Houzz Tours
My Houzz: 1921 Portland Bungalow Gone Glam
Vintage cabinets, pastel colors and creative flair outfit a cozy jewelry and mixed-media artist’s home
Rhonda Larson’s home is the result of many creative interests. “I choose furniture, fabrics and accessories that I love, things that inspire me artistically,” says Larson, who works in the medical device industry but is also a mixed-media artist and jewelry maker. “I don’t follow the trends unless I’m really moved by something. I’m very drawn to quality and artistic craftsmanship and love the history and character that come with vintage pieces.”
Larson renovated her 1921 bungalow in stages due to budget considerations and, equally important, so she could design her home just the way she wanted. She worked with four contractors over the course of several large and small renovation projects. Her contractor choice depended on the project at hand, whether she needed high-end precision, cabinetry, architectural expertise or basic construction labor. “I did have a master plan at the outset, though, so everything I did had the next project in consideration so as not to have to ever redo something that had already been done,” she says. “I spent hours standing around envisioning each stage.”
Larson renovated her 1921 bungalow in stages due to budget considerations and, equally important, so she could design her home just the way she wanted. She worked with four contractors over the course of several large and small renovation projects. Her contractor choice depended on the project at hand, whether she needed high-end precision, cabinetry, architectural expertise or basic construction labor. “I did have a master plan at the outset, though, so everything I did had the next project in consideration so as not to have to ever redo something that had already been done,” she says. “I spent hours standing around envisioning each stage.”
Vintage medical and dental cabinets made of both wood and metal appear in just about every room. This one is from Rejuvenation.
Larson added this dining room built-in, working with Tom Quinn Construction. The original built-in had unfortunately been removed years earlier by previous owners, but the replacement looks like it has been there since 1921. A bonus is that the drawers slide more smoothly than the originals likely did.
Dining table: Mistique (now closed); mirror: Bernadette Breu Antiques & Ornament
Dining table: Mistique (now closed); mirror: Bernadette Breu Antiques & Ornament
The original kitchen cabinets were dark cherrywood, which didn’t fit Larson’s desired look; she had them painted a cream color to lighten up the room.
Ceiling paint: Mayonnaise, Benjamin Moore
Ceiling paint: Mayonnaise, Benjamin Moore
A small eating area off the kitchen provides a place for a quick meal or some afternoon tea.
Wall paint: Pollen Grains, Behr; table: Noir; chairs: Designmaster Furniture, with Com fabric by Robin Bruce, reupholstered by Kepler’s
Wall paint: Pollen Grains, Behr; table: Noir; chairs: Designmaster Furniture, with Com fabric by Robin Bruce, reupholstered by Kepler’s
There’s a den area just off the kitchen that also has an eclectic yet collected look. “Everyone tends to lounge in the back room near the kitchen-den area. It’s close to the teapot, snacks, wine selection and large-screen TV,” says Larson. “The couch in that room is the most inviting and comfortable piece of furniture in the house, which serves well for long conversations, movies or a good book.”
Sectional: Hickory Chair; throw pillows: custom, The Whole 9 Yards; ottoman: Clayton Marcus with rough linen Com fabric from Calico Corners; chair: Ethan Allen
Sectional: Hickory Chair; throw pillows: custom, The Whole 9 Yards; ottoman: Clayton Marcus with rough linen Com fabric from Calico Corners; chair: Ethan Allen
Larson works in her home office on the main floor with her dog, Lua, by her side. On her travels she has collected art from all over the world, including Europe, Africa, Japan and Australia. “I always purchase at least one piece of art wherever I go,” she says. “Often I gravitate toward painted street scenes of that place or people of that place.”
Wall paint: Mayonnaise, Benjamin Moore; oak map chest, school chalkboards: vintage; tool chest: antique
Wall paint: Mayonnaise, Benjamin Moore; oak map chest, school chalkboards: vintage; tool chest: antique
“I always thought I would become an interior designer, but life took another path,” says Larson. “My college roommates still tease me about coming home the night before exams to a completely rearranged apartment! This was my escape — my creative outlet and relaxation method.”
The oak dental cabinet and watchmaker’s cabinet are from an antiques shop in Aurora, Oregon. The vintage paper package wrapper is from a store in Minnesota.
Tufted chair: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
The oak dental cabinet and watchmaker’s cabinet are from an antiques shop in Aurora, Oregon. The vintage paper package wrapper is from a store in Minnesota.
Tufted chair: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
A metal dental cabinet from the store Flutter doubles as Larson’s nightstand in her bedroom. The vintage wooden armoire is from Belgium, and the small metal table is also from Europe.
Armchair: Drexel Heritage, Paul Schatz Furniture; bed: Charles P. Rogers
Armchair: Drexel Heritage, Paul Schatz Furniture; bed: Charles P. Rogers
With very little original closet space in her master bedroom, Larson took a friend’s suggestion and turned a sleeping porch off that room into a luxurious walk-in dressing room with abundant closet space. It feels more like a small boutique than a closet with its designated places to store and display purses, shoes and jewelry. The renovation was approximately $15,000.
There was no bathroom on the upper floor, where the two largest bedrooms are located, so in a second round of renovations, Larson hired someone to enlarge and turn an existing dormer into a much-needed bathroom. The bathroom addition was one of the more expensive projects, costing about $80,000 including labor and all materials. Larson was adamant about not cutting corners, but the costs also were high because there was no existing plumbing and the space had to be built out beyond the existing walls.
The vintage barber’s cabinet is from Stars Antiques. Larson repainted it yellow and distressed it.
The vintage barber’s cabinet is from Stars Antiques. Larson repainted it yellow and distressed it.
“My passion for designing spaces and decorating started at a very young age. As a kid, we had a babysitter who used to make us doll furniture by reconstructing small boxes and covering them with fabric or paper. My sister and I would then construct very elaborate houses for the pieces that filled the entire family room area,” Larson says. “Our babysitter also taught us how to draw house plans, including strategically placed furniture in each extravagant room and outdoor spaces. I still have those plans today.”
Bed pillows: custom, The Whole 9 Yards; chair: Hunt & Gather
Bed pillows: custom, The Whole 9 Yards; chair: Hunt & Gather
Her quiet street is lined with other similar bungalows. “I love my house, I love being home, and I love to have people over and entertain,” says Larson, seen here. “Friends and family seem to really enjoy being in my space. It makes them feel good, which makes me feel great.”
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Rhonda Larson and her Portuguese water dog, Lua
Location: Laurelhurst neighborhood of Portland, Oregon
Size: About 2,800 square feet (260 square meters); 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Year built: 1921
Larson’s home is filled with finds, many from the vintage stores in Portland she frequents, including Monticello Antique Marketplace, Stars Antiques and Grand Marketplace. Once-dilapidated furniture and pieces rescued from junk stores or found at flea markets have been refinished or reupholstered and given a new life, such as the gallery wall of frames above her sofa.
The tiles in a grid above the fireplace are from Vancouver artist Sid Dickens.
Wall paint: Whispering Peach, Benjamin Moore; couch: Robin Bruce, Bella Furnishings; brown chairs: Sherill, Parker Furniture; print chair: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; coffee table: Horchow; ceramic ladies: Diane Hansen