Character-Filled Collector Style in Boston

Name: Justin and Madison Power and their schnoodle, Sylvia
Location: Roslindale; Boston, Massachusetts
Size: 1,200 square feet
Years lived in: 3 Months; Rented

Justin Power of Pioneer Goods Co. has a bent for good old rustic Americana. The son of an interior designer, Justin spent a great deal of his childhood developing his eye at flea markets and estate sales with his mother. Some twenty years later, Justin curates his own home goods shop in one of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods. As true pioneers do, Justin and his wife, Madison, take risks in their interior design. Vowing to never take themselves too seriously, the couple has created an eclectic living space that is as authentic as it is affable.

Having just celebrated their one-year anniversary, Madison and Justin moved into a three-bedroom apartment in Roslindale, Massachusetts, with Madison’s sister, Taylor, and their darling pup, Sylvia. The bright and airy space is a welcome change from the couple’s previous basement-level apartments. Justin and Madison’s combined aesthetic is an eclectic, American-inflected style with a Mid-century approach. They emphasize objects that are well-made, durable, and utilitarian; wire storage baskets, leather couches, vintage jadeite, canvas bags, taxidermy, antique artwork, and ornate rugs are just some of the finds that decorate their home. The apartment’s original built-ins, detailed woodwork, and trim feel right at home alongside their throwback-Americana decor.

Justin and Madison’s developed style requires traversing New England, hunting for all things old and weathered. Coming from families of do-it-yourselfers, they are strong believers in the phrase, “they don’t make ’em like they used to.” Together, the couple scours flea markets and breathes new life into vintage pieces with thoughtful repurposing, elbow grease, and a fresh coat of paint. With their aptitude for restraint and resourcefulness, Justin and Madison have created a space that is undeniably authentic and inviting.

Our Style: Eclectic.

Inspiration: The homes of real people, everyone from our grandparents to people we like on Instagram. Particular people of influence are Kenyan Lewis, Evan and Oliver Haslegrave, and Linda and John Meyers. We like homes that look like people actually live and exist in them; there is nothing worse than walking into a home and feeling like you’re in a catalog.

Favorite Element: The two places we lived in previously were both basement-level, so we really love all of the natural light.

Biggest Challenge: Filling a new apartment that is four times the size of the one we moved from. Renting and being tied to certain design elements we cannot change is frustrating (example: the strange trim/shelf that runs around the dining room ¾ of the way up the wall).

What Friends Say: People seem to dig the floor, the light, and the cozy extra room at the front of the apartment.

Biggest Embarrassment: The combo of see-through cabinets and blue countertop in the kitchen. Again, some things you just can’t change.

Proudest DIY: The painting. When we moved in, the walls were bright peach, lavender, pink, and bright yellow. With the amount of trim and woodwork that needed to be cut in, at times it felt like an insurmountable task.

Biggest Indulgence: None. We’re pretty resourceful when decorating.

Best Advice: Very little of what you do is permanent. Always wanted a dark bedroom? Try it out. It might fail. Who cares?

Dream Sources: 1stdibs.

• Living room: BEHR Vintage Linen
• Dining room: BEHR Burnished Clay
• Kitchen: BEHR Vintage Linen
• Office: BEHR Vintage Linen
• Master bedroom (above): Valspar Mark Twain Gray Brick
• Bathroom: BEHR Burnished Clay

• Reclaimed barn beam console table: Madison’s dad made this for us up in Maine with old barn beams he salvaged and worked tirelessly to clean up.
• Vintage sampler: antique store
• Vintage milk jug with vintage canes: auction
• Vintage coat rack: auction
• Vintage mail boxes: estate sale
• Vintage crate: flea market

• Antique dry sink used as TV console: auction
• Mid-century coffee table: vintage
• Walnut side table: vintage
• Art Deco side table: HomeGoods
• Antler mount: Pioneer Goods Co.
• Plants: Niche Urban Garden Supply
• Papasan chair: Craigslist
• Mid-century modern green leather chair: Craigslist
• Malayer print ottoman: Boomerangs in Jamaica Plain
• It’s Not Always About You print: by Dallas Clayton from Hello Merch
• Pencil portrait of woman: Pioneer Goods Co.
• Love Is All Around Us print: Worthwhile Paper
• Street Walker (buffalo) print: by Kevin Russ from Society6

• Antique pine work table: Brimfield
• Cedar bookshelf: Salvation Army
• Think Happy Thoughts print: Worthwhile Paper
• Papasan chair: Craigslist
• Vintage crates: found at various flea markets
• Lamp: IKEA
• Lace curtains: IKEA
• Old man and woman portrait prints: Pioneer Goods Co.
• Oil painting: auction
• Rug: auction

• Table: This was a left-for-dead artist’s table from my very first shop on Harrison Ave. My landlord told me I could do whatever I wanted with it, so it became my first shop worktable. Every piece of furniture I painted in my first year of business was done on that table.
• Chairs: various vintage sources
• Sideboard : Craigslist
• Mirror: IKEA
• Rug: flea market
• Fiddle-leaf fig tree: Niche Urban Garden Supply
• Antique commode bench: Pioneer Goods Co.
• Vintage blankets: Pioneer Goods Co.
• Large glass bottle: HomeGoods
• Floor lamp: IKEA—I spray painted it with Rustoleum in Hammered Copper.
• Candlestick holders: IKEA
• Centerpiece bowl: wedding gift from Abacus Gallery
• White industrial pendant fixture: IKEA
• Jadeite: Madison has been collecting jadeite since we met, and her collection has come from all over. Basically, everywhere but Brimfield, where the prices are out of control.

• Table: White Elephant Shop, Essex, MA
• Chair: antique
• Shelf: Pioneer Goods Co.
• Crate: flea market
• Vegetable print: Worthwhile Paper via Pioneer Goods Co.
• Hanging terrariums: HomArt
• Air plants: Niche Urban Garden Supply

• Shelf baskets: Target
• Carved wooden whale: Pioneer Goods Co.
• Gloucester map: Pioneer Goods Co.

• Bedframe: IKEA
• Dressers: thrift shop and Craigslist, both painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
• Lighting: IKEA
• Bedside tables: IKEA
• Hand-painted stoneware vase: Pioneer Goods Co.
• Blanket chest: The Treasure Chest, which is the wildest shop in the world and it’s on our street. This sweet old veteran has had the space for 25 years and it’s packed to the gills with everything he’s found in that time.

→ 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!