Portland Newlyweds Balance Minimalism & Collectors’ Tendencies
Portland Newlyweds Balance Minimalism & Collectors’ Tendencies
Name: Ashley and Terry Reth, and their two cats, Boy and Girl.
Location: Portland, Maine
Size: 1000 square feet
Years lived in: 2.5 years, renting

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Ashley and Terry celebrated their first six months as a married couple this April and have been together for over ten years…but they originally met all the way back in kindergarten! New to marriage, but not to each other, they are happy to now have a place their family can grow into. With minimalist dreams but collector’s tendencies, they’ve settled in by surrounding themselves with sentimental and found pieces. And they’ve done it all on a shoe-string budget.
After living in Boston for a few years, the couple knew they ultimately wanted to get back to their hometown. When Terry’s job allowed him to transfer to Portland, they jumped at the chance. The building they found is a converted brick home originally built in 1900; it was listed on Craigslist’s rental section. Amid some stiff competition, they were somehow able to score their current apartment, which occupies the entire second floor!
With plenty of space, both Ashley and Terry are able to have their own personal office. Ashley uses hers to house her extensive vintage collection (check out her online shop, Sweet William). The central location makes it easy for the couple to be close to family, allows Ashley to walk to work nearby at Little, and is close to their favorite coffee shops and restaurants.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: A mix of modern and bohemian…Collections of things we both love. We both love clean lines and minimalism, but we also easily fall in love with things. A love of vintage and finding one-of-a-kind pieces plays a big role in decor.
Inspiration: Mid-century design, minimalist design, flea markets, thrift stores, friend’s homes, Design Milk, Saturday Morning Design Shop, Old School New School, Aaron James Draplin
Favorite Element: The winter garden room. We were just talking the other day how we don’t spend enough time out there. There are plans to spend more time reading and hanging out with the windows open.
Biggest Challenge: Creating a space that is our own in an apartment we are renting with a teeny tiny budget.
What Friends Say: We have a beautiful home that’s curated with all of your special belongings”, “that it feels like a home”, and “is a true reflection of both of us”.
Biggest Embarrassment: The bathroom fixtures that we have no control over. And the cat hair. There is always cat hair…
Biggest Indulgence: We have created our space on a budget, so our couch would have to be our biggest indulgence.
Best Advice: Choose things because you love them and that reflect your style, not someone else’s.
Dream Sources: ABC Carpet + Home, Snug Harbor Farm (a house full of plants is a dream!)
Resources:
ENTRY
Molger Shelf Unit — Ikea
Rug — Goodwill
E.B. White Quote Poster — Might + Main
What Good Enamel Steel Sign – Best Made Co
If There’s Love In a House Print — The Bee + The Fox
Hanger Planters — Ashley made
United States Print — Gift
Basket with cactus — Thrifted
LIVING ROOM
Karlstad Sofa — Ikea
Lack Coffee Table – Ikea
Book Shelf — Ikea
Blue Chair (the cat’s chair) — thrifted
Basket with plant — Target
Wooden Shelf — Gift
Wall Hanging — Ashley made
Tote with plant — Anthropologie
Green Chair — $3 at a yard sale, from a bank
Some Things Take Time Print — Congo Studio
Cedar Chest — bought from someone on instagram
Rug — Urban Outfitters
Crosley Record Player — Urban Outfitters
Cactus Print — Banquet Atelier + Workshop from Little
Stay Wild by Rylee + Cru — Little
Galaxy, Campfires, + The Northeast Prints by Brainstorm — Little
A + T Metal Letters — Anthropologie
Neon Heart — Oh Joy for Target
KITCHEN
Jokkmokk Table and Chairs — Ikea
Theater Chairs — Craigslist
The Poet Letterboard — Letterfolk
Bekvam Kitchen Cart — Ikea
Model One Radio — Tivoli Audio
BEDROOM
Ranarp Wall Light — Ikea
Selje Nightstands — Ikea
Wall Mirror — Lindsay Joy Stone
Dressers — Both given to us from friends
Mirror — got in college
Child’s wooden chair — Brimfield
Glass Jug — Saver’s
Calendar — Stendig
Wall hangings — made by Ashley
You + Me Print — Wolf and Wren
Dash Stitch Quilt — West Elm
BATHROOM
Raskog Utility Cart — Ikea
Floral Shower Curtain — Anthropologie
Torso Bath Pat — Cold Picnic
Bobby Pin Print — Rifle Paper Co.
Comb Print — Rifle Paper Co.
Plant Pot — Anthropologie
ASHLEY’S OFFICE
Desk — Ikea
Clothing Rack — Such Great Heights
Rolling Cart — Ikea
Storage Unit — Ikea
Mesh Bin Storage — Ikea
Be Brave Banner — Secret Holiday Co.
Peace Sign Print — Jaime Street
Wedding Dress — Lover
TERRY’S OFFICE
Desk — Ikea
Chest — Thrifted
The Pine Family Print — Brainstorm
Raskog Utility Cart — Ikea
Smaller prints —WINTER GARDEN ROOM
Butterfly Chair — Craigslist
Pillow — Target
Gold Plant Stand — Brimfield
Plant Pot — Anthropologie
Glass Jug — Brimfield
Floor Pillows — Ikea
Rattan Chair – Brimfield
Sheep Skin Rug — Bowron
Oeuf Rainbow Pillow — Little
Phases of the Moon String — The Great Lake Goods
Tote with Plant — Anthropologie
Thanks, Ashley, Terry, Boy and Girl!
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