This Week in the Mercury


Home

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Poster of the Week

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Wed, May 22, 2013 at 1:44 PM

2013_05_24.jpg

With art by James Hance, this Princess Leia Tank Girl is one badass blaster-wielder. Thanks to Scott Starkiller for submitting it (and laying out the flyer). Be like Scott—submit next week's Poster of the Week here. Pew pew pew!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Poster of the Week

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Wed, May 15, 2013 at 3:14 PM

b78f21e4b67711e2816522000a9e48f9_7.jpg

I'm a big fan of DKNG's posters (look how cool they are!), so it's kind of a no-duh that this poster should be the pick o' the week.

Send your posters, if you got 'em! I love the recommendations.

Narrative

Posted by Toby Robboy on Wed, May 15, 2013 at 8:59 AM

I recently got a chance to check out Narrative, a recently opened vintage furniture and home goods store on 13th & Alberta. While this city has no shortage of home goods, affordable offerings are not always a strong point, and finding interesting, unique vintage pieces usually requires an intensive scavenge through large, crammed spaces like House of Vintage or William Temple—a fun adventure when you're in the right mood, but kind of exhausting when you're just trying to decorate your home. Narrative, which is located in a tiny old house that serves as the perfect setting for the merchandise, fills a void as a cute, well curated boutique that carries all kinds of quirky, unusual finds, with a strong focus on affordability. In fact, as owner Clara Soister points out, the small entryway to the shop limits the size of the furnishings the store can carry, making it an ideal destination for those looking to decorate small apartment spaces.

The store has sort of a charming flea market feel, with merchandise ranging from serious furniture pieces like coffee tables and shelving, to more decorative pieces like statuettes and pottery, along with the odd typewriter, adding calculator and rotary phone thrown in to set the nostalgic tone. Soister, who has a background in set design, repaints many of the furniture pieces in unexpected color palates, like a French desk that is pale blue and grey with touches of metallic gold and silver. She also adds a touch of whimsy to some of the pieces by attaching notecards with brief imagined backstories. For example, 1950's ceramic teddy bear with a bizarrely surly looking facial expression comes with the explanation "Teddy stayed a little too long at the race tracks...".

Soister says she was inspired to open the store "after I sat down one day and made a list of things that make me happy," and seeking out unusual treasures at flea markets and estate sales was the first thing on that list. As she puts it, the store is "an outlet for my personal addiction."

Check out some of the goods:

The Graduate Bookshelf
  • "The Graduate" Bookshelf

Grumpy Bear
  • Grumpy Bear

Hand Painted Japanese Dish with Jewelry
  • Hand Painted Japanese Dish with Jewelry

Inspiration Books
  • Inspiration Books

Continue reading »

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Poster of the Week

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Wed, May 8, 2013 at 2:29 PM

image.jpeg

The official poster for the St. Johns Bizarre by Meg Hunt couldn't be finer. And I don't mean that in a Bizarro World sorta way.

You know how much I like it when you send me poster recommendations, right?

Advertisement

The House the Blues Built (Potentially)

Posted by Ronald Quiroga on Wed, May 8, 2013 at 12:26 PM

1934 SE Umatilla St, Ronald Quiroga
  • 1934 SE Umatilla St, Ronald Quiroga

History means a whole lot to different people. It can be endearing and show character. Others may see history as baggage, especially when most of that history is clouded and undocumented.

But what does this all mean when talking about a home? Like your choice in underwear or your Internet’s browser history, one’s home can be the most personal and historically revealing attribute of a person.

This centennial Victorian in Southeast is waiting to make more history.

At a first glance, 1934 SE Umatilla needs some TLC. It’s a home with delicate details and beauty oozing out of every slab of maple that lines its floors and abundant stained glass windows. Many of its rough characteristics are also what make it a special property: uneven floors, spunky dark wallpaper, and smaller-than-usual rails are all part of its appeal and wonder.

