I’ve been neglectful about sharing this, but it’s time to finally reveal our home.
As many of you know, my husband and I recently moved into our first house. We began planning this project in 2013 and it took five years to go from an idea to a finished home. When we started, we optimistically thought it might take about a year. That did not happen.
The process was an incredible education and came with countless hiccups, but we couldn’t be happier with the result. Living here feels like a dream.
We have a lot of people to thank:
- My parents. Their help is endless. Ask me for a beer sometime and I’ll tell you the thousands of ways they made this house possible.
- Andrew Feldon, the architect who designed our home. He was patient, kind, and thoughtful all the way through. He spent hours helping with even the smallest decisions—yes, including where to hide the kitchen garbage. He was an incredible partner from start to finish.
- Marisa, a dear friend and interior architect, who generously offered advice, sketches, mock-ups for our builders, and many hours in showrooms and on site.
- Jeff, a longtime family friend who gave us a housewarming gift: our fireplace. It means so much to us.
- And many other friends and family who listened as we talked about this project for years.
I’m not sharing photos of the exterior because we prefer to keep that private. If we know each other in person, you’re always welcome to come by for a visit.
That said, I’m excited to show the interior.
I’m holding off on posting first-floor photos because it’s not completely finished. The first floor includes the entryway, laundry, a full bath, and a bonus room we use for homebrew and as a gym.
So let’s move on to the second floor.
The second floor is one large, open space containing the living room and kitchen. After living in a dark, 500-square-foot apartment, the light and openness here have truly changed our lives.
Couch: Jonathan Louis purchased from City Home
Rug: Home Goods
Coffee table: West Elm
Ottoman: thrift find courtesy of my mother
End tables: Home Goods
Lamp: Target
Baskets: Home Goods
Pillows: Gray and white came with the couch; copper and white from Home Goods; a leather pillow made by my mother
Marisa suggested the shelving that frames the TV, and I’m so glad she did.
Painting: Home Goods
Most planters pictured are from Home Goods.
Tall basket: Home Goods
Glass ball: Home Goods
Concrete planter: Portland Flower Market
Figurines: bought on a beach in Cape Town
Succulent planter: Portland Flower Market
Barstools: Wayfair
Our stove is a Blomberg and I’m thrilled with it. After research and conversations with friends and family, I chose a gas cooktop with an electric oven, since gas ovens can be finicky. So far, the range has been a dream.
I have mixed feelings about microwaves. We reheat leftovers often and needed one, but I dislike visible small appliances. Andrew cleverly tucked the microwave into a lower cabinet so it’s essentially invisible, and we hardly notice it.
I insisted on deep drawers rather than many upper cabinets, and I’m so glad I did. Crawling on hands and knees to reach the back of a cabinet is the worst, so deep pull-outs, especially in the pantry, have been a big win. I do wish we’d extended some pull-outs higher for even more storage.
Other notes about the second floor:
- We chose engineered bamboo flooring for the second and third floors; the first floor is exposed concrete. I was particular about flooring and fell in love with this bamboo. It’s also less expensive than many engineered hardwoods.
- All walls are painted white, which requires some upkeep but keeps the space bright. Warm accents prevent a sterile feel.
- High ceilings—10-foot on this level—make the space feel large and allow for big windows on the front and back of the house, which was important since windows can only be placed on those sides.
- Yes, I really like plants.
On to the third floor. It contains two bedrooms—one currently used as my office—and a full bathroom.
Our bedroom still feels a bit bare, but it’s coming together. I need better pillows.
Bed: West Elm (sustainably sourced)
Nightstands: IKEA (actually dressers)
Lamps: IKEA
Painting: Home Goods
Yellow blanket: Target
Blue rug: IKEA
Desk: IKEA
Rug: IKEA
Desk chair: IKEA
Bookshelves: IKEA
Cork/white board: Amazon
Storage boxes (yellow/pink/white/gray): IKEA
Bright pink storage boxes: Target (they were on clearance)
Banana plant: World Market
Pink/white/black planter: Portland Flower Market
There are many details that photos don’t capture well: a tall window that spans two floors in our stairwell, a hatch to access our flat roof, and other little design choices that make this home perfect for us. We’re very happy here.
To wrap up: a huge thank-you to my mom for multiple shopping trips, too many generous housewarming gifts, and countless hours helping me decorate. So much of how the house looks is because of her.