This weekend’s Get the Look Decor is inspired by the stylish Bakersfield, California, home of Rachel Unger. She lives with her two sweet cats, Tanner and Sam, and one very friendly hummingbird named Tinkerbell, who is hatching her third batch of babies in the light on her front porch.
Visit Rachel on Flickr to browse more photos of her beautiful home, and stop by her Etsy shop, Rachel Unger Jewelry, where she sells gorgeous handmade gemstone jewelry.
[Clockwise from top left: Sewing Machine Table by RhapsodyAttic; Mid-Century Modern Oil Painting Seascape by MissionModster; Black Mexican Hand Wrought Iron Candelabra by BackThennishVintage; Reclaimed Wood Round Mirror by Carpentercraig; Vintage Divided Wood Tray from bonnbonn; Set of 3 Amber Bottles with Sea Life by beautifuldetailswed.]
Describe your home decorating style.
My decorating is hard to pinpoint — it traverses many styles and eras. I love items with unique or classic lines, items with history, items relating to nature, and items that have been lovingly restored or have found new life in an alternate purpose. I am definitely drawn to color first, then form, then function, but I really only have one criteria — I have to love it! It is amazing how all the little things that make their way into my home end up looking so good together, but I guess maybe that is how it works. When things are too planned out and contrived, they usually feel and look that way, but when a space is filled with well-loved items, it can take your breathe away.
[Clockwise from top left: Driftwood Mirror by benforgeydotcom; Vintage Mid-Century Lounge Chair from rhanvintage; Tea Stained French Vanity by paintedcottages; Brass and Glass Deco Style Lamp by compostthis; Designer Suzani Pillow Cover by WilmaLong; Cherubs Pedestal Urn Planter by MomsantiquesNthings.]
Did you decide to decorate in this style or was there an evolution to your decorating process?
Both, I think. For so long, I was a starving college student, then a starving graduate trying to live on the coast where the costs are sky high. When I moved and finally had some breathing room (a.k.a. cash), I was drawn to the aesthetic that comes from mixing vintage with new, modern with classic, and antique with contemporary. I wanted my home to reflect my attraction to unique, well-made items. I started collecting items for my home eight years ago. I took my time, making investments in important pieces (like the couches and dining table). I am not afraid of investing time and material to rehab a piece, either — each of my orange dining chairs took 6 hours to recover, clean, sand, prime, paint and lacquer. Along the way, I’ve definitely had to edit out some impulse buys. It’s an ongoing process and I find my style is constantly evolving. I don’t think I will ever be done.
[From left to right: Set of 5 Mason Jar Planters with Drainage by BootsNGus; Farm House Dining Table by RusticTrades; Vintage Brass Candelabra from KansasKardsStudio.]
What inspires you when it comes to decorating?
I read a quote somewhere from a famous interior designer that I always fall back upon; it says something like,“Things should be beautiful, they should be unique, and they should mean something to you.”
[From left to right: Handmade Candle Holder by ChaseVintage; 1950s Barred Owl Audubon Print from Vintage05; Two Cement Finials by unpotpourri.]
Where are your favorite places to shop for home items?
Etsy (of course), flea markets, consignment shops, thrift stores, garage sales and eBay. I also love West Elm for bedding and pillows.
[Clockwise from top left: Art Deco 1930s Silver Leaf Chest from freshvintagemiami; Wood Sunburst Mirror by FallenWalnut; Milk Glass Candle Holders from TheVintageDaughter; 18″ Wooden Letter R by gracegraffiti; Gold Gilt Chandelier with Crystals from RobertaGrove; Teak Wood Screen Room Divider by fabulousmess.]
What is your favorite part about your home?
I love how comfortable it is and how well it reflects my style. I love all the little touches of good craftsmanship that you find in older homes: the floor to ceiling brick fireplace with an elevated hearth, built-in bookshelves, wainscoting, and the large bedrooms and huge backyard.
[Clockwise from top left: Live Edge Coffee Table by tablesontheedge; Recycled Billboard Banner Planter by NottyPooch; Primitive Wood Bucket by perfectpatina; Vintage Brass Magazine Rack from NeatoVintage; Silver Plated Vase from TheVintageRoad2Retro; Primitive Antique Wall Mirror from TheOrangeCollective.]
Does your home hold any strong memories?
I’ve been here two-and-a-half years and it’s amazing how far it’s come. When I bought the house, two of the main living areas were literally painted like a cave. That was pretty unforgettable! It took me and my mom six hours to remove the hideous wallpaper in the hall bath. On a positive note, I have an open door policy on my pool for friends and family. I love coming home and finding my friends having a blast in my pool with their kids.
