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Design 101
Calling All Portland Maker, Artist, And Vintage Dealers – Farmhouse Style
One of the best things about moving back to Portland is the amount of artistic, creative, and talented artists and makers there are, and the strong community they form. For the Portland project years ago we borrowed a ton of art (because it was for staging the house) that was featured on the blog (and many purchased by myself, my brother, and the new homeowner) but I couldn’t believe the abundance of talent. For the farm, I not only want to collaborate with artists (but honestly I have a TON of art and we have way less wall space) but also furniture makers and vintage sellers. We are still at the stages of figuring out what we NEED and knowing that comfort is key. But I wanted to get these conversations going and if nothing else create a spot where other PDX folk (or general PNW) can find and support local small businesses.
It’s been 3 years since the first Portland project and I honestly don’t know the landscape up there, besides dabbling on social media. So leave in the comments any you know and love, so we can start pulling together posts as well as reaching out if something feels like the right fit for our home and family. I’ll never not love all my Marianne Plus art (amongst others) or all the pottery I bought from Mantel PDX – still some of my favorite pieces in the mountain house (shipped down from PDX and coming back up with me :)). And I recently discovered Notary Ceramics (maybe a lamp collaboration?) and of course, I love Fernweh Studio. So I figured the best way to get a solid list going is just to ask. :)
I’m so excited about the artistic community up there, seriously. While I’m still nervous to move back to a city with all the natural pulls that come with that (and warning, might be not-so social for a while as we get our life settled) the designers, artists, makers, and vintage dealers are a huge reason we felt that this was the right decision.
So who do you all know and love???
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Portland Reveal: You’ll Never Guess What This Bookcase Is Hiding…
Hi! owner of August Sage, Rowena Lei, just moved to the PNW:
Love this post! Collage artist Kellette Elliott is in Portland. She makes beautiful nostalgic analog art as well as does comercial art (book and record covers).
I love that you’re supporting local businesses! My fave is Day in the Life Gallery – they have incredible handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces from amazingly skilled artists.
Whoops, forgot the link!
Shannon Axelson (@axelsonart, axelsonart.com) is amazing!
Not an artist but I’m OBSESSED with Old Portland Hardware & Architectural. I’ve been to Aurora Mills and it’s… fine. But Old Portland Hardware is in a league of its own. Incredible, affordable lighting from all sorts of wild places. I bought a German medical light fixture that practically shimmers when it’s turned on. And it was like, $120. The owner gave me the whole history of the light and always gives my 4 year old (who should honestly not be allowed in the store, everything is breakable) goodies when we leave. LOVE that place for everything vintage and weird!
Well, I think I’m pretty darn good at refinishing furniture :)
I probably should have explained a little about what I do. I specialize in image transfer and basically make functional art. I want my pieces to be conversational starters/stoppers. This was a piece that I finished last year (she lives in Atlanta now).
Yes – William Hernandez. He’s amazing and I have a number of his paintings!
I was just in woonwinkle yesterday and zomg there were so many beautiful things: woonwinklehome.com
Of course I spelled it wrong, doh.
Honeymamas has the best, guilt-free cocoa truffle bars ever! I know this might not seem design related but their Lavender Rose bar is so lovely so it kinda counts, plus everybody gotta eat right??
Hello! My name is Brian and I am a Mural and Faux Artist for over 23 years. I just moved to Portland from Atlanta and I am loving my new hometown!
Phloem Studio has some Moser-level craftsmanship going on. Absolutely love what they do.
BENNUCO! They make amazing custom
furniture.
@bennuco
What a wonderful way to support the Portland arts community. I’ll add my own website:
Hello! Audra here my husband and I own Workshop Vintage. We have 1,500 square feet of vintage, collectibles, and locally made goods. All the wood working through the store and many of the furniture pieces are for sale too!
Sorry, I meant to say the wood working through out the store and furniture pieces for sale are built by my husband too!
Nicky Kriara at Niko Far West:
Hoping you will be supporting and plugging artists/makers of color!
Wow! Treasure trove of sources here in the comments!
Don’t sleep on the Yo Store!
Ooooh…..this is so lovely to see all the creatives shouting out!
Yaaay!!! ?
Ok but you do realize Emily is asking for collab opportunities, which is code for “gimme free stuff”, right?
Two things. First, Emily does OFTEN pay for things. Secondly, collaboration for exposure is a legitimate business tactic that brings attention to businesses they otherwise might not have had. Nothing is free, a blog who promotes a product brings more traffic to businesses than magazines who historically have cost a fortunate for print ads. I’m not a die hard fan who needs to defend everything a blogger does, but this is how bloggers make money and feature products. Welcome to 2021.
