Super Star Vendor: Russ Ragsdale

The last question we asked our experts in our new years design poll was, “What design elements do you still freak for?” Many of the answers had timelessness attached to them: natural materials, form, scale, and artistry. That sparked the question, why are certain things timeless? 


The answer lies in the value of storytelling. Our favorite things hold memories and meaning, which gives them value. In an age where everything is fast, there has suddenly been a revival of of craftsmanship. Why? Because it is personal. Someone created something with his or her hands. While today’s tools are sophisticated, there is still no replacement for a skilled human. We have the pleasure of working with many craftsmen, but this week we would like to highlight one of our faves. 


Russ Ragsdale is a carpenter and the owner of Eden Homes and Design. We have worked with him for years because he has an incredible eye for detail and mad skills when it comes to wood. From custom cube tables to kitchen cabinets and built-ins, he has told our design story through a variety of beautifully crafted pieces. We are always impressed with his work, and we know that no matter what trend comes next, we’ll still be calling on him for years to come. Here are some of our favorite pieces he’s done, I am sure you’ll recognize some since they are peppered through many of our past articles and portfolio.

The 411 from 221: A peek into the future...

We’re not sure how, but February is already in full swing, which means spring is right around the corner. We’ve been hibernating for the last couple of months, but it’s time to start shaking off the cold and dark and make moves towards cleaning up and stepping out. With our newfound attitude, we are on the lookout for fresh trends and advancements in technology and innovation. These elements of surprise make our job exciting, as every project is a little different. We asked our design staff which trends they are ready to leave behind, what they hope to see spread, and what will never go out of style. From pillow pets to cactus terrariums, we got quite an array of feedback from our experts. Only time will tell if both the sun and these trends will make a stand.


MICHAEL: Principal, Architect

Q: Design trend you expect/like to see take off, especially after we send this out? 
High-contrast rugs with natural wood pieces and bright, colorful art

Q: Design elements you still freak for regardless of the year?
The big picture will never go out of style. Design is more than picking out cool pieces and putting them in a room. It’s about the integration of all the elements to create a space that is dynamic but balanced. In other words, the whole is worth much more  than the sum of its parts.

Solution of the Week: Grey, the Chameleon of Color

This may come as a surprise to you, but we believe that not every project requires a remodel (gasp!). In fact many spaces are perfectly functional, they just need a little extra support. Color, particularly on the walls is a great way to get new life into an old room. Here’s the problem: our tastes change, and every season there’s a new color that takes the spotlight. Obviously there’s no way you’ll be painting three to four times a year. Paint is considered a cheap, easy fix, but its still requires some real time and effort. If you enjoy the change of the seasons as much as we do, how about pick a paint color that can adapt. Neutrals often get a bad rap for being boring, but we aren’t suggesting cookie cutter beige or an uninspired taupe. Instead we love colors that with the proper lighting and furnishings make a dramatic statement. And our favorite is the chameleon himself, Grey. 

Greys are incredibly versatile. They can be cool or warm and have a huge array of undertones that really set off a room’s furniture, fabrics, and art. They make things pop. Don’t believe me? Look outside…all that lush foliage outside is actually more vibrant because of the subdued grey surrounding it. Now to be clear, there are tones of greys that are dreary, but gray is rarely only grey. It can be more brown, blue, or even pink depending on the mix, and therefore each one has a different personality. They are also very light sensitive. They transform throughout the day depending on the sun, and this is particularly noticeable as the seasons change.  Cooler winter light can make them feel rich and warm, while the brightness of summer makes them feel fresh and clean. In a city where grey is almost always in the forecast, this may seem like the opposite of good advice, but we’ve dug through our archives and these examples should help you embrace the grey.

Solution of the Week: Ipe Wood Deck

As we dive into the rainy season, here’s a small project that should brighten you up and remind you of the not yet forgotten splendors of summer. This home is a retreat, nestled in the heart of forest park and surrounded by lush foliage on all sides.

On our first visit, we realized that in addition to a problem of clunky detailing, the front of the house is the only spot that receives direct sun. Our clients wanted to alter their existing entry porch to better take advantage of that.

The first step was to trade the heavy wood trim for a lighter, more neutral palette that better complimented the house. We also got rid of the porch columns in favor of angled supports that opened up the space and allowed a much better view of the site. 

