Name: Kirsty and Phil Gungor + Parker (6), Monty (3) and Elliot (16 months)
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Size: 1,900 square feet
Years lived in: 4 — owned
We got a peek at Kirsty and Phil's house a few weeks ago and now we're back for the full House Tour of this eclectic Green Bay home.
If you spend any time on Kirsty's blog, Lovelies in My Life, you'll soon learn that this lady has a great eye for style. Kirsty shares her many design inspirations on her blog and, now that I've seen her home, I can say that she is deserves to be an authority on the subject. (And if you're not reading Kirsty's blog, you should! It's a daily design inspiration!)
Kirsty's home decorating philosophy is to surround yourself with treasures and not just stuff. In scanning through the slideshow of this house tour, I think you'll agree that this is a philosophy that works.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: World traveler meets vintage lover.
Inspiration: My inspiration comes from my childhood and a home that I spent much time in other than my own, that of my best friend. Her mother and grandmother both had the most extravagantly decorated homes, filled with rich texture and color. To me they were mini museums of stunning antique pieces but yet so comfortable. They were never shy about their eccentric styles and I believe my love for tufted velvet began there. We grew up in South Africa and the colorful flea markets there hold some of my best memories and are the other biggest influence of my style today. Many of the trinkets and the furniture in our home are flea market, garage sale or thrift finds and as we add to our home on a careful budget, we try to make our little treasures work together in a fun yet comfortable way. My boys keep things from becoming too serious, even in our decor. They're always taping their art to the walls or banging around on little drum sets. I'm a dance teacher and my husband is a musician, so there's always music playing and musical instruments and art supplies on lower shelves, at the ready. Needless to say, things often look a little topsy turvy, so we just work with it! More than anything else, I want to have a home that is warm and inviting to our friends and family, one that they feel no rush to leave.
Favorite Element: Our family room is a favorite spot to lounge about because of it's gorgeous fireplace for the snowy winter months and tons of windows opening out to a woodsy backyard in the summer months.
Biggest Challenge: Decorating in a way that fulfills my ultra-feminine side but still works with a house full of boys. And of course, the usual struggles to maintain the carpets and keep the crayons off of the walls.
What Friends Say: I often hear, "This looks like you"! I suppose I dress similarly? There are a couple of pieces that we have that are either adored or quietly despised (though my husband was very vocal about his disapproval of the velvet couch until a few months ago, when he decided he liked it after all).
Biggest Embarrassment: The big boy's bunk bed! It's pretty horrible, hence the giant tent to camouflage things a bit.
Proudest DIY: We've not had any spectacular DIY moments to speak of. But I'm proud of the little things that I'm constantly adding to the decor as the seasons change, whether it be something I've painted, freshly covered throw pillows, or most recently, a garland for Valentines Day. I'm constantly moving things around or making something with the kids to add to a space. Nothing huge really, but proud nonetheless.
Biggest Indulgence: I suppose it's our dining set, but at 50% off, it was still a great deal. We have loads of hand-me-down furniture.
Best Advice: Almost every item I own is a treasure to me. There is a time, a place, and a story to be told. I would encourage you to fill your homes with items that you really love, not just something to fill an empty space. Even if it's not exactly everyone else's "cup of tea".
Dream Sources: Furniture and trinkets from Anthropologie. If I could afford it, I would look no further!
Resources of Note:
ENTRY
- • chair: thrift
• coat rack: Urban Outfitters
• folding table: Target
• paintings: TJMaxx and self painted
LIVING ROOM
- • velvet couch: thrift
• coffee table: World Market
• desk: made by grandfather
• art on wall: garage sale, trip to China, Etsy silhouette (Pretty Faces), self painted
• rug: Target
DINING ROOM
- • dining set: World Market
• table top trinkets: grandmother and thrift
• corner unit: repainted thrift
• chandelier: greatchandeliers.com
KITCHEN
- • light fixture: greatchandeliers.com
• table and stools: hand me downs
BEDROOM
- • bedding: Target, Pottery Barn
• lamp: garage sale
• side tables: hand me downs
• trunk: my grandfather
BATHROOM
- • shower curtain: Anthropologie
KID'S ROOM
- • beds and most furniture: garage sales and hand-me-down
• bed tent: made by mom
• easel: Target
• art on walls and wire art: South Africa
Thanks, Kirsty!
Images: Kirsty Gungor
• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.
Dirty Little Secrets of Tidy Families
Emi & Nathan's Natural History
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
so, so gorgeous! the style speaks so much to me...world traveler meets vintage lover. and she is absolutely gorgeous as well! :)
I agree that the decor is a bit challenging but I appreciate the whimsical quality of it. The main thing I'm having a hard time with is the "landscape" painting above the sofa -- my mother and grandparents had one. Retro and kitsch can be good, but in this case, the painting really is pretty hard on the eyes and it is the focal point in the room. Why not substitute it for a more worthy landscape painting like a Turner? That way you could still play on the "horrible" 70s sofa painting, while having something pleasing to look at.
Oh my goodness ... I just know that everyone is going to give me such a hard time about that painting! I just had to do it and I know it's really dreadful. But it makes me laugh and I do hope to replace it with something "prettier" eventually. It was found for $2 at a garage sale and the kitsch had me a-swooning. Sorry people!
There are a lot of things I love here--including the sofa painting--it made me smile, which is apparently why it's up there, so I think it works. But come on, lady, you had to know we were going to ask about your great paint colors, so quit holding out on us! I mostly want to know what color you used in the living room. If it's the same one that's in the top half of the dining room, it looks like it changes from grey to greenish to beige depending on the light--interesting.
