apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Lovely home!

very nice, I love their style!

I'm digging the funky reupholstered 80s chairs. I really dislike that style, but they actually look really cool together and are a great match for the table.

Very nice! Not cluttered or fussy in any way, but definitely looks lived-in and loved.

Weird - we also have a neighborhood called "Pill Hill" in Seattle (several hospitals clustered togther).

Simply adorable! A very happy looking home...I love the colors! I've read Sara's blog which is a fun and interesting read. She is quite an artist! I recognize some of her pieces from her blog.

Adorable - and very chic.

very very cute!

Totally comfy, I want to live here!

I like the light blue walls and the purple door, but the red chandelier is my FAVORITE.

I may have to borrow that idea...

kelly
http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com

That's so cute! You just know you want to be friends with whoever lives there!

hello Junklover, can you post a link to her blog please.
I love this home and want to read more about it!
thanks,

Liz

I want to hang out here. Really cozy and inviting. Please don't let your cool outside long table rot... use it! :-)

I LOVE this home! So playful and colorful. However, the blurb about it seems a bit like ad copy rather than a blog post... it could be great for Ashley to join the team, but I'd love to hear more of her personality in her writing.

I am inspired to own a house again & change my style completely. Thank you for posting!

Fab.

Let's face it, the "editors" at AT just don't care about punctuation or good writing. It would have taken all of three minutes to fix that graph:

After purchasing their 1892 2000-square foot bungalow, Sara and Oliver knocked down two walls to open up the first floor and indulge their playful style of decorating. Color plays a big part in their home, and they are not afraid to use it. Each room displays a variety of hues that carry over to each adjoining room, creating a flow through the eclectic living area. An added bonus that makes this house particularly desirable is a separate 300-square foot building on the property, previously used as an artist's studio. Sara and Oliver turned it into a guest house, adding plumbing and a full bathroom. Both structures are located in the hills, peaking out from the forest and providing a secluded sanctuary from city life.

You're welcome.

What a beautiful place... I would live there. The post makes me want to move in today!

Thank you, Henrietta the Terrible.

But: peeking, not peaking

I LOVE the look of this. Great use of color, making small spaces larger. Great ideas for me. Thank you!

Henrietta,

This post is an audition for full-time blogging on AT -- her writing skills are, I'm sure, part of the tryout. I think that it's important that AT NOT alter her writing!

Thanking you, mirandabee, from the blast of my own petard,

Henrietta

I love this home!
I've recently purchased a small apartment that has a similar open flow to Sara and Olivers and was too scared to go bright w/ color. I may have to re-think the brown and grey I picked and go w/ something more bold. I love the kitchen w/ the blue ceiling and green tile below (also the banana painting). Such a young and fun colors but, a very sophisticated sense of style. Ashley, thanks for sharing!

Wow! Great execution of tying together an eclectic dining room.

I have to say that I found her writing to be concise and after all this is a blog.

Its a sad world when people feel that they have to go around and correct people because they have ulterior motives or woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

XO

Lovely house, lovely pictures and lovely writing (the lack of grammatical perfection does not bother me as it appears to do others). Ashley, hope to see more of your stuff.

Having just moved to Portland, i'm very excited to see more showcases from around here, not to mention... scavenger!

I think Henrietta overshot in her critique of the poster's writing style. It's difficult to show one's colors, so to speak, in such a short post. While grammar can be glaring to certain internet chair jockeys, particularly on a fairly intellectual site such as this. However, it's not like she spelled 'their' incorrectly. Indeed, at times, strict grammar can detract from the very playful style to which Henrietta alludes.

i love the use of color in this house. sometimes, too much color can make me a bit uncomfortable and overwhelmed, but the colors they picked and the way they used them just made me really happy.

ashley has skills! great job!!

Sooo much counter space, I'm so jealous! Lovely and charming...

WOW. This house is such a cozy nest! With funky flare, BEAUTIFUL color choices, and an undeniably captivating nature aesthetic.. it's so inviting! or at least the pictures make it look that way!! I, coming from NYC, would love to have something like this; A Northwest coast escape! Ashley's writing and photography makes me feel like I'm IN THE HOUSE with her!! I disagree with the "ad-copy" line. Ashley's personality seems to jump out in the choices she makes photographically, the angles, the light etc. Yet she maintains a professional artistic vibe in keeping her writing to the point and no frills! I'd hire her to be my house scout!!! maybe I will!!

I love the front room. The purple door, the light blue walls and the contrasts of red throughout (but particulraly that chandelier!) So bright and cheerful without seeming vapid or drag queenish.

