Homes as Ecosystems

Imagine an old-growth forest or a watershed, where all the different parts of an ecosystem work together to keep it healthy and thriving.

Glass Artist: Isaac D. Smith

2-smith-fw15Today, nearly 30 years after starting his stained-glass business, Smith designs pieces for clients throughout the Pacific Rim, including Japan. He pulls inspiration from natural landscape and his many years as an oil painter. The resulting stained-glass windows bring beauty and privacy to his clients’ homes.

Design Collaboration: Nordby Design Studio + Erik Byron Broms Construction

5-nordby-fw15When Erik Byron Broms, a Portland contractor who specializes in small residential projects, along with his wife, Chris, decided their own house was due for some minor cosmetic upgrades, the scope of the work quickly expanded until every room in their 1,650-square-foot ‘80s contemporary home—with the exception of the existing master bathroom— came to be transformed.

Multifamily Designer: Garrison Hullinger

2-garrison-fw15Designing over 700,000 square feet of space might sound like a daunting task, but that didn’t scare away the commercial design team at GHID. Hub9 is the first building of three in a master multifamily project in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Multifamily Designer: Rachel Sowieja

3-sowieja-fw15Energy, understated whimsy and an eco-friendly vibe are the first things that strike visitors who walk into the Velomor on Northeast Hassalo Street and Seventh Avenue in Portland’s Lloyd District.

Design-Build Designer: Aluna Schroeder

2-willco-fw15After moving to Portland, she found a friendly, collaborative environment in the city and the design community. She’s since embraced that collaborative environment with fellow co-workers and clients at WILLCO, a local residential design-build company.

Father-Daughter Design Team: Paul Olson & Meaghan Woehlert

3-skandia-fw15Paul Olson created Skandia Remodeling because he wanted to do work that was on par with what he considers the finest craftsmanship in the world, using high-quality materials and giving attention to detail in a way that is often lost in today’s remodeling world.

Kitchen & Bath Designer: Robin Rigby Fisher

2-fisher-fw15A lover of all things related to food and cooking, a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD), Robin Rigby Fisher takes great joy in helping her clients create spaces where they can love and nurture themselves and their families.

Small Changes

5-smallchanges-fw15Nicole Callaghan has a knack for making the little moves that will have a big impact, whether it’s moving furniture or artwork, adding or subtracting. Now she’s bringing her gift for the well-executed quickie makeover to a growing number of residential clients in the Portland area through her company, N.style.

Historic Dream, Contemporary Vision

If you could wind the clock back just a decade and step through the front door of this grand Colonial Revival-style home, the discontinuity of its interior might take you by surprise.