This Mom of Two Moved Into Her Grandparents’ Comfy Old Home (and Painted the Kitchen Bright Blue)

Hannah Haehn, the co-founder of home goods store The Post Supply, lives with her two children in her late grandparents’ home in Los Angeles. “My father recently did some renovations, but before that, it had bumpy tweed wallpaper and brown carpet,” she laughs. “It was beautiful — but definitely a vibe of that time!” Here’s a look inside…

LIVING ROOM

Sofa: Ikea. Coffee table: Wayfair. Candle: The Post Supply. Rattan armchair: Ikea. Rug: vintage. Kids’ piano: family hand-me-down. Print: from “Living on The Earth” by Alicia Bay Laurel.

On relaxing: The key to a cozy home, I feel, is not to have anything too precious. I got a sofa with covers that can be thrown in the wash because I want everyone to bundle under blankets and eat snacks, without stressing about spills or crumbs. The more items get used and worn, the more inviting and homey they feel.

On a trick for glowy lighting: I believe in the three tiers of light rule. First, you have one tier of light at a higher level, like a tall floor lamp. Then you have a light that’s face-level, like a sconce. Finally, the third light is below you, like a table lamp or candle. There’s something about those three tiers that make the room feel enveloping and warm.

On a new kind of downtime: This year, I decided to quit all my TV subscriptions because flipping between shows didn’t make me feel good. Now if I want to watch something, I need to pay to rent the series or movie, which makes me watch only things I really like.

Bookshelves: Ikea.

On hobbies: I’ve played the guitar since I was 16, and I like playing at home for my kids. Lately I’ve been into old Carter Family songs and Johnny Cash. I like anything in the sad old country music scene. If it makes you cry, I’m into it!

KITCHEN

On remembering loved ones: I feel the presence of my grandparents the most in our kitchen. Growing up, I would sit at their table and eat seeded German bread and very intense cheese, while watching my grandmother cook Dampfnudel (steamed buns) or Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup). Every time I wash dishes, standing right where she stood, I feel her with me.

Paint: Admiral Blue from Behr. Mug: Ginny Sims.

On blue cabinets: My dad painted these cabinets bright French blue. It adds to the mix of aesthetics in this home — there are a lot! My grandparents’ keepsakes have an old world European feel, and my own furniture is more modern. But that’s okay — life is a generational collection of moments in time.

On go-to recipes: I’ve been cooking from Health Nut by Jess Damuck, and she makes a really nice tahini banana bread. I also make lots of soup. One year, my son gave me a can of soup for my birthday because he said it was my favorite thing.

DINING ROOM

Dining table: thrifted. Dining chairs: Wayfair. Credenza: vintage Henry Link. Pendant lamp: Ravenhill Studio.

On learning German: My grandfather was born in Luxembourg, and my dad’s first language was German. I always wanted to speak to my grandparents in their own language, so I took German classes in college, and thankfully, I was able to have a conversation in German with them before they passed.

On an open door: We can squeeze 10 people around our dining table and often invite friends over for veggie pasta. Most times, my friends will let themselves in before we get home, so by the time we show up, families are already playing and eating popsicles outside. And it feels so good. My grandparents always hosted, so it feels like they are blessing the relationships forming in this house.

On keepsakes: This is my grandma’s hutch, and it holds all of my great-grandma’s china. It means so much to me.

BEDROOM

Bed: vintage. Bedding: Matteo. Lamps: passed down from Hannah’s mother.

On strong women: I love this print above my bed from Danny Lyon — it features pictures of his wife with their baby, and it’s called ‘Super Woman’ because there’s a Super Woman poster in it, but also because she is a mother. I love this house, and I tap into the energy of strong female figures whenever I walk in.

Thank you so much, Hannah!

P.S. More home tours, including a single mom in an apartment with a swing and a very colorful Connecticut house.

(Photos by Leela Cyd for Cup of Jo.)