When a Portland, Oregon, couple purchased this historic Victorian in the city’s Southwest Hills, they knew that it needed immediate attention. Built in 1885, and listed on the National Registry, the home had exquisite details and beautiful bones—however, sections of the home had been remodeled in the 1980s, and it hadn’t aged well. The new homeowners were lovers of midcentury furniture and were looking to impart their sensibilities onto their new home. Fortunately, they had friends who had worked with Jessica Helgerson Interior Design (JHID) on their own renovation just a few blocks away, and after a quick introduction, the firm was brought on.

The initial goals were to renovate the kitchen and the bathrooms and to decorate and furnish the rest of the home. The starting point for much of the design stemmed from the couple’s collection of midcentury modern chairs and a bold, jewel-tone color palette that was also influenced by vintage finds. “We started with some vintage, ’70s French silk scarves that we found online and later had made into pillows,” says Jessica Helgerson. “They felt glamorous and gorgeous, like our client, and those drove the color palette for the project.” (She adds, however, that “vintage silk scarves do not make good pillows: They were shredded and ruined within a few years.”)

Beyond the midcentury influences, the renovation was also about staying true to the Victorian character. “I love that we were able to be so authentic to the house, and really respect the existing bones, while bringing in a modern, glamorous feeling that was very reflective of the clients,” says Helgerson. “It feels like a good balance.”

Before: The Kitchen

After: The Kitchen

The kitchen remodel was prioritized to allow the clients to move in during construction. Although the space had been updated in the ’80s and didn’t require any structural changes, JHID sought to bring in more light while working within the restrictions dictated by the home’s place on the National Registry. “We probably would have removed the non-functional chimney in the breakfast nook to bring more light into the kitchen,” says Helgerson, “but it really was beautiful on the outside [of the home], so it is probably for the best that we were not able to. The asymmetry in the breakfast nook really doesn’t bother me.”

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Before: The Dining Room

After: The Dining Room

JHID loved the classic, moody character of the wood-paneled dining room and preserved it—offsetting the Victorian millwork with brassy modern pieces. They also kept the fireplace, updating it with textured clay tiles from Ann Sacks.

Before: The Living Room

After: The Living Room

The firm brightened the living room by adding antiqued mirrors to existing panels. “We decided to add the antiqued mirrors to add sparkle and light to the room, which is surrounded by a sun porch,” says Helgerson. The results are absolutely sun-drenched and sumptuous.

Shop the Look

Before: The Family Room

After: The Family Room

JHID leaned into the dark wood and period details in the family room, painting the space a dark shade that makes all the furnishings pop. The glam, jewel-tone color palette was inspired by vintage ’70s silk scarves found online.

After: The Staircase

Before: The Master Bedroom

After: The Master Bedroom

After: The Home Office

More by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design:

Before & After: An Enchanting Craftsman Home in Portland Is an Ode to Local Flora

A $70K Remodel Turns a Tiny Oregon Cabin Into an Idyllic Home for a Family of Four

Before & After: This Portland Loft’s Pink-Hued Makeover Deserves a Standing Ovation

A Hamptons Beach Retreat Gets a Scandinavian-Style Makeover

Project Credits:

Interior Design: Jessica Helgerson Interior Design, Chelsie Lee, senior designer and Jessica Helgerson, principal designer / @jhinteriordesign
Builder / General Contractor: The Works Construction, Gregor Mitchell