In the quiet countryside of British Columbia, this vintage lover and shop owner has transformed a 1970s house into a layered, soulful retreat.
A Home with Heart and History
Tucked away on a peaceful acre in Forest Knolls, British Columbia, “quiet besides the dogs barking,” Amanda Upton laugh, sits a 1970s home that has slowly, lovingly evolved into her dream cottage. “We moved here in 2020,” she says, “and started to slowly renovate room by room. It definitely wasn’t our style at first, but we’ve worked hard to make it feel like ours.” With her husband, James, a fellow shop teacher, Amanda has spent the last few years bringing new life to both the interior and exterior. Together they’ve added a large workshop, an expansive deck, a fire pit area, and an enclosed garden that’s become her pride and joy. “Our home is really a reflection of us; it’s practical, creative, and full of things we love,” she says. Forest Knolls itself is a hidden gem-a pocket of one- and two-acre lots nestled among trees. “It’s kind of tucked away,” Amanda says. “People always tell us they didn’t even know there were homes here! But it’s a wonderful community. Everyone looks out for one another, and it’s full of dogs, which we love.”
Vintage Soul
Amanda’s love affair with history began early. “The first book I ever bought at a book fair in third grade was about World War II,” she says. By the time she was old enough for an eBay account, the hunt for antiques was on. “The thrill of the hunt started there,” she says. “When I traveled to Europe after high school, I’d bring home antiques instead of souvenirs. I loved strolling the markets looking for that perfect piece with a story to tell.” Today, her home brims with those treasures, each one a reminder of travels and discoveries. “Every object has a story,” she says. “That’s what makes a house feel alive.”
Curating the Perfect Vignette
Amanda’s striking vignettes which are always layered with color, texture, and a touch of whimsy, are a signature of her style. “To be honest,” she laughs, “I think my style developed out of being a control freak. I like things just so.” But over time, she’s learned that true beauty lies in experimentation. “The more you play around with colors, themes, and different pieces, the more you develop your own way of styling.” Her biggest advice? “Don’t worry about rules,” she says. “The best part of decorating your own home is that you get to do what you want with no judgment, just what feels like home to you.” Still, she admits to a few quiet guidelines. “I usually start with a color or seasonal theme in mind,” she says. “I like to create different levels using wooden crates or stacked bowls-it adds interest. In spring, I bring the outdoors in with hose nozzles, weathered terracotta pots, watering cans-anything with a garden story.”
From Backyard Shed to Global Market Finds
What began as a backyard experiment has blossomed into a thriving vintage business. “Forest Knolls Vintage started as a little shed in my backyard,” Amanda recalls. “I’d play around with vignettes and open for shopping appointments.” Now, she’s part of Three Daisies Vintage in Aurora, Oregon, surrounded by what she calls “an incredible group of inspiring vendors and owners.” She also co-hosts The Vintage Pasture Sale, a beloved local market that draws over 40 vendors twice a year. “We try to travel abroad several times a year to source antiques,” she says. “Europe and the U.S. are full of unique treasures, and it’s such a joy to bring those pieces home for my customers.”
A Garden Grown with Intention
When Amanda and James started with a blank yard, she had a clear vision of what would become their enclosed garden. “It’s been a true labor of love,” she says. “I’d been dreaming of this space for years.” Sustainability guided every step. “We reused as many materials as possible using garden beds from estate-sale finds and flea markets,” Amanda explains. “It kept costs down and made the space feel meaningful.” She designed the garden like a room, planning paths and layouts that made sense. “We drew everything first, making sure the space got enough sun,” she says. “Then we added beds slowly, expanding only when we could handle the watering and weeding.” Through trial and error, she’s found her groove. “Our first year, I planted lots of vegetables but didn’t pay attention to growing seasons,” she admits. “Now we mix vegetables with flowers for drying and bouquets: yarrow, scabiosa, delphinium, snapdragon, strawflowers.” One favorite feature: a flower bed planted inside an antique metal bed frame. “It looked fabulous,” she says. “Next year we’ll do even more for color.”
Amanda’s Tips for Styling with Vintage Finds
- Start with a story. Choose pieces that remind you of a person, place, or memory and those connections will make your displays feel personal.
- Mix eras and textures. Pair weathered wood with shiny brass, old linens with modern glass. “It’s all about contrast,” Amanda says.
- Think in levels. “Stack bowls, use crates, or layer books,” she suggests. “Different heights add visual interest.”
- Bring the garden inside. Amanda’s signature move: use aged terracotta, seed packets, or watering cans as décor. “It’s a nod to nature that always works.”
- Don’t overthink it. “The most beautiful spaces are the ones that feel lived-in,” Amanda says. “Decorate for joy, not perfection.”
To see more of Amanda’s home and creative ideas visit her @forestknollsvintage on Instagram.
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