in Washington Courthouse, Ohio, and Anthropologie, where many of the living room furniture is from. The light blue P was part of a Philips lighting sign; Jody found it at the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market.
Wall paint: Expedition Khaki, Behr
Jody says her favorite thing to do in their cozy living room is get a fire going and cuddle up on the couch with her family. "Someone always ends up playing the glockenspiel," she says.
The coffee table is made of leather and was purchased at a local antiques store.
Couch: Ikea
The coffee table is made of leather and was purchased at a local antiques store.
Couch: Ikea
This side table is actually an egg incubator purchased at a barn sale.
Jody tried to create a warm and inviting environment. "Certainly nothing fancy," she says. "We do a lot of entertaining for those ages five and under!"
The stone fireplace is original to the house and was supposedly built three times before it was considered "perfect."
The stone fireplace is original to the house and was supposedly built three times before it was considered "perfect."
A stone wall divides the living room and dining room. Doors lead to the deck. The chalkboard and art easel were purchased at the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market, and Jody found the large wooden sign at a nearby antiques mall.
The landscape painting is by artist Pete Morgan. Jody bought it at an art sale at the Columbus College of Art and Design.
Light fixture: Shades of Light; dining table: Pottery Barn; chairs: antique; rug: Design Within Reach
Light fixture: Shades of Light; dining table: Pottery Barn; chairs: antique; rug: Design Within Reach
"We've changed almost everything in the house," Jody says. "We added new flooring, new window treatments, new paint, fixtures, door hardware — you name it." In the corner, the original built-in desk was painted white to match the cabinets.
The couple's 11-month-old son enjoys crawling around on the new oak wood flooring.
The couple's 11-month-old son enjoys crawling around on the new oak wood flooring.
Even though they renovated so many things in the house, Jody says that "it wasn't until the kitchen was done that it felt like home."
Light fixture: Barn Light Electric
Light fixture: Barn Light Electric
To brighten up the kitchen, Danny and Jody painted the cabinets white and paired them with white subway tile. Dark porcelain tile countertops add contrast.
The kitchen renovation was done in stages over two months, but renovations on the entire house have been going on for more than three years. The couple thinks there are about two more years until they feel like everything is complete. Jody says, "My advice for those considering a renovation is to live in the house for a while before making decisions. I think getting to know each other pays off."
Cabinet paint: White Satin Impervo, Benjamin Moore
The kitchen renovation was done in stages over two months, but renovations on the entire house have been going on for more than three years. The couple thinks there are about two more years until they feel like everything is complete. Jody says, "My advice for those considering a renovation is to live in the house for a while before making decisions. I think getting to know each other pays off."
Cabinet paint: White Satin Impervo, Benjamin Moore
The wooden measuring stick in the laundry room belonged to Jody's father. She and Danny use it as a growth chart for the boys. The chalkboard decal is adorned with an inspirational quote from Dr. Seuss. The sliding door separates the kitchen from the laundry room.
Decal: Design Within Reach
Decal: Design Within Reach
"If my walls could talk, they would say, 'Come in!'" Jody says. Also: "These people really like to sing and dance! The golden rule rules. And there are always chocolate chip cookies."
Jody achieved a vintage look and style for the older son's room with antique Jenny Lind beds, vintage wallpaper and retro sports artwork. The wallpaper is from Danny's childhood room; his parents had stored a leftover roll in their basement. "I had just enough," Jody says.
Danny and Jody added the wainscot paneling in their son's room. The black and white framed poster is of Danny playing high school football.
Jody has an affinity for antique cupboards. The one pictured here in her youngest son's room is from Harry & Annie's antiques store. "I think I can fit in a couple more," she says.
Lion decal: Romp
Lion decal: Romp
The newly renovated bathroom features vintage badminton rackets, vintage horse prints and a bright red mirror.
The colorful basement functions as an educational playroom for the boys. The striped round table was originally from a T.G.I.Friday's restaurant. Jody picked it up at a flea market and paired it with chairs from Harry & Annie's antiques store.
Jody bought the oversize pinboard for $1 at a school auction and had to saw it in half to bring it home in their family van. She covered it in fabric from JoAnn Fabric and Craft.
Jody bought the oversize pinboard for $1 at a school auction and had to saw it in half to bring it home in their family van. She covered it in fabric from JoAnn Fabric and Craft.
Bird print: Wayne Pate