According to the current owners, it was built and completed roughly between 1878 and 1890. A couple of photos of the home hang on the walls of its living and dining rooms from a time when Sellwood was still its own municipality (it was annexed by Portland in 1883—check out the photos).

Home circa 1890
  • Home circa 1890

The owner’s also confirmed that past tenants included the former president of the Portland Blues Society and many famous blues musicians actually played in the house, including Muddy Waters!

“Everyone has different ideas of what they want. You’d have to love this house for all the character and quirkiness that it has,” said Wendy Snyder, head agent for the home. “The owners didn’t want to change or ruin any of the character.”

Courtesy of Portland Creative Realtors
  • Courtesy of Portland Creative Realtors

kitchenbest.jpg

Continue reading »

Thursday, May 2, 2013

No Paint? No Hammering? No Problem.

Posted by Ronald Quiroga on Thu, May 2, 2013 at 11:33 AM

316 NE 92nd Ave

It’s a no-brainer: New construction or some ramshackle fixer?

Understandably, many would enjoy pumping hours of elbow grease, thousands of dollars, and weeks (if not months, or years?!) into personalizing their space to make it a home. It can all be very rewarding, maybe.

Or you could skip all that and check out this gorgeous Northeast Bungalow, built just two weeks ago!

“The Portland market is hot and the inventory is low. It picked up about a year ago but the last six months have been on fire,” said John Taylor of Taylor Group Realty and head agent for the home.

In just under two weeks, this house has seen 10 showings and even had one offer. According to Taylor, that offer was waved because it did not pass the requirements for the home's SDC exemption.

“The land was purchased for the right price and the System Development Charge exemption allowed the buldier to provide the home at such a great price,” said Taylor about the home's very reasonable price range.

And what is that wonderful price you may ask? The three bedroom, two-and-half bath craftsman-inspired home is going for $239,900.

You may also be wondering, what's an SDC exemption? The developer has met certain requirements set by the City of Portland for reducing their environmental cost. For this particular home, it is required that any potential buyer have a household yearly income of less than $68,300.

For a brand-spanking new home, done up with slab granite counter tops, real hardwood flooring, and a gas fireplace, lets just say it’s a steal, and it won’t be around for very long.

For more information, contact John Taylor at Taylor Group Realty, 971-259-8471 or John@taylorgrouprealty.com.

front.jpg

kitchen_stair.jpg

Continue reading »

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Poster of the Week

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Wed, May 1, 2013 at 2:29 PM

BSHC50813WEB.png

I blue myself over this poster from perennial Poster of the Week favorite Dustin Mills. I love getting recommendations—point your poster this way.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Blogtown's Poster of the Week

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 4:29 PM

kellysolympian_4272013_4182013101123AM_66768.jpg

Kelly's Olympian always does such great posters. Take a look. This one is particularly nice! Hit me up with the individual designer if you know—while you're at it, send me recommendations for next week's Poster of the Week.

UPDATE: This and those other awesome Kelly's Olympian posters are by Brenna Sheridan of Last Broadcast Design.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Poster of the Week

Posted by Courtney Ferguson on Wed, Apr 17, 2013 at 3:29 PM

Thought we'd do a little cross-posting from Blogtown with our Poster of the Week series...

21.Watertower.jpg

Oooh, this poster by Diego Banuelos is suh-weet. Check out more of his stuff!

Thanks everybody for sending in your Poster of the Week submissions. Keep 'em coming.

Advertisement

"Did You Mean: Afghanistan’s Drug Industry?"