How can you not love the ecclectic elegance of this home? Her inspiration sources are sentimental yet authentic and practical. Her strong heritage is influential throughout and for me this is what makes a home one's haven. She should be a model - gorgeous girl!
I really love the velvet couch.
Well, I really like the painting with the sofa, I really think you have nothing to apologize for!
She looks very pleased with her space in that picture, so who am I to challenge it? It's not my style and I'm not sure I can even follow what's happening in those rooms...
I think the home is beautiful. I'm sure others here will disagree, because it's not perfectly modern...but it looks like a lovely place to live (and grow up) filled with love.
Kirsty, I love how it's eclectic without really trying. It's like you just went with things you love -- not because they're "in style" right now. Refreshing and timeless.
While I "get" the sofa painting and the grouping around it "kitsch vibe", I can't help but shudder. I'm in WI as well and almost every house I've ever been in here has the same grouping without the "get it" factor.
If it was in a NY or SF loft, I'd laugh. Because it's WI, I winced.
I, for one, am so pleased to see something that doesn't look like an Apple advertisement or an Ikea commercial. Love elements of it, and I think it makes for a very unique and interesting space!
What is the colorful print in the entryway?
Ok, my first thought is, how can you keep all that stuff on/close to the floor with a 16-month-old without it being destroyed?
It looks cute and cozy, like real people live there! But why wall-to-wall carpet? Hardwood would be so pretty, and I can't imagine it's easy to keep it clean with the aforementioned boys...
An odd collection of thrift store furniture and hand me downs gives it the appearance of a budgeted eclectic suburban home that lacks cohesion.
This looks like a home, and a comfortable one at that. While the style isn't exactly what I would pick for myself, I completely agree with Kirsty's philosophy. I wouldn't mind hearing the stories behind some of the pieces! Anyway, I love the collage of black and white family photos and the velvet couch.
I'd like to see that picture above the sofa replaced as well. It is the eyesore of that otherwise lovely room. I would also lose some of the fabric that is draped over the furniture. I understand decorating on a budget & admire your skills. Cheers on a warm & happy looking home.
It's nice to see something other than a polished mid-century modern home on AT. I like what you did with what you have. I can see the affection you have for your family. It looks like a fun and warm place for your kids to grow up. Just a couple of suggestions: I think the velvet couch is lovely but the sofa next to it is out of scale and doesn't do the couch justice. Also, the sofa and armchair by the fireplace is out of scale with the room if the arms have to be overlapped. To open up the room, you might want to move the armchair to another room and push the ottoman against the sofa to make a chaise.
grandma chic?
"Fun and free" are the words that come to my mind. It looks like a great place to raise kids with no worries for the furniture. I can appreciate the painting above your sofa. Sure it's hard on they eyes, but I kinda like that about it!
Fun, but I'm not 100% sure it all works. And I'm all for eclectic!
You have a lovely home. I can see a lot of South Africa. :)
AT, I love this trend of featuring "real" homes, lately. :)
I can appreciate most elements but I have to say that as an artist, I am disappointed by the painting over the couch. It's frustrating to see people elevating kitsch art in the name of fun rather than supporting the thousands of starving artists out there who are creating something fantastic, fun, original and affordable.
I agree with your philosophy and just looking at the first pic I knew that the 50's landscape painting has its purpose .... however, I would not be able to live there, I would probably have a nervous breakdown from a place that is too busy. (But I love the sunken living room).
Having said that though, I can see that your house is filled with love and happiness and that's all that matters.
This is a little too aesthetically all over the place for me. (And no, I don't expect an Ikea or CB2 catalog. Nor am I even a big a fan of mid-century everything.) It just doesn't seem like a restful place to me. But hey, I don't have to live there.
Such a fun house! I especially love the black chandelier in the dining room and the velvet sofa. Also, the painting above it, since it makes you laugh, which I totally get. We once bought an incredibly ugly portrait done in pastel from a thrift store because we laughed so hard at it. It's in our hallway now, and I smile every time I walk past.
Also, I didn't even notice the bunk beds!
Not my style. But I find this house to be very interesting. I enjoyed looking at it. The only thing i really liked is the Anthropologie shower curtain.
Bravo, AT, for heading up to the frozen tundra. Go Pack Go!
Lovely house, and I can't wait to check out Kirsty's blog... but where is all of the Packer paraphernalia hiding??? Every house in Green Bay has it somewhere. ;-)
--tanja (GB native, in case you couldn't tell)
It's not what I would do in my own house but I'd happily be a guest here anytime. And I hate to admit it but I love the crocheted afghans.
What a nice home. It feels lived in and happy. Love the white chair in the office (?)
Wow! I believe my previous comment has been removed because I wasn't in love with this, I was as nice as can be about it though. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
So, i'm not in love with the particular style of this space but I do realize that often the feel and soul of a home can not often be translated in pictures over the internet. I bet that this would be a fantastic place to go for a dinner party or a friends + kids pancake kindo' brunch. So for that, a big thumbs up!
I find it refreshing to see a home that is filled with personality and doesn't look like every other cookie cutter "staged" looking house. I think it's fun! I think it's awesome!
i spy alysia cotter above the couch. bravo!
I like the kid art. And the nods to music.
I have a hard time embracing wall to wall carpet.. and I agree with others that I felt this one was missing balance & harmony. Very clashy & sometimes carelessly crammed together. Sorry. I'm all for personal treasures & thift finds, though - as well as family life with children. I didn't find any inspiration here in the matters pf design therapy. But if this family is happy in their home, that is what matters.