• John Wilson
• November 02,2022

Name: Holly , Ryan and their son August Location: Portland, Oregon Size: 1200 sq ft Years lived in: 5

Holly is one of Portland’s most celebrated fashion designers. After photographing the sweet shop she co-owns, I had a hunch that the qualities I found in her clothing line—romance, inspiration from past eras and subtle palette—would be echoed in her home. I hunched right! Join me for a tour of a mellow, beautiful home.

Holly and Ryan have a great touch in their home. There’s a lot of personality and attention paid to details, displayed artfully in vignettes throughout the space, like the medicinal bottles on the mantle and Holly’s curated open kitchen cabinets. There’s also a strong sense of editing and restraint. It sounds simple—showcase and use only what you love—but it certainly isn’t easy. Holly and Ryan’s space is open, relaxed and inviting and clear of clutter.

This family is so creative, a fashion designer and record label manager, and their home reflects a keen interest in handmade goods, most of which were made by friends. The wall hanging above the couch, by Portland artist Chandra Bocci was created from found materials and scraps and is absolutely striking. Same goes for the large black and white print of a horse located in the kitchen (love the unexpected drama of this image in a cooking space!), shot by an old friend. Holly and Ryan surround themselves with quality pieces, most of which are second hand or created by someone they love.

Re-Nest Survey:

Our style: Mid Century Modern Art Collector

Inspiration: Creating an open and relaxing space

Favorite Element: The mahogany wood trim throughout the house

Biggest Challenge: Rooms are small, ceilings are low

What Friends Say: That our house is very minimal and clean

Proudest DIY: Remolding the kitchen, Ryan poured the concrete countertops

Biggest Embarrassment: The pet hair from our cat and dog

Biggest Indulgence: Chandra Bocci painting in the living room

Best Advice: Put everything away that you don’t want to look at

Green Elements/Initiatives: Most everything was purchased second hand, either on Craigslist, estate sales, thrift shops and vintage stores.

Resources:

Furniture: mostly second hand, purchased at estate sales, thrift stores and off Craigslist • couch: Pier One Imports • orange Eames shell chair: found in neighbors back yard • Blue Eames side chair • shelves, mostly homemade

Accessories: handmade treasures, made for us by friends • Heath Ceramics • vintage pottery/ odds and ends like the Mid-Century chrome coffee and tea sugar and creamer from vintage shops. • plates: Fiestaware • flatware: Create and Barrel.

Lighting: Most of our light fixtures and kitchen fixtures came from the Rebuilding Center in Portland

Rugs and Carpets: • living room rug: brightly colored rug made out of silk scraps is from India and I bought that from Ebay

Tiles and Stone: • backsplash: Ann Sacks • concrete counters in kitchen: poured by Ryan

Window Treatments: hand-sewn curtains

Beds: • homemade platform • bedspread: Crate and Barrel • crib: hand me down from a friend

Artwork: • wall hanging in living room: Chandra Bocci • image of horse in kitchen: Julie Weiss, frame made from salvaged wood • the pharmacy bottle collection on the mantle was part of the art installation that I made in college when I went to Humboldt State University. • grocery store photo (basically an homage to Andreas Gursky “99 cent”) over the bookshelf was downloaded and printed from the “Picture of the Day” on Wikipedia. • we have a piece of Trish Grantham artwork in just about every room of the house, but my favorite is a little bunny over the crib, • “Paradis” photo above crib is by Chelsey Johnson.

Paint: • living room: Miller “Madonna Lily” • kitchen: Olympic Paint “Earthy Ocher” • bedroom: Miller “Graceful Gold”

Flooring: • kitchen floor: cork

Interested in sharing your home with Re-Nest? Contact our editors through our Green Tour Submission Form .

(Images: Leela Cyd Ross )