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Wed, Apr 17, 2013 at 10:59 AM

"Did you mean: Afghanistan’s drug industry"

That's what Google asked me when I plugged in the phrase "Afghanistan’s rug industry." Um, no Google, rugs not drugs. And hugs. Anyhow, it's some kind of dismal indicator that the industry that is second only to agriculture in providing income to people in cities like Kunduz has been overshadowed by those sleep-inducing poppies (which technically counts as agriculture, but still). It's an industry that perhaps makes for less grabby headlines, but the struggles faced by this traditional, and threatened trade (due in part to high tariffs imposed by countries like the US, as well as competing cheap, machine-made versions) are of concern—and hey, if the idea that a rug maker might be forced into a new career in the drug industry gets your attention, so be it. Although perhaps more compelling is that the rug industry is one of the only options for female employment in the country.

God, they're beautiful. I bring this up because next Thursday (April 25), Kush is hosting a talk given by Zubair Ahmadi, a member of a legendary rug making family who relocated to Los Angeles and capitalized on the cultural exposure to expand on traditional designs, landing his company spots in publications like Elle Decor. He'll be lecturing on the history and culture of Afghan rugs, including the current struggles. It's totally free to attend, and will be followed by hors d'oeuvres and refreshments. RSVP here for the 5:30-8:30 affair.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Buying A House (You Ready?) with Erin Lolcama of Exit Realty

Posted by Ronald Quiroga on Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 8:59 AM

After working diligently for 13 years on upholstering and custom building furniture, Erin Lolcama of Exit Realty redirected her career in a massive way. The Portland native, born and raised in Northeast, turned her sights toward Portland’s real estate market. Now she feels more at home, finding homes for "her people."

The city’s booming popularity has made it a bit of a real estate enigma. Caught in the cross-hairs of a popped market bubble and the uncontrollable rise in the city’s population, Portland has become a unique hot spot. When compared to other growing cities around the country, apartment and home prices have remained surprisingly within reach.

“Between $200,00 and $250,000, it’s a really hot price bracket for first time buyers. It’s got a lot of competition,” said Lolcama about pricing in developing neighborhoods, some of which are cropping up further out than many ever imagined. So what’s the new boundary? 82nd Avenue, but it’s more popularly known as "the Mason Dixon line."

Driving around Southeast neighborhoods like Division, Hawthorne, and Foster-Powell, where Lolcama has one of her listings, it’s easy to see the constant demand for more housing. “They’re trying to fit everyone. As the city gets more and more populated people are getting more resourceful about where they go,” she says. The city’s "low inventory" has a lot to with the steady pricing and sustained prominence of the neighborhoods. “Homes don’t stay on the market for long. If they do, it’s not prices correctly.”

A lot of the credit goes to the devotedly followed "10-minute rule." Whether it’s intentional or not, as a realtor and lifetime resident, Lolcama agrees that in most neighborhoods east of the Willamette you’ll find pretty much everything you desire within walking distance.

So, what does this all mean for the potential home buyer? Lolcama offers some quick, and not-so-obvious tips, for those who are looking to up-size or simply want to invest in a property they can call their own.

Continue reading »

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Wallpaper Roundup!

Posted by Megan Zimmer on Sat, Mar 23, 2013 at 8:59 AM

Ready to make the commitment to something more permanent to adorn your walls? Check out some of these lovely handmade and (mostly) locally sourced wallpapers...

Wallpaper_collage1.jpg

1. Pattern People's Pacific Northwest-inspired papers for Hygge & West 2. Vintage Gold Glam 3. No-so-simple-stripes from Makelike

Wallpaper_collage2.jpg

4. Made in Massachusetts' Palace Papers whimsical koi pattern comes in a matching fabric. 5. Playful details in "Salad Days" from JUJU papers 6. Lions and tigers and zebras, oh my!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Wesley Younie at Mark Woolley

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Mar 19, 2013 at 3:29 PM

Continuing my day's theme of things you can hang on a wall: I've been cultivating an obsession with the art of Wesley Younie for the past couple years (full disclosure: we are friends, but I am also friends with other, more mediocre artists (you know who you are!) who I never blog about). Anyhow, one of the handful of poor decision that I, and maybe you, made this weekend was to be too tired/scared of downtown to go out to the opening of his new show, with Amy Ruppel, on Saturday at the Mark Woolley gallery space in Pioneer Place.

