The Grove Hotel

I've always wondered what might happen with the Grove Hotel, and who will be on the job when they do the interior renovations. I googled The Grove Hotel, and this handy dandy article came up. I thought it was pretty entertaining!

http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/2007/12/inside_the_grove_hotel.php

PRESS: Interview with the DJC

To read the interview with Allisen, and more info on alternative career suggestions for designers, click on this link!

http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2009/02/24/Architects-urge-fellow-designers-to-branch-out-Discussion-panelists-say-outofwork-architects-should-

FURNITURE EVENT: ADX furniture dig

http://www.ddadx.com/

As I was being interviewed for the DJC last Friday morning, I made a great new connection with Sam Bennett of the Daily Journal of Commerce, who specializes in writing about architecture, design and interiors in Portland. He passed along a few great events for me to attend, one of which is the link above.

It is hosted by Ben Hufford of Design Development LLC, and it sounds like a great time, checking out the hottest furniture designers putting their latest greatest creations out there, and kicking off your Friday night socializing with friends!

ReCAP on 11x Design Tour

I only made it to 5 projects, all of them in NE and North Portland. The one that takes the cake for me was Z-haus. Could it be that it was the only finished project I made it to? Maybe, but spatially, it had a lot to offer as well. It had a beautiful interior with rich wood floors and an immediate connection to the outdoors in every room. The transition from space to space was a little dizzying and it was humming with folks who were just as intrigued. Large sliding doors, and when I say large, I mean 9-10' wide X 9' tall, slide across the expanse of the room to flexibly close off the space from the stairwell.

The rooms were perfect sizes for the amount of total rooms provided, and the kitchen was a highlight for me! Being that I specialize in kitchen design, and have a passion for efficient, functional storage as well as beautiful aesthetics, I took particular interest in the Z-haus kitchen. It was bright white, clean and inviting. Storage abound, there was no need for excess clutter and appliances on the countertops. It was a tight little package.

Congrats to whomever purchases this home!

Monday

Networking and filling the pipeline today, fantasizing about spending time designing my furniture lines, but that doesn't bring in the dough...yet.

Bratt Residence Color Consultation

Having brought a baby son into their lives, Heather and Jason Bratt decided it was time to be movers and shakers. Move neighborhoods, change their style of home, bolder color schemes and more space! From Craftsman Bungalow to mid-century Modern Atomic Ranch, it was a radical difference that required the services of Introspecs LLC.

Phasing out the remodeling process, we began with a color consultation that would take this lovely home from on the market to move in ready.

Siegel Kitchen Design

Erika and Matt Siegel undertook a huge renovation project on their SW Hills home, after a very large tree fell on their home in a windstorm 2 years ago. Introspecs LLC was hired to design the kitchen, collaborating with John Cooley of Cool Architecture. The Siegels' were expecting their first addition to the family soon, so their goals for the new kitchen were:
• maximize use of space and efficiency
• increase functionality of high traffic areas
• increase connection to outdoor deck and yard space
• maintain an approachable aesthetic
• use of local companies and green materials where possible

The result is a wonderfully open, highly functional kitchen, that welcomes, and can support, many guests.

Introspecs LLC Services

Introspecs provides the following services:
• Whole-house Planning
• Design Drawings and Construction Documents
• Kitchen + Bathroom Design
• Material Finishes, Lighting, + Color Consultations
• Custom Furniture Design

Kitchen Design

Elizabeth and Rick Melner are both vivacious, energetic, and down-to- earth people who care immensely about their family and the environment. Having 5 children under the age of four, including 1-year old triplets, it was important to employ the use of low VOC* materials where possible during their whole-house renovation. Collaborating with Cool Architecture, Introspecs was hired to provide detailed interior drawings and material specifications for both the kitchen and master bathroom.

The Melners' knew they wanted a rich, warm palette of materials that would compliment the architectural style of the home, and sit nicely within the context of the Pacific Northwest. Introspecs consulted on choosing formaldehyde-free CVG fir for the cabinetry, strand-woven bamboo for the main flooring and stainless steel appliances. Absolute Black granite countertops provide an elegant contrast with the much lighter fir cabinetry. Wood craftsman John Hauser delivered skilled advice and a fabulous, well-functioning kitchen. The result is a beautiful blend of traditional woods and materials pulled together in a customized, contemporary environment, suited for cooking and feeding their family of 7 on a daily basis.

To view more detailed photos, showing various custom storage roll-outs and refrigeration, please visit our website at www.introspecs.com.

*VOC = Volatile Organic Compounds

Interiors Services Provided

Introspecs LLC specializes in architectural planning + interior design, in both residential and small-scale commercial projects. The built environment is a reflection of who we are, and the feeling or message we want to share with our family, friends and visitors.

Working with clients one on one to provide designs for custom-built interiors, Introspecs LLC empowers clients to actively express + bring to fruition desired identities for living and corporate environments.

