A Warm Welcome

Hi Everyone, Jenny here.  We are so blessed to be busy with a lot of fun and challenging projects in the studio right now and we have many more exciting prospects on the horizon.  Up until now, I've done my best to juggle each and every facet of the business on my own, including everything you see popping up in Fig's online world.  I realized a few weeks ago that I needed a talented person to enter my world and lend a hand, and right when I opened myself up to the idea, Amanda dropped me a line.  Amanda's worldly background, sense of style, and stellar writing skills quickly sold me on the idea of handing over some of my online media duties (the blog, Facebook, and Pinterest) to her capable hands.  This will all allow me to spend more time on client work and expanding the studio and will allow you to have more content to enjoy on your social media addiction of choice!  Fig's clients may see Amanda around a jobsite or two, assisting in meetings, and walking showrooms with me.  Without further adieu, please welcome Amanda.

Hi, I’m Amanda! I was raised just an hour up the Columbia River Gorge in Hood River. After graduating high school I moved to Switzerland for a year before getting a bachelors degree in women’s studies at Oregon State University. During my time at Oregon State I studied abroad in Germany and took some time to work as an aupair in England. My life in Europe strongly influences my design aesthetic and although I have always been passionate about design and architecture I didn’t realize I could make it my career until my last year of college. (Strange, I know.) So, I moved myself to Portland, got a second degree in interior design from The Art Institute and magically found my way to Fig Studio while walking my sister’s dog. Not able to stay out of school for long, I am currently going through a yoga teacher training and planning a bicycle tour around Holland in late summer. I am excited to be apart of the Fig team and look forward to sharing my passion for design!

NW Marshall Loft

Josh Partee Photography beautifully captured our Pearl Loft project-  check out the album here

Social Media for Interior Designers- Join Me!

Join me, alongside Brad Clifford of Bravado Home and Jennifer Powell of Kravet for tips and tricks for maximizing your social media presence.  Event open to designers only.  Lunch to follow.

Riad Dixneuf La Ksour

If trip planning is an addiction, consider me off the wagon.  I'm one of those people that loves to have something big to look forward to.  Dinner parties in the backyard, a road trip to the beach, planning a Yurt adventure with friends (this weekend!) all fall under my definition of big.  I am so happy to add one more exciting excursion to my list:  Marrakesh.  Yes, my lifelong dream is going to be realized this coming April, after the Milan Furniture Fair.  I imagine myself winding through the Souk with nothing but a camera in my hand and silver tea sets on my mind.

Marrakesh is probably the most exotic location I've ever had to plan for, so choosing a comfortable and safe place to stay is top priority.  Thanks to trusty Trip Advisor (don't steer me wrong now!) and style authority Remodelista, I discovered Riad Dixneuf and booked a room right away.  I sought out this traditional accommodation as an alternative to traditional Western-style hotels and guest suites in the hopes that I would fully immerse myself into the Moroccan culture and better experience all that Marrakesh has to offer. 

Riad Dixneuf is located in the heart of the Medina, the old quarter, and within a short walk to Djamaa El-f'na Square.  I've learned through extensive research that as a first time visitor, it is critical to reserve a place of peace and refuge.  The Medina can be overwhelming to say the least, and a quiet retreat is essential to center yourself after a long day of winding through the city and dodging motorbikes.  Rome it is not.  Riad Dixneuf's design is exactly that:  peaceful, calm, and simple.  It seems very organic, and calmly authentic.  I viewed other accommodations that definitely reflected Moroccan sensibilities, but were overwhelmingly decorated with a clear emphasis on color.  There is something so great about a white wall, and Riad Dixneuf knows exactly how to use it. 


The central courtyard is surrounded by a mix of shared spaces and guest rooms.  I'm particularly attracted to their cozy library and lounge space, which seems perfectly suited to sipping mint tea.  Again, not shrouded in every Moroccan texture available in the Souk, but a perfect mix of organic and well- combined materials that definitely reflect my goal of finding a peaceful retreat. 

I'll be happy to report my findings upon my return-  until then, I'll be reading the Marrakesh archives over at Beers and Beans and practicing the art of the bargaining at my local thrift shop- they'll lower my price for the promise of a stick of gum, right? 

All images are via Riad Dixneuf's booking site.  Layout is by Fig Studio.