Especially dear to me are treasured “date” nights with my 5-year old nephew. Every Friday, I pick him up from school, we go have sushi (he loves sushi!), and we come back to the house and paint dinosaurs, make dioramas, do science experiments, or build robot animals from coffee cans and empty toilet paper rolls. I hope he will remember my home as a place he was free to experiment, build, create and grow.
Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our video series, There’s No Place Like Here, where creative types show us their unique spaces — infused with their aesthetic and filled with the treasures they collect. Get involved and show us your amazing space in our Flickr pool.
105 comments
Matejka Max from NattyMatty said 8 years ago
Very stylish!
Mojca from VijolicaVintage said 8 years ago
Lovely!
Judith and Raymond from AnnaOliveDesigns said 8 years ago
Love your jewelry!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 8 years ago
Beautiful!!!
dhela from dhela said 8 years ago
I love the old and new mix. Gorgeous, stylish home.
Elena Fom from Attractive1 said 8 years ago
Great! I have the same Singer!
Erika from ErikaPrice said 8 years ago
What a beautifully elegant home you've made, Rachel - I love your style!
Candace Gray from BettyGetsHitched said 8 years ago
Rachel you have a beautiful home and some lovely pieces of furniture!
cactusflower1 said 8 years ago
I always look forward to and love these 'Get the look' articles. The homes are just sooo cool.
Krystyn Pecora from QuirkAndSparkle said 8 years ago
Love the home... but I think the best part is having a hummingbird nest on the front porch! How absolutely magical that must be!
Susan Spurr from InSpurations said 8 years ago
L O V E L Y ! Your wall colors are all my favorite colors. It is a harmoneous home that I would love to come home to. G R E A T J O B ! Comfortably put together.
Sherri from BurninLoveJewelry said 8 years ago
You have a beautiful home . Such great taste. I would so much rather see decorating that evolves over time rather. There is history and thought there. Nothing worse than seeing the latest decorating trends purchased from a big box store mass produced in China. Your jewelry is beautiful too. I added it to my favs. Congrats on being featured!
Cat from VintageBeach said 8 years ago
Beautiful home!
Amanda Gynther from CafePrimrose said 8 years ago
Such a lovely home!
Kim from RiverHomeVintage said 8 years ago
I love the calm feeling your home seems to have...so pretty, and your jewelry has the same style as your home, calming and very pretty!
Peshka from Peshka said 8 years ago
Nice Decor!
rosebudshome from rosebudshome said 8 years ago
Great home and shop, but what I love the most is what you said about spending time with your nephew now that is beautiful.
France Gallery from FranceGallery said 8 years ago
A lovely neutral color scheme!
Aviya Hoffman from aviya said 8 years ago
Very nice material !!! Lovely home.
park from carlossantiago said 8 years ago
cool items!! thank you for sharing.
Nancy from GoldenDaysAntiques said 8 years ago
Love the look!
Ana Resende Pires said 8 years ago
Nossa ! Que casa Linda ! Poderia ajudar - me a decorar minha casa aqui no Brasil ? Gosto muito deste estilo . Fiquei encantada com as peças do mobiliário e também as peças de decoração . Um grande abraço ! Muito AXÉ para você !!!!!!!!!
Jess from volkerwandering said 8 years ago
Looks cozy!
Laurie from BirdinHandVTG said 8 years ago
Yay! Get The Look is back! Love the incorporation of vintage elements and Rachel's eclectic style.
Jessica from jdfootloose said 8 years ago
Stylish & Cozy!
Marietta from blueroompottery said 8 years ago
Such a lovely home, beautiful combination of vintage and new, antique and modern. It all comes together so naturally! Thanks for sharing!
Alexandra Simons from BlueMoonLights said 8 years ago
Lovely home! Cozy & elegant.
Terry from Parachute425 said 8 years ago
Uniquely your own. Well done! Thanks for the peek.
maggiemaevintage from maggiemaevintage said 8 years ago
such a tasetfully relaxing decor......so very much my style love this!
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 8 years ago
Very cool. Wonderful use of vintage.
iammie from iammie said 8 years ago
Love those paintings!
OuterKnits from OuterKnits said 8 years ago
Interesting collection!
Jennifer Beaudet from JBeaudetStudios said 8 years ago
What a gorgeous house! This is one of my favorite articles you've done Christine...besides when you used my painting in one of them:)
Lori from yosalvovendo said 8 years ago
beautiful home, thanks for sharing! precious time with your nephew, he will definately have amazing memories of his Friday nights growing up!
Caroline from AnchorRoad said 8 years ago
I love your home, Rachel! Thank you for inviting us in!
