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Houzz Tour: Artful Vintage Style in Omaha
Vintage furniture and one-of-a-kind art give this Nebraska home a cozy and well-loved look
Jessica McKay designs her home around the things that she loves. From the vintage pieces handed down from her mother to unique artwork by local artists, Jessica and her husband, Christopher, fell in love with each and every piece in their home. The couple, who own Birdhouse Interior Design Consulting, live in a 1940s home in Omaha, Nebraska. Their neighborhood is made up of older homes with lots of character and charm, and the twosome decided to reflect that in their home's décor. "I feel like you honor the character of the old with great pieces from that time, then you add more interest by layering your tastes in other eras and styles over that," Jessica says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jessica and Christopher McKay
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The couple's cozy master bedroom was originally the attic.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jessica and Christopher McKay
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The couple's cozy master bedroom was originally the attic.
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| The McKays based many of the rooms' color palettes around specific textiles or pieces of furniture. "But sometimes I just find things I love when I'm out shopping and think, 'I'll make this work,'" Jessica says. Although all the pieces in the dining room were purchased separately, the brown, white and blue all blend seamlessly. Light: eBay; table: vintage |
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| Jessica likes to combine vintage pieces (either thrift finds or hand-me-downs) with more contemporary elements for an eclectic look. "I want to keep everything fresh and not like a decorated set for an old house," Jessica says. The quirky and colorful living room is a great example of this look. Vintage accessories, modern art and colorful textiles combine in a unique and personalized space. Curtains: custom, with fabric from Greenhouse fabrics; table lamps: vintage; Lucite chairs: Overstock.com; coffee table: custom by Peter Cales |
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The McKays had this vintage chair with classic bones re-covered in gray vinyl with a brass nailhead trim. The modern color gives it a fresh new look.
Ottomans: Overstock.com
Ottomans: Overstock.com
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The McKays painted the fireplace a bold color to get some contrast in the room. After playing around with a few colors, Jessica settled on a glossy black to cover the dated brick and mantel.
The original artwork above the mantel is by Omaha artist Cristina Renfer Vogel, and it's one of Jessica's favorite pieces in her home. The McKays love working with local artists and host art openings from their interior design studios. Often the pair will start collecting pieces from the artists that they work with. "Nothing adds more interest to your space than original art," Jessica says. "My advice is to find artists you love and get friendly with them. Save, because art is an investment that can be passed down through the generations."
Fireplace paint: Dark Kettle Black, Valspar
The original artwork above the mantel is by Omaha artist Cristina Renfer Vogel, and it's one of Jessica's favorite pieces in her home. The McKays love working with local artists and host art openings from their interior design studios. Often the pair will start collecting pieces from the artists that they work with. "Nothing adds more interest to your space than original art," Jessica says. "My advice is to find artists you love and get friendly with them. Save, because art is an investment that can be passed down through the generations."
Fireplace paint: Dark Kettle Black, Valspar
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Wall-mounted shelves are the perfect storage solution for barware and serveware, and provide some extra space in the couple's small kitchen.
Lamps: vintage; console: CB2; wall paint: Sable, Sherwin Williams
Lamps: vintage; console: CB2; wall paint: Sable, Sherwin Williams
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| Although they would love a bigger kitchen — particularly since Christopher is a brilliant baker — the couple has managed to make do with the space they have. A movable island at the end of the space allows for extra storage when stationary and becomes another work surface when wheeled into the main kitchen space. Island: Bed, Bath & Beyond; gray lamp: Target |
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This vintage-style metal cart is a reproduction Jessica found through one of her vendors. It was picked up for a project but didn't quite work for the space. Christopher had been complaining that he was running out of room for his baking ingredients, and this was the perfect solution.
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A cute little built-in nook serves as a display case and storage shelf for glasses and other serving items. This built-in is just one of the many great architectural features that came with this home. "I don't think I could live in a house newer than the '70s," says Jessica. "I want to live with a little patina and extra quirkiness that comes with age."
