Schoolhouse Visits a Traditional Virginia Colonial With a Pink Door
If you’re lucky enough to visit Katie Bowling and her family at their traditional Southwestern Virginia home over the holidays, a pale pink door—adorned with a wreath—will be the first thing to welcome you. And inside, you’ll get the same pairing of colonial elements and splashes of bright colors. “We were drawn to it because so many original features from the 1960s were still exactly as they were built,” Bowling says. “I love a good time capsule where we can just add our personal touches.”
Since purchasing the home five years ago, Bowling, who lives there with her husband and three children, has added her own personal style—by way of some Schoolhouse touches—to take the home’s traditional elements and make them all her own. Here’s how she does it.
Tell us the story about how you found your home—what drew you to it?
A few years ago, we wanted to move back to Virginia to be closer to family. We wanted to buy a home with an income property attached, and we thought we would buy something like a duplex. Somehow we found a 3,000-sq-ft home that had everything we could possibly want (with a basement apartment that we rent out now). It also is on the same street as my parents. They [actually] considered buying it when I was in middle school!
Describe your personal style, and how it’s reflected in your space.
I love embracing the traditional style of the home and adding color and fun and function to it. I want our home to be classic, but I also want to be inspired and have it spark joy. I also love rustic pieces, and so did my grandparents. I love that I can use things they collected to add personality and character to our home.
What design era inspired your home?
Our home was built to fit in with the neighborhood (mostly homes built in the 1930s). However, it was built in the 1960s, so I love the ’60 and ’70s vibes the house gives off in some rooms. One of my favorite designers is Grey Benko. Her colorful designs inspired my girls' bedroom and they help me to imagine how an older home can be colorful and fun.
What is your favorite detail of your home?
Our house's party trick is that it has a working elevator. The original owners put it in [just] in case they needed it some day, and we had an elevator repairman work on it so my grandmother could live with us during COVID. I love that it feels like this house has endless potential. I'm not big on saying “forever home,” but it has everything we need and also gives me plenty of design projects to do in the future.
Other than that, I love that the windows are big and old—I really don't want to change them! Having enough light in a house is really important to me.
Did you renovate, and what did you learn from the process?
I learned a lot about being okay going slow while renovating. When we bought the house, we had to make a lot of quick decisions because I was pregnant and my husband had time off in the summer when we could work. We regretfully gutted a pink bathroom when we moved in. I was too overwhelmed with all the things that needed to be done, and I didn't like using a dingy old bathroom. Time is a gift when it comes to renovating. You'll know more about what works for the home, rather than just changing things to what’s popular right now.
What change did you make to your home that makes you the happiest?
The first floor bathroom with the Schoolhouse X Hygge West wallpaper makes me the happiest because we used the original tile and cabinets that some people thought were ugly, but a few small changes made the whole room feel different.
How are your family's holiday traditions reflected in your decorations?
I love to decorate the front door with fresh garland. There was an estate sale at our house before we closed, and a thoughtful neighbor bought a cross-stitch of our house that was for sale. The cross-stich showed our home at Christmas with garland around the front door and I thought it would be fun to recreate that look.
We also love to host family on Christmas Eve and sing Christmas songs together around the fireplace, led by my husband and daughter.
What is your best piece of holiday decorating advice?
Do what makes you happy, and build your collection of holiday decor over the years. I wish every room could be decorated perfectly, but the kids' laundry still starts to pile up and Legos sometimes cover the floors. Our home is still beautiful at Christmas despite the fact that we still live here and make messes. I also love digging out the boxes and using what I have and seeing how I can creatively do something different every year.
What Schoolhouse pieces feel the most at home in your space?
The Utility Stools are probably the most loved pieces. I love how sturdy they are for my little ones, and the pop of color makes me happy. The Miller Utility Cart also makes me really happy. It feels like it could go in any room in our house—and probably eventually will.
