Step Inside: A Bright & Collected Portland Home
We have a special love for spaces that feel both lived-in yet curated — thoughtfully furnished with a blend of new heirlooms and found treasures over time. So, when we first laid eyes on Nina Butingan’s airy Portland cottage, we knew we had to get her point of view on making a home uniquely your own.
Many days for Nina include working in medical research, hiking, making pottery, and spending time with her husband, John, and 11-year-old Australian shepherd, Chewy. During any free moments she has left, you’ll find her running Hazelfern Goods, a small vintage home decor business where she shares her vintage finds and handmade wares with the world.
We were especially drawn to Nina’s home for its cozy atmosphere and collected feel. Just ahead, we asked her to tell us more about the space, including how her love for antique finds has influenced her interior style.
Tell us about your home. How long have you lived there?
My husband and I bought our home in one of our favorite Portland neighborhoods, Laurelhurst, in the summer of 2019. It was poorly advertised in the listing photos and painted literally every color of the rainbow inside, which I jokingly (but also seriously) attribute to our being able to snatch it up. It's a 1924 English cottage and gets the best natural light.
This is the first place that I've owned vs rented, so it was a bit overwhelming deciding how to decorate. But it's also been an exciting challenge having this much creative freedom. Our first order of business when we moved in was repainting all the rooms. Over the last few years, we've done other small updates to make it feel more like us. We have a long way to go, but I've embraced the slow design process.
Could you share a little bit about your background?
I work full-time in pediatric neuro-oncology research, which is a very left-brained field of work. I've always had a creative side, though, so whenever I'm not doing "work work" I'm usually doing something right-brained. I started Hazelfern Goods in 2021 to share the process of furnishing our home with my vintage finds — but also as a way to sell treasures that I couldn’t keep.
How has your love for thrifting and vintage shopping influenced your interior style?
I love the juxtaposition of something really old paired with something newer. I think the most beautiful spaces are those that mix pieces from different eras and feel collected over time.
I'm also a firm believer that every home should have at least one piece of original art — bonus points if it's a vintage find. There is so much magic in knowing you own something that's one of a kind.
How would you describe your home in three words?
Cozy, collected, and bright.
To you, what makes a house a home?
To me, filling a house with art and treasures from your travels, fresh flowers, and your closest friends and family makes a house a home.
Finally, we’d love to hear about a few of your Schoolhouse favorites! Why did you select them for your home?
The Great Jones Floor Lamp. I actually found ours secondhand for a steal in 2020 which still feels wild. (The secondhand scene in Portland is good, y'all.) The lamp is so well made — the perfect piece for the coziest corner of our living room.
Also, the Kennedy Clock. This was a wedding present from our families and is displayed prominently in our dining room. It's a classic, heirloom-quality piece — something we know will be passed down for generations.
And, if you ask Chewy, the Jack Sofa in my office. It's his (and my) favorite spot for a little afternoon nap.
