Jessica Helgerson
Thu, 2 Jul 2009Jessica Helgerson emailed us the other day to give us a peak into some of her recent work. I was excited because it had been quite some time since I had blogged her work. Let me say that I love colour in my life, but I can't get over how she can use virtually no colour but white/creams and chocolate brown/black and make it look SOOOOOOO good. Absolutely gorgeous spaces, that I imagine her clients will enjoy for a quite some time, as her design aesthetic is elegantly hip and timeless. So let's get on with the first project - thanks to Jessica for sending along some descriptions (photos by Lincoln Barbour).
This project is a complete remodel of a turn-of-the-century Southeast Portland four-square. We gutted a small and disfunctional kitchen, back pantry and mud room to create a large and airy kitchen; added box beams to the dining room, separated the entry from the living room with a deep-cased opening which created two ledges for seating or plants, added a mantle, built-in shelves, and two windows at the fireplace; as well as adding a second window, a wood ceiling and wainscoting to the upstairs bathroom. Woodwork throughout much of the house was stained a dark ebony as were the floors on the first floor.
We wanted to create a space that was both glamorous for the Portland hipster couple who live in the house as well as appropriate for the house itself and its period. The new woodwork is designed to look original but the dark stain adds an element of elegance and surprise. With the furnishings we created an eclectic blend of modern and ethnic pieces that are unified by their color and scale. Many of the pieces were custom made locally: the sofa that fits into the bay window; the living room chairs which are cozily upholstered in sheepskin; the dining room benches and table top; and the blown glass sculptures, by Portland-based glass artist ANDY PAIKO.
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Anyone else having heart palpitations over that kitchen and ALL the incredible light fixtures? (!!!) Stay tuned tomorrow for another one of Jessica's projects.
Reader Comments (22)
I am! These are so gothic and gorgeous! That view from the living room into the dining room makes me want to die.
I'm wondering how the light bubbles are attached to the ceiling and what kind of light fixture is up there.
The dark floors and trim works well because of the light walls and furnishings. It is truly a stunning result! The kitchen is a perfect compliment to the other rooms. I love all of the details that make this home special!
Tricia - Avolli
yes!!! the Kitchen has been saved to my "inspiration folder" as "the amazing kitchen" and those light fixtures are to die for. This is a great home!!
xo
those metal lanterns are gorgeous!! I wonder what it would look like with a colored light bulb in there? Could be fun for a party.
I adore that bubble chandelier!
Where are the light fixtures from?
Beautiful!!!!!
Everything is just simply perfect!
Swoon! I love Jessica's work.
Oh Wow. This is eye candy. I love the lamp in the bedroom. Thanks for the tip on Jessica. Just stunning!
I'm dying to know where those light fixtures are from!
As usual I love it, all of it. thank you, you do truly inspire....donna
We want more, we want more......
pretty please!
Do tell about the light fixtures!
GREAT JOB!!!!
Thank you for sharing, Natasha
What a gorgeous home. I especially love the white kitchen with the dark accents. Great find! Jayne
I'm in love with the chandelier in the dining room. Thank you for posting these pics, they are amazing.
Stunning, amazing, beautiful ... enviable! I've got to stop reading your blog until I finish redoing my living and dinning rooms! Every time I log on I see another inspiring image that makes me rethink what I'm doing. I'll never get it finished at this rate!
Woooow I loooove it! The fixtures and colours would normally be quite weighty but there is light and space as well as a very posh luxury to it all. WOW (again). I love the demijohn in the bathroom - wine lovers perhaps?
"The Portland hipster couple"...lol.
I love the solution to a bungalow!!!!!!!
I live in one as well, and it is not my aesthetic choice, and it is confining in style, you really broke the mold--awesome.
The light fixtures are amazing!!! I want them all.
From where is the middle-eastern-looking ball lantern in the picture with the moroccan-style poof? Beautiful!
Loving these spaces!!
The lighting is amazing..beautiful inspiration.
Thanks for sharing
Greetings from AUSTRALIA x