Posts Tagged ‘Pearl District’

Portland Interior Designer Shares: Shopping In The Pearl District – PH Reed

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Portland Interior Designer Shares: Where to Shop In The Pearl District – PH Reed

Pangaea Interior Design shares Grant Seating Group by Dellarobbia

(Photo of Dellarobbia Grant Seating Group, via PH Reed Furniture Store in Portland Pearl District)

In my work as a Portland Interior Designer, shopping in the Pearl District is one of my favorite job duties. I specialize in modern interior design emphasizing warmth, comfort, and sustainable options in home decor. Portland’s Pearl District is home to some great furniture and accessory stores and also wonderful art galleries showcasing both local and national artists.

Some of my clients choose to work with an interior designer so that they can gain the access I have to shopping at “To The Trade Only” stores. But I also have many clients who are trying to keep costs down by hiring me to help them develop a decorating plan and then doing the shopping themselves. Then they bring me back again to help them decide on the best pieces once they’ve seen what options are out there. So, I thought I would help you along by sharing my very favorite retail furniture, accessory and lighting stores in Portland’s Pearl District.

When I first came to Portland, Oregon over 4 years ago to see if I would like to live here, I spent some time checking out the Pearl District Furniture Stores to see what was available. I immediately fell in love with PH Reed on the corner of NW 11th & Glisan. I was blown away by the great selection of contemporary furnishings, accessories and lighting. When I finally moved into Portland, I purchased my platform bed, dresser and nightstands here. To this day, it is still one of my favorite sources for interior design inspiration in the Pearl District. The store is laid out in room vignettes that are packed with great modern decorating ideas. One thing that I think is cool – but you would never know just by looking at the showroom – is that the store is divided into one half with more affordable brands and the other half with higher end brands like Dellarobbia. Since they have carefully curated their collection of beautifully designed furniture lines, you would think it was all high-end. But don’t let the high class look keep you standing on the sidewalk. Go on in. You’ll find great design to be more affordable than you might have expected.

If you are looking for sustainably made furniture in the Pearl District, be sure to look at PH Reed’s Creative Elegance Furniture – a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council. The environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and fresh, contemporary designs are a winning combination.

I help busy professionals create comfortable and contemporary spaces so they can relax and enjoy their homes. If you would like help coming up with a decorating plan and help in making your selections so that the end result is a space that looks fabulous, call me today to schedule a consultation! 503.816.4394

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Posted in DIY, Design Dollars, Design Tips, Furniture, Interior Design, Pearl District, Shopping, Sustainable style, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Amethyst Inspiration Room Photos

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Amethyst crystal with deep orange centerToday I’m getting ready for a color consultation with a client who has a great studio loft in The Wyatt, located in Portland’s Pearl District. I’m thinking Amethyst for her accent wall because of other furniture she already has and because of the colors in her artwork. I’m selecting inspiration photos showing bedrooms and living rooms with various shades of Amethyst. Shades of purple, including amethyst and plum, are HOT this year. Try pairing it with oranges like in the natural amethyst crystal in the photo. Stunning color combination!

This Rock Star glamorous bedroom is sensational with it’s silver chandelier and mirror frame. I also love the crisp white headboard, bedding and accents next to the slightly smoky amethyst wall in the room below, right. My client’s style is a cross between the two. Hollywood glamorous curves, but using more white than silver. Below center, the deep amethyst walls with taupe furnishings is a very rich and restful combination.

Rock Star Glamorous bedroom with amethyst walls and silver chandelier Rock Star Glamorous bedroom with amethyst walls and silver chandelier

deep amethyst walls with taupe furniture

For help pulling together the latest color trends in your home, get my FREE Ezine on Design Trends, Trade Secrets, DIY Tips, & Design Advice. Or, give me a call and we’ll set up a visit to help you get started surrounding yourself with color that you love!

