My Houzz: Quirky and Collected Portland Apartment
An army of Ken dolls, a handful of mannequins and a whole lot of estate sale finds create interest in a cozy downtown apartment
Miles Mayberry says he never wants to leave his apartment. "If there was an atom bomb and I couldn't come up for 20 years, I'd probably be OK," he says. The Portland, Oregon, resident lives in the northeast part of the city with his boyfriend of four years and a roommate. By frequenting estate sales and thrift stores every weekend, Mayberry has succeeded in creating an eclectic oasis in his early-1900s apartment.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Miles Mayberry, boyfriend Mattzilla Duron and roommate Andy McAlister
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 1,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
That's interesting: Nearly all the furniture and decor are secondhand.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Miles Mayberry, boyfriend Mattzilla Duron and roommate Andy McAlister
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 1,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
That's interesting: Nearly all the furniture and decor are secondhand.
The hallway and entryway into the apartment are lined with dozens of pictures collected from thrift stores and estate sales as well as original artwork from friends and family. A mixture of vintage event posters, landscapes and paint-by-numbers projects makes up this collection. The mannequin at the top of the stairs is wearing a fur outfit that once served as a Halloween costume.
Mayberry's record collection and record player sit underneath an impressive collection of vintage Ken dolls. The framed photographs on top of the record cabinet are from estate sales.
Mayberry's mother is a music professor, so he grew up listening to lots of classical and opera music. "Things other kids my age were probably not listening to," he says. His eclectic collection has been compiled from his years of working in record stores and includes jazz, '80s rock, classical and electronica.
Mayberry's mother is a music professor, so he grew up listening to lots of classical and opera music. "Things other kids my age were probably not listening to," he says. His eclectic collection has been compiled from his years of working in record stores and includes jazz, '80s rock, classical and electronica.
The collection of Ken dolls lining the dining room is the first thing visitors tend to comment on. The collection started with just six or seven dolls, then grew as friends gifted him more dolls. Mayberry lets his friends pick which Ken they want to represent them and then labels the chosen ones with Post-Its. His roommate, Andy, chose the 1960s Ken dressed in a red plaid shirt. Down the line is a skeleton. "One of our very, very skinny friends chose that one to represent him," he says.
"It's odd little things like this, outside of the typical and expected design standards, that I really think give a house its character," says Mayberry.
"It's odd little things like this, outside of the typical and expected design standards, that I really think give a house its character," says Mayberry.
This vintage 1960s cigarette counter is from Craigslist. On its back side facing the wall are slots for placards labeling brands of cigarettes. Mayberry says the cabinet was filthy when he bought it. "It was really awful. Just covered in dirt and probably hadn't been cleaned in 40 or 50 years. I scrubbed the crap out of it." He uses the shelves to store vintage cake trays, cookbooks, timers, a salt and pepper shaker collection and other kitchen accessories.
Across from the cigarette cabinet is a wooden chest for storing vintage dishware, including these colorful cups. Mayberry also collects vintage paper coasters. He keeps these smaller items long-term and regularly resells the larger furniture pieces. "I'm continually recycling my things. Even if I love them, I'll eventually get sick of them and want something different," he says.
While many of his vintage pieces are from the 1960s, Mayberry collects items from the turn of the century through the 1970s. He isn't really a fan of anything past the 1970s.
While many of his vintage pieces are from the 1960s, Mayberry collects items from the turn of the century through the 1970s. He isn't really a fan of anything past the 1970s.
This early 1900s table was acquired by Duron, who traded some manual labor work for it. The set of green 1960s chairs came from a thrift store and cost only $10 for the entire set. "As much as I don't want to reveal this treasure trove to hipster competition," Mayberry says, "my favorite thrift store in Portland is Value Village." He also frequents Red White and Blue in Gladstone, Oregon.
Mayberry bought this corner lamp in New York, and it's one of his favorite pieces. It cost $400 to ship to Portland — more than the cost of the lamp itself. Mayberry loves its loud character. "It's dripping with crystals but sort of Gothic, too. I can't tell what era it's from. And it weighs probably 75 pounds. It's pretty ridiculous," he says.
A 1930s safe that was also an estate sale find doubles as an end table.
A 1930s safe that was also an estate sale find doubles as an end table.
Mayberry describes this living room as the "nonweird" room of the house. The couple enjoy watching old movies on the 1960s tufted leather couch. When Mayberry bought the sofa, one of the cushions was ripped, and he recalls doing one of his first sewing jobs ever on it.
The tufted green velvet bench and plush white curtains are from an estate sale. "Those curtains are my old lady touch," he says. "They're that kind of old style you would see in rich Hollywood homes. They kind of add to the ridiculousness of the Liberace style that this room has about it." The curtains cost only two dollars.
The tufted green velvet bench and plush white curtains are from an estate sale. "Those curtains are my old lady touch," he says. "They're that kind of old style you would see in rich Hollywood homes. They kind of add to the ridiculousness of the Liberace style that this room has about it." The curtains cost only two dollars.
This faux bear skin rug is also an estate sale find. "Besides the morbid enjoyment of perusing the majority of a sole person's posessions," Mayberry says, "estate sales are also wonderful because you can often find really amazing things for a great price. Also, most professionally run sales have half off the last day."
Coffee table: Teen Challenge Thrift Store
Coffee table: Teen Challenge Thrift Store
Mayberry's study-library is filled with books collected from time spent working in bookstores, and from The Goodwill Outlet Store in Portland, casually known around town as "The Bins," for its bins filled with clothing and accessories. "I come home from Goodwill with stacks full of books," he says. Mayberry finds nice hardcover books for usually no more than a dollar or two.
Mayberry also enjoys collecting mannequins, of which he has about a half dozen in his apartment. This one displays his collection of about 60 vintage rosaries while wearing a pair of 1970s underpants.
Mayberry also enjoys collecting mannequins, of which he has about a half dozen in his apartment. This one displays his collection of about 60 vintage rosaries while wearing a pair of 1970s underpants.
The bathroom is accessorized with toy dinosaurs. One holds jewelry on its little hand, while this one has a more utilitarian purpose.
"I love old mannequins. Male or female. There's something both creepy and fun about them," Mayberry says. He enjoys dressing them up seasonally or for a joke when friends are coming over, putting different outfits or hairstyles on them.
The painting above the mannequin is from a local thrift store. "I'm not religious whatsoever," Mayberry says. "I love the art of vintage Catholic icons, but not for religious reasons."
The painting above the mannequin is from a local thrift store. "I'm not religious whatsoever," Mayberry says. "I love the art of vintage Catholic icons, but not for religious reasons."
Mayberry in person next to a favorite piece of art, and as a doll.