Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Colorful Victorian in San Luis Obispo
A newlywed couple in Southern California mixes new with old, letting their love and creativity bloom in a Victorian rental
Newlyweds Ashley and Kenny Channer combined their styles as husband and wife for the first time in this charming late-1800s home, a rental in sunny San Luis Obispo, California. Both medical professionals, Kenny and Ashley are also creatives at heart. Their fresh aesthetics come to life in this eclectic, modern and colorful home.
Houzz at Glance
Who lives here: Kenneth and Ashley Channer
Location: San Luis Obispo, California
Size: 1,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
That's interesting: The house was built as a restaurant in 1840; in the 1920s it was moved to its current location.
Houzz at Glance
Who lives here: Kenneth and Ashley Channer
Location: San Luis Obispo, California
Size: 1,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
That's interesting: The house was built as a restaurant in 1840; in the 1920s it was moved to its current location.
The home's entry leads into the simple but pleasant dining room. Large windows let in loads of natural light, working with the warm beige walls and colorful accents to make the space feel cozy and bright.
A planted herb centerpiece from Woolly Pocket sits on top of the dining table. Ashley loves gardening and has tucked fresh plants all around their home. A wall wine rack from West Elm is testament to the Channers' interest in pieces that are both practical and pretty.
Mushroom salt and pepper shakers: Anthropologie
Mushroom salt and pepper shakers: Anthropologie
Midcentury modern style chairs contrast with the rustic table and colorful rug for an understated but eclectic look.
Dining table: Cost Plus World Market; chairs: Baxton Studio; rug: Urban Outfitters
Dining table: Cost Plus World Market; chairs: Baxton Studio; rug: Urban Outfitters
The Channers found this console at Cost Plus World Market. A quirky San Francisco print by Ork Posters hangs over the table, and a framed wedding photograph and handmade art pieces fill the cart.
Cast iron apple pot: Terrain at Styers
Cast iron apple pot: Terrain at Styers
This built-in bookshelf between the kitchen and dining room puts servingware and kitchen accessories within easy reach of both spaces. Budding plants function as makeshift bookends for the couple's ever-growing collection of cookbooks.
Another crafty live bookend holds some neon books in place on this shelf. Ashley color coordinated the brightly colored book spines for a playful touch.
The couple added this mini island from Ikea to serve as a central baking and cooking station. It's also perfect for displaying Ashley's favored collection of artisanal goods and cookware. Jars of locally produced honey and lemon syrup sit on a piece of wood brought back from a little town in Greece.
Cheerful orange storage containers from West Elm inject fresh flavor to the kitchen countertops. The couple repurposed empty wine bottles with bottle pourers from Target to use as containers for olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette.
The kitchen is kept simple with classic appliances and quality kitchenware. The pear-color KitchenAid mixer makes a fresh statement, and a hanging fruit basket artfully displays essential cooking ingredients.
Kenny and Ashley enjoy mixing in affordable Ikea furniture with cherished pieces, such as this colorful couch from Ashley's grandparents. The result is an affordable but unique look.
Coffee table: Ikea
Coffee table: Ikea
The couple's reading nook gets lots of natural light from the window. They both love the simple Urban Outfitters armchair for its clean lines. The look can be easily changed with a new accent pillow or throw.
Side table: West Elm
Side table: West Elm
Multipurpose floating book shelves by Umbra are great for storing books and creating small vignettes. Visiting friends always check out the curated book stacks, making them great conversation starters. Ashley hung this shelf above the TV console among a collage of art prints.
Ashley and Kenny had their illustrated wedding invitation enlarged and framed. Resting on one of their floating shelves in the TV room, it serves as a visual reminder of a beautiful memory.
A Woolly Pocket brings texture and greenery to the wall. White metal pieces — formerly doors from a shelving unit — were repurposed as frames. The couple attached Polaroids to them with magnets.
Along the bedroom's door frame, more Polaroids are displayed with colorful washi tape for a casual and personal art display.
The DwellStudio bedding was a wedding present to the couple. The red hues contrast well against the neutral walls. A square floating shelf serves as a simple nightstand. Zinc letters from Anthropologie help personalize the space.
Lamp: Knappa, Ikea
Lamp: Knappa, Ikea
Ashley personalized a Pottery Barn dresser by replacing the original knobs with new, colorful ones from Anthropologie. Lime-green curtains from Urban Outfitters inject fresh color to a gallery wall of white framed wedding photographs.
A branchlike jewelry holder on Ashley's vanity makes for pretty organization of her cherished necklaces, and an air plant terrarium adds more of the green plant life she loves.
A hand-shaped ring holder from Urban Outfitters sits atop a polished wood slice from West Elm. The jewelry holder displays Ashley's rings and one of her favorite low-maintenance plants, tillandsia.
Ashley maintains a potted herb garden on the back porch. Chalkboard plant tags identify each herb.
Ashley stands outside their charming 1890 house. The couple is lucky to have a beautiful large yard for hosting outdoor summer parties and picnics with friends. Kenny and Ashley have called their cheerful place home since summer 2011 and plan to continue to personalize the house by blending their styles together.