Dogs and Design Rule the Roost in This Charming Iowa Home
Name: Kelly and Nick
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
The basics: 14 months, rented — 798 square feet
Kelly, a speech pathologist and interior designer, and her husband Nick left the South for the Midwest and landed in this charming 1940s home. With Kelly’s eye for design they turned the space into a welcoming haven for two-legged and four-legged guests alike.
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My husband, Nick, and I moved into our 1940s rental when we made the trek from South Carolina to Iowa so that Nick could complete his orthodontics program. As a Speech Language Pathologist by day and Interior Stylist by night, I was already planning what furniture we would keep and what would stay before we even moved in! Our little house clocks in at 798 square feet and is full of traditional charm— some of my favorites include the giant doorbell and intricate floor vents. We also reside with our two sweet pups, Caz (a boxer) and Chapman(a chihuahua/not sure what else mix), who definitely rule the roost!
What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room is definitely the living room— it is the largest room in our house, so naturally that is where we spend most of our time. We love to entertain and the living area is where we tend to hang out over game nights with a glass of wine.
If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? Ah, the kitchen. Old fashioned charm is aplenty in an old home, but it also means that our kitchen is absolutely tiny. There’s really only enough room for one person to be cooking at a time.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing I’ve added to our home was a sweet gift from a friend— a Le Labo Candle in Santal 26. I haven’t even lit it yet but it is already making our entire home smell delicious!
Which fictional character would be most at home in your place? Maybe Ace Ventura? We’re all about our dogs, and encourage friends to bring theirs over as well. Keeping things at least somewhat animal-friendly is always a priority.
Kelly’s words of wisdom: Everything in our home has been collected over time, and most pieces have a backstory. I think being sure to take the time to really consider each piece you place into your home is vital. Asking yourself if you really love it, does it support the flow of the rest of the home, and if you think you’ll still enjoy it in a few years will help narrow down items so that only objects with real sustenance will fill your space.
Thanks, Kelly!
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