Glimpse & Gander: Wooden Bicycles + Stands

via The Joinery

If you're in the Woodstock neighborhood, swing by The Joinery and checkout their mini collection of FSC certified wood-framed bikes by Portland's Renovo (2's a collection, right?).

 

via The Joinery

Though I think the bikes are pretty sweet, what really caught my eye were the beautiful stands on which they are displayed.  Perfect for the apartment dweller, these stands are handmade by The Joinery and are available in a single or split-base configuration.  Kickstand no more.  

Glimpse & Gander: Multnomah Falls In Winter

 Photo by Fig.

My first entry in my new journal recorded a short trip to the Gorge on New Year's Day.  My husband and I were not feeling so hot for the last few days and really needed something to help rejuvenate our bodies and spirits.  Our go-to spot for revitalization is the Bonneville Spa in Stevenson, WA.  For $35 you get your own private claw-foot tub, complete with a carafe of mineral water from the source and some grapes to ease the not-so-wonderful-but-oh-so-good-for-you mineral taste.  30 mins in the super hot mineral soak, then 30 mins in a super tight wrap in the relaxation room leaves you with little on your mind and a brand new outlook for the day.

Our usual Gorge outings pass Multnomah Falls with little thought, but on this day we knew we were in for a special treat only seen during an extended cold spell.  Layers of crisp white ice outlined the water's path and and the lagoon-colored pool at the base- a magical sight to behold and not to be missed. 

 

 Photo by Fig.

Glimpse & Gander: Garibaldi Charters

We began the day gently motoring through the Garibaldi harbor, admiring the weather-worn crafts surrounded in fog.  The water was deceptively calm and the light wind surprisingly warm-- I momentarily felt like I was on a set of a teenage slasher flick.  As we entered the jetty we all realized we were in for a wild ride: small craft advisory has a whole new meaning after this trip.  We watched the Coast Guard escort being tossed around like a play-toy and the waves slamming into the shoreline rocks.  Captain Mick confidently guided us out past the bar and assured us we were all going to live to tell the tale.  The sun quickly rose to reveal a perfect Oregon Coast day, and an ideal trip to celebrate my architect-husband's 30th birthday. 

I've never had the chance to view the vast Oregon coastline from the Ocean's perspective.  We are so lucky that we don't have high-rise hotels and condos blocking the majestic view.  We saw the Cape Mears lighthouse, Oceanside, and Manzanita during our 6-hour tour.  Check out KID Collective's perspective here and Scott & Heather's here.

The crew at Garibaldi Charters gave us a great adventure and memories for a lifetime.  Some of us are a little worse for wear in this photo, but we're all glad we can add this to our list of life's accomplishments.  We cooked up some of our catch that night- Ocean to plate in 6 hours is an incredible luxury I hope we never see come to an end.

Glimpse & Gander: Heath Sausalito

Photos by Fig

Anyone with an ounce of love for Heath Ceramics knows that you can't complete a trip to San Francisco without taking a detour to beautiful Sausilito and the historic Heath factory.  Though my schedule didn't align with the weekend factory tour, I managed a peek into the production room and saw the craftspeople hard at work, perfecting their beautifully simple products.  The mug that holds my morning Oolong was made by hand in that room!  How great is that?  I love that this place is so easygoing and freespirited.  I love that their signage isn't made from fancy materials and that they've maintained such an approachable facade.  I'm committed to Heath for life and look forward to passing my collection down to the next generation of Guggenheims. 

Glimpse & Gander: The Porches Inn

 The Front Stoop

While researching stops on my upcoming New England roadtrip, I landed on a goldmine!  The Porches Inn @ MASS MoCA:  a wonderland of simple elegance with a touch of whimsy for good measure.  From the beautiful light-filled bathing space to the clever lunchbox breakfast room service, no detail is overlooked.  It's kind of like staying at your hip granny's farmhouse for a long weekend...with an affordable price to match.  To me, hotels should be an experience, not just a bed with a cheap flame-retardant coverlet.  Where are you staying for your next getaway?

Glimpse & Gander: Lan Su Chinese Gardens

My last trip to Portland's Lan Su Gardens doubled as a Mothers Day outing and project research.  I am proud to be designing a new master suite for my mom, and finally giving serious payback for all her support during my time in architecture school.  The project is close to my heart as she still lives in my childhood home outside of Portland.  Though we would have loved to fly to China for inspiration, the Lan Su Gardens were designed and built to closely replicate structures and landscaping found in Suzhou, China (Portland's sister city) so it made for the perfect local substitute.

My mom has a sincere connection with Chinese motifs and design principles, so we knew this was the right place to start.  We studied patterns, the connections between space and view, and prominent materials.  Using this information, I've adapted a design that fits within the context of her Northwest home, the budget, existing furnishings, and practical use.  Cascade Contracting is helping see this project to reality, so when we're all finished I'll be sure to post the finished product.

Glimpse & Gander: Ames Boston

I'm planning a getaway to Boston this summer for a friend's wedding and stumbled upon the new Ames hotel.  Housed within an 1889 Romanesque-style structure, this historic property recently received a full renovation by the hotelier's in-house design team in partnership with the Rockwell Group.

Minimal white on grey standard guestrooms allow for relaxation after a day of heavy historical sightseeing and bountiful Italian cuisine, while the dramatic lobby art suggests a whimsical hello.  Suites are styled to glamorous Hollywood standards rather than historic revival, and I particularly like the hint of lavender creeping into the grey tones they've used throughout the property.  Now I'm on the hunt for the perfect lobstah dish.  Any suggestions?

Glimpse & Gander: La Purificadora

Legorreta + Legorreta's renovation of a 19th-Century water purification factory in Puebla, Mexico resulted in this simple and elegant top-tier boutique hotel: La Purificadora.  The high-contrast center stair floats above the dramatically lit lobby and the bright upholstery sets itself apart from the strong yet open architecture.  Every material has a purpose and a place, with no distracting or unneeded decoration.  It's officially on my list of must-stay hotels!

Glimpse & Gander: Pompeo's Hideaway

Ellen Pompeo's Hollywood Hills home is designed by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Ellen Pompeo's home is a refreshing take on California casual and a far cry from Hollywood's often unobtainable glamor.  Mixing Moroccan art with vintage woven furniture produces an approachable and comfortable interior, while letting the 1920's Spanish style architecture take center stage.  View the rest of her home here.

Glimpse & Gander: Go Jet

Torn from the pages of Lonny's April issue, Ashley Putman's bold and simple hall creates a beautiful balance between traditional and modern sensibilities.  Small print wallcovering creates varied levels of texture and when viewed in detail, a surprisingly chic pattern.  The high-gloss door lightens the space, despite it's black color.  When carefully applied, dark tones can create high drama without closing you in.