Step Inside: A Simple & Historic California Home
Sometimes, less really is more — and the abode of preschool teacher and photographer Emma Parkinson is a beautiful example. Also home to three girls, the Tudor-style space in Historic Fresno High honors its past while also offering modern family comforts (such as mood-setting lighting and heirloom-quality bedding).
Having been born in the Netherlands, Emma comes from a strong European upbringing — and you can see it in the simplicity of her space. We asked Emma to tell us more about her home’s aesthetic, including what it’s been like turning it into a functional space for her family.
Could you share a little bit about your background?
I was born in the Netherlands and have had the privilege of growing up with a strong European upbringing. I would say our home reflects a European-Scandinavian aesthetic.
In addition to being a homeschooling mom of three, I also run a small in-home preschool two days a week. We have transformed our detached garage into a schoolhouse, where my mom and I have the pleasure of teaching and hosting 12 sweet children. I am also a photographer on the side, with a primary focus on branding photography. That allows me to express my creativity and work from home, which I love!
As a family, we prioritize health and wellness. We enjoy spending time in our garden barefoot, connecting with nature. Our lifestyle has a relaxed and slow approach, embracing the beauty of simplicity.
Tell us about your home! How did you know it was a good fit for your family?
Our home is a 1920s Tudor-style house in the historic Fresno High District. This area holds a special place in our hearts due to its rich history and beautiful old homes. The old windows, creaky floorboards, high ceilings, hex tile flooring, and unique architectural features captured our attention and made it our ideal location to settle down and start a family. We have lived here for eight years and have three little girls.
Describe your interior style in three words.
Simple, cozy, useful.
What was it like making a historic home your own?
We have loved making our home our own, but we wanted to keep as many classic details as possible, without modernizing too much. The details like the old floorboards, adjoining rooms, and separate living spaces really appealed to us.
Our family lives in our 1,300-square-foot home, and the layout really feels robust. We use each and every space every day, and we love that about our home. In our backyard, we turned our detached garage into a schoolhouse for our three girls — this is where I homeschool them daily. The extra space has really allowed us to utilize all parts of our home.
What are your favorite DIY projects you’ve completed in your space?
When we moved here, there were a lot of colors going on in each room. We gave the home a clean white slate and worked from there. We added board and batten to the living room and bathroom to give them old charm but also modernize the look a bit. We also added all new lighting, and it added so much richness to the home.
We recently added a built-in bench in our kitchen nook, and it is by far my favorite project we have done. It cultivates togetherness. It is a space that allows the girls to sit and do their schoolwork or just sit and chat together while I cook dinner. We still have more planned, but we do everything ourselves and also do a whole lot of living in between.
To you, what makes a house a home?
Contentment, togetherness, and love. Every time I’ve been inside a home I love, it’s one that is lived in and loved in — one where things are not often moving around or being updated. There is such a nostalgic comfort in things being as they are. Living in an old home, it’s not always easy to pause the projects. But I find that when we stop and enjoy what we have, it’s such a beautiful thing. I feel so much joy in enjoying what is and finding pieces that I will keep forever.
Also, love and togetherness: As a homeschooling mom, I am with my three girls all the time, and I feel forever grateful for it. To find a slow and intentional flow with the ones you love and be content, that is home.
Finally, tell us about a few of your Schoolhouse favorites! Why did you select them for your home?
Everything? Haha. But really, I love the Augustine Pendant — it looks so beautiful hanging in the center of our home, and it is one of the first things you see when you walk in. I also love all the scalloped fixtures. I find them dainty, beautiful, and timeless and want to add more.
