Reader Design: Bonney's Collected Farmhouse

I had never been to Oregon (or the PNW for that matter) before we moved out to this region last summer, but let me tell you: there is a reason why Portland is so trendy these days. Although it's changing and growing a ton, along with the rest of the Upper Left, there's still a lot of the city's original character to see.

Bonney's 1904 Portland home is one of those character spots that is standing the test of time. From Bonney:

“My whole house is pretty classic Pacific Northwest. It’s vintage, eclectic, and improvised. It’s a really genuine representation of my personality. Everything in here has a story. My mom has had a huge influence on my style. She and I spent a lot of weekends during my childhood rummaging through yard sales and thrift shops. I really love to surround myself with things that have a past, even if I don’t know what that past is. ”

There is a tribute in every corner of this home, perhaps to someone Bonney knows intimately or an unknown person whose beloved belongings ended up in a thrift store and are now cherished here. In the same way, Bonney is also paying tribute to the homeowners before her by living in and loving this space today.

“My house was built in 1904, and as soon as I walked in, all the details and charm immediately caught my eye, especially the corner hutch and the curved staircase! I love feeling like I’m a part of the home’s history, as well as the home being a part of mine. My mother was a real estate agent before becoming a history teacher, and she instilled in me a deep love of old homes. ”

“I want my home to feel warm and nostalgic. The matriarchs of my family have passed down a few of my favorite pieces. My dining room table originally belonged to my great-grandmother; my grandmother sewed the quilt on the back of my couch, and there are countless things scattered around that were given to me by my mother. It’s really humbling being around so many things that meant something to the women that came before me.”

“So much of my house has been found or thrifted, but I’ll scrimp and save for a beautiful rug. They feel like such a luxury, and are an easy way to completely change a room. Good rugs are never a mistake.”

You know what's also never a mistake? Using said vintage rug as a headboard - pure brilliance, Bonney!

And even though they may occasionally suffer from short life spans, Bonney also will never turn down a good plant.

“I’ve got a lot of plants, and I try my hardest with them, but I’m only human. I always hear of these real grown ups that have watering schedules- I water when I feel like it, and only the strong survive. Every time I get a new plant, I whisper to it “you won’t end up like the others, I promise.””

This home is nothing if not warm, welcoming, and nostalgic. Bonney, thank you so much for welcoming us in!

Follow Bonney along on Instagram @prettygoodpdx for more nostalgia and design.

Reader Design: Ashley's Cali Cool Home

Let's go to California! It's finally starting to feel like springtime, and that Los Angeles sunshine is just what the doctor is ordering. Today, we're off to tour Ashley's home in the Mid City neighborhood of LA.

This home is the definition of cool, California style. It's laid back, has a healthy dose of mid-century modern design, and makes ample use of plants. 

From Ashley:

“I’d say my style is a mix of California casual and eclectic bohemian. I like to collect unique pieces and style around those. In our living room it is the colorful rug from West Elm. I picked pink pillows and mustard-colored throws to accent the room, both colors pulled from the rug. I’m also embracing the millennial obsession with plants. Every open space I find gets a plant.”

“I style our home based on the seasons, changing the color of our bedding and the centerpiece of our dining room table. I’ve had people comment on my Instagram pictures saying it looks like an LA winter. I have only ever lived in LA, and I hadn’t realized the influence the city had on me until I started following other interior accounts from across the nation. I have a lot of plants and cactus that require heat and bright light, and I decorate with a lot of warm colors and I throw eucalyptus pretty much everywhere. ”

“I want our home to feel comfortable. Every piece of furniture was purchased based on comfort. Our couch is a dream for binge watching the latest Netflix show and our bed is my sanctuary. I have layers of pillow tops and the most comfortable linen bedding. Our bed is always the thing I miss the most when we travel. It’s also important to me that our home represents us. I want people to walk in and know immediately that this is our home. They see my husband’s collection of DVDs and the art we brought back from our travels and know this is our home; they know our interests. ”

“In our bedroom, the weaving over our bed is by far my favorite piece. I commissioned this from Erin of Sunwoven right when we moved in to our place. It dictates everything I bring into our room. I love the texture, the pop of gold, the copper rod; everything about it makes me happy.”

