At the center of their bustling Brooklyn neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, newlyweds Joseph Palazzo and LeeAnna Rappleyea make a bright and welcoming house employing an eclectic combination of original artwork and secondhand locates. And with various restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops in the end of their shady street, the place can not be overcome. The couple takes advantage of all facets of city living, for instance, 10-minute bicycle commute into downtown Portland, but their urban retreat feels miles away from everything.
“Our realtor showed us over 120 houses before we finally settled on this one,” says Joseph. “We loved it when we drove by.” They instantly saw the charm in the 1904 bungalow and understood that with a little sprucing up, the house would make a perfect house.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Joseph Palazzo and LeeAnna Rappleyea
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 1,500 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Julie Smith
The very first thing they did was get rid of the layers and layers of mustard-yellow paint which coated everything from the walls into the kitchen cabinets. “It was so dark in here,” states LeeAnna. “We instantly needed to brighten the entire location.”
After much experimentation, they landed just the correct color combination: bright white with a touch of green to the walls and impartial lotion for the trimming. The end result is fresh and dreamy, and is the best complement to the wealthy orange-red tones of the couple’s décor.
Paint colors: Shell Tint and Desert Mirage by Miller
Julie Smith
Joseph and LeeAnna’s first significant purchase together was a new custom made sofa. It was made for their specs and traces in the couple’s mid-century contemporary aesthetic. The orange chair is a recent purchase from their favorite retro housewares shop, Vintage Pink, and they especially like how the reduced profiles of both pieces help preserve the openness of the living room.
Sofa: Helsinki style from Sofas By Design
Seat: Vintage Pink
Julie Smith
The couple’s handiwork can be found throughout the house; this handmade coffee table is the perfect example of their inventive spirit. They found a large flat stone in their lawn and inserted a sturdy base from another table they bought on Craigslist to make an intriguing and helpful piece. The rough edges of the table are a playful contrast to the geometric design of the local wall artwork.
Julie Smith
Another beautiful corner of their living room includes an airy, vintage chair the few bought at a secondhand shop, and a Japanese print which once belonged to LeeAnna’s grandfather. “We like keeping things visually clean,” Joseph says.
Julie Smith
Last summer, Joseph and LeeAnna were married in the garden of their home. Included in the decorations for their wedding day, they left big newspaper pompoms and hung them from the ceiling. They adored the festive and sporty appearance so much that the pompoms now have a permanent location here.
Julie Smith
One of those things that first attracted them to their residence was that the connection between the outside and the inside. With big, original wood windows around every turn, the perspectives of the garden are prominent, and the greenery serves as a backdrop for the entire space.
Julie Smith
The couple brings more of the green inside by filling their little sunroom with houseplants and foliage.
Julie Smith
Though they have been happy with virtually every aspect of the house, the elongated design has introduced a few design challenges. Both the front and back entrances are around the exact same east-facing wall, which means they have had to make sitting and television-viewing areas wherever possible. “This is actually the only way the furniture could be ordered within this room,” says Joseph.
Julie Smith
There is a smooth flow between the rooms. The light green-and-red colour scheme is carried from the living room into the dining room, as is the mid-century contemporary influence. LeeAnna purchased this dining table set years before, prior to the couple married, although it fits in with the rest of the décor, they say they’re on the lookout for something different.
Julie Smith
Joseph and LeeAnna are both passionate about cooking and if they’re at home, they spend most of their time together in kitchen. The space is full of old-fashioned charm, and the first paned-glass cupboard doors give them an easy means to visually exhibit their pretty dishes and serving pieces. LeeAnna painted the cabinets white and kept the present hardware intact.
Julie Smith
You will find hardwood countertops through the kitchen, although they’re unsure which of the previous owners to thank you for putting them Joseph and LeeAnna are grateful for their style and practicality. They say the only thing missing today is more counter space.
Julie Smith
As avid cooks, they take full advantage of their ample garden storyline, in addition to the nearby natural food markets, for fresh veggies and organic produce. Access to healthy food is among many things that they love about their town.
Julie Smith
Their wonderful garden provides them with more than just food; it also gives them a gorgeous place to sit down and relax through the year.
Julie Smith
The rest of their lawn is full of architectural details, such as these stairs which lead up into a wisteria-covered gazebo in addition to the home’s sunken garage.
Julie Smith
Like most in the neighborhood, Joseph and LeeAnna’s house is full of history and character. They’ve artfully place their own mid-century twist on the 107-year-old residence, and the finished space could not be warm or welcoming.
Julie Smith
Joseph and LeeAnna in the home.
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