Name: Heather, Denis and new pup, Addie
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: About 3000 square feet
Years lived in: 8 months
After living and renting in Portland for 3.5 years and being newly wed to one another, Denis and Heather decided it was time to purchase their very first home together. They proceeded to find an agent who took them all over the city looking for something, but in the end came up with nothing. They decided to take a house-hunting hiatus but soon after came the news that their two friends were packing up and moving back to Denmark.
Consequently, they needed to sell their freshly redesigned 3 bedroom house after spending so much time and effort making it match their clean, Scandinavian style. Although Heather and Denis were sad to loose such great friends, they realized that there was a silver lining for both couples: one wanted to sell a house and the other wanted to buy. As a skilled graphic designer, Denis was always attracted to the modern layout and the clean, crisp design. Heather, being a dedicated yoga instructor, was interested in having an entire bedroom to use for her practice. Since they are equally talented in the kitchen and share a love for entertaining, they felt the spacious kitchen/outdoor patio would be perfect for future dinner parties.
The deal worked out beautifully. They are currently the proud owners of a stunning home and they have a place to visit in Denmark. Perfect.
Apartment Therapy Survey
Our style: Timeless. Modern base with select antiques & family heirlooms.
Inspiration: Frank Lloyd Wright, Mid-Century modern architecture. Charles & Ray Eames.
Favorite Element: Our art collection. Most of the art on our wall has been created by our ultra talented friends & family. If we had to pick one favorite piece it would be the lamp my grandfather made in the 1920's. The lamp was entirely made via reclaimed wood from an old piano. All hardware was handmade. He was a career machinist / inventor.
Biggest Challenge: Walnut trees and keeping the dark floors clean!
What friends say: Please invite us over for summertime bbq's and crisp nights by the fire pit!
Biggest Embarrassment: Guest bedroom needs some love.
Proudest DIY: 9' wooden Grain surfboard.
Biggest Indulgence: Our 100" walnut & steel dining room table. Made by good friend
Dave Seoane. Seats 8 comfortably. We love to entertain.
Best advice: Less is more
Resources:
Original artwork by: Craig LaRotonda, Denis Kegler, Randy Gaetano, Kevin Kegler, Derek Albeck, Alisha Wessler
Dining table by Dave Seoane
All other furniture and accessories by: Eames, Ikea, yard sales, hand-me-downs from friends, family and an old landlord.
Thanks, Heather & Denis!
(Images: Ashley Sheping)
Dirty Little Secrets of Tidy Families
Hillary & Michael's Refined Roost
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Nomade Express Slee...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
My Staple Summer Cocktail Recipe: Campari & IPA Spritzer
i like that it is somewhat spare, but still cozy and inviting. i especially like the long mirror in the bathroom.
i really like that it's clean and simple with bursts of color and unique art. 8 months is a short time put a house together...it looks great so far. really cute story too.
Love it.
I'm curious where the dining table is from.
LOVE the Jesus on the mantle, though overall I've swooned harder over Scandanavian spaces.
Which elements are Scandinavian?
I'm really into that cherub assemblage piece on the wall. The mantle iconography is good, too.
Wait, wait... where's Addie the pup? Don't tease.
Jesus on the mantle, Buddha on the dresser, Obama on the wall... good grief, people, just pick a god and stick with him!
Alright, I give up. This place is very Scandinavian. It's perfect.
I like the art pieces here and the eames chair in white. Otherwise the place feels a bit cold to me and I don't get a timeless feel from it. I also don't like how all the hanging lamps have that messy wireing.
I'm sure that in person it is a lot of airy and feels fresh and uncluttered, but I don't get that feeling by looking at the pics.
oh - i kind of love the messy wiring...very raw/industrial with a homey vibe. the dark floors with the white walls and butcher block counter tops are superb. i am very inspired by your kitchen and wish i had your outside patio space..
Great patio. It's hard to get a feel for the rooms and layout of the house as a whole with all the closeups. I guess one can just lean out over the patio for a nice shot, but it's hard within rooms to get a sweeping view with a camera.
Strong Scandinavian/European feel to this house and it's lovely. Love the tree-bough kitchen table. NB: Ancient wisdom indicates that walnut trees offer healing & protection. Walnuts provide excellent nutritional and restorative qualities. Result? Lucky, lucky guys.
I laughed out loud at Blandwagon's comment! I think the coffee table is awesome. I appreciated the shots with the "messy" wiring, b/c I'm renting and have wires hanging from my pendants too.
not sure if it's just my computer but I haven't been able to access pictures on AT this morning...
I look at a lot of books and sites focusing on Scandinavian design, and this just doesn't feel like any of what I've seen. Too much black and white, not enough texture or natural elements. I think the house itself is really nice (love the floors and doors!) but the stuff they have in it is cold and edgy and too industrial for the Scandinavian motif they seem to aspire to.
Yes to what sally305 said.
I like the mixture of mod/trad pieces and eclectic art stuff. Too much Ikea though. oops. Is there ever too much Ikea?
Perhaps the most "Scandinavian" thing about this place is that the former owners now live in Denmark?
mirandabee, that was my thought exactly too--it was owned by Scandinavians, thus it remains Scandinavian. I am guessing it looked a lot different with the former owners' stuff in it.
This is an example of where a good editor should have caught the disconnect--the writer describes the home as "Scandinavian" but the owners mention American icons (FLW, Eames, MCM) as their inspiration.
I guess the IKEA stuff counts as Scandinavian.
scandinavian or not - it's modern, clean, and the thoughtful details/art make the space inviting. amazing patio!
Where is the teak trunk from? Great tour. Thanks a lot.