My Houzz: Charming Vintage-Industrial Oregon Studio
Quirky antiques and meaningful family hand-me-downs fill a couple's retro-style downtown Portland apartment
Jamie and Erin Osborne's studio apartment is in what was once retail company Meier and Frank's warehouse in the heart of Portland, Oregon's, Pearl District. The historic 1923 building was converted into residential apartment lofts and condominiums a few years ago. The concrete walls and exposed piping that pay tribute to the building's former function were a draw for the couple, along with the prime downtown location. "We love having close access to so many great shops and restaurants," Jamie says. "Erin and I walk everywhere: to the movie theater, the post office, the grocery store and the pub. We own one car between the two of us, and it rarely gets used."
"I can't decide on one specific design style, so I just put several together," Erin says. After living in Jamie's hometown of Brighton, England, for two years, the couple gave Portland a try. "I'm not sure if our style really works," she says, "but we like it."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jamie and Erin Osborne
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 905 square feet
That's interesting: The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"I can't decide on one specific design style, so I just put several together," Erin says. After living in Jamie's hometown of Brighton, England, for two years, the couple gave Portland a try. "I'm not sure if our style really works," she says, "but we like it."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jamie and Erin Osborne
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 905 square feet
That's interesting: The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This red metal cart provides extra counter space in the kitchen and is from an antiques store in Aurora, Oregon. The red step stool and dustpan once belonged to Erin's great-grandmother. The model pictured in the framed Coca-Cola poster reminds Erin of an old friend, and the dog is a reminder of her mom's late dog Patsy. Erin says, "I am obsessed with cute aprons. I don't cook, but I love a good-looking apron."
"I love 1950s-themed kitchens. Our kitchen is new, but I've added pops of color and memorabilia from the '50s," says Erin. The rug was a hand-me-down from Erin's sister-in-law, and the Coca-Cola cooler is a modern copy of a classic that adds sentimental charm.
The kitchen is full of hand-me-downs from Erin's family. The tray is a tribute to Erin's grandmother, whose name was Beverley. The Mr. Peanut figurines are from her grandfather, who worked for Planters and passed along these collector's items along with other vintage memorabilia.
This Portland Bottling Company crate is another Aurora antique shop find. Erin added lined baskets from Pier 1 Imports as recycling bins. The yellow cart is from Stars Antique Mall.
Colorful Fiesta dishes are openly displayed in the kitchen. Old coffee cans from Erin's grandfather and vintage-looking signs add a jolt of fun.
A mishmash of antiques and quirky finds sets the scene for the couple's living room space. An old wagon from an antiques store doubles as a coffee table, and the couch belonged to Erin's grandmother. The couple re-covered it in Sunbrella fabric. The rug belonged to Erin's mom.
Erin's mom also gifted the antique tractor-seat chair in the corner when Jamie and Erin moved into their apartment. The small "Shine" shoebox from Stars Antique Mall stores their TV and Wii remotes, and the corner large vase once belonged to Erin's parents. It was used to carry tea on a trade route around Cape Horn to the Americas in the 18th or 19th century.
Side table: Urban Outfitters
Erin's mom also gifted the antique tractor-seat chair in the corner when Jamie and Erin moved into their apartment. The small "Shine" shoebox from Stars Antique Mall stores their TV and Wii remotes, and the corner large vase once belonged to Erin's parents. It was used to carry tea on a trade route around Cape Horn to the Americas in the 18th or 19th century.
Side table: Urban Outfitters
This decorative mirror once belonged to Erin's great-grandmother, and the surveyor lamp is from Stars Antique Mall. The couple didn't like the stark white shade it came with, so they tore it apart and spray painted it yellow, keeping the industrial feel.
A small outdoor patio features a barbecue grill and a table for two. Erin created a bamboo screen for privacy.
An oversize framed antique movie poster, translated, reads "Divorce, American Style." Erin found the poster at an antiques shop in Aurora. "I thought it would make a funny wedding present for Jamie. I ended up getting him something else in the end," laughs Erin. The table and chairs as well as the corner cupboard belonged to Erin's grandfather.
Erin found this print at Powell's bookstore. "I love 1950s pop art. I love the colors and the drama in each print," says Erin.
Erin and Jamie bought these 1930s school lockers from Stars Antique Mall and added expandable shelves in each cubby to use as an entryway bookshelf. Erin has always wanted a dress form and was pleased to finally find one at Stars this year.
Vases: Anthropologie
Vases: Anthropologie
The chest of drawers was Erin's as a child. She painted the chest black and added knobs from Anthropologie to give it an updated look. Photographs of Erin's grandparents are displayed, along with a retro phone and posters representing both Jamie and Erin's hometowns.
This chair was Erin's "time-out" chair when she was a child. "It was velvet red. I got sent to the chair to think about what I'd done when I got in trouble as a kid," she says. "The red fabric was wearing out in several places, so I re-covered it in black and leopard. I guess it got used a lot!"
Erin found the coffee table at an antiques shop in Aurora. She says, "I love that Aurora has so many great antique shops all on one street."
Erin found the coffee table at an antiques shop in Aurora. She says, "I love that Aurora has so many great antique shops all on one street."
"I love everything old. I think things had more character in earlier years," says Erin. The typewriter belonged to her grandfather.
The Osbornes found this old metal desk at Stars Antique Mall. The mirror resting on an art easel from Aaron Brothers is another family hand-me-down, once belonging to Erin's grandmother. The gumball machine is a nostalgic nod to one that Erin had when she was young, with a shattered glass globe. Erin was pleased to find this one at a secondhand store and bought the stand separately online.
Jamie uses an antique crate to store his collection of records. "I'd like to start a collection of crates, eventually making a large shelving unit with all of them," he says.
In the bedroom space, wall decals from Aaron Brothers on the cement wall serve as a temporary headboard. The British flag items were wedding gifts, and the framed needlepoint of flowers is the handiwork of Erin's great-grandmother.
Lamps: Pottery Barn
Lamps: Pottery Barn
Industrial pipes, track lighting and large windows are a tasteful reminder of how the building used to be a warehouse. "We both love the industrial look but didn't want our home to look cold and uninviting. We added pops of color and family pieces to make our flat comfortable," says Erin.
"The one downfall to living in a loft is [lack of built-in] storage space," says Erin. The couple use an Expedit shelving unit from Ikea as a room divider and to provide additional storage for clothes. Jamie inherited his dad's collection of old cameras, displayed there as well. "I don't have a clue how to use them, but I do love the way they look," he admits.
Erin and Jamie used a wall decal to fill space on the expansive white wall in the entryway.
A mostly stark white bathroom makes for a change in the otherwise vibrant living space. The rug belonged to the grandfather of a family friend, and a framed page from a 1950s magazine reads, "Any cereal keeps me feeling swell ... as long as it's Post Brand Flakes."
Shower curtain: Pottery Barn; metal cart: The Container Store
Shower curtain: Pottery Barn; metal cart: The Container Store