Style

A new season

 2012OctNov Homeward RunningFree

Running free

Fall-foliage colors show up in the Vola collection of faucets from Hastings Tile & Bath. These lever and hands-free styles come in a choice of 15 colors. Chrome will turn green with envy. V.M.

$1,275; Chown Hardware; chown.com

Water powered

Forget batteries. No need for an outlet. The Bedol Water Clock runs on simple H20. What sounds like magic is just smart science put to use. Fill the drop-shaped alarm clock with tap water, and two proprietary metallic plates allow ions to turn into a current that powers the timepiece. Think of it as saving time in a bottle. V.M.

$26; bedolwhatsnext.com

 2012OctNov Homeward WaterPowered
2012OctNov Homeward PumpkinPatch 

Pumpkin patch

West Linn artist Daria Knowles works with local farmers to harvest unwanted pumpkin and squash stems. She then handcrafts them into sumptuous velvet pumpkins, each one unique. Hot Skwash evolved into a family-run business that now employs 20 mostly stay-at-home moms in keeping with the company’s goal — “to combine creative passion with family.” Arts and crafts furnishings store Bend Bungalow in downtown Bend carries the pumpkins in a range of sizes and colors perfect for the season. E.H.

$11-$48 in sizes from 2 inches to 8 inches; bendbungalow.com; hotskwash.com

 


Knock on wood

Earnie and Ellie Efforts met in 1998 at the longest-running outdoor market in the U.S. — the Eugene Saturday Market. They both sold their wares at the market, soon fell into a “true market romance” and married a year later. They still create art on their 27 acres in the Olalla Valley. Their wood boxes come in all sizes, depending on the type and cut of wood used. Whether you want a pill box made from salvaged driftwood or a nesting set of aromatic red-cedar boxes, Earnest Efforts is an amazing source for local, handcrafted pieces. E.H.

$15-$67; earnestefforts.com

 2012OctNov Homeward KnockOnWood
2012OctNov Homeward HeavySleeper 

Heavy sleeper

The iron and steel design of the French Académie iron bed has roots in early 20th-century France and looks just as comfortable anchoring a modern bedroom. The oxidized finish will age with a patina. Cast rosettes add a decorative touch to the joints. Sweet dreams are made of this. V.M.

$695-$995; Restoration Hardware;
restorationhardware.com

Fire and light

Douglas Bragg works with borosilicate glass — think Pyrex, yet made much more beautiful and dainty. In his Eugene studio, he creates candle sconces filled with organic-shaped holes. When a lit tea light is inserted, the sconces throw shimmering patterns of light off the walls and glow like a bioluminescent sea creature. E.H.

$25-$150; etsy.com/shop/loneoakglassworks

2012OctNov Homeward FireAndLight 

 


 2012OctNov Homeward MushroomMadness

 Mushroom madness

Show your love for Oregon mushrooms with these gold morel tea towels by Portland-based Nell & Mary. Sisters Krista and Leah Stovel make their absorbent tea towels by hand using salvaged fabric and water-based ink. They recently expanded their line to include throw pillows and place mats as well, all featuring their gorgeous graphic patterns. E.H.

$19; nellandmary.com

Bowled over

Beaverton sculptor and artist Brian Mock has been making fine art from recycled materials for many years. One day he made a bowl with what he had on hand — silverware — and it was an instant success. We can see why, for both practical and aesthetic reasons. The silverware bowls match any kitchen’s decor and give your fruit room to breathe, yet they are also striking in their simplicity. E.H.

$60-$110; brianmock.com, etsy.com/shop/brianmockart

 2012OctNov Homeward BowledOver 01

2012OctNov Homeward BowledOver 02

 2012OctNov Homeward ColorWash

Color wash

Stainless steel, meet your match. Bold colored sinks by Jonathan Adler for Kohler challenge the idea of playing it safe in the kitchen. Piccadilly Yellow, Greenwich Green, Palermo Blue and Annapolis Navy enameled on cast iron just could make the task of hand-washing dishes more fun. Even better, the 21st Jonathan Adler boutique — 2,600 square feet — opened at 1165 NW Everett St. in Portland in August. V.M.

List price about $1,800; special order at George Morlan; georgemorlan.com

 


Splish splat

Want to make a splash in the bathroom? Hang a light that looks like an aluminum version of what happens when kids get slap-happy in the tub. The Splat light can be hung on the ceiling or mounted on walls. V.M.

$300; Creative System Lighting, csllighting.com; Platt Electric Supply, platt.com

 2012OctNov Homeward SplishSplat
2012OctNov Homeward ColorfulTextiles 

Colorful textiles

Color and pattern drapes over every surface. Brilliant pink and emerald-green silks, deep crimson and luscious purple cottons and hand-block print linens in sunset shades offer respite from the gray days and fill this Portland shop, appropriately called Filling Spaces. “My passion is textiles, always,” says owner Deepali Kalia. “My family makes fabrics in India, and I grew up in that atmosphere.” After studying fashion design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Delhi, Kalia worked for an export company until about 10 years ago, when her parents wondered if and when she wished to marry and what exactly she was doing about it. The very modern businesswoman agreed to a traditional arranged marriage and a move to Portland. “It was so gray and dark, and I thought, ‘This is not going to work for me,’” she says. She decided to import her own color in the form of the family textiles. Filling Spaces wholesales pillows, bedding, cushions, antiques and specialty furniture pieces to select retailers across the country. Many shopowners work with Kalia to create their own unique fabrics and products. Filling Spaces also serves up colorful, tactile inspiration for individual customers seeking ready-made or custom home goods. V.M.