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| The basement family room is one of the couple's favorite rooms in their home. Designwise, it initially presented some dilemmas, and the budget was tight. The walls in this room were an unattractive knotty pine that the couple couldn't afford to completely replace, so they decided to paint them navy and keep the grooves white for a pin-striped look. Vintage chairs were recovered in a Southwestern-inspired fabric for a colorful touch. "I'm originally from New Mexico, so I can't pass up a good Southwest print," Jessica says. Chairs: vintage; couch; Nebraska Furniture Mart; wall paint: Naval, Sherwin Williams |
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| The couple reworked their home's attic into a cozy master bedroom with slanted ceilings and plenty of nooks and crannies. Jessica made the headboard herself because she wanted a bold material that looked like leather and couldn't afford the ones she saw out there. This DIY vinyl headboard has the same look for a fraction of the cost. The side tables were found at a garage sale and painted a bold and glossy red. Bedding: Dwell Studio; table lamps: Lamps Plus |
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The leopard stool for Jessica's vanity is one of her favorite things in the house. "I'm not super girly, but something about that leopard print just screamed chic to me, and if there's any place you want to feel chic, it's where you get ready in the morning," she says.
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| A dormer window in the master bedroom became the perfect dressing area for Jessica. A turquoise chaise from the previous home was tucked underneath the window for a luxurious touch. Chaise: Target; ottoman: Arteriors More: Vintage Modern: What Does It Mean? Your Home: Vintage Color 10 Design Strategies for Art Lovers |
Comments
Ann-Tyler Konradi It's really fun to see great design on a budget! Thanks for sharing.
15 months ago · Like
alkgrace "Omaha" caught my eye, and so glad it did. Didn't realize I had Birdhouse Interior Design right in my backyard. (Maybe even right in my Omaha neighborhood!)
15 months ago · Like
Spacify Inc, great design! Thanks for sharing
15 months ago · Like
jkatt1 We loved living in Bellevue/Omaha! fabulous old homes,maybe over by the college? Great use of space and love love all the color!
15 months ago · Like
dbartley Great design within constraints of space and budget - love it! Also the black fireplace is very inspiring...I currently have a hideous fireplace repainted white, and it's SO much better, but this makes me think that a black or very dark taupe could be better still.
15 months ago · Like
Laurie at Bird in Hand VTG You can really get creative with vintage finds, I think, because of the relatively low cost of the furnishings you're not afraid of making mistakes. Great post!
15 months ago · Like
christinarv This home has so much personality and charm. Great work, Jessica and Christopher!
15 months ago · Like
Dawn Sturgeon Fantastic! Can you tell me what the paint color and brand in the living room? I'm having great difficulty finding the right off white for my house and I think that might be a winner (at least according to how my monitor is displaying it!).
15 months ago · Like
Melinda Haverland would love the name of company for reproduction metal cart.
15 months ago · Like
Birdhouse Interior Design Thanks for the comments! Dawn, the color in the living room is Sherwin Williams, Shoji White. Melinda, the company is Creative Co-op, but you will probably have to get a designer or someone in the trade to find it for you. Hope that helps.
15 months ago · Like
Stefany Dotson this is one of the cutest houses I've seen in a while!
15 months ago · Like
PaintColorHelp.com Dallas Cute vintage place, love it. The character and ambiance comes through, but your use of eclectic decor avoids what I call the 'museum look.' Not that there's anything wrong with a strict period decor! But this is a nice blend.
15 months ago · Like
franki7 Formerly from Nebraska...that bedroom ROCKS! Nice job! franki
15 months ago · Like
Kinghorn Gardens Love seeing an amazing Omaha piece on Houzz! I too live in an awesome old house in Omaha. Love, love, love it! Thank you for the great inspiration!
15 months ago · Like
Renee Ruzicka_Campbell From one fellow Omahan to another (and who lives in a 1960's home in the northeast part of town), I LOVE your style! Very similar to ours - eclectic but we make it work! Kudos to you both - and am taking note of Birdhouse Interior Design! :)
15 months ago · Like
lilyette I really like Jessica's style. It's a house where you can really relax and enjoy yourself!
15 months ago · Like
tobeamiss I've never had a lot of money for decorating so I pick up pretty things as I see them not thinking of where they will go in my home. The end result is the look here. Not a fan.
15 months ago · Like
terijune Very surprised to see an Omaha home featured here. Houzz is one of my favorite websites. Glad to see my workplace, Nebraska Furniture Mart, also mentioned as a supplier of the sofa. I love a mix of old and new--always on the lookout for great new ideas and Houzz always delivers! Thank you!
15 months ago · Like
morehouse I love the entire space and the hand me downs is right up my alley.. thnx
15 months ago · Like
woofwoof I love the carefree nature of the decor....it helped me as my house was starting to go in way too much of a "House Beautiful" direction (not that there's anything wrong with that!)
15 months ago · Like
joanne77070 Could you tell me what red paint was used on the nightstands? I'm looking to do the same thing with a coffee table. Was it brushed or sprayed?
14 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Feb. 28, 2012.
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