Urban Nest Design Tip of the Week: Open Shelving Made Easy

Stylish Open Shelving Made Easy (With a Little Help From IKEA!)

In this series, we share simple DIY solutions for maximum design impact, brought to you by our very own Agent Andy Barlow.

---

Have you ever looked at pictures of open shelving on Pinterest or in a design magazine and knew that you wanted some, but didn’t know how to start or how much it might cost you? Well, if so, then here is an easy way to have your own for just $20 per shelf! (and yes, this means you’re heading to IKEA!)

The mix-and-match shelves at IKEA are seriously the easiest and cheapest way to get open shelves in your own home, and if your budget is really tight, you could find even cheaper options there than the $20 ones I got. (Not in love with the brackets and want something a bit more unique? Spray paint the brackets gold or any other color to create a pop of fun). 

The next step is making sure they are secure on the wall, so head to the nearest hardware store (take a bracket with you) and find some anchors and screws that will fit. This shouldn't cost you more than a few dollars. 

Once you get the shelves up, the fun part begins - decorating! You can put open shelves in literally any room. Not only do they add depth to the wall, they add style and storage, which is especially useful for smaller spaces. See below for some different room ideas. 

Living room or bedroom: Add your favorite books, plants, photos, and tchotchkes. Feel free to hang small pieces of art within the shelves to add even more dimension. 

Kitchen or dining room: Add your plates, glasses, mugs and more! Open shelving gives you the chance to curate and display your dishes instead of just hiding them away.

OR, use the open shelves to create a bar space!

Any room: Turn them into an indoor garden! This is especially useful for cat owners who feel they can’t have plants because the cat always eats them… though I’ll never put it past a determined cat to find a way to anything. 

Take a look at the IKEA options here. 

Urban Nest's Design Tip of the Week is written by our own Agent Andy Barlow. He divides his time between real estate and interior design, meaning that he can help you buy a house and decorate it too. Ready to take the leap into a more comfortable space for you and your family? Get in touch with Andy here. 

Agent Andy's House of the Week: 3144 N Kilpatrick

Cape Cod Charm in North Portland

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals. 

---

This week my favorite listing takes us up to the northern neighborhood of Kenton.  If you’ve been paying attention to trends in the Portland real estate market, you’ve probably caught on that Kenton is becoming a very desirable place to be, and it makes sense. There is a real community feel in this hood, as well as a park and small bustling downtown scene packed with local businesses. So, if you’ve been waiting to get into Kenton, this could be your chance! 

Walking up to the Cape Cod home at 3144 N. Kilpatrick, I immediately notice how charming this house is, and how lush the landscaping is. Inside, the main level features a bedroom, living room, full bathroom, and a very, very stylish (and updated) kitchen and dining space. The kitchen and dining room are open to each other, and both are flooded with natural light from the massive bay window around the dining room table. 

Heading out the door at the end of the kitchen, I journeyed into the backyard, which was even more lush than the front. This home has an oversized lot, and most of that is out here. There is plenty of space to entertain under the covered patio, garden in the multiple raised beds, and just explore the array of different types of foliage that make the whole yard feel like a tropical escape. 

Back inside there are two more bedrooms and a half bath upstairs (plus another living space and bedroom in the basement). The upstairs is quaint and original with wood paneling, built-in features, and beamed and vaulted ceilings. There is also the perfect potential for some sweat equity up here if the buyer wanted to expand the bathroom and add a tub or shower.

If you’re not sold yet (you should be!) then you can rest easy knowing the roof, furnace, plumbing, and siding have all been recently replaced! Oh, and property taxes are under $3,000 per year! 

My favorite part? That kitchen and dining room. When I first saw the listing online, it was the kitchen alone that pulled me to tour the home, and I’m so glad I did. If you’d like to tour it yourself, give me a call - I’d gladly go back in an instant.

Take a look at the full listing here.

