This Portland Home Is an Oasis...

“I initially moved right here with my associate,” says Anne Parker, a manufacturing designer and prop stylist who has rented her one-bedroom in Portland, Oregon, for the previous decade. “After we broke up, I stayed as a result of I like this house. I’ve spent a lot time constructing my life right here; it seems like an extension of me.” Over the previous 10 years, Anne has crammed the house with furnishings made by her and her dad, thrown epic vacation events, and adopted a pup named Pepe. At this time, she provides us a tour, with photographs by Leela Cyd…

KITCHEN

On household tasks: My dad is a retired carpenter, so I’m always asking him to assist me with dwelling tasks. Collectively, we constructed the kitchen pantry and cabinets, plus a shed outdoors. He’s a affected person trainer, and I’ve realized so much.

On the guts of the house: I like having folks over as a lot as potential. As soon as every week, I’ve dinner with a neighbor and their three little ladies. Over time they’ve turn out to be my goddaughters, and we at all times attempt to discover new meals.

On rising a backyard: After I moved in, I constructed raised beds within the yard. My #1 precedence is to plant issues that make a superb salad. Proper now I’ve mesclun, collards, kale, chard, peppers, herbs, and cucumbers. I like making Mediterranean salads, and I simply made gazpacho for dinner utilizing my tomatoes and basil.

LIVING AREA

On a four-legged roommate: After my relationship ended, I began visiting the Humane Society fairly often. One morning, I simply knew that I used to be going to fulfill my canine that day. After I received to the Humane Society, I noticed a canine and thought, ‘Oh, this man’s actually cute.’

Espresso desk: Wayfair. Rug: Boutique Rugs.

On selecting the canine’s identify: Years earlier, my boyfriend and I had had a dialog about potential kids’s names, and I mentioned that I beloved the identify Pepe. After watching this canine on the Humane Society for some time, I made a decision to examine his identify tag, so I might ask the volunteers if I might meet him. His identify was Pepe. I went dwelling with him that day.

Couch: One Kings Lane. Desk lamp: Zara Home. Bookshelves: “My dad and I constructed them.”

On events with a twist: I’ve labored freelance for the previous 13 years, so I by no means attended work vacation events. So, I had the thought to throw an office-style vacation social gathering, however for freelancers. Final December, we squeezed 57 folks into my one-bedroom rental. A pal introduced Chex Combine, and I made shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, cheese and crackers, potato chips with onion dip, popcorn, and cookies. Plus, a giant bowl of Amaro Lambrusco punch. We have been packed in right here like sardines, however it was a lot enjoyable.

OFFICE NOOK

Print: Present store on the Design Museum Denmark. Desk: “Cobbled collectively from a file cupboard, a desktop from Ikea, and legs that I made.” Wicker armchair and rug: Fb Market.

On favourite books: I not too long ago loved the novel The Rachel Incident. It’s a coming-of-age story concerning the romances and shenanigans of twenty-something buddies in Eire. I additionally preferred Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, which outlines how the Democratic social gathering can transfer ahead in a hopeful approach. I hold notes in my cellphone of all of the books I learn, together with a score of 1 to 5 stars.

Inexperienced chair: classic. Sheep pillow: CB2.

On mealtime rituals: Considered one of my go-to meals is a rice bowl with cooked salmon, kimchi, avocado, pickled cucumbers and scallions. Throughout dinner, I wish to learn the political publication What A Day by Crooked Media, so I can keep up on present occasions.

DINING AREA

On moving into volunteering: In 2020, in the course of the peak of Covid, I grew to become buddies with a neighbor who was a political organizer. With solely 100 extra days till the election, I requested him, ‘In the event you have been me, what would you be doing proper now?’ And he mentioned, ‘Become involved on the state legislative degree to elect Democrats.’ As a result of, primarily, everything trickles up.

On Sister District: I’ve volunteered so much with Sister District, a grassroots group that pairs folks in blue states to make calls and assist elect Democrats in purple states. I noticed firsthand how talking one-on-one with folks helps to actually interact voters; the truth is, cellphone banking is likely one of the best instruments to make sure voter turnout. It’s tremendous properly organized and really a number of enjoyable. Sister District has all the pieces found out for you.

BEDROOM

Pillow case: Zara House.

On discovering steadiness: Rising up, I at all times noticed work as the way in which to impact change on this planet. However I noticed that I could make a distinction by way of volunteering, private interactions, and the group that I construct. My job as a stylist affords me a number of free time to be the change I need to see.

Couch: Craigslist. Striped pillow: Ikea. Flooring cushion: thrifted. Rug: Boutique Rugs.

On staying constructive throughout unsure occasions: One factor I realized by way of volunteering is that motion is the antidote to despair. Whenever you’re really doing one thing — like making cellphone calls and connecting with folks whose votes matter — you may’t assist however really feel hope. That’s the one factor that I’ve skilled that has helped me make sense of this scary time.

On residing alone: I feel everybody ought to reside alone in some unspecified time in the future. There are moments that may really feel lonely or scary, however it’s uncommon to have the chance in your life when you can also make each resolution: when and what you eat, the way you spend your time, the way you adorn, what goes the place. Then again, after I lose my keys, I’ve nobody accountable however myself!

Thanks a lot, Anne! You’ll be able to observe her on Instagram, when you’d like.

P.S. More house tours, together with a family’s downsized dream home and a Connecticut house that defines coziness.

(Images by Leela Cyd for Cup of Jo.)