Working within an air-tight timeline can do a number on you. It starts with overthinking the details. Then maybe you purposefully procrastinate in order to just let yourself breathe for a bit. That helped for a second, but now you’re behind. And you’ve spent just as much time thinking about the deadline as you have actually working towards it. How exhausting! Not everyone is like this, of course. For some, this intensity is the very push they need to create something great. Which brings us to Jessica Reilly and her husband, John. When they moved to Lubbock, TX, the pair only had three months to find a house. The pressure was on, but *spoiler alert* they nailed it.
During the house hunt, Jessica and John held themselves to some pretty high standards. And rightfully so. This wasn’t only going to be a huge monetary investment for the family, but this was a chance to leave the rental market and put a permanent stamp on a space. Hoping to find the ideal nest, they only set up showings of the most-perfect options in the most-perfect neighborhoods. That is, until they hit a dead end. It was during this stressful time, with their move looming ever closer, that Jessica decided to revisit a 50s-era house she and John had passed up earlier in their search.
It was the home’s location that initially kept it out of the running. While they hadn’t lived in Lubbock before, according to Jessica and John’s research the house’s locale wasn’t in prime territory. With their three months ticking away, however, Jessica desperately sent her husband to take a peek. Thankfully, not only was the neighborhood much better than they expected, but the 2,800-square-foot home was full of potential. Tall ceilings, original molding and large rooms had the pair simultaneously gawking and sighing in relief.
So they’d found a house. Now all they had to do was turn it into a home both quickly and affordably. Luckily, Jessica is well versed in all things interiors, and transforming the bare box was right up her alley. Since moving in she’s painted walls black, doused cabinetry in lilac hues and even strayed from white molding a bit. Overall, I’d say there’s a great chance you’ll love its look just as much as the Reillys do. Scroll down to check out the results, and enjoy! —Garrett
Photography by Jessica Reilly
Image above: Jessica and John have lived in their fair share of rentals. Buying this mid-century home last year has given them the rare opportunity to put down more permanent roots and the ability to design a space exactly to their liking.
Jessica knew she didn’t want to paint the built-in black or white. The former would’ve overpowered the space, and the latter would’ve washed the cabinets out. Lilac though? She didn’t see it coming, but was surprised at how well the exceptional hue worked as an accent. I’m in!
SOURCE LIST
Foyer
Walls – Behr Marquee “Private Black”
Wallpaper – Hygge & West “Andanza” from Wallapaper Direct
Chair – thrifted
Console Table – Target
Rug – Rugs, USA
Formal Living Room
Walls – Behr Marquee “Private Black”
Couch, brass side table – Craigslist
Black pillow – Big Lots
Plum abstract pillow, poison pillow, round side table – Target
Arc lamp, mirror: Wayfair
Mobile, malachite boxes, succulent plants – DIY
Brass shelf, busts, chinoiserie vase, lamp, ‘The Entertainer” art, brass candleholders– thrifted
Skull Planter – Michaels
Buffet – Inherited
Black candles – Hobby Lobby
Coffee table, cream rug, green rug, curtains – World Market
Studio/Dining Room
Walls, molding – Behr “Fading Fog”
Doors, baseboards – Behr “Private Black”
Wallpaper – Tempaper “Silhouette Peacock” in blue
Shelving – Sutherlands
Dining Table, metal apothecary drawer, curtains – Craigslist
Chairs, rug – Thrifted
Captains chairs – World Market
Mirror – Serena & Lily
Bar cart, brass antelope head – Estate sale
Prada Marfa Art, Non & Oui Art, collage art – DIY
Chandelier – Lamps Plus
Family Room
Doors, windows – Behr “Private Black”
Trim, beams – Behr “Fading Fog”
Built‑in cabinetry – Behr “Standing Ovation”
Curtains – Urban Outfitters
Medallion art – DIY
Coffee table, TV console – Craigslist
Daybed – World Market
Black and white rug – The Home Depot
Red rug, cream club chairs – Lamps Plus
Mirror – Big Lots
Girls’ Room
Walls – Behr “Long Meadow”
Crown molding, baseboards – Behr “Underwater”
Beds, mirrors – thrifted
Rugs, desks, vintage chair– Craigslist
Dressers – Wayfair
Ghost chairs – Lamps Plus
Unicorn lamp – Target
Curtains – World Market
Flooring –WOCA USA “Diamond Oil Carbon Black”
Wallpaper – Walls Need Love “Vintage Garden”
SOURCE LIST
Foyer
Walls – Behr Marquee “Private Black”
Wallpaper – Hygge & West “Andanza” from Wallapaper Direct
Chair – thrifted
Console Table – Target
Rug – Rugs, USA
Formal Living Room
Walls – Behr Marquee “Private Black”
Couch, brass side table – Craigslist
Black pillow – Big Lots
Plum abstract pillow, poison pillow, round side table – Target
Arc lamp, mirror: Wayfair
Mobile, malachite boxes, succulent plants – DIY
Brass shelf, busts, chinoiserie vase, lamp, ‘The Entertainer” art, brass candleholders– thrifted
Skull Planter – Michaels
Buffet – Inherited
Black candles – Hobby Lobby
Coffee table, cream rug, green rug, curtains – World Market
Studio/Dining Room
Walls, molding – Behr “Fading Fog”
Doors, baseboards – Behr “Private Black”
Wallpaper – Tempaper “Silhouette Peacock” in blue
Shelving – Sutherlands
Dining Table, metal apothecary drawer, curtains – Craigslist
Chairs, rug – Thrifted
Captains chairs – World Market
Mirror – Serena & Lily
Bar cart, brass antelope head – Estate sale
Prada Marfa Art, Non & Oui Art, collage art – DIY
Chandelier – Lamps Plus
Family Room
Doors, windows – Behr “Private Black”
Trim, beams – Behr “Fading Fog”
Built‑in cabinetry – Behr “Standing Ovation”
Curtains – Urban Outfitters
Medallion art – DIY
Coffee table, TV console – Craigslist
Daybed – World Market
Black and white rug – The Home Depot
Red rug, cream club chairs – Lamps Plus
Mirror – Big Lots
Girls’ Room
Walls – Behr “Long Meadow”
Crown molding, baseboards – Behr “Underwater”
Beds, mirrors – thrifted
Rugs, desks, vintage chair– Craigslist
Dressers – Wayfair
Ghost chairs – Lamps Plus
Unicorn lamp – Target
Curtains – World Market
Flooring –WOCA USA “Diamond Oil Carbon Black”
Wallpaper – Walls Need Love “Vintage Garden”