Photo sources: Via Harmony and Home – Home-Designing – Apartment Therapy

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Posted in Bedroom, Colors, Interior Design, Lofts, Pearl District, Trends, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Baby It’s Cold Outside! Pangaea’s Picks: Top Ten Fireplaces

Monday, October 26th, 2009

As the rain has started to come down in sheets and the nights have turned COLD, my fireplace has been put into use in a big way. Many years ago, urban living in lofts, condos and apartments meant living without a fireplace. But technology has changed all of that. One potential client who recently contacted me said his one concession in buying a condo in the John Ross Condomiums in the South Waterfront district was to forego a fireplace — but we have a solution for him. Another client in The Wyatt high rise apartments in the Pearl District had a fireplace listed as one of her first items to add to her decor. I was also in the 937 Condominiums in the Pearl District last week and felt sad that for almost half a million dollars, you end up with no fireplace! So, this post is for you! Whether you have a condo in the Pearl or South Waterfront, or a house where there is no built-in fireplace, with today’s technology, there is now a fireplace for everyone, every room, and just about every budget!

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Pangaea’s Picks: Top Ten Fireplaces:


1.  Harry Leenders – Hands down, my fave for a suspended, rotating fireplace. Love the sleek lines.


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2.  EcoSmart’s Denatured Ethanol burning fireplaces can be set into a built in display or they have many free-standing styles. Environmentally friendly and renewable fuel is a plus.

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3. This Eurofocus has nice clean lines and is angled to look great in a corner.

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4. Rais is just simple and lovely.

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5. What top ten list would be complete without the modern classic Fireorb?

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6. Schulte Design has inset this little beauty into a modern coffee table. Open to use the fire and push the two sides together to conceal it and just use the coffee table. Brilliant!

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7. Sparkfires has this wonderful 6 foot long Ribbon Fire. It really makes a great statement in a big room.

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8. Of all the wall hung, ventless, flueless fireplaces, I love this one by Superior Fires called Scandium.

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9. This is probably the most unique style I’ve seen for free standing ventless, flueless fireplaces. It’s minimal and beautiful. Wonder if I can just roll it along with me wherever I go?

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10. I love fireplaces that incorporate a place to store the firewood. What a great idea! This Wittus Cubic wood burning stove stores plenty of wood and is large enough to feel like a built-in architectural feature.

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1   Harry Leenders Suspended, Rotating Fireplace
2   EcoSmart Denatured Ethanol Burning Fireplace
3   Eurofocus Angled Corner Fireplace
4   Rais
5   Fireorb
6   Schulte Design Fire Furniture
7   Sparkfires Fire Ribbon
8   Superior Fires Scandium Wall Hung Fireplace
9   Conmoto Roll Fire
10  Wittus Cubic Fireplace

Related Posts:

The Warmth of Cool: Adding Visual Warmth With Accessories

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Design Tips, Fireplace, Interior Design, Pearl District, South Waterfront, Sustainable style, Top Ten, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Home Staging in Portland Pearl District & South Waterfront Lofts & Condos

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

My favorite jobs are the ones providing home staging in Portland’s Pearl District and South Waterfront Lofts, Condos & Penthouses.


I love these condos and lofts for their floor to ceiling windows and open floor plans. If you saw my post about “Little Boxes on the Hillside”, then you already know that one of the challenges to selling these lofts and condos is making them stand out from their competition.
When you are
ready to list your loft or condo in the Pearl District or South Waterfront, look at the other listings already in your building.

  • **  Are they vacant or occupied?    
  • **  Are they re-sales or still new?    
  • **  How do they compare in amenities? Floor plan? Upgrades to finishes? Their view?

 

 

This is your competition. All of the buyers wanting to purchase a loft or condo in the Pearl District or South Waterfront know that there are many to choose from and they are comparing your listing with all the others available. Did you know that over 84% of people looking for homes will look at properties on the internet before they ever call their broker to go look? They have a list of properties they want to see ready before they ever get in their car — or on the MAX — to go look. If you are in a high-rise condo, there are no “FOR SALE” signs outside your place attracting interest, so what is going to get them to come look in the first place? It’s your listing photos. It is essential to professionally stage your condo or loft in the Pearl District and South Waterfront and have professional quality photos taken in order to stand out from all the other condos on the market in your area. In these two sets of before & after photos, which condo would you take the time to go see if you were shopping?


the-vaux-before-staging-by-pangaeathe-vaux-near-portlands-pearl-district-after-home-staging-by-pangaea

 

pearl-district-elizabeth-lofts-condo-before-home-staging-by-pangaea pearl-district-elizabeth-lofts-after-home-staging-by-pangaea

 

 

Speak with your broker and find out who is in your “target market”.

