A commitment to midcentury style and family living ordered the design of the Portland, Oregon, home. Greg and Erin Leedy recognized this split level’s potential and worked together with architect Paul McKean to turn it into a fresh and open space for their two kids along with Greg’s mother, Betsy. A new downstairs suite, additional space and height, midcentury furniture and custom accents changed the entire vibe of the house, turning it into a beautiful and heartfelt family home.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Erin and Greg Leedy; their kids, Finn and Celia; and Greg’s mother, Betsy
Location: Sellwood area of Portland, Oregon
Size: 3,200 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
John Prindle
When the Leedys moved, they attracted nearly all of their kitchen together. Designer Nathan Hartman of Kerf Design built the cupboards in their previous house, and they stripped them out and reinstalled them in the new location.
John Prindle
The upstairs almost floats above the spacious living area. The main floor gains light and space in the new ceiling’s height.
John Prindle
An”Alice in Wonderland” piece by modern painter Chris Haberman — one of those Leedys’ favorite new artists — hangs in the dining room.
John Prindle
The couple’s love of midcentury furniture prompted the purchase of several classic Heywood-Wakefield bits, including the dining room table, chairs and bits in the living room and master bedroom.
Lighting: George Nelson Bubble Lamp, Design Within Reach; blue storage unit: custom painted by Russel Wright
John Prindle
The glowing entryway highlights more artwork by Chris Haberman. Erin and Greg discovered these seats in an estate sale and refinished them together with period-appropriate fabric from The Mill End Store. They discovered the Heywood-Wakefield side table with an estate sale and had it refinished by Lindsay Hare of American Craftsman and Refinishers.
“For the most part, for our furniture we have classic pieces instead of current reproductions,” Erin says. “We’re big on the restoration of midcentury furniture and household items.”
John Prindle
Tall ceilings and three clerestory windows fill the entryway with sunlight. Another window cut to the master bedroom (top left) also benefit from the natural resource.
Pendant lights: Hippo Hardware
John Prindle
A Ristaucrat jukebox sits in the end of the entryway. It didn’t work when Greg bought it in a yard sale, but with a friend’s aid he restored it to its former glory.
John Prindle
Greg designed an original pattern for the ApplePly panels that line the staircase and attic employing the dots and dashes of Morse code. Each strip spells out the title of a member of their family.
The stairs lead down to an apartment suite where Betsy lives. “Multigenerational dwelling was part of the aim of redesigning the space,” Greg says. Her committed level in the house has a separate entrance, laundry appliances plus a little kitchen.
Railing panels: B&L Wood Creations; railing: steel, custom, Formed Objects
John Prindle
Finn and Celia discuss this spacious bathroom on the second floor.
Cabinets: Ikea
John Prindle
Folk and outsider art are found throughout the home. An R.A. Miller black tin-roof cutout horse, a barn-wood horse painting by H.B. Sandalwood and”Elvis in 3″ by Howard Finster hang along the second-floor hallway.
John Prindle
2 workspaces and also a play area for the kids constitute a loft area on the next floor.
Office furniture: custom, Kerf Design
John Prindle
A balcony makes it possible for the upstairs to feel linked to the fantastic room below. This open door leads to the master bedroom and bath.
John Prindle
The cozy living room could be understood over the edge of the upstairs attic. Classic AR-3a speakers flank the TV and press console.
John Prindle
In the master bedroom, a clerestory window overlooks the entry hall. The hallway sits between this space and the true source of lighting.
The mountain print that hangs above the mattress came from a local estate sale. “We believe that is a stylish black and white picture of the Three Sisters mountain range that has been hand colored. We have a sister bit in storage that is still in black and white,” Erin says.
John Prindle
The calm master bathroom contains a full bathtub and separate shower with fresh lines and monochromatic tiles.
Tile: Green Depot
John Prindle
Despite the new next story, the house retained most of its original structure. Working closely with architect Paul McKean, the family rebuilt the lower part to the left of front door to maintain a cubed, contemporary sense. A covered balcony off the master bedroom is the ideal location for reading a novel on a bright day.
John Prindle
The back has the exact same gray corrugated metallic finish as the front. Maple trees add a calm feel to the yard, while beating areas and paver paths match the house’s industrial sensibility.
Contractor: Prutting and Business
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