Name: Candace Molatore
Location: Beaumont Neighborhood, Portland, Oregon
Size: 620 square feet
Type of Home: 1 bedroom apartment
Years Lived In: 6 months, renting
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Candace Molatore is a self-proclaimed homebody, so feeling at peace has always been important in her space. “I found this space through a friend’s referral, she says, “and when I saw it for the first time, I was instantly attracted to the large windows and vaulted ceilings. There was so much light, and being on the top floor, it felt like my own personal treehouse! Some might not be into that, but I knew it had great potential and I worked hard to make sure each piece I brought into the place still made it feel like a breath of fresh air inside. When things get tough mentally or emotionally, I love that I have a safe space that truly feels like home to me.”
“I’m really drawn to shape and texture in lieu of bright colors so I loved bringing in wood accents and playing with larger and smaller neutral pieces that had a lot of interesting detail to them. I also feel like senses play a big part in establishing the mood in a space so I put a lot of emphasis on smells — every time my friends come over the first thing they say is ‘it smells so good in here!’ Typically you’ll always smell a santal diffuser oil or a sandalwood/leather candle going somewhere in the apartment.”
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Cozy Minimalist Hygge. My sunlit space incorporates a lot of neutral earth tones, cozy textiles, subtle colors, soft or rounded-edged pieces with local artisan accents.
Inspiration: Alvar Aalto and my local spa (Knot Springs, Portland).
Favorite Element: Vaulted ceilings and my bouclé couch.
Biggest Challenge: Storage! This feels really common in a lot of rentals, but I definitely had to get creative by adding in multiple shelving units that still fit with the vibe of the space.
Proudest DIY: Open shelving in the kitchen! It’s a simple DIY to some but I’m admittedly not very crafty when it comes to cutting and drilling wood. I was able to do these shelves in an afternoon, didn’t mess up or have to take more than one trip to the hardware store and I loved how they turned out! I still find myself staring at them and really enjoy playing with different objects to display on the shelves.
Biggest Indulgence: Aside from the couch, my travertine coffee table cost the most, but was 100 percent worth the money (and time) it took for me to obtain it. It’s from Ferm Living but I bought it locally and feel like it’s such a focal point in the living room. It’s a really unique piece that I plan to keep forever.
What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? I truly love everything I’ve brought into the space but my top items are probably the coffee table, living room rug, bouclé couch and TV stand. I get the most questions about those items from friends as well so they must be everyone’s favorites. I’m also partial to my bedside table lamp and the artwork hanging in my entryway.
Please describe any helpful, inspiring, brilliant, or just plain useful small space maximizing and/or organizing tips you have: Don’t be afraid to use your walls! If you rent and your landlord is fine with you hanging art, shelves, plants, etc., use that space to express yourself. My apartment finally started to feel like home when I began hanging art on the walls.
Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? Pinterest is an amazing resource for anyone interested in sprucing up their space that I feel like isn’t used enough! You can find amazing pieces and inspiration that fits every kind of style.
Also, be patient with yourself and understand that the right pieces will come your way with time. There have been so many instances where I’ve purchased something because it was “close enough” to what I was looking for, but I bought it with the intent to eventually replace the item with one I truly wanted. A lot of times, all that does is waste money and add clutter to your home.
