“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 really like this house. 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. At this time, she offers us a tour, with images by Leela Cyd…
KITCHEN
On household tasks: My dad is a retired carpenter, so I’m continuously asking him to assist me with residence tasks. Collectively, we constructed the kitchen pantry and cabinets, plus a shed outdoors. He’s a affected person trainer, and I’ve realized loads.
On the guts of the house: I like having individuals over as a lot as attainable. 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: After 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 really 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 repeatedly. One morning, I simply knew that I used to be going to fulfill my canine that day. After 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 identify: Years earlier, I’d had a dialog about potential kids’s names, and I stated that I cherished the identify Pepe. After watching this canine on the Humane Society for some time, I made a decision to verify his identify tag, so I might ask the volunteers if I might meet him. His identify was Pepe. I went residence with him that day.
Couch: One Kings Lane. Desk lamp: Zara House. 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 occasion, however for freelancers. Final December, we squeezed 57 individuals into my one-bedroom rental. A good friend introduced Chex Combine, and I made shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, cheese and crackers, potato chips with onion dip, popcorn, and cookies. Plus, an enormous bowl of Amaro Lambrusco punch. We had been packed in right here like sardines, but it surely 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 concerning the romances and shenanigans of twenty-something pals in Eire. I additionally favored Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, which outlines how the Democratic occasion can transfer ahead in a hopeful manner. I hold notes in my telephone 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: Certainly 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 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 turned pals with a neighbor who was a political organizer. With solely 100 extra days till the election, I requested him, ‘Should you had been me, what would you be doing proper now?’ And he stated, ‘Get entangled on the state legislative degree to elect Democrats.’ As a result of, basically, all the things trickles up.
On Sister District: I’ve volunteered loads with Sister District, a grassroots group that pairs individuals in blue states to make calls and assist elect Democrats in purple states. I noticed firsthand how talking one-on-one with individuals helps to essentially have interaction voters; the truth is, telephone banking is among the simplest instruments to make sure voter turnout. It’s tremendous properly organized and truly loads of enjoyable. Sister District has all the things found out for you.
BEDROOM
Pillow case: Zara House.
On discovering stability: Rising up, I at all times noticed work as the best way to impact change on this planet. However I noticed that I could make a distinction via volunteering, private interactions, and the group that I construct. My job as a stylist affords me loads of 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 instances: One factor I realized via volunteering is that motion is the antidote to despair. While you’re truly doing one thing — like making telephone calls and connecting with individuals whose votes matter — you possibly can’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 dwelling alone: I feel everybody ought to stay alone sooner or later. There are moments that may really feel lonely or scary, but it surely’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, after I lose my keys, I’ve nobody in charge however myself!
Thanks a lot, Anne! You may observe her on Instagram, in case you’d like.
P.S. Extra home excursions, together with a household’s downsized dream residence and a Connecticut home that defines coziness.
(Photographs by Leela Cyd for Cup of Jo.)