And the eclectic chairs at the dining table just makes me want to sit down and drink vino with Sarah & Oliver (but probably not winter being a baby and all.) I can tell they are my kind of people.

Thanks for a little light of lovely on this gray northwest day!

I like how the modern features in the kitchen contrast the rustic back patio (very Portland). And I'm coveting the artist studio in the back . . . if only.

I agree it is a cozy nest! Great style but feels lived in. I would love to read more...

I love the use of color in this house! I feel like I keep seeing the same look, over and over again- lots of simple, clean, neutral tones. But this home feels very unique, lived-in, warm, and inviting. You really get a sense of how these people enjoy their home. Great photos!

Such a great house, with fun style we dont often see in here in Florida. Refreshing descriptions that dont over-analyze or trivialize. Ashley seems to be a positive addition to the team. (And I agree...its a blog...grammar and punctuation are not what people come here to critique. And, given Henrietta's warm welcome, I doubt Ashley would make the same "mistakes" twice.)
I especially love the pictures since they confirm everything Ashley has written about this lovely property.

i love the mismatched chairs in the dining room -- a very unique yet cohesive touch. ashley seems to have a good eye, and I'd like to hear more from her. Her description is very tight, and I think with more practice she'll get even better.

The particular style of this house would normally not be what I would be drawn to....but, honestly, I love it. They have really made it unique and original. I really love the kitchen. I like that they can blend different styles, modern and rustic, and come out with such a great result. The photos are great. When I look through magazines, websites, or blogs for style ideas, I usually am drawn in by the pictures, because they are the best way to describe a style. I don't want a novel describing the look, a short, concise description is perfect...and that is exactly what I see here. I would love to see more from Ashley displaying the different and unique styles Portland has to offer!!!

Great home! Perfect and bright for those wet NW days.

Henrietta,
The error was in the original copy ... not to worry! And cbina, I could accept your point more readily if AT didn't let so many OTHER (non-auditioner-generated) errors 'slip through.' And klsvo: writing is part and parcel of blogging, no matter the subject. It's hard for some of us NOT to comment when the language is being butchered. That's a shame, because we'd really like to focus on other elements.
AT, please recruit some editors!

The outdoor eating area is by far my favorite. I love how they have mixed the rustic outdoors of the hills with the eclectic nature of their home by using the oversized picnic table and introducing the iron chandelier. It looks like a divine sanctuary on summer evenings. Thanks for sharing, Ashley. You have provided a great glimpse into Portland's style. Please share more!

I'd like to just copy this exactly, and completely pilfer their style. Or hire them to decorate my home. This is so a reflection of what's inside me, that I'm terrible at expressing!

Great house, really good pictures, and writing that actually relates to those pictures. Count me in as one of Ashley's new fans!

I really enjoyed this piece. Ashley chose a great home that really conveys the creativity and freedom of style that’s central to the PNW. The photos are fabulous and I thought the writing was fresh and informative. I like Ashley’s perspective and hope to see more from her. If this is the first house imagine what's to come...

I only wish I had the courage to use such bold colors in my living space. I love this house in an "envious, but know I could never pull it off" kind of way. It is great to see the pictures because I do feel like I could take elements of what they've done and incorporate them into my apartment.

Thanks for sharing and for inspiring creativity for those of us who may not venture this far on our own!

These PDX tryouts are most promising! I'm excited for a whole new wave of AT bloggers from the Pacific Northwest.

Wow. How fun and surreal to read so many lovely comments about your own home. Thanks AT readers! I noticed many of you are new readers (or at least new commenters) at AT. Welcome to a lovely online community, so full of inspiration and funky style (and grammar experts too - what an added and also annoying bonus!). I was flattered that Ashley picked our house to cover for her tryout. The girl is so full of sass, spunk, and style - she will wow you all with future posts if she gets the gig! It would be good for all of us AT junkies if Ash joined the AT team.

A few replies to the commenters -
dear junklover, thanks for reading my blog! i love to know you are out there!

dear k51279, can't wait to see your take on the red chandelier! send me a photo!

dear heatherdazy, we can totally be friends. i'd love to be girls with someone named heatherdazy. come up for a chai latte anyday!

dear rosie888 - www.portlandsunshine.blogspot.com - come say hello!

dear laughingtiger - come on over for a dinner outside! i promise we use it and love it. it was made with love by my hubby, out of salvaged materials...so it may look a bit tired in the photo, but its fab in real life. here is a link to some other pix:

http://portlandsunshine.blogspot.com/2008/07/loving-summer.html

dear henrietta the terrible, great name for yourself :). can't wait for you to comment on my comments. yikes. fyi i am an engineer, not a grammargirl, so go easy on me. so, did you at least like my house and ashley's photoskills?

dear idontdobeige, great name - i don't either! great comment.

dear smartypantsless - come over for vino anytime!

dear island_monkey, i'd love to help

dear blue1979, go for it!

dear JoJenks, i totally agree. and more specifically I hope its ashley, she will not disappoint.

dear the rest of you. merci merci.

dear ashley, good luck with this gig! congrats on being a finalist. this position would be so you!

