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Young House Love » House Crashing » House Crashing: Elegant And Fresh

| By Sherry Petersik | March 13, 2012 | 286 Comments

House Crashing: Elegant And Fresh

We shared a smidge of Kirsten’s amazing house in last week’s Portland post just to get you excited, but here’s the whole House Crashing monty for ya. The exterior of her and her husband Kyle’s house is a rich gray color and the porch has the most amazing over-sized white corbels on either side of the door (note: house numbers have been changed to protect the innocent).

Kirsten Front Door

Here’s a shot o the outside of the house from further away (wish we had been able to see it in all of its spring/summer glory when more is in bloom).

Kirsten Exterior

When you walk inside, there’s a charming little entryway directly across from the door between the dining room and the living room. It’s such a sweet (and functional!) area that Kirsten squeezed into the room. They were actually made by a local woodworker (she said it saved her lots of money in comparison to some ready-made systems that she saw) and the awesome giant N is from Anthropologie.

Kirsten Entryway

Aside from immediately going crazy over everything from the awesome paint colors (this room’s Benjamin Moore’s Copley Gray) to that genius oversized map (from Schoolhouse Electric, by the way), we just snapped our way around her house – oohing and aahing the whole way.

Kirsten Living Angled

The wood-burning fireplace actually works (so cozy) and Kirsten mentioned that the patterned rug from Crate & Barrel has been an awesome choice since sometimes a bit of soot or ash can get on it down at the end there, but it blends right in. Oh and that mirror above the fireplace is a craigslist find.

Kirsten Living Straight On

This wood-chest turned side table (found on craigslist!) was such a fun pairing with the colorful ikat chair from Urban Outfitters.

Kirsten Living Trunk Sideta

Oh and the coffee table was a wedding gift that a number of relatives went in on from Crate & Barrel.

Kirsten Living Coffe Table

Directly across from the living room is the dining area, complete with a cool slightly arched doorway…

Kirsten Dining From Living

… and an awesome fixture from Ballard Design.

Kirsten Dining Room Full

Everything from the thin black frames on that back wall to the table made from reclaimed wood that has special meaning to Kirsten and her hubby Kyle (it’s from a barn that was taken down in his hometown of Sweet Home, Oregon) had us threatening to move in on the spot. Oh and the paint color in here is Quill by Olympic.

Kirsten Dining Room Table

For more on those frames and the art within them, you can check out Kristen’s blog here (the prints have a really interesting origin, and the frames were garage sale finds). Even the little console table behind the dining area was really sweetly accessorized. I remember telling Kirsten that she has a serious knack for decorating, as in: she should do it full time – and I meant it!

Kirsten Dining Room Buffet

Check out their amazing kitchen! It used to be a narrow galley kitchen (where those hanging pendants are was once a wall). Kirsten and her husband got their wood counter handcrafted by a local woodworker for a steal (a serious steal- like a few hundred dollars for the entire thing, including the hole for the sunken cooktop).

Kirsten Kitchen Full

She said they had repainted the walls quite a few times, just to get the perfect color – and this putty color (Benjamin Moore’s Rockport Gray) was the bee’s knees. I loved how rich it made the cabinets look without feeling dark at all.

Kirsten Kitchen Counter Clo

Here’s the sweet eat-in area on the other side of the room. Is that yellow poster the bomb.com or what? It’s from here (and the amazing yellow peppermill is from Anthropologie).

Kirsten Kitchen Bfast Nook

Oh and I had to share this shot of a small staircase right off of the kitchen that leads to an exterior door. Kirsten wanted to dress up the stairs without spending a ton, so she just used Benjamin Moore’s porch and floor paint (in White Dove and Van Cortland Blue) along with a stencil to give them a pick-me-up.

Kirsten Staircase

Here’s the guest room, complete with a charming metal bed and the coolest old wood dresser we’ve seen in a while.

Kirsten Guest Bedroom

It was totally something you’d see at Anthropologie for a cool grand, but it was actually a free hand-me-down that Kirsten inherited, painted, hated the paint, and then stripped and sanded. Isn’t that an amazing “accidental” effect that she ended up with? It’s so weathered and cool. Oh and the drawer pulls are from Anthropologie and the wall color is Behr’s Pebble Stone.

Kirsten Guest Bedroom Dress

Here’s the backyard, which was so lush and green thanks to all that Portland rain. That little deck that you see is off of the kitchen, and there’s a fence and some pretty bushes behind where we stood to take this picture.

Kirsten Back Yard

All in all: a super charming house, with a super charming owner. Thanks so much for inviting us to crash your house Kirsten!

