I don’t often write these House Crashing posts, but this home is special to me—it’s my parents’ new house in Richmond. After staying with them for a few days following Hurricane Irene when our house lost power, and spending many evenings there since they moved in, we finally took photos to share.

That photo shows my dad and mom just after moving day in May. They’ve since painted the lavender door a bright red. They sold their Northern Virginia house of 32 years—the house where I grew up—and moved about two hours south to be closer to family and to downsize. My mom’s retirement goals included no more mulching, and this smaller, newer duplex community about 15 minutes from our place fit the bill. Even though the new place is slightly smaller, it often feels more open and relaxed than their previous home; the half bath is a great example.

Much of the house’s style came from the previous owners; my parents had lived there less than four months when we visited. Initially they worried the decor might feel too formal compared to their usual bold-paint choices, but they decided to embrace some of the ornate touches—like an elegant gold mirror in the half bath. It’s refreshing to see them try new styles and enjoy the results. My mom even bought a playful light fixture from Ballard Designs to replace a missing piece left by the former owners. She laughed that she never imagined buying something like that, but it fits perfectly.

They’ve been making the house their own while working with what they inherited. The previous owners left dramatic drapes and a ceiling medallion but no chandelier, so my parents moved a slightly large fixture from the breakfast nook into the dining room where it works better. Small adjustments like that make the home feel personalized without a full overhaul.

Some furniture was new, and some is from their collection. A favorite is an awesome wicker chair they’d bought at Pottery Barn years ago, paired with a side table found on sale at Ballard Designs—my mom’s current favorite piece. The chair sits in a spacious living room with lofted ceilings, built-in shelving, and a cozy electric fireplace, creating a comfortable gathering spot for family visits.

A standout feature is a custom cabinet near the living area. Where many units have a plain builder-grade closet, the previous owners commissioned a piece made from reclaimed wood and ironwork from a local architectural salvage shop. What was once a liquor cabinet now displays framed photos and dinnerware on the top shelves; those doors flip open and slide away, leaving the upper display visible, while the lower drawers store photo albums and games behind doors.

The kitchen opens to the living area and centers around a functional island that houses the sink and dishwasher. There’s a large pantry cabinet to the right and an additional pantry closet to the left. The kitchen boasts black granite with subtle flecking, stainless steel appliances, and higher ceilings—amenities that make it a joy to cook and gather, and that my family enjoys regularly.

The breakfast nook, which once held the oversized dining chandelier, now features a more modest fixture from Ballard Designs and a set of colorful chairs from Pier 1. My mom called excitedly about those chairs, saying they were unlike anything she would have chosen a year earlier, but now she’s in love with them. It’s been fun watching them explore new color and pattern choices in the new space.

Outside the kitchen’s bright windows is a patio that’s perfectly sized for them, and a fenced yard that’s ideal for keeping grandkids safe. We’ve already christened the space with a plastic baby pool—Clara didn’t want to leave.

The second floor includes a large landing that serves as my dad’s office and a play area for visiting grandchildren, plus two guest bedrooms. We stayed in one of the guest rooms during the post-hurricane outage; it was already painted a warm tone from the previous owners. The bed frame there is from Ballard Designs—my mom waits for sales and coupon codes.

We didn’t photograph the other guest room because Clara was napping in it, and the main bedroom is still a work in progress. We’ll likely share more photos once they settle in further. One sentimental detail we love is a brick from our old house that was saved during a renovation and now sits on their new doorstep—a small connection between past and present.

As a final note, we’ve heard the new owners of my parents’ old neighborhood house are enjoying it too. It’s been great to learn the cul-de-sac is lively again with young families and neighborhood play—proof that homes can carry new life with every move.

Psst—if you enjoy House Crashing stories, there are many more posts and room-by-room tours to explore for design inspiration.