Kasia from Eclectivist said 8 years ago
Beautiful home!
candy donnelly from Rt9NJvintageFun said 8 years ago
Thanks for letting us in, your taste is elegant, and live-able, total eye-candy ! What a beautiful retreat to call home. So soothing to the soul!
ACupOfSparkle from ACupOfSparkle said 8 years ago
Such a lovely home. Thanks for sharing.
Ruth Ann from MomsCottage said 8 years ago
Lovely! I love "Get the Look"!
pamela1061 said 8 years ago
Elegant and serene yet friendly and inviting. Your nephew is fortunate to have such a wonderful aunt who knows the value of creative play and building relationships through sharing regular/predictable "hang out together" time rather than expensive go to activities. Congratulations on the post and thank you for sharing...missed seeing photos of your two cats enjoying your home too.
TipsyTimeMachine from TipsyTimeMachine said 8 years ago
Very warm and inviting. The sewing machine entry way table is so elegant.
BittyBolts from BittyBolts said 8 years ago
This is beautiful and I love your jewelry!
SHARMAINE SHANELLE from CaliPeachLLC said 8 years ago
I love the home decor, those pieces are amazing, and makes the home unique and warm. Thank you for sharing, gives me ideas on how to make my home more welcoming!
Niftic from NifticVintage said 8 years ago
Fantastic Home! Thanks so much for sharing you design esthetic with us!
Toni Paoli from Casabellawreaths said 8 years ago
I love the old sewing machine. I have one myself that needs some love. It still has the sewing machine attached. It's great.
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 8 years ago
Beautiful decor! Your jewelry is gorgeous!
Jeanne B from KOUSAsupply said 8 years ago
Great look! I coined the term "Early Miscellaneous" many years ago whilst living in NYC and I had a little of this and a little of that where nothing really was meant to go with each other, but somehow the happy mess turned out to be a wonderful haphazard harmony!.
Renata and Jonathan from RenataandJonathan said 8 years ago
Charming home ! 'Dates' with your nephew are such a great idea and fun !
JodyBallArt from JodyBallArt said 8 years ago
Love the vintage paintings!
gilded in gypsy from gildedingypsy said 8 years ago
What great pieces, wonderful home! I love the mix of different items, they seem to work when they are put together!
Kathy Johnson from kathyjohnson3 said 8 years ago
Beautiful home, I love the fact that you take the time to build memories with your nephew, what a wonderful aunt!!!
ilanit bronstein from telepelekids said 8 years ago
Beautiful!!!such a great mix!!!love it!
Silvia Berrios from DesignsbySilvia said 8 years ago
I love the ecclectic look, my home has a more tribal mix, but this one suits me just fine. Stunning jewerly!!!
TheSewingGin from TheSewingGin said 8 years ago
Thanks for sharing your home with us. It looks very warm and inviting.
Paula from artwinkjewelry said 8 years ago
Simply, beautiful. Lovely collection of materials and colors. Beautiful jewelry too!
BonTons from BonTons said 8 years ago
Beautiful
ALex Israel said 8 years ago
You have a very nice home, I especially like the Proclaimers Book in your magazine basket.
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 8 years ago
Your home is so cozy! I love your taste!
Cynna from colorada said 8 years ago
wonderful article...loved peeking at this home!!
VintageNChic from VintageNChic said 8 years ago
I love the eclectic mix throughout - definitely a home!
fallenwalnut from FallenWalnut said 8 years ago
Your home is beautiful, peaceful, and very inspirational!! ... Thanks for including my Handmade Wood Sunburst Mirror with your items! I love working with natural distressed walnut wood, letting the shapes and forms of the wood pieces become a unique home decor item!!
Chrisy McConnell from ARTDECADENCE said 8 years ago
I feel so at home in this decor....thank you it was a visual delight!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 8 years ago
So inviting ~ the individuality shines !
DreamJewelrySupplies from DreamJewelrySupplies said 8 years ago
Lovely decor!!!
Aleta Ford Baker from AletaFordBakerDesign said 8 years ago
Beautiful jewelry and an eclectic home! love the hummers on the porch :D
Edie Ann from OhHoneyHush said 8 years ago
Love it!
Quality Handmade Items from WhisperingOak said 8 years ago
Beautiful home
rhapsodyattic from RhapsodyAttic said 8 years ago
I love your design story, I can so relate. A space filled with well-loved items, I just have to "love it" and somehow it all works:) Thanks for sharing!!
JD Kohler from ParisCabinet said 8 years ago
We're nearly neighbors, we are just up the highway a couple of hours in Fresno. Loved your home, very interesting furniture and decor.