Pillows, $60-$200; throws, $100-$400; upholstered bench, $800-$1,500; bone inlay teak bureau, $1,800-$2,000; Filling Spaces; fillingspaces.com

 

Holding pattern

Parallel lines may never meet, but they certainly look friendly in zigzag patterns. Colorful zigzags make a bold statement on furniture, bath accessories and even wall coverings. Maybe the up-and-down lines are a reflection of the jumpy economy. Or maybe the right-and-left leaning lines echo political extremes. Or they could just be the influence of Missoni on home decor. In early 2012, the Italian design house debuted its Missoni Home line, which includes furniture, rugs and accessories, many in the distinctive colorful stripes. V.M.

Murals Your Way wall covering, about 5 by 6 feet, $215; Missoni cushions start at $220 at various retailers

2012OctNov Homeward HoldingPattern 01 

2012OctNov Homeward HoldingPattern 04

 


2012OctNov Homeward BarNone 

Bar none 

So you’ve amassed an outstanding collection of local liquors, gourmet mixers and handcrafted glasses. Now, how to display your impressive array? Portland metal artist Joseph Forbish creates the perfect thing: a martini shelf “designed with one thing in mind: boozing it up!” Despite its bacchic intentions, the shelf is actually quite classy, with curving lines and a copper wash. Store your liquors, glasses and accoutrements within arm’s reach and you’ll be the perfect host for unexpected guests. E.H.

$189.95; jfmetal.com

Style in store

The Arbor in Salem is the perfect little shop for unique home decor items and one-of-a-kind gifts. We love their Parveen handmade brass shears ($10.95-$28.95). The beautifully curated store also features must-have café au lait bowls in dreamy soft yellow and gray ($11.50). Nearby, feast your nose on elegant Lollia candles ($30), with delicious scents such as Dandelion and Stacks of Pretty Paper. E.H.

The Arbor; 367 State St., Salem; arboronstate.com

2012OctNov Homeward StyleInStore 
2012OctNov Homeward GoodSide 

Good side

The Morris side table from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in Portland features clean lines and a pleasing angular design. The dark chestnut finish and slim polished-nickel legs give it that classic midcentury look with a modern twist. E.H.

$595; mgbwhome.com

 


Crafting pewter

You can measure out your life in coffee spoons. Or you can use a handcrafted pewter scoop from Crosby & Taylor to make the daily grind something special.

Husband-and-wife team Jim and Deborah Chapman had backgrounds in woodwork and costume design when they founded their Eugene business in 1986.

“It’s been around for centuries,” says Deborah of pewter crafting. “But most of what we do is unconventional.”

She and two staff members turn the lead-free metal alloy into useful household objects such as measuring spoons and measuring cups with decorative dragonflies and fleur-de-lis, or ceramic salt pots with metal accents. The pewter comes in brick shapes that are then heated to liquid form and poured into molds.

“It’s still a thrill to watch it melt,” she says.

About 85 percent of sales are of their own designs, but they also produce private-label collections, including vintage-inspired pieces for gift shops at historic sites such as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. They recently landed a contract to make University of Oregon logo items — think O-shaped earrings. Still, Crosby & Taylor remains a small, hands-on business.

“I am totally chief bottle-washer,” Deborah says. “I don’t just draw up the designs, I actually often am out there hammering.”

The result is heirloom-quality household items often given as wedding and shower gifts. “Just measuring your coffee with a plastic scoop says nothing to you,” she says. “But if someone gives you a pewter one, you just feel better about all these little moments in your life.” V.M.

$159 for measuring cups; The Wedding Cottage, Beaverton, theweddingcottage.net; The Real Mother Goose, Portland, therealmothergoose.com; Made In Oregon, madeinoregon.com

2012OctNov Homeward CraftingPewter 
2012OctNov Homeward ChainGang 

Chain gang

Mosier-based Resource Revival gets sent greasy old bicycle parts from all over the country, which they recycle into shiny new products. It’s a win for both parties: The shops get free recycling pickup, and Resource Revival gets plenty of material. We especially like their bike-chain bowls. Throw the heavy bowl on your entryway table to collect your pocket contents when you get home from work. The bowls make a graphic statement and are useful to boot. “Design-wise, we come up with products in two ways,” founder and president Graham Bergh says. “Either we happen to discover that a bike part has a hidden other use … or we make clocks out of different bike parts until we come up with something we like.” E.H.

$88; resourcerevival.com

Blue buys

At Cloth & Goods, owner Melissa Newirth sells textiles, tabletop decor and more with an emphasis on natural colors and organic patterns. The lovingly curated online shop has a small storefront in Northwest Portland, and both are filled with all manner of blue things — indigo, to be exact. The indigo-dyed floral napkins made with cotton sourced from Japan are dazzling. E.H.

$25; clothandgoods.com

 2012OctNov Homeward BlueBuys