Apartment Crush: Emma-Leigh & Jared
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Post and pictures by Nimali Ramanayake. If you would like us to feature your place in Apartment Crush, let us know by emailing apartment613@gmail.com
| Once you walk through the doors of Emma-Leigh & Jared’s home, it feels as though you’ve entered a art gallery specializing in pieces from Asian history, action scenes from vintage comic books and a 60s-era family home. Their apartment, which is located on the ground floor of a 3-level house hidden on a quiet street in the Glebe, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. This happily married young couple has respected the home’s roots in both their furnishings and accessories.Emma-Leigh & Jared have thoughtfully created a space that balances elements of both their personalities in a humble manner. On the one hand, Emma-Leigh has been a lover of collecting retro, googly-eyed owls long before they became a North American fad and has a passionate drive to hunt for secondhand, mid-century items on a weekly basis. On the other hand, Jared (whom I think is Clark Kent under those glasses) has a nerdy drive for collecting and organizing comic books. The photos of the house tour you’re about to see doesn’t do this young couple’s place justice as it is truly a space you must wander around to experience. Hopefully you’ll see how their healthy obsession for collecting vintage accessories have created a warm, cozy and playful home. | Name: Emma-Leigh & JaredNeighborhood: The Glebe
Biggest decorating challenge? Lighting has been a big challenge because there aren’t many windows. We don’t have many plants because they don’t do well. What do friends say about your place? “You guys are like grown-ups?” |
Apt613: What’s your favorite room?
Emma-Leigh: The living room and dining room are without a doubt my favorite rooms, because all of my favorite treasures are in there. From my ongoing ceramic owl collection, artwork from my travels to Asia, photographs I developed, and my most newly prized possession, original Bertoia chairs straight from Chicago…
Jared: The office would have to be my favorite room, because that’s where all my stuff is, it’s very narrow, small and cozy, and you can shut the door. The exposed brick wall is a very nice element too. It’s the old exterior of the house.
Apt613: Could you tell us a bit of the history behind this house?
Both: This house is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year! The kitchen was added in the 1930′s and this entire house was divided into apartments back then, because of the high demand for affordable houses. It was at a point in history where a single family couldn’t afford to live in a house this size, so it was divided. Each apartment in this building has its own character and there are three apartments in total.
Apt613: What’s your decoration inspiration
Both: Traveling to Chicago has become an annual tradition and, as we have become more and more interested in design and architecture, my cousin who is an architect in Chicago has become someone I look up to. Whenever we go visit, we usually get treated to an interesting tour of architecture in Chicago or get an inside scoop of an old building that I’ve always wanted to see inside. It’s intriguing and definitely inspires us.
Apt613: What can Chicago teach Ottawa?
Both: The condos that are being built in Chicago have a certain look that I wish more condos had in Ottawa. They’ve nailed a look that has preserved old buildings and made them into a new living space. One of the classic elements of condos in Chicago are their balconies. Massive chains that give a cool, industrial look, secure these balconies. I wish we could see more of that, here.
Apt613: What your best advice for creating a personalized space?
Emma-Leigh: Follow your gut and somehow it will come together in a cohesive way. When I come home on a weekly basis with a new collection like a new owl, new milk glass or piece of pottery, it slowly makes this place the home I want it to be. As you start bringing stuff in that you truly care about, it’s important to keep in mind that purging old stuff you bought before you knew what you wanted is very important.
Jared: Trust your wife and everything will work out fine.