Reader OMG! is a series showcasing home tours from my favorite people…The DIY Playbook readers! Every month or so, I highlight the home of someone with some serious design style. I hope that these swoon-worthy spaces will make you say “OMG”…hence the name! It also gives me a chance to feature home styles outside of my own, so you can take away some fresh ideas for your space.

We have featured so many amazing homes in the series, check them all out here. Here are some of my favorites…

• Jan’s Feminine Condo
• Tracey’s Beach House
• Vanessa’s DIY Cabin in the Woods
• Cindu’s Historic Chicago Home
• Sophia’s Mozambique Safe Haven

Dani’s Colonial Home

• Homeowner: Dani, her husband, and son, along with her brother and mom. Plus, their two rescue dogs, Buddy and Moose.
• Location: Allamuchy, New Jersey
• Home Type: 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom Colonial
• Year Built: 2001
• Describe your Home Style: Eclectic. Every room seems to have its own vibe.
• Favorite Spot in your House: The front porch. Sitting under the covered front porch playing games with the boys, while the dogs bark at anything and everything, is the only spot I want to be. We have a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and enjoy every last minute until the Jersey cold weather comes. We have even joked about installing space heaters to extend our time!  

When Dani’s submission came across my email, I was immediately all in. Her home has such a welcoming vibe and I love that it’s a full house with lots of family members. Not to mention, Dani and her husband basically DIY’ed every single room in this house and decorated it on a budget! You’ll soon be amazed by all of the projects in this Colonial and the personal touch that they have added.

When they purchased their home it was in disarray and in need of major repairs. Dani is a third-grade teacher and they wanted to save money where possible. They hit up antique stores, found furniture on Facebook Marketplace, and put in many hours to create a cozy new home for their family.

Dani says her home has an eclectic style, but I think it definitely has some traditional vibes too. Since it’s a Colonial-style home, I love that she incorporates lots of wallpaper throughout. This is a nice nod to colonial design and also a good way to showcase the high ceilings throughout the home.

You won’t find any boring white walls over here, that’s for sure! Instead, Dani’s color palette has lots of soft blues (and some dark navy), along with earthy tones. It’s the perfect balance of classic style with a hint of modern.

Let’s check it out and you’ll soon see for yourself all of the hard work that went into the different rooms of this place…

The Kitchen & Dining Room

Kitchen Table Pendant // Backsplash Tile // Counter Tray // Oil & Vinegar // Salt & Pepper // Runner // Teapot // Kitchen Table Tray // Pendants Surrounding Hood // Inside Cabinet Wallpaper // Wicker Chairs // Rolling Pin

Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore “Revere Pewter” (walls) // Benjamin Moore “Cameo White” (trim) // Benjamin Moore “White Dove” (upper cabinets) // Benjamin Moore “Chelsea Gray” (lower cabinets)

Dani’s kitchen was quite the DIY undertaking. It started with a new kitchen table, which prompted them to add trim to the cabinets and paint them in soft colors. Those upgrades prompted them to make even more improvements like a tile backsplash, glass in the upper cabinets, and even DIY floating wood shelves that Dani’s husband made. Their hard work resulted in a dreamy kitchen that looks oh-so inviting.

My favorite part is the kitchen island! It’s like a gorgeous piece of furniture, but it’s so practical. Not to mention, it is a great way to add even more storage to their kitchen. Dani says they use it for baking, cutting veggies, and more. The wood adds so much warmth to the space and goes nicely with their hardwood floors.

Wallpaper // Drapes // Artwork // Chairs (in indigo) // Accent Chairs

Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore “Hale Navy” (walls) // Benjamin Moore “Cameo White” (trim)

While the kitchen is muted, the dining room is bold! I adore that traditional geometric wallpaper and love that Dani painted the trim the same navy to match. The color scheme with the white, navy, and pop of green color works so well for a formal dining room.

The dining room table is a special piece of family history. Her late father designed it and had it commissioned. Isn’t it a stunner? The white buffet was a $60 Facebook Marketplace find that Dani sanded and painted. I love the end result and the decorative items she placed on top.

Her Son’s Bedroom & Bathroom

Vanity // Tile // Towel Holder // Shower Curtain // Lights

Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore “Hale Navy” (bedroom walls) // Benjamin Moore “Breathe of Fresh Air” (bedroom walls) // Benjamin Moore “Stormy Monday” (bathroom walls)

Dani incorporated that same navy paint color from the dining room into her son’s bedroom. I always think it’s smart to reuse paint colors throughout your home to make things feel cohesive. You can read more tips on how to do just that in this blog post.

Dani wanted a “light airplane” theme, so she added the vinyl jets to create a focal point over the bed. The ceiling fan was chosen because it reminds them of a propeller jet. Those small touches add some personality to the space.

His bathroom was another big DIY project for the couple. They tiled the space themselves and put up the tongue and groove planks on the walls for extra texture. They decided to paint the tub and tile surround using my tutorial and it turned out great.

Main Bedroom

Chandelier // Pillow Covers // Bedspread // Drapes // Drape Rings

Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore “French Beret” (walls) // Benjamin Moore “Cameo White” (trim)

Wow, talk about a cozy space. I adore the dark walls paired with the light bedding and furniture. Dani mentioned that they were gifted very dark wood furniture for their wedding. Because the furniture was still in great shape, she decided to sand and paint each piece to pop against the dark walls. She also showcases the right way to place your bed in front of a window with the curtains behind the bed. The soft furnishings make it look textured and elegant.

The Guest Room

Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams “Mink” (walls) // Benjamin Moore “Cameo White” (trim)

The guest room is another space with lots of thrifted furniture pieces. Dani sure knows how to decorate on a budget and I’m here for it! The desk was found at a thrift store and then refinished. The upholstered bed frame, end tables, and storage bench were found at local antique shops.

Dani made the frame above the bed that says, “Stay Awhile.” Her husband jokes that it should say “Time To Go Home” which made me laugh out loud!

Shop The Look – Danielle’s Traditional Colonial

Bedspread // Bench // Chandelier // Throw // Nightstand // Lamp // Pillow // Bed // Curtains // Rug // Basket

A big thank you to Dani for opening up her lovely home for us to peruse. Since she works as a teacher, we wanted to get this photoshoot done before she went back to school and Jillian Spencer Studios helped us do just that.

Check Out More Reader Home Tours

Looking for some more eye candy? You can peruse past home tours right here.

Casey