“I initially moved right here with my companion,” 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 area. I’ve spent a lot time constructing my life right here; it appears 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. Immediately, she provides us a tour, with photographs by Leela Cyd…
KITCHEN
On household initiatives: My dad is a retired carpenter, so I’m consistently asking him to assist me with house initiatives. Collectively, we constructed the kitchen pantry and cabinets, plus a shed outdoors. He’s a affected person trainer, and I’ve realized quite a bit.
On the center of the house: I like having folks over as a lot as doable. As soon as per week, I’ve dinner with a neighbor and their three little women. Over time they’ve develop into my goddaughters, and we at all times attempt to discover new meals.
On rising a backyard: Once I moved in, I constructed raised beds within the yard. My #1 precedence is to plant issues that make a great 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 commonly. One morning, I simply knew that I used to be going to satisfy my canine that day. Once I obtained 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 title: Years earlier, I’d had a dialog about potential youngsters’s names, and I mentioned that I liked the title Pepe. After watching this canine on the Humane Society for some time, I made a decision to test his title tag, so I may ask the volunteers if I may meet him. His title was Pepe. I went house with him that day.
Couch: One Kings Lane. Desk lamp: Zara Residence. 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, nevertheless it was a lot enjoyable.
OFFICE NOOK
Print: Reward 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 in regards to the romances and shenanigans of twenty-something buddies in Eire. I additionally appreciated Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, which outlines how the Democratic social gathering can transfer ahead in a hopeful approach. I preserve 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: One in every of my go-to meals is a rice bowl with cooked salmon, kimchi, avocado, pickled cucumbers and scallions. Throughout dinner, I prefer to learn the political e-newsletter 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 top 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 case you have been me, what would you be doing proper now?’ And he mentioned, ‘Become involved on the state legislative stage to elect Democrats.’ As a result of, primarily, all the pieces trickles up.
On Sister District: I’ve volunteered quite a bit 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 have interaction voters; in truth, cellphone banking is likely one of the handiest instruments to make sure voter turnout. It’s tremendous effectively organized and really numerous enjoyable. Sister District has all the pieces found out for you.
BEDROOM
Pillow case: Zara Residence.
On discovering steadiness: Rising up, I at all times noticed work as the way in which to impact change on the planet. However I spotted that I could make a distinction by means of volunteering, private interactions, and the neighborhood that I construct. My job as a stylist affords me numerous free time to be the change I need to see.
Couch: Craigslist. Striped pillow: Ikea. Ground cushion: thrifted. Rug: Boutique Rugs.
On staying constructive throughout unsure occasions: One factor I realized by means of volunteering is that motion is the antidote to despair. If 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 dwell alone sooner or later. There are moments that may really feel lonely or scary, nevertheless it’s uncommon to have the chance in your life when you may make each choice: when and what you eat, the way you spend your time, the way you adorn, what goes the place. However, once I lose my keys, I’ve nobody responsible however myself!
Thanks a lot, Anne! You’ll be able to observe her on Instagram, when you’d like.
P.S. Extra home excursions, together with a household’s downsized dream house and a Connecticut home that defines coziness.
(Photographs by Leela Cyd for Cup of Jo.)
