Jessica McKay designs her home around the things that she enjoys. In 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 charm and character, and the twosome decided to signify in their home’s décor. “I feel just like you honor the personality of this older with great pieces from that time, you then add more attention by layering your preferences in other eras and styles over that,” Jessica says.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Jessica and Christopher McKay
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, two baths
That is intriguing: The couple’s cozy master bedroom was originally the attic.
The McKays based many of the rooms’ color palettes around specific cloths or parts of furniture. “But sometimes I just find items I love when I am out shopping and think, ‘I will make this job,'” Jessica says. Although all the pieces in the dining room were bought separately, the brown, white and blue all blend effortlessly.
Light: eBay; table: vintage
Jessica likes to unite 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 just like a decorated set for an old home,” Jessica says.
The unique and colorful living room is a fantastic example of this look. Vintage accessories, contemporary artwork and colorful fabrics combine in a unique and customized area.
Cabinets: custom, with fabric out of Greenhouse fabrics; dining table lamps: vintage; Lucite chairs: Overstock.com; java table: custom by Peter Cales
The McKays had this vintage chair with classic bones re-covered in gray vinyl using a brass nailhead trim. The contemporary color gives it a fresh new appearance.
Ottomans: Overstock.com
The McKays painted the fireplace a bold color to get some contrast in the room. After playing with a couple colours, Jessica settled on a shiny black to pay the outdated brick and mantel.
The original artwork over the mantel is by Omaha artist Cristina Renfer Vogel, and it’s one of Jessica’s favourite pieces in her home. The McKays enjoy working with local artists and host art openings out of their interior design studios. Frequently the pair will start collecting pieces from the artists they work with. “Nothing adds additional attention to your area than original artwork,” Jessica says. “My advice is to discover artists you love and get friendly with them. Save because art is an investment which may be passed down through the generations.”
Fireplace paint: Dark Allergic Black, Valspar
Wall-mounted shelves are the ideal storage solution to barware and serveware, and supply some additional space in the couple’s small kitchen.
Lamps: vintage; console: CB2; wall paint: Sable, Sherwin Williams
Though they would love a bigger kitchen particularly since Christopher is a fantastic baker — that the couple has managed to contend with all the space they have. A movable island at the end of the room allows for additional storage when stationary and becomes another function surface when wheeled into the primary kitchen area.
Island: Bed, Bath & Beyond; gray lamp: Goal
This vintage-style metal cart is a reproduction Jessica found through one of her sellers. It had been picked up for a job but didn’t really work for the distance. Christopher was complaining that he had been running out of space for his baking ingredients, and this was the best answer.
A cute little built-in nook serves as a display case and storage shelf for glasses and other serving items. This built-in is one of the numerous great architectural attributes that came on this particular home. “I don’t believe I could live in a house newer than the ’70s,” says Jessica. “I want to live with just a little patina and additional quirkiness which accompanies age.”
The basement family room is just one of the few favourite rooms in their home. Designwise, it initially presented some issues, and the budget was tight. The walls in this room were an unsightly knotty pine the couple couldn’t manage to totally replace, so they decided to paint them keep the grooves white to get a pin-striped appearance.
Vintage chairs were recovered at a Southwestern-inspired fabric for a colorful touch. “I am originally from New Mexico, so that I can not pass up a good Southwest print,” Jessica says.
Chairs: vintage; couch; Nebraska Furniture Mart; wall paint: Naval, Sherwin Williams
The few reworked their home’s attic into a cozy master bedroom with slanted ceilings and a lot of nooks and crannies. Jessica made the headboard herself since she wanted a bold material that seemed like leather and couldn’t afford the ones she saw out there. This DIY vinyl headboard has the same style for a fraction of the price. The side tables were located at a garage sale and painted a bold and glossy red.
Bedding: Dwell Studio; dining table lamps: Lamps Plus
The leopard stool for Jessica’s vanity is just one of the favourite items in the home. “I am not super girly, but something about that leopard print just screamed chic to me, and when there’s any place you want to feel chic, it’s where you prepare in the morning,” she states.
A dormer window in the master bedroom turned into the ideal dressing room for Jessica. A turquoise chaise from the previous home was tucked beneath the window to get a lavish touch.
Chaise: Goal; ottoman: Arteriors
More:
Vintage Modern: What Does It Mean?
Your Residence: Vintage Color
10 Design Strategies for Art Lovers