One of my most prized possessions is the giant Younie painting hanging in my living room, and I've been known to give some of his smaller pieces as gifts. But after seeing photos of the work (I had a mole), which will remain up until May 12, it's clear that I'm far from having satisfied the urge to look at these expansive nature motifs, in all their blue-skied psychedelia and alternating darkness, every goddamn day.

photo-4.jpg

photo-3.jpg

photo-5.jpg

photo-6.jpg

photo-7.jpg

wes1.jpg

Totally Hangable

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Mar 19, 2013 at 11:59 AM

It feels like a home decor kind of day: Between the new collection from Pigeon Toe Ceramics and a revamped online Sword + Fern, we're overloading on the potential of a blank wall.

Heather Levine ceramic wall hanging.

Stephanie Pettros Clockwork Insects from the Wilsonville High School group art show at Lizard Lounge
  • Facebook
  • Stephanie Pettro's "Clockwork Insects" from the Wilsonville High School group art show at Lizard Lounge

Pattern People mirror at Yo Vintage!

Japanese plywood wall clock
  • Canoe
  • Japanese plywood wall clock

Advertisement

Thursday, February 7, 2013

"The Long Road": Theater, Film, and Circus Posters of Poland and the USSR from the '50s-'70s

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 10:59 AM

The sweet jumble of home goods and vintage clothing that is eclectic shop Lowell is one of those amazing little unique local businesses that feels entirely personal and somewhat whimsical: It's less of a place to specifically go to find, like, spoons than to just wander into and see what appeals to you. It may turn out to be an antique Oaxacan vase, a rug, a vintage flight jacket or... spoons. These kind of magpie environs make it an obvious venue for art shows, but the one scheduled to debut on February 28 (reception 6-9 pm, up through March 28) reaches beyond the visual to appeal to buffs of history, film, theater, and (even) circus.

"The Long Road- Theater, Film, and Circus posters of Poland and the USSR 1950's-1970's" is a pretty self-explanatory title, but some specifics: The display is an excerpt from the private collection of Jason Leonard, who owns the Affiche Studio, which restores poster and other paper-based memorabilia for museums, galleries and collectors around the world, which is pretty fascinating in itself. The show will include, "the Polish poster for the French film LOLA (1967) by Jacques Demy, starring Anouk Aimee... the Russian film poster for The Long Road (1956)... a Polish theater poster for FAUST (1964)." If that sounds like the kind of thing you might fall in love with, know that the "private collection" part doesn't mean they're not for sale; on the contrary, they've all been restored and linen-backed for your wallet-busting pleasure.

photo__2_.JPG

Friday, February 1, 2013

February Furniture Sale at Woonwinkel

Posted by Toby Robboy on Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 10:59 AM

One more sale to keep in mind if you're in the market for home goods: starting today and running through the 17th, Woonwinkel will be offering 15% off all custom and in-stock furniture by Hay and SPC, and 20% off select home accessories. The sale kicks off Woonwinkel's expansion to include more handcrafted furniture by local designers, as well as new to Portland line Hay of Denmark. Whether you're trying to furnish your home or could just use something more decorative like an accent pillow or pottery, it's worth checking out the new goods while they're marked down (stuff this nice ain't cheap).

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Woonwinkel's February Furniture Sale

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 10:00 AM

It's not just clothing stores that are slashing prices at the end of the season: Woonwinkel is gearing up for a long (Feb 1-17) sale next month, with "15% off all custom and in-stock furniture by Hay and SCP and 20% off select home accessories." Whether you're in the market for something major, like a sofa, or something a little easier, like an accent pillow, they'll have something to float your boat. And it's a good idea to pop in anyway just to see what will be an expanded furniture selection in general, including the Portland exclusive stocking of Hay of Denmark and more handcrafted items from local designers.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Gallery at The Museum of Contemporary Craft

