It was May 12th at 4:49pm and it was the moment their eyes met. As I pulled up to the front of the home, I thought it was going to be just a another typical showing appointment in Orange Park Acres, but that was NOT so. This particular showing was Serendipity at its finest and a match made in Heaven. Home literally is where the Heart is, and this rings true for the one and only Kathleen Jewell of OPA, who stole the heart of Chip Foose of “Overhaulin.”  

Sparks were flying! And hey, I’m not going to lie, it was a little uncomfortable at first trying to keep Chip’s focus on the house that was for sale,  instead of the gorgeous blonde leading us through her rustic farmhouse. As we were admiring her designs and decor i couldn’t believe he actually asked me, “Does She come with the house too?” Yes, it was definitely a serious case of love at first sight, and I was there to see it!

Kathleen Jewell was born in Chicago and moved to a dairy farm in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas in 6th grade.  She always aspired to be a great artist. When Kathleen was 4 years old, she was able to hold a pencil, and she began sketching Snoopy and floor plans. Fast forward, she  had the dream to live in Orange Park Acres since it reminded her so much of her childhood on a dairy farm. She found her home in OPA, which was once blue and white, and painted it red to look like a country red barn. For most of her life, she has been a professional artist and a creative designer, painting the most profound murals. She’s renowned in her industry as, “The Color Coach.”  Kathleen specializes in interior and exterior color consultations, and Interior design. She loves her work, has a big heart, playful spirit and beautiful smile.

Douglas Sam Foose, otherwise well known as “Chip Foose”, was born and raised in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. He has an intense love for art and started sketching with his dad when he was only 3 years old. Throughout his life, he followed in his dad’s footsteps and persevered. Similar to Kathleen, he turned his artistic gifts, dreams, and talents into a heartfelt career of designing American automobiles and building them. He also created design artwork for Disney. This chain of events through the years led him to the Discovery channel’s series,  “Overhaulin.”

The day Chip met Kathleen, he spotted a rolling ladder in the garage and asked her if he could buy it. She offered it to him for free as she told him she didn’t want any money for it. She told him that he would be doing her a favor by taking it, since it was not going to fit in her new residence she was planning to buy. He took it and then went home and sketched her a cherished piece of art work of her home, as a thank you gift for the ladder. He drew a country scene with a barn, and a Pegasus on the roof because she had also told him she always wanted to paint a Pegasus on the roof of the guest house, but never got around to it.

Together Chip and Kathleen make such a great team! Both coming from a painful past, their hearts desires, passions and dreams have collided. Their gentle, selfless hearts, and their love for design and creativity, would be the glue that sealed their undeniable connection.

Needless to say, Kathleen took the house off the market, and they both reside peacefully in this unique home in Orange Park Acres. This love was meant to be! As a Realtor here in the community, it is an honor to have been a part of seeing “Serendipity” or what others might say “The Will of God,” in action!

Jennifer Holland
Horse & Home Real Estate

P.S. Picture taken on Valentines Day, at the exact spot of where their eyes met!