(For those interested, check out Erin's work @sunwoven!)

We all have different items or pieces we prize in our homes, and the best to create a loving and welcoming home is to focus on those.

What's the prize for Ashley?

“Anything custom by a talented creator. Those are the pieces I will cherish and bring with me to future homes.”

Ashley, thank you so much for the tour! Follow Ashley on Instagram @ashleyhosmer for more!

Reader Design: Sarah's Urban Reno

This weekend, I'm in New York City for a friend's wedding... and that just so happens to also be the site of today's feature! Now, for many, owning your own place in New York City is an elusive pipe dream. But Sarah found a fixer upper with the right bones and embarked on a gut-job renovation to make her urban apartment a perfect fit. 

Let's take a look!

From Sarah:

“When I first started gathering inspiration photos for my renovation, I found myself bookmarking a mix of simpler, cleaner, more neutral spaces and ones with a bit more eclectic oomph and color to them. See, I want to be a minimalistic, neutral, Marie Kondo-esque type, but in reality, I’m much closer to a bohemian cat lady with a penchant for ALL the tchotchkes.

I balanced those two sides by keeping the bigger parts of my design (wall colors, tile, big furniture pieces) quiet so that my finishing touches (textiles, wallpaper, décor) could get loud. Cue the J. Lo and insert the dancing girl emoji here. That means my walls are a light grey, and my bathroom is all white—but I’ve got more vintage mirrors than anyone could possibly need, an antique Persian runner in my entryway, and gold Hygge & West wallpaper on the wall opposite my kitchen. ”

“The great thing about doing a gut renovation? You’re literally starting from scratch, which means your home (and your design!) can be anything you want it to be. The world is your oyster (within reason and budget, of course)! The terrible thing about doing a gut renovation? You’re spending a lot on your choices—so you better hope they’re good ones. I’m happy to say that while there are a few small things I’d do differently if I were to do it again, I’m mostly quite happy with how my little home turned out. ”

Comfort and ease were two huge considerations as Sarah was designing this space. After all, it's smack dab in the middle of the city that never sleeps, and it needs to operate accordingly!

“Above all, I want my home to feel comfortable. Yes, I have nice things, but I don’t ever want anyone to feel like they can’t drink red wine on my white couch (that’s why god made eco-friendly bleach!) or like they can’t make a mess in my kitchen (lord knows I do). Homes are meant to be lived in, and I hope to evoke that sense of warmth and comfort in every aspect of my design. ”

The exposed brick wall, which was a happy accident during construction, goes a long way in bringing those homey vibes to the space!

In the kitchen, Sarah maximized every inch she could by adding this extra counter space with the breakfast bar and keeping things light and airy with exposed shelving and natural light. Despite how practical the design was, there is certainly no shortage of personality!

“Cement tile is big right now (and has been for the past few years), and I put it in my kitchen. When I showed my contractor (who advised me a bit—even when I didn’t ask for it!—throughout the renovation process) the tiles I was planning on purchasing, he shook his head. “You should go for something simpler,” he said. “Something with resale value. This tile—it’s too trendy. It’ll be out in a few years.” And honestly, he may be right. In five years, I may look down at my cement tile and wish I’d done something simpler. Trends come and go, right? But since I renovated for me more than for resale value (my apartment isn’t a flip), I took a risk—and I’m glad I did. My floors make me happy every time I see them, and that feels worth it. ”

“My bedroom is the one space where I’m not quite sure I’ve nailed it (at least, not yet)—but one piece I know I love is my dresser. I found it in the basement of my rental building about a month before I started renovations and lugged it into the elevator and up to the 10th floor one Monday night. The streets (and basements!) of New York City are a veritable treasure trove. If you keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you’ll find—for free!”

This whole home feels completely personalized - Sarah, we think you nailed the renovation game! Thank you for showing us around. Follow Sarah along on Instagram at @_thegrandapt for more photos and before and after details!