Posted by Elizabeth Mollo on Tue, Dec 4, 2012 at 8:59 AM

The Museum of Contemporary Craft has revamped their gift shop, otherwise known as The Gallery, and it's stocked with great gift items just in time for the holiday season. "At this studio store, you can touch, hold and purchase a meaningful one-of-a-kind object, extending the museum experience in a way that enhances your everyday life." These objects include jewelry, books, prints, and ceramics, many made by local artists. Below are some items in The Gallery that caught my eye:

Jewelry by Sarah Loertscher
  • Jewelry by Sarah Loertscher

Jewelry by Mark Diamond
  • Jewelry by Mark Diamond

Felt Accessories by LeBrie Rich
  • Felt Accessories by LeBrie Rich

Continue reading »

Monday, November 5, 2012

Rejuvenation Pop-Up Event

Posted by Elizabeth Mollo on Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 9:14 AM

Rejuvenation is hosting a holiday artisan pop up event on November 17th from 10AM to 5PM that will feature 9 local artisans for a day of celebrating local craft. All items are handmade by local artists to fit in with Rejuvenation’s locally made lighting and hardware. They are also launching a brand new collection of table and floor lamps made in partnership with historic American manufacturers and 10% of sales will be donated to Rejuvenation’s local charitable partner p:ear. All attendees will be given a raffle ticket for their chance to win a Blenko Cylinder lamp of their choice.

Participating artists include Appetite Home, photography and printmaking by Beth Kerschen, paintings by Rachel Austin, encaustic collages and paintings by Amy Stoner, ceramics and paintings by Puji Studio, pottery by Steve Kelly Pottery, handmade truffles by Smitten Truffles, handmade wooden furniture and housewares by Driftedge, and fused glass items made from recycled windows by Transformations Glassworks.

Appetite Home
  • Appetite Home

Puji Studio
  • Puji Studio

Driftedge
  • Driftedge

Transformations Glassworks
  • Transformations Glassworks

Advertisement

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Deweywood

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Wed, Oct 24, 2012 at 11:59 AM

I don't usually like to stereotype (kidding), but this is as "Portland" a thing I have ever seen: Deweywood is a two-man (Trent Waneka and Evan Parker) small, local company making environmentally conscious plywood wall displays for your vinyl records. I'm counting at least three types of nerding going in that concept.

dewey.png
  • Deweywood

A little more background on the material choice made with Moso bamboo, sourced from a local local distributing and flooring company Bamboo Revolution, which is working to create the first bamboo timber industry in Portland. Here's why:
Plywood from the mighty Moso is 10 times stronger then most hardwoods. It can grow to heights of 50 to 60 feet in less then two years. It reaches maturity and can be harvested after 4 to 6 years of growth, comparable wood species typically take about 30 to 60 years to reach maturity. The day after a stalk of Moso is harvested, there will be 4 to 7 new plants beginning to regrow. No planting is necessary, because Moso bamboo is regenerated after a harvest through its rhizomes. Rhizomes are found in Moso bamboo’s underground stem system. Think of a chunk of ginger, which is a rhizome, ginger can be sliced into many pieces and any one of those pieces can be planted to grow a new ginger plant. This rhizome biology is the key element to bamboo’s sustainability.

And for the visual learners in the house, here's a short documentary on Bamboo Revolution's endeavors:

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Wolf's Apothecary

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 11:14 AM

Jewelie Randall’s last name means "Wolf’s Shield" (beat that), so in keeping with the old time tradition of apothecaries named after their owners, she brings us Wolf's Apothecary, a temporary source for locally concocted health and beauty products (Randall herself has 20 years of experience as a "city herbalist"), plus vintage and modern home goods, and jewelry. Appearing set to exist for just two short months in November and December at 902 SW Morrison Street, the list of products it is expected to carry is being meted out in updates on Facebook. Here's what we know so far:

