adminThe Kelsey Williams home tour offers a look at a welcoming family home in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa. Kelsey and her husband, Eric, bought the newly built house a few months after getting married. Its Rockstar Ranch floor plan and the arched opening between the kitchen and living room helped make it feel like the right fit.
A home shaped over time
After moving in, the couple made changes to give the house a more personal feel. One of the biggest updates was repainting the walls from taupe to white. The lighter color helps create a fresh backdrop, while leaving room to add meaningful decor gradually. Eric also built a pallet wall in the main bedroom, bringing a handmade feature into the space.
A useful approach for personalizing a home is to focus on changes that suit the way the household lives. Paint and a single distinctive wall treatment can make a room feel different without requiring every space to be decorated at once.
Preparing rooms for a growing family
When Kelsey shared the home, the family was preparing for a new baby expected in June and updating their daughter’s room as she moved toward a big-girl space. For the nursery, they created a DIY faux wallpaper treatment. It was a simple, hands-on project that added visual interest without using traditional wallpaper.
For a child’s room, flexible choices can be especially practical: artwork, removable decor, and other easy-to-update details allow the space to change as a child’s interests develop.
Making more room in the basement
The house also has a large unfinished basement. Basements are common in Iowa homes, where they can provide shelter during tornadoes. The couple planned the basement layout together, then began building walls and installing flooring. At the time, they hoped to finish the project later that year, potentially doubling their usable living space.
Before finishing a basement, it helps to plan how each area will be used and to account for practical needs such as circulation, lighting, and storage. A clear layout can make a large renovation feel more manageable.
Light, cozy spaces and personal details
The arched opening between the kitchen and living room was one of the features that stood out to the family when they first viewed the house. The living room is Kelsey’s favorite area: it feels bright and open while still being comfortable and lived-in. Although the room is not especially large, its open layout makes it seem more spacious. Natural light also supports the family’s growing collection of plants.
A nursery that celebrates creativity
Before their daughter was born, the family made a “Let Her Sleep” canvas as a creative nursery project. As she grew, her own drawings became the most meaningful wall decor. Displaying children’s artwork is an easy way to make a room feel personal and to give young artists a visible place for their creations.
What makes the Kelsey Williams home tour memorable
The Kelsey Williams home tour highlights thoughtful updates rather than a complete redesign: fresh white walls, a handmade bedroom feature, a playful nursery project, and plans to make the basement more useful. Together, these details show how a home can evolve with a family. Start with the spaces and projects that matter most, then add personal touches over time.
