“We moved to Portland in 2017 after almost two decades in the Boston area. The move was put in motion by me, landing a job at Schoolhouse, but we were also ready for a change,” explains Katie Elliott, who is Director of Product at Schoolhouse. “I grew up in California, and Alice’s brother and family are in Seattle as well, so it felt great to be back on the west coast and in the same time zone as our immediate family. We were eager to start our new chapter here in Portland, so we started the house hunt immediately.”

“When I saw this house, I fell in love with the big windows, the layout, and the neighborhood. Through the beige walls, carpet, and furniture, I saw the space for the bright, cheerful home it could be. I was also drawn to the circular flow between the entryway, kitchen, dining room, living room, and the connection to the backyard. While I can appreciate the beauty of an open concept floor plan, I prefer clearly defined rooms — there is a sense of purpose for each space and a clear connection between them. The movements of our day-to-day lives create a choreography within the home. We have spent a lot of time at home in the past year and all things considered, I feel grateful for it.”

Favorite Element: The large windows in the living room are my favorite. They are what sold me on the house from the moment I saw them. They provide a view into the front and back yards and keep the space light-filled, even in the dark winters.

Biggest Challenge: I love to problem solve in homes, so I get really energized by challenges. In this way, challenges seem more like opportunities to me! I am currently planning a kitchen remodel, and I’m excited to see how we can make thoughtful upgrades to meet our functional and aesthetic needs.

Proudest DIY: Hmmm. This is a toss-up! We renovated our bathroom right when we moved in because it was dysfunctional and an unfortunate shade of purple. Then, the timeline sped up due to a flood the day after we closed on the house. My favorite part of the bathroom was the long shallow oak shelf I made for above the sink. I intended to have a beautiful space to place things on the counter and create some architectural interest along that elevation. The simple feature brings some material warmth and adds interest to the room. 

My other favorite DIY was painting my laundry room cabinets a vivid green. The laundry room felt like the perfect location to be a little daring with color. The room only has a tiny window, so I wanted to bring some joy to the space and not take it too seriously.

Biggest Indulgence: We installed wood floors in the living room and dining room to match the rest of the house. Previously there was beige carpet, so this change was incredibly impactful.

Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? Our neighborhood is full of alleyways, so most houses on our street have garage access from behind rather than the front. This setup creates lovely uninterrupted front facades and keeps the cars in the back. We decided to give up our backyard car access for a free-standing garage, so we could have more yard space and fill it with raised beds for herbs and veggies.

What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? Since starting my time with Schoolhouse, the number of lamps I own has probably tripled and I’m not sorry. My favorite lighting purchase is the Donna Floor Lamp in my living room. I love the simple shape and polished finish that reflects all the beautiful light in the space.

Please describe any helpful, inspiring, brilliant, or just plain useful small space maximizing and/or organizing tips you have: Store things where you use them in easy-to-access but attractive containers. This is my approach for all the toys in our house. For example, building blocks and train sets are in felt bins in the living room for ease of play and storage. Our puzzles are in the dining room credenza, so they are close to the table if we want to use them. Art supplies are neatly put away in wall-mounted cups above my son’s desk in the dining room, so he can help himself while we’re nearby.

Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? Surround yourself with things you love.

• Bedrooms — Benjamin Moore “Gray Owl” wall, “Simply White” trim
• Bathroom — Benjamin Moore “Horizon”
• Living Room — Benjamin Moore “Simply White”
• Dining — Benjamin Moore “Simply White”
• Laundry Room — Benjamin Moore “Simply White” wall, “Bunker Hill Green” cabinets

• Kubbis hooks — IKEA

• Karlstad sofa — IKEA
• Simply Linen, Loose Fit  Unbleached Karlstad Sofa Cover — Bemz
• Jack chair — Confetti Tweed — Schoolhouse
• Coffee table — Personal work
• Donna floor lamp in polished aluminum — Schoolhouse
• Ribbed wool rug – Midnight — Schoolhouse
• Ion Lamp – Pittsburgh Edition — Schoolhouse

• Ray 17” pendant, dune — Schoolhouse
• Plaid wool rug in tawny — Schoolhouse
• Mulberry floor lamp — Schoolhouse
• Sidnie lamp – Juniper — Schoolhouse
• Table — Personal work
• Chairs — Vintage Cesca Chairs
• Credenza — Vintage

• Docksta table — IKEA
• Arranged shapes 2 Print — Schoolhouse
• Edgecliff pull-in natural brass — Schoolhouse
• Luna cord pendant with 12” shade — Schoolhouse
• Gray classic piped throw pillow; Blue Grid Stitch lumbar pillow; Linen Check pillow; and Ivory Grid Stitch throw pillow — Schoolhouse
• Classroom stacking chair in black — Schoolhouse

• Channeled cotton quilt in gray — Schoolhouse
• Popcorn Grid coverlet in natural — Schoolhouse
• Nightstand — Vintage Schoolhouse
• Isaac plug-in sconce, long arm — Schoolhouse
• Arne Jacobsen alarm clock in Green — Schoolhouse
• Tarva Bed — IKEA

• Woven plaid duvet cover — Schoolhouse
•  Orange velvet + wool circle pillow — Schoolhouse
• Woven plaid pillow sham — Schoolhouse
• Channeled cotton quilt in blue — Schoolhouse
• Nightstand — Vintage Schoolhouse
• Studio desk lamp in industrial yellow — Schoolhouse
• Tarva bed — IKEA
• Ribbed Wool Rug in Stone — Schoolhouse
• “Work Hard” print — Schoolhouse
• Flip clock – Red — Schoolhouse
• Eames rocking chair — Vintage
• Orange floor lamp — Vintage

BATHROOM

• Godmorgon vanity — IKEA
• Edgecliff Pull in natural brass — Schoolhouse
• Morris L Sconce — Schoolhouse
• Flip clock in white — Schoolhouse
• Hand-blown carafe — Schoolhouse
• “Wash Hands” sign — Schoolhouse
• Croft brass wall mirror — CB2
• Art — Vintage
• Nude sculpture — Personal work

Thanks Katie!

This house tour’s responses were edited for length and clarity.

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