Looks like Country Living or Good Housekeeping. No unique POV. I'm sure it's warm and cozy, but...

inspiring - great aesthetic, great review. more like this please

Yes, portlandsunshine, I like your house and Ashley's photographs are very good, but what you and my critics fail to understand is that my umbrage has nothing to do with your house or even Ashley's writing and everything to do with editorial laxity at AT. OoerictoO's comments were so off the mark as to be bizarre. (I must assume, Oo, that when you described AT as "a fairly intellectual site" you were biting your tongue in cheek.) By the way, I've been complaining about this for years.

As mirandabee said, the ongoing sloppiness at AT is a distraction. I'm not asking for "strict grammar", just proper spelling and punctuation and a little "editing", to use the beloved designspeak term, to make the posts more readable. I get that we can't all be RichardinLA.

Great photos and post Ashley, Looking forward to seeing and reading more from you in the future!

love the tree house! fearless color (also a fan) - and the movement created by the placement of objects/furniture. i also love how they recovered the chairs to make them fit their style.

great pick for a first article - all i can say is "more please"! to know what the house has been though (more info on homeowner's blog), i think ashley did a great job getting the whole story in such a small paragraph!

Ashley--I am fortunate enough to have visited this great house, and I think you have done a fantastic job of capturing it both in your description and in the photos! I look forward to following your blog when you get the job, and getting to tour other wonderful properties through your posts! Apartment Therapy would be making a mistake if they don't choose you! Best of luck to you, and hope to meet you in PDX when we take up residence in the wonderful guest house at Sara and Olivers in April!!!

I would enjoy seeing more images of the El Fresco dining area. AT, you would be bananas not to hire Ashley. She would be an amazing contributor!

I just found this site and must say that this little taste has me hungry for more. It sounds like the contributor is new to AT and to her goes a congrats. I love the photos and only wish there were more pics to stroll through, and also wish the house was mine, which is beside the point! Keep up the good work and since I will be a regular visitor to the site now, I look forward to seeing more of your creative eye in capturing the way a house "lives" :)

Best!

Love Love Love. Excellent first post, Ash-- I'm sure its not the last.

Winter's love nest is tres fantastique! I love the house but I'd be a happy happy girl to shack up in the guest quarters!

Show us more!

wow, loving this house! bold, but intelligent, use of color and overall design. I especially like the dining area and reupholstered chairs. Ashley's photos are equally impressive - well framed, and capturing the vibrant but cozy energy of the space. this post definitely drew me in and I can't wait to see more!

I've gotta agree with Henrietta -- no matter how good the pictures are, some of us are grammar snobs to the end and want to see quality writing continue to be prioritized. Portland is full of amazing houses AND amazing writers. I can't wait for the new site to debut!

Really enjoyed Ashley's write up and perspective of the Fritsch's home. Totally inspiring and makes me want to seriously think about adding some fun, and bold colors into my own home decor. Thanks and Good luck!!

I have to say being from Portland, it is SO refreshing to have a fellow Portlander writing about such a wonderful home in such a wonderful city. I feel that so many times Portland gets over shadowed by it's bigger neighbors, i.e. San Francisco and Seattle. Bigger isn't necessarily better and Portland has SO much to offer in terms of beautiful architecture, creative homes and interesting artists. I LOVED seeing such an unique home featured in this post. Ashley is a pro with the camera and I love how she took the time to learn about the house and it's owners. The house itself is such a gem and if this is the type of posts that we can expect from Ashley, then I can't wait for more!!!

Hi - I watch and read AT to see the beautiful homes, condos and apartments - not to get an English lesson. I think this place is absolutely fantastic - thank you and keep blogging.

Love the creative use of color! I want to eat at that outdoor table...and book a weekend in the guest house! Looks like a creative and inspiring place to call home. Great find, Ashley...would love to see more from you.

Really fun. I appreciate that much color done so tastefully. And I would love to hang out in the yard. I must agree with mirandabee; I'm a grammar nerd, too.

Love this home and it's fun display of color. What a beautiful gift to your guests! Ashley, this was a great first pick and I look forward to seeing more.

What a cheerful home! Frida Kahlo pops into my mind.