From eco-friendly wood creations to delicate textiles, here’s what we’re loving in Oregon this season.
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Beauty sleep Altura Furniture makes gorgeous, classic wood furniture in Portland. The company began in New York City in 1983 and moved to Portland in the late 1990s, where it continues to create stately, timeless pieces. Altura’s furniture is all custom ordered and available in multiple woods and finishes. We especially like the low-to-the-ground Arris bed with its lofty upholstered headboard. |
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Flying colors Paint company Devine Color was created in Portland by local artist and interior decorator Gretchen Schauffler. Acquired by Valspar in 2009, the brand is still rooted locally as Schauffler creates new colors in her Portland studio. Schauffler created the company when she couldn’t find the perfect colors for her clients in typical fan decks and — in true Portland spirit — decided to go the DIY route. Devine Color has 209 beautiful hues organized into 19 collections, so you’re sure to find the perfect shade for your walls. $33.95/quart or $59.95/gallon; Devinecolor.com |
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Maker of things Portland artist and designer Eric Trine makes everything from large-scale sculptures to one-of-a-kind chairs and tables. We love the self-proclaimed “Maker of Thing’s” handcrafted, high-end furniture. He has created pieces for Wieden+Kennedy, Nike, and Poketo, among others. A former resident artist at The Lab, the famed “anti-mall” in Costa Mesa, Calif., Trine’s furniture still holds a playfulness that rebukes its classic lines. The mixing of elements — from wood to metal to fabric — makes his pieces fit in among a myriad of home styles. |
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Knock on wood Portland maker Rindert Schutten creates elegant wooden accessories for iPhones and iPads. The smooth, natural beauty of the wood he uses perfectly complements the high-tech gadgets. Shutten is a former marketing director for Mentor Graphics and became interested in his woodworker wife’s basement wood shop upon his early retirement. Marrying their interests of technology and design, the pair decided to buy and assemble an open-source controlled CNC router in the basement. Schutten originally made a wooden iPhone dock with cone-shaped holes to amplify the phone’s tiny speakers. The design has evolved to also include a charging station. Choose from a handful of beautiful woods such as black walnut, cherry, curly maple, or –– our favorite — bamboo. $39.50, schuttenworks.com |
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Bold beams Design-build firm MADE builds furniture, cabinetry and more in their Portland studio. Their impressive Cascade Tables pair groupings of four, six, nine or custom numbers of reclaimed beams. The tables are simple in form, yet hold a bold presence in a living room or as a side table. Most impressive is how the unique burls and wood grain of each beam are front and center in the design. |
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Right off the bat We probably all made birdhouses as kids, and you may even have one in your yard right now. But rather than a birdhouse, why not a bat house? Built by LandArc Landscaping and Design in Eugene, the BATitat is made of 100 percent Western Red Cedar and designed to survive the elements. The BATitat not only looks cool in your yard, it also helps restore the ecosystem by providing habitat for bats. Choose from a single chamber that houses 50 bats ($65), a double chamber for up to 100 bats ($95), or hark back to the crooked birdhouse you made as a child with their DIY ready-to-assemble kit ($45). |
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Carnival chic The iconic “Pig Out” typography at Portland’s famed Lardo restaurant helped spread word of Maria Hardison and Tom Seidel’s carnival-throwback lighted letter company, Marquee Letter Lights. The Arial Black capital letters are each handcrafted and feature between four and ten round bulbs. Standing 14 inches tall, the letters look great alone or spelling out a word that holds special meaning to you. $100-150 each; Marqueeletterlights.com |
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Clean slate Cloth napkins are a simple way to add texture and color to your table settings. But too often, the garish patterns clash with the main event, your home-cooked meals. Portland-based Non-Perishable Goods’ 100 percent linen napkins are a great solution. They’re on the small side at 11 by 11 inches, perfect for catching crumbs without overwhelming your table or lap. The napkins, in demure hues with cheeky pops of color on the border, complement all of your meals without stealing the show. The color combos have a laid back bohemian vibe with a modern twist. If you don’t already use reusable napkins, it’s time to start. They create less waste and lend an air of purposefulness to your meals. $45 for a set of 6; nonperishablegoods.bigcartel.com |
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Ceramic creations Ceramic artist Meadow Anderson creates beautiful pottery in Portland. Her understated pieces focus on the organic shapes of the clay and are surprisingly lightweight and delicate. The mug, featuring stamped crows taking flight, would surely motivate you for the day ahead as you sip your morning coffee. Anderson holds a doctorate in chemistry and hopes to capture some of her esoteric scientific knowledge in her upcoming pieces. |
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Breath of fresh air The perfect picnic blanket often seems like the holy grail. Sure you can just throw your sandwiches and microbrews atop any ratty old blanket, but sometimes a beautiful linen can add the perfect touch to your family outing, first date, or regular old Saturday. Portland-based Modern Cabin makes dazzling picnic blankets that are waterproof and perfect for Oregon weather. The handmade blankets each contain a hidden pocket for wallet or keys and a handle and straps for easy carrying. They’re large enough to fit a couple friends and Fido, too. $155; Moderncabin.etsy.com |
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Relaxation station Classic Adirondack-style chairs and rockers never go out of style. These Oregon-made versions by Green Tree Chair are built out of eco-friendly wood and can be personalized with a cheeky saying or your alma mater’s logo to create a one-of-a-kind piece of yard furniture that will last for generations. $375-495; greentreechair.com |
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One-stop shop This Portland store has been around since 1977 and is still a top choice for all your flooring needs. Classique Floors carries more color and material choices than you could ever need. “Simple, large-format tiles are all the rage right now,” says owner Judith Huck. The store carries a wide range of environmentally-friendly cork flooring, our favorite for its slight give that makes it so comfortable to enjoy barefoot. At Classique Floors, you can update your wardrobe as well as your flooring with their fun assortment of cork purses. These sustainable little beauties are fashioned from a thin veneer of cork over a fabric backing. 14127 SE Stark St., Portland; classiquefloors.com |
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