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Houzz Tour: Abbey's Aesthetic Outburst
Tour an 'Organized Eclectic' Home Full of Art, Collections and Kid-Friendly Color
I forever have the utmost respect for parents who are able to incorporate kid-friendly decor without sacrificing their own personal style. I don't want a house to look like a museum, but I'd also prefer it not to be overrun with toys, you know?
Abbey, the voice behind the art-filled blog Aesthetic Outburst, has got this balance down to a tee. Her home (shared with two toddlers and her artist husband) in upstate New York feels happy, lived in and completely perfect for adults and children alike. We (virtually) sat down with her to find out how she does it.
Abbey, the voice behind the art-filled blog Aesthetic Outburst, has got this balance down to a tee. Her home (shared with two toddlers and her artist husband) in upstate New York feels happy, lived in and completely perfect for adults and children alike. We (virtually) sat down with her to find out how she does it.
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Tell us a little bit about your home.
Abbey: "I live with my husband and our two toddlers just outside of Owego, New York (not to be confused with Oswego)."
Abbey: "I live with my husband and our two toddlers just outside of Owego, New York (not to be confused with Oswego)."
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"The house itself is a small, one-level, 1950s ranch that my dad grew up in with his parents and five siblings. I can’t imagine living here with seven other people, but it’s just the right size for our little family of four."
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How would you describe your style?
"I guess I would call my style ‘organized eclectic’, if that makes any sense. I can’t live with a lot of clutter, but I’m also a big collector, so I try to be careful about what’s out in the open."
"I guess I would call my style ‘organized eclectic’, if that makes any sense. I can’t live with a lot of clutter, but I’m also a big collector, so I try to be careful about what’s out in the open."
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"I manage that by rotating collections, swapping out artwork, and just generally trying to keep organized."
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You have an amazing art collection. How did you develop it?
"Thanks! My husband, Phil Hendrickson, and I both went to school for art and now he teaches art and design at a university. Over the years we’ve made a lot of trades with other artists."
"Thanks! My husband, Phil Hendrickson, and I both went to school for art and now he teaches art and design at a university. Over the years we’ve made a lot of trades with other artists."
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"We’ve also purchased a few pieces here and there. Both Etsy and student art shows are great places to find interesting, relatively inexpensive artwork."
Kitchen utensils are housed in this old industrial cabinet. The artwork above is by Matt Lenke.
Kitchen utensils are housed in this old industrial cabinet. The artwork above is by Matt Lenke.
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The entryway into Emmett's room.
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The artwork is framed vintage wallpaper.
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How do you go about decorating a home that works well for both children and adults?
"A sense of humor goes a long way! This house belongs to all four of us, so it’s important that we all feel comfortable."
"A sense of humor goes a long way! This house belongs to all four of us, so it’s important that we all feel comfortable."
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"My husband and I don’t buy expensive furniture or things that our kids can’t touch because I don’t want to waste my time being upset over a cup of spilled grape juice or a pile of chewed goldfish (ew!)."
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"That said, I think it’s important to teach our kids both how to take care of their belongings and the easiest way I’ve found to do that is by example. We clean up our own messes and then we help them put away their toys at the end of each day."
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Baby Isla's room. Quilt with hand-appliqued alphabet made by Abbey.
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An old dresser got a fresh coat of paint, and with it a new life in the nursery.
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A view of the master bedroom.
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What's your favorite spot in the house?
"It’s definitely my little office that’s off of our kitchen. It gets great light
and I spend a ton of time there each day."
"It’s definitely my little office that’s off of our kitchen. It gets great light
and I spend a ton of time there each day."
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"That turquoise cabinet was a Christmas gift from my husband and I love it. I also love being surrounded by books."
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A close-up of Abbey's deer and vintage bird collections.
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What are your favorite resources for finding items for the home?
"Auctions, thrift stores, and Craigslist. I haunt all three with an idea of something I’m looking for. "
"Auctions, thrift stores, and Craigslist. I haunt all three with an idea of something I’m looking for. "
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"It may take a little time to find it, but patience is key."
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Artwork displayed in the playroom. Abbey made the line with 18 gauge wire tied through small screw eyes. The tiny clothespins were purchased from a craft store.
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Follow Abbey's craft projects and ever-evolving home over on her blog, Aesthetic Outburst.
Thanks for sharing your home with us, Abbey, Isla, Phil and Emmett!
More Houzz Tours:
A Modern Renovation in Seattle
When MoMA is Your Next Door Neighbor
A Family-Friendly Mid-Century Home
Thanks for sharing your home with us, Abbey, Isla, Phil and Emmett!
More Houzz Tours:
A Modern Renovation in Seattle
When MoMA is Your Next Door Neighbor
A Family-Friendly Mid-Century Home
Ideabook updated on Jan. 25, 2011.
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And that turquoise cabinet is the best color (and Christmas present!) ever, isn't it?!
Thanks, Lily~ Hadn't seen this. Abbey's home in general IS colorful whimsey....so kid stuff blends well. They have style; they acquire, arrange and edit with artists' eyes, for sure. A couple of weeks ago, I'd just placed my OLD play blocks (with their lucious colors) out for display (in an eerily similiar manner as Abbey has!)...still playing and decorating with toys without youngsters even in the house.