Kirst Front Door With Sherr

For more on Kirsten’s paint colors, click here, and for more on her house/neighborhood, click here. And click here just to check out her awesome blog in general. Now let’s play the what’s-your-favorite part game. I am completely obsessed with the giant map in the living room, the dining room chandelier, and the wood trunk in the living room. And of course John wants to fight me for the map, and also loves the yellow sign in the kitchen along with the wood counter in there. Your turn.

Psst- Check out over thirty more House Crashing features right here.

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Filed Under: House Crashing

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Comments

  1. Melanie @ Mailbox Journey says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:17 am

    I’m going to be pinning away at these!

    Reply
  2. Katrina @ 'Sota is Sexy says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:20 am

    OMG I want this house! I am so inspired by the color scheme and giant U.S. map in the living room. I’m also crushing on the botanical prints in the dining room and their light fixtures are seriously ahmaaaahhhhzing.

    Portland is one of my fave cities on the planet…and this house is just SO Portland. Makes me want to up and move to PDX!

    Reply
  3. Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:20 am

    What a beautiful house! It’s got so many amazing details. I love every color she used on her walls! Oh man… now I’m itching to repaint our living room!

    Reply
  4. Victoria R says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Do you guys watch the show Grimm? It takes place in Portland, and on the episode from two weeks ago there was a pillow sitting on a hotel room bed that was made from the same fabric as your dining room curtains!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:23 am

      No way! Love it!

      xo,
      s

    • Stephany says

      March 13, 2012 at 12:03 pm

      I KNEW I recognized that pillow in that episode!!

    • Mamaw03T says

      March 13, 2012 at 12:33 pm

      I saw that too, but thought I was seeing things. Thanks for confirming that I haven’t totally lost my mind!

  5. Kristin says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Gorgeous! I love the combination of accent colors in the living room, and the dining room is to die for!

    Reply
  6. Jen M says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Such a beautiful home with great, simple accents! Love the “work hard” poster too which has been a fav of mine for a long time. Great motto to live by!

    Reply
  7. Molly@TheNestingGame says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:22 am

    Wow. That is a seriously lovely home. They did a great job selecting paint colors—they flow so well from room-to-room. Thank you for sharing!

    I did a little virtual house crashing last week with a sorority sister of mine. She and her husband basically created this space from scratch. Super scratch. And 2 words for you: Ombre Stairs!
    http://thenestinggame.com/2012/03/07/casa-de-sweazy/

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:23 am

      Wow- so much fun!

      xo,
      s

    • Kristin H. says

      March 13, 2012 at 4:21 pm

      Oh my goodness!! Most favorite house crash you’ve ever done ever!!!! Thank you guys for reminding us that a house doesn’t have to be big and grand to be absolutely incredible. I just adore every inch of this home. Think she’ll pack it up and ship it across the country?!?!!? Cause I’ll take it! :)

  8. Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:25 am

    OMG! The house is gorgeous. Love everything in the home. I had already pinned the dining room shot from last post. She should seriously take up interior decorating.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:32 am

      I know, right? I kept telling her that. I have a feeling she’s going to someday. She’s just too good at it not to!

      xo,
      s

  9. Amber V. says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:27 am

    What a lovely home.

    Either the link to her blog doesn’t work or we’ve already crashed it… oops.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:31 am

      Oh no! Here’s hoping it’s back up again soon!

      xo,
      s

    • kirsten says

      March 13, 2012 at 11:13 am

      We are working on getting it back up and running:)! Thanks for the heads-up!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 11:33 am

      So sorry Kirsten!

      xo,
      s

  10. ESBlondie says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:28 am

    LOVE!!! Can she come to my house and make it look like that :)

    Reply
  11. Christine @ Casa-de-Christine says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:28 am

    LOVE THIS HOUSE! I love pretty much every detail and colour used. I would be totally excited if my house was half as pretty as this one. There is a great mix of modern pieces with more rustic ones and that’s a pairing I love! Well done- I’m definitely feeling inspired!

    Reply
  12. Karen L. says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:28 am

    Wow, so wonderful to see such a sweet, yet livable home—-not “staged” looking either. Love it—-hope y’all have recovered all right from the bug you had…….K.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:31 am

      Aw thanks Karen! It’s slow-going over here (why does the flu linger so?) but we’re doing ok and Clara’s in great spirits!

      xo,
      s

  13. Ainhoa@ALittleBite says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:30 am

    I love the light fixture from the eat-in area and the Urban Outfitters chair – the whole house is gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Alice says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:36 am

      I also love the pendant light in the eat in area! Any idea where she got it?

    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Here’s hoping she’ll drop in with that info for ya!

      xo,
      s

    • TinaD says

      March 13, 2012 at 4:24 pm

      I’d love to know where the light fixture is from, too!

