Name: Greg Hennes & Grey Helvey
Location: South East — Portland, Oregon
Size: approximately 1600 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months — rented
Greg and Grey moved into their studio loft in January of this year. The vibe they've created is one of serene calm, mixed with innovation and creativity. The space is astounding, full of open air and light — it's the ideal showcase for their Antler & Co. handmade goods.
Both Greg and Grey are from elsewhere originally but have made their home in Portland. Greg has been here for about 12 years and Grey is a relative new-comer, having spent the past few years in Minneapolis, Minnesota running a contemporary art gallery. Grey's own work dots the walls along with the work of friends and artist she used to represent in her gallery.
The woods and nature influence these two artist/designers greatly. Their place is at once minimalist, clean and simple in its design, but it's the design punctuation marks of all their travels and interest in nature that make their home come to life.
Greg and Grey co-own Antler & Co., a small business in which they source shed antlers from a variety of deer in the Midwest and turn them into beautiful, no frills, wall hangings. The antlers can be used for utilitarian purposes such as hanging sunglasses or keys or just become art in and of themselves, curving simply from any surface. The antlers are everywhere and are so graceful in their natural form. Colorful feathers from a pheasant have become splashes of beauty, while a bird's nest sits next to old pharmaceutical bottles and a gorgeous utilitarian bag, made by friend and local designer, Wooden Faulk. Grey's obsessive, scribbly, narrative works seduce and inspire viewers. I wanted to stay for hours and peer into this visual diary of hers.
I love this space for it's fearlessness. Friends said "How can you live in a place with no windows, no bathroom, no kitchen?" Greg and Grey took those challenges and flipped them on their head. They built a bathroom out of cedar planks, installed a quirky, fully-functional kitchen and enjoy a flood of natural light streaming in from a giant skylight over head. They knew they could make it work, and now those friends (myself included!) are envious of this unique live/work space. They've created an unconventional, gorgeous home with filled with personality, history and beauty.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: Natural history scavenger cabin
Inspiration: Friends. Craftsmanship. Thoughtfulness. Wood. Simplicity.
Favorite Element: The flat file bed and the block and tackle swing.
Biggest Embarrassment: As relates to our studio? None to speak of. Maybe the way I look on the dance floor?
Proudest DIY: In life, the cabin. In the studio, probably the flat file bed or the cedar bathroom.
Biggest Indulgence: We actually haven't really indulged on this space. Maybe our little toaster oven, it was spendy for such a small dude.
Best Advice: Don't be scared, you can do it.
Dream Sources: Material:Goby Walnut, Furniture: Heartwood , Dave Seoane , BDDW
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
- • Metro Paint: Arctic White.
LIVING ROOM
- • Couches: from grandparents
• Antlers: Antler & Co.
• Artwork: made by friends and Grey
KITCHEN
- • DIY kitchen: cedar panels
Thanks, Greg and Grey!
Images: Leela Cyd Ross
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Skylights = awesome. Great job on the bathroom.
I love the bare wood and metal aesthetic, and the well-worn floors, with all that natural light and open space. Looks great, guys.
Do you not have a full-size oven? What kind of gas burners are those in the kitchen?
Beautiful living space (that area with the wooden bench, which I love, and coffee table). It looks almost like an exhibit.
Very sculptural and cool. But a little too hard-edged for comfort, it seems to me. I'd like to see someplace besides the bed that could be flop-worthy. And the hook hanging in the middle of the skylights seems a little too Bond Villainesque. Otherwise, love the light and the wood!
You can always know how dreary it is in Portland! But seriously, that's some wonderful light. And I hope that the walls are thick, 'cause I'd be throwing some serious dance parties in this space, as the furniture seems light and easy to move. Great space.
This used to be my theatre company's rehearsal and office space! How cool to see it used so differently and beautifully.
So gorgeous! I'm really jealous of those high ceilings and wide open space. My place is so small and cluttered!
I have to ask, where is the Minnesota print from? I love it and I swear I am not biased..
That's my first question, too - I love that MN print! (and I totally AM biased - I live right about under the loon.)
Cool space. We have quite a collection of shed antlers found on our property - I like to see natural elements like those, feathers, driftwood, twigs against the industrial look.
Only concern - we use a propaine stove at our cabin in Ontario - and never leave it indoors.. I understood it's very dangerous to do so.
(The propane tank, I mean.)
The place at present lacks cohesion and coordination; the various objects do not integrate with each other to form a "whole" of any sort - it's just not well thought out.
Fantastic space, the skylights are awesome.
Fun,and lots of it.
@wildlysimple: my grandmother became nearly 90 years old with the tank inside the house, so no problem as long as the connections are tight.
I love this space! Very clean and spare but with warmth and character. I have to ask, who made the little deer painting to the left of the Minnesota print?
Wow, what a true artist's dwelling! You have an incredible space to show off your work + those skylights are to die for:)
Thanks for sharing your home.
I love all the photography by Corey Arnold that is displayed.
Where did you get the table in image 14? Did you make it? I've been looking for a table base like that, with the structural brace in the middle. Would love to make my own table with a base like that and a butcher block top surface.
A bit too industrial for my taste and a punch of color here and there wouldn't hurt. Great skylights and love the natural elements, though.
love the bathroom. where did you get the barn door hardware?
Brrrrrrrr!
This place is the Bee's Knees!
I got such a kick out of this place. It's eye opening to see people living so differently from me.
Skylight is amazing!
is that the old pinball publishing space?
I love the wooden walls in the kitchen. Nice.
This is going to sound totally deranged: if I had that much light and space, I'd go crazy! (As in good, creative crazy) but the first 6 months I'd want no one and nothing in there but me!!!! So I could dance and spin around and run naked thru the space.
(Sorry,comes from living in tiny spaces!) :p
That sliding barn door on the bathroom is wonderful! Just like the rest of the space. Everything here has so much intention. Oh gosh I love PDX. <3
I have to also comment on the file storage bed. How did you find one to fit the mattress you wanted? My guess is you used it as is - so much in your abode is. I'd like to find a flat file that would fit a full size mattress but have the length-wise side go against the wall and the drawers pull out into the room for optimum use in the small space I have to relocate to...
Not feelin' it. At all.
i knew i recognized brooke's artwork. i can not (but at the same time, i can) believe what i just stumbled upon at 2:05 am on March 22, 2013.