What do you notice when you meet someone for the first time? Some pay attention to a person’s sense of style — things like clothes, shoes or hair. Others notice physical attributes like a dazzling smile or shimmering eyes. And some even recognize personality traits like kindness or confidence. But interior designer Angela Todd is a little different — she envisions a person’s color palette.
The kitchen is the hub of a home. It’s where our mornings begin and our workdays end. It’s where we cook, eat and spend time with our families over dinner. But a kitchen is much more than just a place to prepare a meal; it’s the social pulse of a household.
When is it time to bring in professional designers? The Prewetts, who own a cozy home in Southwest Portland, were not initially convinced they should take such action when tasked with remodeling their living and dining rooms. But after considering taking on the project themselves, they quickly realized they could use professional help.
Light and color require balance. Without light there would be no color. Without color our homes would be unbearably bland. It is only because of light encountering an object that we are able to see it. And when we do see that wall or chair or art, it should make us smile. Or, better yet, take our breath away.
When Beverly Vogt moved into her 50s Ranch home in the southwest Portland Raleigh Hills neighbor- hood in 1972, she wanted to renovate the original galley kitchen that featured fluorescent tube lights and darkly stained, plywood cabinets, as soon as possible. Still, for well over the next three decades, Vogt cooked in the dim, cramped space.
Randy Ramos was the church’s saving grace.
As a contractor who specializes in historic preservation, Andrew Curtis is naturally drawn to homes that come with a good story. So when he first saw the Irvington Heights cottage that he would eventually transform into his home and office, he was more interested in what he was hearing than what he was seeing.
Donna knew she needed more storage, more electric plugs and more light. But she also wanted the kitchen to feel like it belonged.
A decade after an architecturally sensitive renovation, this classic cottage still retains its charm.
The Audubon Society Backyard Habitat Program covers over 200 acres of backyards in Portland and has distributed over 15,000 native plants this year.