    • TinaD says

      March 13, 2012 at 4:39 pm

      Found it on her blog:
      http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC750/templates/selection.phtml?n=v&iqg=e3786d03d8e26962d2102df4aba4ae56e0bd2f06&custom_code=19rc3&&custom_code=19rc3&newC750%5B10FINISH%5D=C750OB

  14. Krystle @ ColorTransformedFamily says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:30 am

    Such a beautiful home. I love her taste in furniture and artwork. I can tell y’all had an amazing time crashing her house. I am so glad I got to see it!

    Reply
  15. Emma says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:30 am

    Simply glorious. I can’t pick just one thing – love it all so much. But if forced, I’d have to pick the painted steps. Genius. Thanks for sharing Kristen!

    Reply
  16. Sheryn says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:32 am

    Wowwwww…. Beautiful house! My ridiculous brain thought you guys crashed a house in Hawaii so I was all “Why do they need a fireplace?” Duh.

    Really awesome house Kirsten, and really cute outfit too!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:40 am

      Oh yes, I loved her clothes/jewelry. Basically, the girl has style. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  17. Julia @ Chris loves Julia says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:33 am

    The kitchen. The kitchen. The kitchen. I literally gasped! It’s gorgeous and not huge, which is so inspiring. I also love how the yellow curtains in the kitchen play so nice with the yellow curtains in the dining room. So thoughtful.

    Reply
  18. Kay says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:34 am

    DAT KITCHEN!

    Reply
  19. Sara says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:35 am

    So beautiful! Can the whole thing just be my favorite??? I cannot wait to get out of my teeny apartment and into a space that I can really make my own! Thanks for the motivation and inspiration!

    Reply
  20. Christine says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:36 am

    I like all the reclaimed wood textures in contrast to the crisp gray and white tones throughout… also, the little vignettes of accessories on dressers and sidetables, with lots of room to breath all around them.

    Reply
  21. The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:38 am

    Wow, what a gorgeous home! I feel like I have no vision when I see what kinds of things people come up with! So thank God for you guys and doing awesome stuff to your place and showing what others do to theirs for some great inspiration!

    Reply
  22. Allyn says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:38 am

    I think painting the house gray is now being added to the list of “things we would do to our house if we actually owned it” along with painting our front door deep blue (like the doors we saw on our Scotland honeymoon).
    Also, crazy jealous of her dining room table!

    Reply
  23. Kate says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:38 am

    Ah, I love a good house crash. And you know it’s a good one when you’re insanely jealous and keep looking at the pictures trying to figure out how you can do that to your home, haha. Hope I’m not the only one who does this :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:46 am

      Also, you can find all the prints in the dining room on vintageprintable.com. I have 2 of the same ones in my dining room – and they were free! Just had to print and frame.

  24. Erin says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:39 am

    Ohh – I love the pops of yellow in the kitchen and the painted steps.

    Can I put in a request for a future house crash? I would love to see a rental house/condo/apartment and see how a creative renter makes their house a home while working with the existing kitchen, fixtures, possible non painted space, etc.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:43 am

      We’d love to crash a place like that! Just waiting on an invitation. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  25. Hillary says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:39 am

    Oh, that living room.
    Please excuse me while I audibly swoon.

    Reply
  26. Karen says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:40 am

    I love this house! Never thought I’d be saying that about a place with so much gray, but the bright yellow accents really make it. My favorite rooms are the dining room and the kitchen. I also like how the various shades of gray were used from room to room (especially the transition from living room to dining room.) I was wondering about the picture windows at the front of the house-are they original? I like how they are accented along the top.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:41 am

      Yes! They had the wavy glass from back in the day! So gorgeous!

      xo,
      s

  27. Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:41 am

    The putty gray they settled with is GORGEOUS!!!!! I love all the details – especially the entry! I need to find a giant letter or two now… I’m getting alphabet obsessed =)

    Happy Tuesday darlings! <3

    Reply
  28. denise f in c'ville va says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:42 am

    i love the sophisticated colors used on walls and on accent pieces. beautiful style and taste. i also need to apparently strip the paint off every old dresser immediately!

    Reply
  29. Katie says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:43 am

    This may be my favourite house crashing tour you have ever done. LOVE IT!

    Reply
    • LauraC says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:49 am

      Katie, you stole the words out of my mouth. Definite fav of mine! Love everything.

    • Cory says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:56 am

      I couldn’t agree more!

  30. Urban Wife says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:43 am

    When I first saw that top pic of Kirsten, I thought it was Sherry! And then the last pic at the bottom with both of you…y’all look like sisters!!

