House Tour: Alicia’s Romantic Portland House

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updated Jun 4, 2019

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Name: Alicia Paulson
Location: Portland
Size: Almost 2,000 square feet
Years lived in: Almost 7

If you’re one of the many fans of Posie: Rosy Little Things, Alicia’s shop, you’ve already had glimpses of her home on her blog. If you’re an AT reader, you’ve had a quick peek at her studio — she was a

Front Porch (Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Do you have an idea for a house tour? Let us know! tips@sf.apartmenttherapy.com

my/our Style: A little prissy, a little thrift, a little “grandma,” a little knock-off Pottery Barn.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

the Inspiration for my home: I’m inspired by a lot of the homes in my old neighborhood in River Forest, Illinois. They had a very old-fashioned sort of English-manor quality that I always loved.

Favorite element: The newly gravel-covered backyard, if I had to pick one. But actually I love it all, I must confess.

Biggest Challenge in designing my home: Trying not to spend any money or remodel anything because we are hopeless. Rewiring a light fixture requires prayers, crossed fingers, and wincing. Our improvements are all completely cosmetic, laid over what was here when we bought the place.

What friends Say about my home: “Too bad your dog assaults me every time I come over” and “It seems bigger/nicer/cleaner in the photos” and “Cute – how does your husband let you get away with all that pink?”

biggest Embarrassment in my home: The downstairs bathtub which has black caulking and a disgusting plastic shower-surround. Which I barely notice since I’m blind as a bat and normally not wearing my glasses when I’m in said tub. I try not to wear my glasses in the bathroom, actually (mirrors there, too).

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Proudest DIY: The newly gravel-covered backyard.

biggest Indulgence with respect to my home: Very, very good sheets, always. And a monstrous TV with Tivo.

Best Advice given or received: Given: Just pick a color and paint it, baby. Received: Bring something with you to Goodwill every time to go out to get something new.

Dream Source for stuff: Anthropologie, Williams-Sonoma.

Resources:
Appliances:
Came with house

Hardware:
Came with house

Furniture:
Mostly secondhand

Accessories:
Lots of thrift and handmade
Anthropologie
Target
Marshalls
Crate and Barrel/CB2

Lighting:
Dining room light from West Elm
Stripey living room light from Anthropologie
Kitchen lantern from Urban Outfitters

Paint:
All from Home Depot or Miller Paint (Portland)

Flooring:
Came with house

Rugs and Carpets:
Dining room from Meier and Frank (Portland)
A few Dash and Albert
Living room sisal rug from Kmart

Window Treatments:
All café curtains from Kmart
Others handmade

Beds:
Secondhand

Artwork:
Eli Halpin (Baltimore, MD)
Other stuff just stuff I’ve made

Thanks, Alicia!

(Editor’s reminder: When leaving comments, play nice or you’ll be asked to leave the sandbox.)

. . .and be sure to check out Alicia’s Husband’s Hangouts