This 1800s "Dream Space" in Portland Is Packed with Vintage Treasures

Adrienne Breaux
·4 min read
View of work, dining, and living areas of loft with painted brick wall and light wood flooring.
Ladder bookcase and chair against neutral wall of loft with hardwood floor.
Floor-to-ceiling windows seen in loft with wood flooring.
View from overhead of seating, dining, living areas of loft with hardwood floor.
Desk and bookcase seen in view of loft with painted brick wall and wood flooring.
View of living room with painted brick wall in loft with light wood flooring.
View from overhead of dining and living areas of loft with hardwood floor and painted brick wall.
Table and chairs define dining area in front of floor-to-ceiling windows of loft.
Kitchen with wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances located under loft space.
Black leather chair and ottoman and desks seen in loft with brick wall and ceiling fan.
Wood furniture and bed with tan textured blanket in bedroom with exposed brick wall.
Mid-century Modern cabinet in loft bedroom with exposed brick wall.

ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Loft

LOCATION: Portland, Oregon

STYLE: Industrial, Mid-Century Modern

BEDROOMS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 1600

Photographer Marshall Steeves was born in Portland, Oregon, and for eight years has been an interior and architectural photographer all over the Pacific Northwest. And for the past five months, Marshall has been sharing this dream space (for photographers and lovers of historical spaces), with their cat, Lola.

Work, living, and dining areas seen in loft with painted brick wall.
Credit: Marshall Steeves Credit: Marshall Steeves

“It’s an 1880s bank building that was converted into a loft apartment in the late ’90s,” Marshall begins. “It’s my dream space; I have been collecting pieces that inspire me as a creative individual.”

View from overhead of seating, dining, living areas of loft with hardwood floor.
Credit: Marshall Steeves Credit: Marshall Steeves

And what kind of items inspire Marshall? Lots and lots of secondhand treasures. “I have always had a deep love for vintage (especially mid-century modern) furniture that is true vintage. I don’t purchase new furniture or knockoffs,” Marshall admits.

Seating area with accent table in loft with hardwood floor.
Credit: Marshall Steeves Credit: Marshall Steeves

“I’ve invested so much in seeking out and finding original, stamped, vintage pieces from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s and am so proud to be living amongst them. In a way, my space is a museum,” they write.

View from overhead of dining and living areas of loft with hardwood floor and painted brick wall.
Credit: Marshall Steeves Credit: Marshall Steeves

Marshall admits that because the rental apartment, which they pay $2450 a month in rent for, is a loft, there aren’t really “rooms” to choose from for a favorite spot. “However what I have designated as my ‘living room’ is where I spend my most time. It feels extremely comfortable, inspiring, and bright, and I work, relax, and create the most often in that space.”

View of loft with painted brick wall and light wood flooring from desk and work area.
Credit: Marshall Steeves Credit: Marshall Steeves

If you notice that there are a ton of light fixtures in Marshall’s space, it’s because they have a true passion for vintage lamps and lighting, and there are plenty of great examples around the home.

Pendant lights hand in loft with light wood flooring.
Credit: Marshall Steeves Credit: Marshall Steeves

“[M]y current obsession is this Laurel lamp I found locally,” they write. And Marshall says that all of the “Nelson lamps that have been hung up were a piece of work. I also replaced the ugly lamp that was hanging in the kitchen.”

Wooden bench along exposed brick wall with sign art in loft.

“Find your inspiration for an interior and buy everything that inspires you,” Marshall advises. “Find local items; don’t buy new or cheap out on knockoff furniture. It should be an investment and make you feel happy and joyful.”

Thanks, Marshall!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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