Yes, but artists can’t pay the rent with “exposure.”
…at some point there was an artist she “borrowed” drawings from who had to ask, multiple times in the comments, the whereabouts of her drawings after direct emails had been ignored.
Check out the Blackthorn Mercantile. It’s a sweet little shop that features lots of local artists and hosts a pop-up style vendor market on weekends.
I’m a local maker who specializes in lasercut art, please check out
I work at kindred homestead supply across the river in Vancouver! Sounds like something right up our alley!
I’m 100% biased, but my friend is a painter in Portland and her work is beautiful.
I’m so excited to tell you about my cousin-in-law-in-law, artist and woodworker Kevin Burrus! He is both a sculptor and a wood worker (and wood turner – lathe owner) who does custom pieces, and he lives not far from ARCIFORM. He’s just starting his instagram account but you can see one of his pieces there: @kevin__burrus. I have more photos of his work and info that I’d love to share. Where can I email them to? It seems like a match made in Portland.
Check out for all the vintage rug goodness
When you head to Seattle, check out epic antique mall. Specifically, you’ll love the Tom Gorz collection. Insta @tomgorzcollection. LOVE
Are you familiar with Lonesome Pictopia?? Absolutely gorgeous wallpaper and textiles:
I was just going to recommend them! They are so insanely talented. Love their murals and wallpaper. Also, Makelike for wallpaper.
Up the coast from you but I’m obsessed with this mechanical engineer/sailor who designs custom storage benches and other plywood creations that require zero hardware to put together. Maybe too modern an aesthetic for the farmhouse but definitely an option you should keep in mind for more minimalist or utilitarian-first projects! They’ll work with your local fabricators to reduce carbon emissions from shipping, which I love.
Hello! Welcome back to Portland, Emily. My name is Jala and I’m the owner and designer of Seek & Swoon out of Portland (I believe you borrowed a couple of my throws from Mantel for the Portland House). I design soft, cozy, and functional knit throw blankets that are made in the USA from recycled cotton. I’d love to work with you on a/some custom design(s) for the farmhouse if you’re interested. Happy to share more about capabilities and turnaround time. Thanks for your consideration!
seekandswoon.com
jala@seekandswoon.com
Just sent a DM. I was this young man’s kindergarten teacher many years ago. I was certain, even then, that he would grow up to be some kind of artist. He is a master woodworker and furniture maker. His workshop is in McMinnville, not too far from Portland. His furniture, windows, and custom doors are exquisite. Justin Basile. Basile’s Workshop. You can find him on FB.
I looooove the Portland creative scene! Bookmarking this post to find some new great artists/shops :) Here are some of my favorite shops: Urbanite, Cargo (I literally go there when I’m in a bummed-out mood and am so happy by the time I leave, best vibes!), the various antique stores in the Sellwood neighborhood (which are close to Portland Hardware & Architectural), Perch (custom furniture), Noun (tagline is “a person’s place for things which is just so brilliant), City Home PDX, Woonwinkel, Salvage Works, Fort Modern, GreenHAUS Gallery, Paxton Gate, Rose City Modern, The Reclaimory, Beam & Anchor, Thee Lucky Bastard, Brooklyn Mall, Bridge City Mercantile, Local Branch.
If you are willing to venture south to Salem, I love the shop Furbish. A delightful mix of salvage, antiques, mid-century modern, and plants. And on weekends they have an outdoor food cart and music.
Also in the area is the Farmhouse antiques show in October.
I’m a local painter who works on raw canvas. Welcome to Oregon!
My friend Mark Thomas creates beautiful, handmade wood furniture and house wares. I have the privilege of owning bar stools that he crafted for me and they are the most comfortable chairs I own.
I’m a local ceramicist who just moved to Portland 4 months ago. Love love love doing collaborations with designers and creative thinkers!
Love these folks in PDX! Bright, beautifully crafted wood pieces:
Would love to see you partner with Seek & Swoon! Her eco-friendly throws are stunning.
For vintage finds you can’t go wrong with @midnightsunlight and @shopwilma . For amazing custom framing check out @emcollierframes . My favorite maker in town is @vince.skelly . For woodworking I love @carpentrypdx and metal work @boyboybuilt . I wouldn’t be surprised if you already knew about all of these people by now, but I couldn’t help but mention them. Also, when you are exhausted from all your hard work get a facial at my studio, Sitko Skin! I’m not taking new clients at the moment, but I would absolutely make an exception for my longest standing design guru (you!) Best of luck!