Digs: Ashley Gleason of Vestige

Garner and Graham

When a mentor-of -sorts and a dear friend tipped us off to her pal Ashley Gleason's stunning home, we couldn't wait to reach out ourselves to learn more. The lifestyle concept-shop proprietor and mother of two has transformed her 1860's Italianate townhouse into a modern masterpiece in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Click for the tour, as Dominic Episcopo photographs the wildly inspiring, down-to-earth decadence.

Fishtown might not be the "burbs," but Ashley certainly has created her own magnificent city- escape for the family, with a gorgeous mix of highs and lows. Stately architecture and grand fixtures are countered with laid-back textiles and playful proportions. Ashley walks us through and tells us a bit about her next big project, Vestige!

"We had a love affair with this house for 8 years before we bought it. We would take walks, peer in the windows, and refer to it as "our house".

Conversational from every corner. 

"The house was quite out of our price-range and in need of repair, but through what can only be described as "divine intervention" we were able to purchase it in 2012. I always tell our story to people on the house hunt because I truly believe that the right house finds you. If you had told my 26 year old self that we would one day live in this house, I wouldn't have believed you!

"The Viking tapestry was found in an antique store in Frenchtown, NJ.  I pined over it for a year and my husband surprised me with it for Christmas." 

"The real showpieces in the house are the windows, plasterwork and incredible light. There is also a large yard which makes it much easier to raise two kids in the city."

"We have a lot of artist/craftsman friends. Almost all of the wood furniture you see was made by our friend Ben McBrien of Farmhaus."

Artistic kids caught red-handed. 

A basket collection hangs on the light-soaked walls, and some friendly greenery in the kitchen.

Pretty brooms and basket-storage.

"I've worked in fashion for 15 years and my husband has a decorative arts background. Our tastes are different, but our vision for the space is often similar. I think our house reflects a blend of both of our artistic interests. We try not to follow any rules, but basically just buy/collect what we love."

"I'm pretty obsessed with textiles and this house gives plenty of options to showcase them!"

"The store (VESTIGE)  will have a similar vibe with a collection of textiles and homegoods that I have spent time collecting."

 "I end up shoving a lot of things in my carry-on or checking extra bags on every trip I go on! I get lots of looks going through security! The house is the result of having had a job that let me travel free for almost a decade."

Relaxed elegance in the Master Bedroom.

A stand-out textile piece in the hallway.

"My husband also enjoys a good hunt and has a collectors eye like me! "

The best kind of art.

A boy's collection in Ashley's son's room. 

Paper hearts, pretty mobiles, and endless book stacks make for a dreamy girlish escape.

Beautiful Mama + kiddos.

VESTIGE :

The store will be a lifestyle concept that includes vintage, found objects, textiles, home goods and apothecary. 

It will feature Ashley's favorite makers, vintage/objects that she has collected, and a small line of made-in-the-USA apparel. Ashley also offers design + inspiration services. It is located in the fishtown section of Philadelphia and is slated to open in May.

Make sure to follow Ashely and Vestige on Instagram at @shopvestige!