“My partner and I stumbled upon this charming 1952 bungalow on Zillow in early 2020 after weeks of searching for a new rental home to escape our drab concrete complex,” begins Ashley Martin, the vintage collector and owner of small business Very Cherry Vintage. “Initially, I couldn’t decide if it would be the perfect blank canvas or the complete opposite. The online photos didn’t do the house justice (or so I was hoping), but a snapshot of the cut-out in the kitchen caught my eye, and I knew we had to see it in person. Stepping inside the house was like a dream come true! All-white walls, warm wood floors, and best of all, it was nestled in our favorite historic South Central neighborhood.”

More than just a place to sleep, Ashley and Nate’s home has become both a safe haven and creative hub, reigniting Ashley’s “passion for thrifting and interior design, experimenting with renter-friendly decor options, and even starting my own small business. We’ve implemented many renter-friendly hacks around the house, including removable wallpapers, flexible foam crown molding in the living room, and swapped out most of the overhead lighting, which can easily be switched back to the original fixtures. We have a rare agreement with the landlord that lets us do almost anything we want with the house, as long as it doesn’t alter the integrity of the property itself,” Ashley writes.

My style: Glam-rock granny meets vintage love-core Barbie!

Inspiration: Anything that has fun energy, is a little gaudy, or involves a lot of pink! Most of my inspiration comes from vintage aesthetics, especially Hollywood Regency glamour and the charming kitsch of old honeymoon motels. To balance out the glamma-chic, I love incorporating modern art, eclectic furniture, and plenty of sparkly disco balls for a funky twist! It’s like if Barbie’s grandma had her own dream house. I’m also obsessed with fake food, from my Pretty Shitty Cakes collection to retro resin parfaits made by the talented Mexakitsch — they’re the perfect sprinkle of kitschy cuteness.

But what really drives my creativity is COLOR. It’s the easiest way to set the mood and create an aesthetic for any room. While pink is my go-to hue, I’m not shy about trying out a new wall color or bold wallpaper that makes a big statement! With my background in children’s clothing and set design, I can’t help but infuse inspiration into my home with a playful spirit — the world is your stage they say (or, in this case, your home!)

Favorite element: My favorite corner of my home is the gallery wall! I’ve spent countless hours hanging and years sourcing, and I’ve used a whole lot of spackle to make it exactly the way I want (anybody else here eyeball it or just me?) The wall has gone through many stages over the years, but I *think* I’m finally satisfied with its current state. It’s hard to go wrong with a hot pink hand chair, fake cakes, and disco cherry fun (in my personal opinion). Whenever I look at this corner, I feel like I’m really peeking into a part of my own brain, and it brings me immense joy to know that I’ve discovered a way to express myself in a way that feels truly authentic!

• Living Room and Front Door — Valspar “Harmonious Rose”
• Hallway, Kitchen Door, and Bedroom Doors — Behr “Magic Wand”

• Samson Sofa in Peacock Blue — Apt2B
• White TV Console — West Elm
• Pink Hand Chair — Stampworthy Goods
• Swan Coffee Table — Stampworthy Goods
• Brass Etagere — FB Marketplace
• Pink Lotus Table Lamp — FB Marketplace
• Traditional End Tables — FB Marketplace
• Brass and Glass Side Table — FB Marketplace
• Pink Shell Pillow and Pearl Pillow — Thrifted
• Vintage Chrome and Brass Console Table — Thrifted
• Cherub Pillow — Vinnie Boy Vintage
• Boudoir Fringe Lamp — Thrifted
• Fake Cake — Pretty Shitty Cakes
• Set of 4 Arched Brass Mirrors — Little Vintage ATX
• Large Gold Floral Mirror — Brasstastic Vintage
• Gold Standing Cherub Clock — Effie Vintage
• Leopard, Tufted Purple, and Rose Pillows — Amazon
• Zebra and Leopard Rugs — Wayfair
• White Lace and Purple Beaded Curtains — Amazon
• Disco Balls and Disco Ball Planter — Amazon

• Dried Florals — East Olivia and Flormosura
• Disco Planters — Zero Gravity Lounge
• Retro Resin Parfaits — Mexakitsch
• Green Floral Print — Vida de Vintage
• Staffordshire Dog Print — Amy Hastings
• Pink Heart Girls Print — Kendra Dandy
• All Fake Cakes — Pretty Shitty Cakes
• Disco Cherries — Mirrors by Lina
• Cow Print Flower Mirror — Mooju Rugs
• Gold Frame Cat Print Set — Room Service Vintage
• Cherry Bomb Mirror – Rosehound Apparel
• Pink Poodles — FB Marketplace
• Colorful Oval Floral Print — Thrifted and painted over
• Large Swan Planters — FB Marketplace

• Gold Syroco Wall Shelf — Thrifted
• Brass Coat Rack — Thrifted
• Pink Prism Chandelier — Thrifted
• Vintage Brass Dining Table and Cantilever Chairs — FB Marketplace
• White Lace Curtains — Amazon
• Black and White Flower Pillows — Amazon
• Pink Beaded Curtains & Valance — Amazon
• Pearl Curtains Tie Backs — Amazon
• Floral Wallpaper — Urban Outfitters

• Disco Tile Trash Can — Hand-Tiled by Moi
• Leopard Bar Stools — Secondhand from Peachy Cozy Lane
• Purple Rattan Shelf — FB Marketplace
• Rattan Hamper — Stampworthy Goods
• Purple Lace Butterfly Valance — Amazon
• Hot Pink Beaded Valance — Amazon
• Chartreuse Valance and Lace Curtains — Amazon
• Billy Bookcase with DIY Caning — IKEA
• Black and White Striped Rug — Amazon

• French Provincial Pink Dresser — Secondhand from Allhers
• Brass Vanity Set and Standing Shelf— FB Marketplace
• Vintage Bed Frame — FB Marketplace
• Gold Standing Mirror — FB Marketplace
• Pastel Floral Wallpaper — Urban Outfitters
• Hot Pink Duvet Cover Set — Amazon
• Leopard Pillows — Amazon
• Leopard Curtains — Amazon
• Baby Pink Beaded Curtains — Amazon
• Fuzzy Purple Rug — Amazon
• Green Scalloped Chair — Wayfair
• Pink Foot Bench — Target

• Brass Bamboo Etagere — FB Marketplace
• Hanging Boudoir Light — Thrifted
• Brass Wall Mirror — Effie Vintage
• Disco Tissue Box Cover — Zero Gravity Lounge
• Brass Tiered Wall Shelf — Thrifted
• Retro Hamper — Thrifted
• Brass Corner Stand — Thrifted
• Heart Rug — Amazon
• Rose Bathmat — Amazon
• Crystal Prism Light Fixture — Wayfair
• Heart Shaped Shower Curtain Rings — Amazon
• Lace Shower Curtain — Amazon
• Cupid Hearts Neon Sign — Amazon

• Boudoir Lamp — Thrifted
• Lip Phone — Thrifted
• Gold Cherub Wreath — Effie Vintage
• Lip Neon Sign — Amazon
• Black Metal Wire Shelf — Urban Outfitters
• Black and White Diamond Runner — Urban Outfitters
• Lucky You Print — Etsy
• Fake Cakes — Pretty Shitty Cakes

Thanks, Ashley!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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