The Best Of Portland

Haute Blocks - NW 23rd in Portland, Oregon ranked "One of America's Best Shopping Streets" by US News & World Report.

 

Named “One of America’s Best Shopping Streets” in 2012 by US News & World Report, Northwest 23rd Avenue is the quintessential charming shopping neighborhood filled with upscale national retailers, restaurants in their own elegant storefronts surrounded by quaint shops carved out of vintage houses with unique gifts for every occasion —  all within an easy walk of each other — and nestled beneath a beautiful forest with ample hiking and walking trails. 

Here and within a few walking blocks, you'll find a bevy of delights for the senses; Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Williams Sonoma, Kitchen Kaboodle, Doscha Salon & Spa, Free People, Moonstruck, Papa Hayden's, JoBar, Dazzle, Sammy's Flowers, 3 Monkeys, Kiehl's, Twist, Ringside Steak House, Elephants Delicatessen, Trader Joe's, Escape From New York Pizza, Zupan's and many more fabulous retailers and restaurants.

To discover more about Northwest Portland neighborhood offerings, click here.

Ideas to transform old dressers from drab to fab with the stroke of a brush!

from Debbie Dion Hayes of unfoldedblog.com we found this fun idea for dressing-up old dressers.  All you will require is a poster large enough to cover the dresser face, modpoge, a exactoknife to carve poster at dresser edges and sand paper to smooth and rub off the excess paper and glue.

And it's amazing what a little paint can do!

Inspirational bedroom ideas guaranteed to bring-out the kid in everyone!

Bella Casa offers distinctive Old World influenced furniture designs in The Pearl.

Bella Casa is an ever-changing canvas of color, texture, lighting, and scents, with a flow of new items arriving daily.  The store is terraced with sophisticated combinations and textures from sources throughout Europe and the U.S. 

Owner Richard Codanti expands upon an Old World European aesthetic.  Bella Casa's collections are inspired by the most significant periods in European architectural history.

Click Here for more detailed information.

Spooktacular Halloween Decor from Grandinroad

Click Here for more detailed information.

Grandinroad's Summer Outdoor Furniture Sale brings a whole new meaning to the word "green".

Grandinroad's Radius Modular Outdoor Seating is on sale now! $239-$358

Click Here to peruse the full selection of outdoor furnishings.

Vanillawood - a contemporary interior/exterior design firm and adjoining NW Portland boutique with a unique and refreshing twist of green!

Vanillawood is led by husband and wife, James and Kricken Yaker. As a small design/build firm, you can expect personal attention and a strong committed passion to creating unique spaces. They focus on using detailed organic and green building materials combined with contemporary finishes to create spaces that are perfect for entertaining and lounging together with family.

Having lived in Italy, New York and Los Angeles these designers strive to incorporate urban design with comfort, function and luxury. Organic contemporary is their signature blueprint – open-plan living spaces where rooms breathe life into one another, capturing as much natural light as they can find! Most importantly they strive to create spaces that are reflective of each individual client and how they live. This is what makes Vanillawood's designs personal and original.

Click Here to learn more about this design team.  Click Here to peruse Vanillawood's online store. 

DL & Company's Lady Rhubarb Candle's scent is so magnificent... it can still even the pickiest of gift recipient's beating heart!

FRAGRANCE:  red mandarin, sandalwood, grapefruit, perilla

 A sharp look at the freshest scents of Summer. Lady Rhubarb evokes sunny afternoons with its balanced and exciting combination of Blood Orange, Red Mandarin, Grapefruit, Sandalwood, and Perilla – also known as the rare Japanese shiso, which boosts the immune system. This energizing and exquisite perfume is a DL & Company classic. 40+ hours of burn time.

 Click Here to peruse the full line of strange and curious luxuries.

Refinishing, repurposing and reusing items one finds around the house, at garage/estate sales, thrift/salvage stores, flea markets and online can pay big dividends. Check-out these unusual finds!

 

A ornate coffee table turned upside down makes a adorable toddler bed

Aurora, Oregon ranks in the TOP TEN of Best Antiquing Towns in the US

Aurora has made the TOP TEN of Best Antiquing Towns in the US by two online sources, MSN.com (In with the Old) and the Travelchannel.com (America's Best Antique Shopping).  

Known as Oregon's Antique Capital, the entire downtown area is given over to welcoming visitors to the historic buildings filled with antiques and specialty shops.  There are approximately 25 shops plus eateries.  The popular Old Aurora Colony Museum consists of five colony buildings including two colony homes, completely furnished.  The museum has wonderful collections of distinctive colony furniture and excellent textiles including quilts. 

This quaint little town's wide variety of antiques and vintage pieces attract both serious collectors and the casual decorator. Head-out and see what they're all about!

Click Here for links to Aurora Colony's retailers.