Bay Area Gallery

Way back in July, Fig Studio visited the Bay Area to check out new offerings at the SFDC and to check a few items off the ol' bucket list.  This gallery of snaps is a quick review of our favorite spots from the trip, including the Red Blossom Tea Company, The Fairmont, Hearst Castle, Filoli Center, and the Charles Schulz Museum -  a must see for all you Charlie Browns out there.   

Fig Studio + ShowPDX 2010

Fig Studio is happy to be a part of ShowPDX 2010 :: Innovative + Functional Furniture Design, alongside some of the Northwest's most talented furniture and lighting designers.  A special preview party is slated for tomorrow evening at the N. Williams gallery @ 6pm.  $10 gets you food, drink, and a heap of beautiful design.  We'd love to see you there!

ShowPDX 2010
2030 N. Williams Ave.
Curated by Jennifer Jako/Fix Studio
50+ designers 

showpdx.com

If you can't make it the preview tomorrow, the show runs (free of charge) through October 30th

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.

Texture: Oregon Coast

Photos by Fig

My trusty Toms took me all over the Oregon Coast this summer: up dunes, across tide pools, and between crusty barnacles.  The Northwest coast is all about texture, both visual and physical, with a heaping dose of truthful beauty.  Thanks to the '67 beach bill, we're lucky to have public beaches welcoming all walks of life, including beautifully bright orange starfish and designers like me.  My next trip to the coast includes a chartered fishing trip, where I plan to soak up the rain, try my hand at ocean fishing, and catch my limit in tasty Dungeness Crabs.  Until then, I have a mass of project details to develop, a furniture package ready to fill a townhome, and several finished projects to document.  Cheers to the weekend!

xoxo,
Fig Studio

Weekend Escape

 Photo by Fig : Our fire lookout adventure in the Oregon Outback

I can't seem to go anywhere without analyzing the space around me, the texture of materials I come in contact with, or the quality of balance in a room.  Good interior designers are always working, always learning, and always seeing what others overlook.  I'm allowing an escape this weekend: tucking my projects into the back of my mind until Tuesday morning when I greet them with a renewed vigor.  Some much needed outdoor adventure is planned, a couple of movies from my archive, and the start of a new running plan designed by Mr. Guggenheim. 

What does this holiday weekend have in store for you?  

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. 

When Summer acts like Spring and Fall

Portland's summer sun has been less than stellar this year, but I think it's fitting as Fig's never been busier and harder at work!  The cafe is currently in the bidding and permit process, the Rose kitchen remodel is in it's final phase, we have a new Alphabet District townhome remodel on the boards, and three master baths under construction.

Though I had the best of intentions with my new posting schedule, I'm going to have to give myself some breathing room and post when I'm able.  I'd love to call myself Wonder Woman, but alas, I'm only a designer.  Be sure to give us a shout if you have any posting requests!

 Hearst Castle - Indoor Pool - Photo by Fig

I did manage a short trip to San Francisco to visit the SFDC to catch up on the latest in furnishings as well as a jaunt over to Hearst Castle in San Simeon.  Though a bit gaudy for my taste, I will admit that it's quite an incredible place. Julia Morgan  is a hero in my book. 

Until next time,
Jenny @ Fig