  • **  Are they younger and single?
  • **  First time buyers?
  • **  Do they work out of their homes?
  • **  Have children?
  • **  Older and more established?
  • **  Is this likely to be a second vacation home?

 

 

Hire a home stager who offers the right look and feel for the Pearl District or South Waterfront. A stager who understands the tastes and needs of your target market will do a better job of tailoring the staging to appeal to potential buyers. They will determine if the condo or loft needs a fresh contemporary look for younger buyers with an office set up for live/work, or a more transitional and upscale look for buyers who are more established. In the photos below:

  • **  The first before and after are of a studio condo in the Portland South Park Blocks staged to appeal to young, first time buyers.
  • **  The second before and after photos are of a professionally staged, Pearl District penthouse loft appealing to high-end buyers and it fits the upscale, contemporary architecture of the property.
  • **  The third set of before & after photos is of a high-end studio loft in Portland’s South Waterfront John Ross Condominiums with home staging geared toward buyers of vacation or second homes. 

 

portland-park-blocks-studio-loft-before-home-staging portland-park-blocks-studio-loft-after-home-staging-by-pangaea

 

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Finally, hire a professional stager who is familiar with the special rules and regulations for staging work in condos. Parking and elevator use restrictions require knowledge and careful planning.

 
Pangaea Interior Design specializes in home staging for Portland’s Pearl District, Downtown, Cultural District, South Waterfront and North Waterfront Condos, Lofts and Penthouses. We have the right inventory for everything from starter properties to high end luxury penthouses. For expert help with vacant and occupied properties, call today for your free, no-obligation home staging proposal. 503.816.4394

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Posted in Home Staging, Lofts, Pearl District, South Waterfront, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Window Treatments & Floor to Ceiling Windows

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

 

So, you have floor to ceiling windows and a wonderful view, but unfortunately, so do your neighbors across the street … and they are looking right at YOU! How do you afford yourself some privacy when you need it without giving up your light and your view? Here are a couple of ideas that I absolutely LOVE!!

 

In this first photo of a bedroom in the Belmont Street Lofts in Portland’s Belmont District, my client wanted some privacy while still being able to enjoy light and the view of those awesome leaves even when he was in bed. Look carefully at the windows. There are roller shades installed at the top of the windows where you would expect to see them … but he also has a roller shade installed on the crossbar above the LOWER window. That way he can pull that one down, but leave the upper ones open while he is lying in bed. 

 

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These lovely drapes in the Streetcar Lofts in Portland’s Pearl District are hung on rods fixed on one end that can be swung open or closed without having to pull the drapes back and forth. There is a sheer drape and an opaque silk drape. Both can be gathered together at the center with a fabric holder that snaps, thereby exposing the view softened with the fabric, or the sheer can be left hanging down with just the silk portion gathered, which gives some privacy while admitting light. If both the sheer and silk drapes are down, they have total privacy, or the rods can be swung away from the windows opening up the view entirely. Quite a bit of versatility!

 

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Another type of window treatment I love for contemporary spaces are the sliding window panels. These are high-end Chilewich brand panels. They can be slid independently to close or open as much of your window as you like. Perfect for sliding glass doors!

 

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Below are shades that slide either up or down. These come in varying styles, both translucent and opaque. A set of these combined with opaque drapes would give you all sorts of options to block out whatever portion of your window you like. 

 

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So, there are great options for every need. Call me today to find the perfect solution for your windows and glass doors.

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Posted in Design Tips, Interior Design, Lofts, Window Treatments | No Comments »