Whitney & Ian’s Cozy Portland Rental

Name: Whitney Menefee and Ian Bailey
Location: Northwest Portland, Oregon
Size: 550 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years; Rented

Whitney and Ian have nicely settled into life after university. They live in a gorgeous vintage apartment complex right in the heart of Portland, so they can walk to some of the city’s best shops and restaurants, and they both have great jobs close to where they love to live. Whitney is the marketing manager at Caitlin Wilson Design, Ian is a product manager for a local technology start-up, and together they have put together a sweet first home with a nice mix of Craigslist scores, personal touches and gorgeous textiles—a fabulous perk of Whitney’s job!

The apartment complex where Whitney and Ian live is a gem of a place. The vintage units all face a quiet courtyard, which is lushly landscaped and includes giant redwood trees just steps from the front door. The complex was designed by Pietro Belluschi, who designed over 1,000 buildings, including the Pan Am Building (now Met Life), Equitable Building (Portland), Tully Hall at Juilliard School (NYC), One Financial Center (Boston), US Bancorp Tower (Portland), Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco), and Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (San Francisco).

Portland’s NW 23rd Avenue shopping district is just a couple blocks away, and downtown is just a short walk from the apartment. The interior of the apartment has been perfectly maintained and has tons of vintage charm—even the window treatments are original from 1942. Whitney and Ian love everything about living here (though they admit it would be nice to have a washer and dryer!) and have made their first home together feel comfortable, sophisticated and warm.

Our Style: An eclectic mix of bright and colorful pieces.

Inspiration: Anna Spiro

Favorite Element: Our living room has an amazing view. It overlooks a beautiful green courtyard.

Biggest Challenge: No in‐apartment dishwasher or washer/dryer.

What Friends Say: They love how eclectic and colorful our apartment is. We always get compliments on our built-ins around the living room windows.

Biggest Embarrassment: Our bedroom light fixture. It’s terrible!!

Proudest DIY: Our campaign desk. We found it on Craigslist for $45 and painted it white.

Biggest Indulgence: Our Pottery Barn sofa.

Best Advice: Furnishing your first apartment can be overwhelming, but try not to rush the process. It takes time to create a space that you love!

Dream Sources: Serena & Lily, Designer’s Guild, Circa Lighting, and Anthropologie.

• Geometric rug: One Kings Lane
• Campaign dresser: Craigslist
• Mirror: World Market

• Coffee table: West Elm
• Sofa: Pottery Barn
• Pillows: Caitlin Wilson Design
• Sisal area rug: Pottery Barn
• Yellow armchair: vintage via Craigslist
• Buffalo check ottomans: Ava Cocktail Ottoman by Caitlin Wilson Design
• Throw blanket: Manor Fine Wares in Portland
• Blue and white lamp: HomeGoods
• White campaign desk: Craigslist
• Desk chair: local estate sale
• Navy side table: Target
• Gold floor lamp: Target
• Candleholders: glassybaby
• Black media console table: IKEA

• White tulip table: IKEA
• Swivel chairs: Craigslist

• Turquoise table: Hot Box Betty in Bend, Oregon
• Rug: Navy Kismet Rug by Caitlin Wilson Design
• White lamps: West Elm
• White linen bed skirt: Restoration Hardware
• Pillows: Caitlin Wilson Design
• Nightstands: Serena & Lily, Crate & Barrel
• Chair: Craigslist
• Basket: Anthropologie
• Art: painted by Whitney’s co-worker Nicole Ray

→ Share your home with Apartment Therapy: House Tour Submission Form

→ Are you a designer/architect/decorator? Share your residential project: Professional Submission Form.

→ And see all of our past house tours here

Follow Apartment Therapy’s board House Tours Apartment Therapy on Pinterest.

Updated daily with fresh tours full of photos for you to pin & enjoy!