Portland Arts and Crafts bungalows are deceptive.  From the outside, they look like humble little cottages but oftentimes, open the front door and inside you’ll find tall ceilings, large crown moldings, and generously proportioned rooms.  That was the case for this Hawthorne Arts and Crafts Bungalow.

Home to two generations of the same family, it had seen many happy gatherings and life events over 62 years, but had also started to show the signs of wear and tear.  Passed from one generation to the next, it was a labor of love to update it and give it a renewed sense of purpose for modern living. Over the years, the second generation to occupy the house had updated the kitchen and downstairs bath and painted several of the rooms.  But the formal front living room, the first thing you saw when you entered the house, had not been updated since the 20’s and the wallpaper was so thick, it sat proud of the baseboards and crown molding. After removing 10 layers of wallpaper, the walls and trim work, along with the fireplace, got a cost-effective face lift with paint.  Floors were refinished and new light fixtures were hung.

And then the fun started. Using a great collection of artwork as a jumping off point, I was inspired by the rich colors found in the pieces, along with the client’s desire to bring more clean lined pieces into the mix. A contemporary fabric that was reminiscent of William Morris’ textiles, was the finishing touch to the space.