The store will stock "soap, candles, jewelry, furniture, medicinals, candy, body care, haircare, skincare, leather, wood, ironwork, vintage housewares, etc." Oh man, I'm so listening. Confirmed vendors include Portland Black Lipstick Company, Heather Bell Jewelry, "raw organic local" honey (this one perhaps?), Gretchen Nation Collection, Molly Muriel, and From The Reliquary, with presumably more to come.

wolfsSign_final-1.jpg

Also, I love this console:

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

ShowPDX Opens Tonight

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 11:29 AM

ShowPDX is a biennial exhibit of the most unique furniture designs happening in the Portland region. It is happening in part under the umbrella of Design Week Portland, which doesn't kick off until this coming Tuesday. However, you don't have to wait that long. Like many of the events under Design Week's umbrella, it pre-exists this new festival of sorts, and the run of the exhibit overlaps with the schedule. That means you can get a head start on what I think is one of the most exciting components of the program. The exhibit is having a First Thursday preview reception this evening from 6-9, with refreshments (they better be bomb-ass refreshments, because unlike most First Thursday shindigs, there is a $10 cover), and an opportunity to meet the designers and jury. In the meantime, preview the list of participants here.

A writing desk in progress by Phloem Studio.
  • Phloem Studio
  • A writing desk in progress by Phloem Studio.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Jammy!: Bringing Back the Boombox

Posted by Marjorie Skinner on Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 10:13 AM

iPods are okay, but they don't have quite the same cachÉ as strolling down the street with a handsome boombox on your shoulder, or as sufficient power to annoy other people at the park with your obscure taste in music. Michael Davis-Yates' local company, Jammy!, is updating the must-have of yore with modern hookups, better sound, and trading in molded plastic for wood while maintaining a retro aesthetic. They're one-of-a-kind, and pretty goddamn handsome:

Jammy-2.jpg
  • Jammy!

Davis-Yates is just getting the company off the ground, and unsurprisingly there's a Kickstarter involved. However, unlike some Kickstarter videos, he put a little elbow grease into it. He even raps the whole thing:

Is it too early to start making Christmas lists? No, no it's not. More pictures of the pretties are after the cut.

Continue reading »

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Moving Day/Interior Design 101

Posted by Kayla Rekofke on Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 8:59 AM

Moving Day with The Hills!
  • hrhcollection
  • Moving Day with The Hills!

Quite recently I found a charming little cottage in the Alberta Arts district to call home. After living in apartments for last five years, this is a welcome change to my living environment. Obviously I had to turn to my best friend and interior designer Victoria Jones, who is the newest member of the highly sought after Pedini Seattle team. Ms. Jones dishes on how to make moving suck less, what creates a warm and inviting living space, and which home items are splurge worthy.

MERCURY: What items are splurge worthy versus items you should save on when decorating your new place?
VICTORIA JONES: In my opinion, it is important to splurge on items you find yourself using the most, like sofas, mattresses, and sheets. I think it is also a good idea to save for and splurge on items that you are in love with, whether it be a piece of art, an amazing headboard, or the perfect coffee table. To me it's worth it to spend more money on things that will follow you as you move from place to place.

Things to save on are things that don't get as much use, like end tables, dining room furniture (if you are like me and eat on your couch most of the time), bookshelves (IKEA is great for storage pieces). If you aren't using something all the time you can purchase higher quality items when you have the money for them.

What "makes" a room? Is it the furniture, layout, art, color scheme?
To me, layout sets the tone immediately upon entering a space. I think it is important to take advantage of what space you do have (especially in an apartment) and make each room feel as open and inviting as possible. This can be achieved by arranging furniture so that the back of something isn't the first thing you see, for example the back of a sofa. That being said, it is a combination of layout, art, and color scheme that "make" a room. Choosing colors that you love and can feel comfortable in, while also tying in art that speaks to you, will really create a personal feeling in a room.

