Pendleton Luminaire

A few months back, Fig Studio was asked to join over thirty artists and architects in designing a luminaire for the first annual Illumination Auction benefiting the Lions Club International Foundation.  A dozen napkin sketches and a Sketchup model later, the Luminaire was born from a bin of vintage Pendleton Woolen Mills bobbins. 

I've seen these bobbins on a number of occasions (frequent trips to the Pendleton Woolen Mills Store is really part of a Portlander's job description, right?) and purchased a few for home use... candlesticks, basket fillers, and general Northwest modern accessorizing.  A lightbulb went off while working on the cafe project, but I didn't have the time to prototype or get these to a place where they'd be suitable in a commercial environment.  When the Illumination opportunity arose, somehow I managed to veer away from this idea I'd been hanging on to for months.  I conceptualized all of these complicated options, none of which could be handbuilt in a reasonable amount of time. 

Maybe I didn't want to share.  Maybe I wanted to be cutting edge and super clean lined.  Whatever the reason, it took my husband's encouragement to get me in to Hippo Hardware and get cracking.  Eight hours and ten sore fingers later, the Pendleton Luminaire was finished.  I was a little sad to part with it, but I knew it was going to a good cause and would hopefully help give the Lions extra resources in their charitable efforts.  I have a feeling number two in the series will be my next rainy day project. 

Fritz Studio :: Giulietti/Schouten Architects

Last weekend was filled with wonderful design events, including the Portland Center for Architecture's AIA home tour (I was a docent at the King residence), the Lions Club Illumination Auction (more details to follow), and the grand opening party for Kristin Fritz's artist studio designed by Giulietti/Schouten Architects.  I've been watching this project take shape over the course of the last few months and was very excited to see the design come to life. 

Located in what was essentially an unusable area of Kristin's backyard, the studio gently responds to the existing home and landscape.  In fact, the architects designed the footprint to avoid the removal of any trees. 

The large sliding glass doors create a flexible space and were perfect for this party, allowing guests to easily meander in and out. 

I love how flexible this space can be- parties, long-term guests, or simply a gallery.  It's proven to be a huge asset to the existing home and I'm going to tuck this idea away for my future dream house.  One can dream, right?

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?