Examples of residential work include paint consultations, kitchen design, whole-house remodels + condo build-outs. Commercial projects include health spas, salons, offices + bars/lounges.

Cafe Mingo Acoustic Panels

We're halfway through the long, arduous winter season! Anybody in the mood for an elegant evening sipping wine and enjoying the warmth of company at your local Italian cafe? Avoid traffic and save your gas. Park your car, hop on the MAX and get off at MINGO West to enjoy locally grown produce and goods, manifested into inspiring Italian cuisine.

When you arrive, before heading to your cozy booth or social seat at the bar, look up at the ceiling. Notice the acoustic panels, wine box fabric design by HARLO Media, and panel specification and project management by Introspecs LLC. The panels absorb much of the extraneous noise and hullabaloo, and ensure you will have an enjoyable experience while fine dining at MINGO West.

Decorator vs. Designer

Decorators focus mainly on applied interiors, which refers to surface finishes, flooring, window coverings, and placement of furniture + accessories.

Qualified designers will have at least a bachelor degree in Interior Design, and/or educational background that will support schematic design in both the applied and built aspects of interiors.

For example, my degree is a Bachelor of Interior Architecture, from the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon. This intensive program includes knowledge of structural systems, larger scale architectural + wholistic planning, and furniture design + build.

Tips for Tight Design: Why Custom Equals Class

When doing a remodel involving cabinetry or built-ins, go custom. It is an opportunity for you to make an impact on your immediate environment, and the design-build community near you.

1. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS Often surprising, smaller shops have resources to, and are willing to perform, construction and finish methods unavailable to you when going through a mass-producing, pre-fab company.

2. GO GREEN Opt for box construction made of a more green material, such as wheatboard, bamboo plywood, or locally grown + sustainably harvested wood/panel products. As you may know, there are also formaldehyde-free plywood products available.

3. QUALITY CONTROL Great craftsmanship and energy put into the construction reflects in the details at end panels, reveals between doors + drawers, as well as paint and stain finishes.

4. LESS WASTE The quality of product and unique connection to its environment creates an appreciation with owners, and therefore, less chance of a tear-out + remodel, even in a re-sell situation.

Custom Dining Table Design

Furnishing a condo in the Elizabeth Tower for my client, Randy Foster of Stoel Rives, involved more than a quick shopping trip. After researching showrooms, catalogs, and websites, we chose to design a custom dining table. Sized for six dining in, and an at-home, flexible large work surface, this table meets all of Randy's needs. Detailed with finger joints at the legs, and an invisible stretcher, the table top appears to float effortlessly over its structure.

Size:
36" wide x 72" long x 30" high

Materials:
Solid Claro Oregon Walnut
Locally harvested in Salem, Oregon

Craftsman:
Kai Fuhrmann, Master Furniture Maker

Dining Chair:
DWR Globus Chair in Wood (Painted Red)

This table and client now reside in The Gregory Tower.

Bouneff + Chally Law Office

Nationally recognized for their work in Family and Same-Sex Adoption Law, it was very important to our clients, Sandy Hodgson and John Chally of Bouneff & Chally, that the office environment remain simple and classy, to ensure a sense of comfort and approachability for their clientelle. Nick Thomas of Nick Thomas Design LLC, and Allisen Larsen of Introspecs, collaboratively designed and specified architectural details + materials reminiscent of the arts and crafts era. The warmth of the color palette, combined with a rich combination of woods and lighting, introduces coziness to a potentially sterile, corporate atmosphere. As you can see above at the stair rail, the honest, straightforward use of traditional woods allows for modern detailing and timeless design. The result, a quiet confidence with an edge of forward-thinking.

Location:
2722 NE 33rd Avenue
Portland, Oregon

Materials:
White oak guardrail
Cherry handrail
Red oak flooring
Slate Entry

Lighting:
Schoolhouse Electric

Grace Hair Salon

Introspecs LLC was hired to conceptualize and provide design drawings for the entry reception desk, retail shelving units, and collaboratively select finishes and colors for the salon.

The goal was to extend the existing logo and graphic brand into the salon environment, creating an innate sense of beauty and continuity for his clients even before sitting in the chair. The logo, balancing feminine elegance and streamlined modern simplicity, provided clear, inspiring guidelines for design.

• Flooring: Wenge stained horizontal bamboo
• Desk Facing: FORMICA Vanilla (appears to be shiny lacquer, and easily allows for curved surface)
• Desk Top: FORMICA Ebony Naturelle in espresso stained zebra wood grain
• Signage: Aluminum relief laser-cut logo; back-lit
• Color Palette: Neutral tans, Vanillas, Brown, Colorful rotating Graffiti Art

The result is clear. Reflecting Thad Grace's marketing tagline, to look good is to feel good.