HAVEN - ALLEY & ROSS

Take a glimpse into
Allissa Schuster & Ross Campbell’s
Mid-Century Modern Haven

The process of watching this haven become what it is now through this last year is exactly why I believe architecture plays such an essential role in our everyday lives. Learning how energy flows and being intentional with how you want to feel in each space. Going through the trial and error of designing each room to have its individual personality while making the home feel collectively warm and inviting. —

Alley and Ross transformed their 50’s mid-century modern home by keeping it’s organic characteristics yet added their own flare. When they asked for my help to consult and curate, it was important to ensure that each of their architectural styles were highlighted and that both had a say in each decision. They purchased this residence during the pandemic which meant they would be spending copious amounts of time at home. Making this a place where they can work and play simultaneously was a crucial factor. Whether it was their choice in wallpaper to the small treasures collected from their childhood or trips around the world, what makes this home a reflection of who they are is the story behind every piece.

Each room has it’s own moment, a purpose, a soul. This home has texture, a harmonious connection between the warmth of wood features, to velvety blankets, and the famous soft leather Eames chair. While the contrast of the bright colorful palm wallpaper, and modern touches of curves in lighting fixtures add large statement elements.

There is always an abundance of good energy that is undeniably the reason why you can feel at home once you enter through the front door. A home that feels like a hidden oasis in the forest while located in the heartbeat of Portland, Oregon demonstrates how you can create peace in chaos.

Here you’ll find balance between two people who show us that love can have juxtaposition.

How would you describe the overall ambiance of your home?

Tranquil yet alive —

One of our favorite parts of the house is how mysterious and subtle it looks from the street front, but all the magic subsides at the back of the house. Once you walk in through the front door, your eyes are immediately drawn to an entire wall of windows which provides a view of the luscious, green backyard. (We thank good ole' classic mid-modern century architecture for that feature.)

We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so much greenery as it makes us feel like we are secluded from our neighbors and the city, but at the same time, creates a peaceful environment throughout the entire day. However, while our house provides us with tranquility and quietness, we counter that energy more often than not. Ross is typically yelling at the tv during the current sporting event, the kitchen always seems to have something going on - either one of us cooking, making coffee in the morning with our ridiculously loud espresso machine, whilst our dog Lupe trying to grasp our attention with her puppy energy every single minute of every day.

Explain what your process was of becoming homeowners, and what sold you on this house?

Feel —

When you get to partner with people (realtor, broker) that are genuinely open, transparent, and patient to walk through all your first-buyer questions - that's where I felt like we scored. We started looking at houses when I was still serving in Afghanistan just to see what we were getting into. After a couple of house tours through FaceTime, we decided that it was far better to look when we could do so together in person. Before we really started to hone in on our hunting, we went through a couple of 'musts' from both of our perspectives of what we imagined our future house to provide for us. We knew we didn't want grass, check. We knew we wanted a fireplace, check (x2). We also just sort of agreed that we would probably know when we saw it. After looking at a couple of houses where we thought our perfect neighborhood would be, we decided to look at something different with little to no expectations. Sure enough, the moment we pulled into the driveway and parked - we both turned to each other and said, this is the one. How cliche and romanticized...but that is exactly what happened and everything inside completely solidified our feelings.

What is a favorite piece of artwork you acquired that has the most sentimental value?

The wallpaper we chose for our living room wall. It's derived from one of our favorite soccer bars in Portland (Toffee Club). At the height of COVID, they weren't sure if they were going to maintain the business, we were all pretty devastated with the news and asked the owner what they used for their wallpaper. She gladly sent the details and we ordered it right away.

It makes us so happy looking at it every day.

Which room was the easiest to style, and conversely the most complex?

Our master bedroom was the easiest. Mostly because we wanted it to feel cloud-like. Comfy bed, soft bedcovers, and neutral colors. While that was simple in nature we struggled with our living and dining room. We thought a black, marble dining table was perfect (in design) - however over time it was too cold to the touch, and never really felt comfortable playing games or eating on. We then opted for a beautiful acacia, reclaimed wood table with rounded table legs to accent the round dining chairs. We also struggled with our couch. We still struggle with the space in our living room as it's made to be a sitting room (as the modern-day oversized couch sectionals really don't cut it) but we finally ended up with one we liked for its design, color, and texture.

What is your process like when deciding on how a room will be furnished?

Hire Heather ;)

There are so many factors in designing your space. Looking at your positive/negative spaces, the flow of movement, the size of a rug, etc. However, we channeled our furnishing over the pieces that we really loved not only in design - but the longevity of certain pieces and comfort most importantly. The Eames chair, Gubi dining chairs, our wallpaper choice, and this beautiful painting gifted to us — painted by the designer herself, Heather.

Does every room have a different theme, or do they share cohesive elements?

We definitely have an array of different themes throughout the house, from the playful elements that Ross has treasured throughout the years to our random favorite finds that we just needed to have. The previous owners tried to make the home more farmhouse modern but we really wanted to keep it contemporary with flairs of mid-century, incorporating old and new pieces.

Which parts needed renovation, and which did you keep untouched?

This house was remodeled a few years before we bought the house so honestly, there was not much to renovate (although one of our biggest pet peeves is when people remodel their homes to conceal or change the style it was originally designed for.) We knew that we wanted to focus on bringing back classic mid-century design to our space but ensuring that it still felt like 'us'.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a homeowner?

Trial and error x2. Pieces either worked or did not work for the house. Could have been a functional miss, comfort miss, or design piece that we thought would work. Most design should derive from your space, and we sort of let some of that go when opting for larger furniture pieces. Still a bit bothering in some ways but we definitely are learning our lessons.

I spend more of my time in between the kitchen and at the dining table. I love to host and cook. However, these days the working from the home situation has made me move across the house to work in all kinds of places, and I love working in the heart of our home. Ross spends most of his time on the couch watching some sort of sporting event.

What is your favorite memory in your home so far?

When we first bought our home, we pretty much had no furniture in yet and we have a great deck to sit on so we went to the store to find the cheapest patio chairs to sit in the backyard just so that we could admire the house and all its greatness. Other than that moment, bringing Lupe home.

I feel that a haven should activate all five senses, how would you describe your home in terms of… sight, sound, scent, taste, and touch?

Comfy, experiential, funny, a little weird, an old house scent that we can't get rid of, the background noise of stadium chatter, velvety, steamy windows every time we cook in the winter, firewood.