When New Feels Like an Old Soul

I’ve always been drawn to homes that feel like they’ve been around for a hundred years—the kind where you walk in and can almost hear the stories in the walls. Quiet, layered, a little imperfect in the best way. That’s what we’re hoping to build. A house that may be brand new, but carries the soul of something older. Something that already feels like home.

Even though it’s all brand new, we’ve tried to make choices that give it warmth and soul from the very beginning. Not just pretty finishes or trendy fixtures, but details that feel thoughtful. Lived-in. A little old, in the best kind of way.

One of the ways we’re doing that is through millwork. This house will be full of it—vertical shiplap, thick trim, tongue-and-groove ceilings, and custom cabinetry throughout. I’ve always felt like millwork adds so much warmth and charm to a space. It gives texture and age without needing a bunch of “stuff” to fill the walls. Even if a room is completely empty, great millwork makes it feel finished. We’re starting with the main spaces—the kitchen, mudroom, office, our bedroom and bathroom, and for sure the living room ceilings. I’m still toying with the idea of adding it in the laundry room too. We’ll begin with what our budget allows, and hopefully add more over time. But even just layering it into a few areas will make a huge difference. We’re also bringing in some reclaimed wood beams, which I’m so excited about. They’ll be that extra layer of texture and soul, like a little nod to the past tucked into all the new.

Then there are the floors. These floors are handmade in College Station, Texas by Hardwood Design Co., and I’ve used them in a couple of client homes before. Every time I walked through those houses, I’d leave saying, “One day.” They’re wide-plank, custom-length, and stained just how we want them. They look like they were taken out of an old farmhouse—perfectly imperfect in all the right ways. The kind of floors you’d expect to find in a home with a story. I can already picture the muddy cleats by the back door, kids racing through the hallway, dogs stretched out in the sun. These floors are going to hold a lot of life.

We also spent time thinking through the windows. I remember my mom opening ours when I was growing up—there’s just something about a fresh breeze blowing through the house that makes everything feel lighter. And my Maw Maw always had her screen door open on the pretty spring and fall days. In the winter, she’d sleep with her bedroom windows cracked open, and I remember how cold it would be in there. We’d snuggle deep under the covers just to stay warm. It’s funny the things you remember. So when we were picking windows, I knew I wanted something that would let us enjoy those rare but beautiful open-window days in Texas. We chose Soniq Windows, and one of my favorite things about them is that the screens are retractable—and they’re on the inside. No more dirty ledges. No more stuck bugs or sneaky little lizards. Just a clean window and a breeze. I’m also still deciding if I want to add a screen door somewhere. There’s nothing quite like the sound of one closing behind you. It just feels like home.

Our tile is staying pretty classic—simple, timeless materials—but we’re having fun with how we lay it. Mixing sizes, adding border details, and playing with layouts that feel just a little different. You don’t have to do something bold for it to be interesting. A small shift in pattern can make a space feel really special.

Every choice we’ve made is about more than how things look. It’s about how they feel. We’re designing this house to work for us now, but also to hold our people in the years to come. This isn’t just a house—it’s where we’ll gather around the table, pile up on the couch, come home after hard days, and celebrate the good ones. I can’t wait to share more with you as we move along in the process.

Framing is underway, and every day it’s looking more like a house—but more than that, it’s beginning to feel like the home we’ve been waiting for. New in every way, but already carrying the comfort and heart of something much older.