    Love their house! All the punchy details are my favorite, like the yellow peppermill and the guest room lamp base. So many fun colors everywhere.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 11:38 am

      Haha, aw thanks! She was so sweet, I would totally adopt her as a sister.

      xo,
      s

  31. Jessica says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:44 am

    I love this house. Loooove. It’s such a cute little thing all dressed up in my favorite colors! Gray is so soft and calming, but the yellow pops make it say helloooo! I love the mix of rustic and industrial, too.

    Reply
  32. Lesley says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:46 am

    Sherry, any idea if the “work hard” poster will be printed again? I know it’s currently out of stock but am sooo wishing for my own.

    Hope the flu bug is on its way out – Lesley

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 11:36 am

      No idea- but here’s hoping! I love it too, so I’d guess it’ll be back!

      xo,
      s

    • Kim @ Yellow Brick Home says

      March 13, 2012 at 11:38 am

      Lesley, I bought mine directly from the artist in grey:

      http://www.anthonyburrill.com/purchase/work-hard.html

  33. Meagan says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:46 am

    This is without a doubt my favorite house you have crashed. It is pretty much exactly what I would want for myself. Just add a 3rd bedroom and a 2nd bathroom and I would move in and stay forever. Whoa I’m in love with this house.

    Reply
  34. Amanda says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I love every inch of it!

    Reply
  35. cappy says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I swear how do people do this?! I love everything about this house!!! I try to do the same thing at our house and yet it looks like a big tag sale-or something that should go on the show “hoarders”. How does one make the decision on what is a “classic” unique piece and what should clearly be tossed? Thanks for posting-hope you are all getting better.

    Reply
  36. Emily says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:47 am

    How cute that her husband is from Sweet Home, Oregon. And all that salvaged wood has me wishing we had any old wooden buildings in Ireland. All concrete blocks and stone, sadly.

    Reply
  37. Megan says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I DIE!!! Stunning! We have such similar taste!

    Reply
  38. WendyMI says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:47 am

    Such a cute house… love that it shows how much style one can pack in a little area and it ends up looking HUGE!

    Love the pendant in the eat-in nook, the map, and the wood dining room table. And the dining room chandy, and… and… SO cute!

    Reply
  39. Amanda R says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:50 am

    I love this whole house, would move in tomorrow if I could! Awesome inspiration for making the most out of small spaces!

    Reply
  40. Erin says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:51 am

    I love her house and Blog. been following it for awhile now. So glad you housecrashed her!!! You forgot to include her awesome basement remodel!!

    Erin

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 11:36 am

      Oh yes, it was awesome down there but since it was a cloudy day it was hard for taking pics (sadly not enough light).

      xo,
      s

  41. tara says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:51 am

    Ohhhhhhh what a cozy charming home! It is just full of lovely rustic & eclectic goodness:) I’m in love with the light fixtures throughout the house, plus all the worn wood tables, especially the dining room table!
    Can’t wait to check out her blog (along with everyone else since it sounds like we crashed it ha!) Is the master bedroom not made over yet?

    Reply
  42. Katie says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:52 am

    I love that they’re rocking that “N” in a bunch of places around the house, some subtle (pillow) and some stand-out (entryway). I love using initials in various places (mostly smaller things like notepads, keychains, etc.) but have been reluctant to use them in our house because my friends already make fun of me for it. But now I can show them this awesomely decorated house with initial art as evidence that I have at least somewhat good taste!

    Reply
  43. Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:52 am

    What an adorable house!!

    Reply
  44. Dani says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Oh nos! We crashed their site! Great house crash though – love the warm colours and cozy feel.

    Reply
  45. Ali says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Thanks for sharing! Can you let them know that their website (http://www.restoredstyle.com) is perhaps, crashing? Maybe too many visitors! :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 13, 2012 at 11:35 am

      Oh yes, she knows and is working on it! So sorry, it’s all our fault! But if you check back later I’m sure it’ll be back.

      xo,
      s

    • Kirsten Nieman says

      March 13, 2012 at 4:42 pm

      Hi Ali! We are back up and running:)! Thanks!

  46. Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Beautiful home!! I love so many aspects!! I tried to click over to her blog though and I think we might have all crashed it?? I am bookmarking it though so I can go check it out later!!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  47. Patti says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:56 am

    I love the entire house but the entire dining room is my favorite. Those 4 pics on the wall gave me a great idea for my own dining room! Love when that happens!

    Reply
  48. Carley says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:58 am

    Love it all! I’ve been pinning gray walls lately as inspiration for our master bedroom, and I just love the colors she’s chosen in her home!

    Kirsten, if you check in, you have a wonderful gift for decorating!!

    Reply
  49. Karin T says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:58 am

    Love the paint colors…exactly my taste!

    Reply
  50. Kristen says

    March 13, 2012 at 10:59 am

    What a beautiful home!! I love the colors she used, it seems so fresh but cozy at the same time.

    Reply
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