What are a few easy ways to make your living space feel cozy and warm?
Sometimes a few easy additions are all a space needs to feel a little cozier. Adding an area rug to a living room will make it feel more grounded and help to separate it from the rest of the home. Throw pillows and blankets on armchairs and sofas immediately make a space feel cozier. Also, you can never have too many candles! If you already have all of these things and things are still feeling a little uninviting, try painting a warmer color. Even going from white to a taupe or beige can make a huge difference.

IKEA. What are your thoughts on the Swedish powerhouse, and how do you make items from here feel unique?
If you are looking for quality, IKEA is definitely not the place to go. However, IKEA is great for those items to save on I touched on above like bookcases and end tables. I also enjoy getting random accessories at IKEA. Let's face it, not all of us can spend $50 on candle holder... Pottery Barn or West Elm, anyone? Making these items look unique is all about what you pair it with and how you accessorize. If you walk into a room of all IKEA furniture then it will be very obvious that it isn't very high quality, but if you pair IKEA end tables with a higher end sofa and arm chair, it's not as noticeable. Placing your own unique lamps, photos, and accessory arrangements on these items makes them feel even less IKEA-esque.

Moving sucks. How do you make it suck less?
Staying organized is key to successful moving. Labeling boxes well and packing like-items together may seem like a no-brainer, but when it comes time to move in, this is so important. Packing aside, I think that the best way to make moving suck less is to hire people to help with the actual moving part. There are so many companies that are pretty affordable and a lot of times are college students trying to make some extra cash. This takes away a lot of physical and emotional stress come moving day.

When living with a roommate how do you suggest making the space cohesive?
Hopefully you and your roommate have similar styles and personalities, but even if you don't you can still make the space look cohesive. I would suggest making an inventory of what both people are bringing to the home and decide what you both feel are the best options for your new place. Once you decide on furniture it's all about blending both of your styles. Accessory shopping with a new roomie for pillows, candles, and artwork can be so much fun, and that way both of your personalities are reflected in the home.

Any other advice for people about to go through a big move?
Always be checking out thrift stores and even Craigslist for items you need. People are always getting rid of great furniture and household items, and this is a great way to save money. Pare down pre-move. Moving is the perfect time to de-clutter all areas of your home. My rule is if I haven't worn it or used it in a year it goes. Having less STUFF makes moving so much easier!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Street of Dreams 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Mollo on Tue, Aug 21, 2012 at 3:29 PM

Last week, on one of the hottest days of the year, I ventured solo to The Vineyard in West Linn to check out this year's offerings from The Street of Dreams. With six different houses all hovering around 1 million dollar asking prices, attendees were able to catch a glimpse of how rich people live. All of the houses had unique features, but the similarities included more bathrooms than bedrooms, outdoor living spaces with televisions (not to mention televisions in pretty much every room,) and intercom systems playing music, so no matter what room you are in you will never miss a beat of that Billy Joel song you will invariably be blasting if you lived in one of these homes. Some of the unique features included an elevator, a DIY brewery, an exercise room with it's own private bathroom and shower, and two of the houses had spaces devoted specifically to gift wrapping.

Okay, it may sound like I am being sarcastic and knocking it, and part of me is, but I do really like going to The Street of Dreams every year and checking out the latest advancements in home building. I just think that maybe it's a little much. Do people really need that much space to live, and so many televisions and bathrooms? On the up side all of the homes featured sustainable elements, with one home even being Earth Advantage Platinum Certified, and there were some moments where I wished I could pick-up the amazing room I was in and attach it to my own house (they were mostly bathrooms, of which my own 1920's built house only has one.)

To summarize, I think this year's Street of Dreams is worth visiting, as you will most likely find a few things you actually really like and can use as inspiration for your own home. Better do it quick though, the last day is August 26th.

Awesome walk-in shower.

Really great indoor/outdoor living space.

Continue reading »

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC

115 SW Ash St. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Production Guidelines | Terms of Use | Takedown Policy