UpsideDownFrowns from UpsideDownFrowns said 8 years ago
my mom taught me to sew as a girl and bought me and old sewing machine table at a garage sale when i was about twelve. I didn't really have much of an appreciation for it at the time. It is still in her house, but I was just thinking last week that i might ask her if i can have it to put in my home as an entry way table. After seeing yours I am going to call her tomorrow. I love it. beautiful home and shop.
Ben Burke said 8 years ago
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Francesca from OliCreations said 8 years ago
So beautiful! One of my favorites to day on this feature, I really admire those who know how to mix old and new, modern and vintage, expensive and less expensive and make it all look put together...
Katrina Alana from KatrinaAlana said 8 years ago
Looks like a lovely and comfortable home!
adayathome from PINKJALUZI said 8 years ago
so chic!!!
Victoria Baker from LittleWrenPottery said 8 years ago
I love the soft colours in your home, so beautiful!
Avis Carty from AvesAttic said 8 years ago
Love it all and the lovely comments too!
Kristina Smiley from CreativeEndeavorsKS said 8 years ago
Beautiful home! Thank you for sharing :)
Elise from piecesofelises said 8 years ago
Looks great!
Janice McKay Wiggins from JMWSilver said 8 years ago
chic, calming, interesting spaces, nice work!
Ally from CrookedSmileCreation said 8 years ago
My kind of place.
bluepalette from BluePalette said 8 years ago
I love these ''Get the Look Decor'' articles very much!Well put together really!
Angela Cotton from CottonBirdDesigns said 8 years ago
Beautiful home!
Mollie Ann Meserve from RoughMagicCreations said 8 years ago
What a lovely and inspiring home! I love everything about it!!!
Jackie from kookubug said 8 years ago
What a lovely home !
Alisa from AlisaDesign said 8 years ago
Beautiful!
Anna Addcox from agoodhome said 8 years ago
I teared up a little over your date nights with your nephew. I wish my sister was closer so she could have date nights with my 5 year old daughter! I love your space, too :)
Natalia from Nikifashion said 8 years ago
Great decoration!
Josie from JosiesBoutique said 8 years ago
Beautiful!
kit poon from thereisart said 8 years ago
warm home!
Amy P from Lovefortheworld said 8 years ago
You have amazing taste! Seems like a fun place to call home!
Sarah from CopperheadCreations said 8 years ago
This is so approachable, welcoming and cozy. Makes you want to just plop down on the couch and call it a day.
Lisa S. from simpledream2 said 8 years ago
I scour each photo for ideas and your home has many. As soon as I got to the photo of the hairpin leg table the Proclaimers book caught my eye. Then I drooled over the table. Beautiful home. Wished you would have had photos of where you create such beautiful jewelry. I'll be sure to share your story with others.......your sister.........Lisa
Diana Maria from BibiDesignShop said 8 years ago
nice place! i'd like to live there ;)
Darren from naturalwooddesign said 8 years ago
Peaceful, relaxing home! Beautiful jewelry! :)
Nerrissa W from RecycledWares said 8 years ago
It's so fun to take a peek inside peoples homes. Love this blog series.
linsjewelbox from linsjewelbox said 8 years ago
i love vintage!! but i need more buyers before i can can shop.
TinsAndThings from TinsAndThings said 8 years ago
And where are the cats? Aren't they the most important element of decor? ;)
Cat Renee Smith said 8 years ago
Your home is the perfect mix of vintage and eclectic. Its a place I would love to snuggle in, or play, or work in. I will have to check out your other pictures. You should have your cat and hummingbird in the photos.
Lindsay from SweetThreesBoutique said 8 years ago
We share the same love for shabby chic and vintage style! Beautiful home and decor!
Hilde from hildes said 8 years ago
Many great tips here ;-)
Tanya from thelacypetticoat said 8 years ago
I was admiring your lovely decor when I was hit with a blast from the past a.k.a. a Jehovahs Witness book... I want to forget all the memories of that awful cult, not bring them screeching back up again! A picture of your cats would have been much pleasanter!
Rachel Unger from RachelUngerJewelry said 8 years ago
thanks for all your comments, for those wanting pictures of my cats, I think they must have been hiding! But on my flickr account there is a picture of the living room of my black kitty on the floor behind the couch!
Bonnie Waller from TwitchyWitchy said 8 years ago
This reminds me of my house! Except for that mirrored dresser... I love that!
Jennifer Beaudet from JBeaudetStudios said 7 years ago
This is a gorgeous home!
hazım özpehlivan from KilimRugStore said 6 years ago
Great collection. Some of the decor would look even better with vintage kilims. such as this one https://www.etsy.com/listing/201116734/vintage-turkish-rug-kilim-carpet?ref=listing-shop-header-0