Click here to learn more about working with us to find the PDX home of your dreams today.

Urban Nest Design Tip of the Week: Mugs from Mantel

Elevating Your Kitchen's Style with Mugs from Mantel

In this series, we share simple DIY solutions for maximum design impact, brought to you by our very own Agent Andy Barlow.

---

Sometimes good design is all about the small things. It’s easy to get caught up in all the large objects going into a space, but it’s important to remember to take time on every detail, no matter how small. This week’s design tip is coffee mugs. Choosing the right mug will not only make your shelving look perfectly curated, it will make you enjoy your coffee more, and maybe even enjoy doing the dishes more. If you’re like me, a mug is the first thing you grab in the morning - so, think of choosing a nice mug as an investment into your daily routine. The mugs seen here are all available to purchase at Kenton’s hottest boutique: Mantel. And the best part, these are all made here on the west coast (and all but one is made in Portland!).

Tumbler style and Espresso mug options by Candy Relics (Portland), Pawena (Los Angeles), Wolf Ceramics (Portland), Tamara Bryan (Portland) 

(Bonus design tip: these non-handle mugs also make for very cute small planters, perfect for succulents!) 

Urban Nest's Design Tip of the Week is written by our own Agent Andy Barlow. He divides his time between real estate and interior design, meaning that he can help you buy a house and decorate it too. Ready to take the leap into a more comfortable space for you and your family? Get in touch with Andy here. 

Urban Nest Agent Insight: Rachel Freed on Summer Buying Trends

Summer Buying Trends With Urban Nest's Own Rachel Freed

In this series, we share home buying and selling advice, insight, and trends from our esteemed agents that keep their fingers on the pulse of Portland's real estate market.

---

"This summer is proving to be a great time for buyers.  About five weeks ago the market began to slow and we started to see homes sitting on the market for longer periods of time and sellers becoming more negotiable.  I actually found myself writing an offer for a great house at $520,000 in a quintessential SE Portland neighborhood and we didn't even have to compete in a bidding war! It really is a great time to be a buyer."

Click here to learn more about working with us to find the PDX home of your dreams today.

Agent Andy's House of the Week: 930 SE 69th Ave

Stunning All-White Abode in SE

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals. 

---

Okay, so, I know every week I write about falling in love with the house I choose, and I’m never lying about loving all of these houses, but I might have actually found my favorite house yet this week. This is the kind of house that when you walk in the door you instantly know it’s the one, and if I had the resources available to me, this definitely would be mine. Nestled just one block away from Mt. Tabor, the darling all-white house at 930 SE 69th Avenue offers you all the location and style you could every ask for. 

This three bedroom/one bathroom Capecod has been completely updated, and walking through the home I was shocked at the level of detail that the seller’s put into every nook and cranny. Every single room in the home is painted a crisp white and has been styled perfectly. The hexagon tiles on the kitchen and bathroom floors, as well as the fireplace surround, made me swoon as I entered each room. The kitchen is modern with open shelving, concrete countertops, white cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, and gold hardware. It’s like all my own personal design dreams came true in this home. 

None of the rooms are overly large, but the house is so bright and airy (thanks to that white paint) that it feels much more spacious than the 1400 square feet would seem (plus about 900 in the basement). Upstairs the bedrooms have vaulted ceilings with wood beams, making each room feel cozy and retreat-like. 

The listing agent, Kevin Caplener, told me that when the seller’s bought the house back in 2012 it was “untouched” and like “grandma’s cottage” and looking back at these photos you can see just how much work was put in to restoring this place. (See some of the before photos below).

Before Photos:

My favorite part? The transformation! Just look at these before and after pictures!  I can tell you now that this place will not sit on the market for long - so if you are interested I highly recommend contacting me for a tour or checking it out this weekend during its open house. Don’t let this one slip away!

Take a look at the full listing here.

Click here to learn more about working with us to find the PDX home of your dreams today.