Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » sneak peek: molly of life + limb

portland, oregon has some of the best shops around. one of those is LIFE + LIMB, an indoor plant and modern home accessories shop run by graphic design trained molly quan. luckily for those of us not in portland, molly just opened an online shop, but today is all about her home. i’m just bummed that this time around we don’t get to see her skateboard ramp that was hit hard by a december storm. in the meantime, we’ll just have to enjoy the great photos below (and a few extras here). [thanks, molly and congrats on having the site up!] -anne

[Molly on her house: I skateboard and had to have a house with a yard big enough to build a miniramp. I spent 8 months looking for it and once I found my 1954 ranch, I thought I’d be here forever. As soon as I got the keys, I called my friend Louis to help build the ramp. Long story short, it’s been 4 and half years and he’s still here. Louis had his own house too, but we sold it, put most of his stuff in storage and have been looking for a place that’s “ours”. So for now, this is our home…]

Living room: couch & chair were a sweeeeet deal on eBay. Heywood Wakefield coffee table from my uncle who collects lots of old stuff too. Bookshelf, Ikea of course. Lots of things on display from various garage and estate sales and thrift stores. All artwork from friends. Books… we have a lot, many more in boxes.

A lot of people ask about the mantle, I don’t know much about it, it was there when I moved in.

Dining room: Louis got the Eames chairs on eBay and table from an office supply store. Buffet from a garage sale. Jean Pelle candlesticks and various vintage items on buffet. Rickshaw painting by Adam Haynes – as well as painting above bookshelf in living room. Small painting by Mark Warren Jacques. Photos I shot on a trip to Joshua Tree.

Bedroom: side tables from my uncle. Bed from Hive Modern. Credenza, another estate sale find. Assortment of art including some from garage sales and some from friends.

CLICK HERE for the rest of Molly’s home tour…

Office: Ikea desks, various vintage items. Prints by Mark Warren Jacques, El Camino painting by my good friend Roger Seliner. Maybe someday I’ll have a real El Camino.

Bikini girls, old friends I shot one day at the pool.

Hi everyone!

Well, the good news is- we managed to switch servers today without too many hitches.

The bad news is- we lost everything that was posted today- including comments.

That said, I copied everyone’s comments in a screengrab before the switch so I’ll be reposting them manually here.

I’m so sorry- we didn’t know this would happen, so from now on things should be working normally.

Thanks for your patience and understanding

Grace :)

batch one of comments the server ate:

gk2829:

CUTE DOG!

Emily
http://thirtyeight20.blogspot.com/:

that bright blue couch is just the perfect color. and what a cute story about the skateboard ramp!

Dallas
http://dallasshaw.com:

a-mazing couch

Magchunk
http://magchunk.blogspot.com:

That gray wall is divine!

queenpretty:

where are the large pots from that sit around the mantle? they are really great.

maureen:

wow. i wanna live here!

batch two:

Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/:

What a fabulous fireplace! And couch. And dog! :P

Jenny
http://www.fancypants-design.blogspot.com:

I want that turquise couch!!!!

jackie kersh
http://www.designingmoms.blogspot.com/:

love it all!

Lisa
http://www.goodonpaperdesign.com:

I love your dog and your home! I love all the little vignettes you have around and the mix of old and new. Where is the task lamp on your desk from? Love the color.

elissa
http://www.vintage-green.blogspot.com:

Wow, great place! Especially the couch. I have the same coffee table except that a previous owner stained it dark (and not in a good way). Seeing it blonde makes me want to strip it down again.

Joanna
http://larkjoanna.blogspot.com:

The little pops of color are genius. I could so wile away an afternoon here….especially if the pup can keep me company.

batch three:

The Other Tiffany
http://theothertiffany.blogspot.com:

Really lovely home. Just the right amount of color and some very nice vintage pieces!

KC:

What’s the name of the gray accent wall color?

Christina @ Pardon My Vintage
http://pardonmyvintage.etsy.com:

I’m drooling over this home! Great peeks today! Love the chess set and all the pottery … it all works together so well. :-)

Does anyone knows who makes the black and white clock shown on her desk in the picture third from the bottom?

Lauren:

Hey Molly! Love your place and your photography. I live in PDX too – will definitely be by to check out Life+Limb soon! Can I ask you where you got your puppy? I am looking for a Frenchie and was just curious as to where you found yours. Thanks!

Marieke McArthur
http://miquette.typepad.com/shopwhatnot/:

I am greeeen with envy. Thanks for sharing!

Leah Hennen
http://morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com:

Love it!

What a lovely home! I have to confess though, it was the El Camino love that made me stop and comment. I have wanted one since I was 16 and people always look at me like I’m crazy when I say that. Your El Camino painting made me all warm and fuzzy inside :)

hi everyone, thanks for all the comments! I think my late night comments got lost… but here are some answers to questions…
Pots by mantle: green and orange ones from estate sales. The white one is Gainey and we sell ‘em at the shop, 5 sizes, and loads of colors.
Lamp & Clock: both from the same garage sale. The clock is a Seiko Transistor.
Grey Wall: Miller Paint 8705D Barn Rafter. Eggshell finish.
French Bulldog: Lauren – please call or email me at the shop, would love to talk Frenchies! Or stop by, he is frequently with me at the shop during the week!
PS. the couch came with a matching chair too! I think I lucked out because i only searched “couch” and a picked a distance when looking on Ebay, no other specifics.

thanks again! and thank you Grace and Anne!

p.s. must further the el camino chatter… a 1974 metallic teal blue variety was my first car @ age 16. wish i had realized how cool it was @ the time. (not as cool as the earlier generation in Roger’s painting though.) unfortunately, i was going through a short-lived geeky laura ashley stage. grief. oh well, a salut to *the road*… Roger’s work is fantastic & looks great in this space, Molly. :~)

oh, i think that my comment last night didn’t go through… anyways, hi molly! this is vanessa from everything gardens. i dropped into your shop when i was in portland this past summer. i got so excited to see you here (and you’re gorgeous home!) anyways, congrats on the site and the tour. my shop is up and running in los angeles, so if you ever make it down here stop by!

thanks again!
I can’t remember the name of the ikea shelving and i don’t see it online. i do think it’s something i have seen in the store though recently.
We found the chess set at a thrift store…

hi Lynn! i got the rug at Urban Outfitters, probably 5 or more years ago. sheds some, not a lot… mostly from the dog playing on it.

Ithavee – i tried going to your site to send you a photo of the cat. no luck!

molly, i just saw your feature on readymade and went in search of your paint colors and happened to find your feature here. i love the colors, esp against the neutral background! i will be painting my place soon and was so happy to find inspiration in your home. luckily, someone already asked in the comments area. again, love the place…super cute dog too!

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