Another goal was to create an inviting entrance patio that features the gardens, and introduces rich, modern detail into the look of the house. We enlarged the porch’s footprint to include a direct connection with the street as well. The bridge enables the landscape to look and feel more intentional, and truly allowed its beauty to shine against the neutral backdrop of the house itself.

Finally, a contemporary look was accomplished through the use of rich colored Ipe wood on the deck and the horizontal wood detailing in contrast to exposed concrete landscape planters. The horizontality of the built improvements are in contrast with wildness of the plant life, but the warmth of the wood harmonizes the two elements, making them seem like the perfect pair.

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Regional Modern: Oregon Homes Respond to the Landscape

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Designer Word of the Day
Deliverable: Despite how awesome it sounds, it's definitely not a word. Since Merriam Webster has yet to add it, here’s our definition:

(n).  something either tangible or intangible intended for another party, usually a client or a contractor. Ex. “Hey Laura, we need to meet to discuss the deliverables for the Johnson’s bedroom remodel, there are a lot of orders that need to go out by end of day today. “

The Glamorous Life... of a Designer

Mix together 11 parts beautifully designed homes, one part hand-crafted hors d’oeuvres and sprinkle with a good cause, and you have a recipe for a great time in South Salem. The SRM interiors crew headed down to Salem to help with the Chef’s Tour, an annual benefit for the Assistance League of Salem. 

One of our residential projects, Creekside Residence, was featured on the tour. People poured to see behind the doors of eleven distinct homes and nibble on a variety of appetizers from nearby restaurants. We weathered the dreary day by keeping our feet moving and showing visitors around the house, which we designed from the ground up. We spent the day answering questions and occasionally refueling in the kitchen, where Crooked Street Bistro kept us warm and well-fed with their delicious treats. All in all, not a bad way to start the week!

 

For a detailed rundown on the day, check out this article from Salem's Statesman Journal. Click here for more photos of the gorgeous South Salem house. 

Designer Word of the Day 
Luminaire: The French word for light fixture. It sounds more graceful, more beautiful, more expensive…don’t be fooled, you have them in your house too.

The Glamorous Life... of a Designer 

Who doesn’t love birthdays? We certainly do, especially when we’re invited to the party. Designtex celebrated its big 5-0 a few weeks ago and it was a hoot! They set up huge tapestries at The Cleaners, an event space next to the Ace Hotel in downtown Portland. showcasing their fabrics and innovations throughout the years. They also had a wonderful spread of food and drinks and an A-List of local designers. The cherry on top was the guest appearance of one of the fabulous designers at Designtex, Kimberly Frost. She flew in from New York to talk about her New Mexican-inspired collection. We loved it, but not as much as we loved her!

Designer Word of the Day

CFA: Sounds like a top secret organization, doesn’t it? Actually, a Cutting For Approval is a little term we like to throw around when we are ordering fabric.

Here’s the rundown: we find a sample (aka memo) of a fabric we like. If the client likes it, we ask the fabric company for a “cfa” which is a piece of the fabric from the actual roll they will cut the order form. Since not all rolls are exactly the same color, we want to make sure the client is getting what they asked for. If we “approve” the cutting, they go ahead with the order. If not, they will send us cuttings from as many rolls are available in the hopes of a good match. Not so top secret after all!

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Stupid Paint Color Name of the Week

Solution of the Week: Teak Grill

For a spa in one of our newly constructed homes, we installed a 3-foot deep Japanese-style soaking tub that extends below the concrete slab. Because the tub is clad in marble, it’s impossible to have easy access to the motor for the tub’s jets. So, we developed a creative feature to access it; this teak grill is sleek-looking, great for a drip-dry, and is easy to pull up.

Stupid Paint Color Name of the Week

Neocan't: See and Be Seen

We had the privilege of attending the 3rd annual Neocan’t this past August. Neocan’t is an opportunity for local vendors, designers and architects to come together. At the event we were able to see our favorite vendors and view their newest products and designs. We are already looking forward to next year!

Meet Our Interiors Intern: Blaise Adkison

Blaise has been with us since September and has been a great addition to our interiors department. When she isn’t assisting Laura with projects, she is studying interior design at the Art Institute of Portland. Blaise has been interested in architecture and design ever since she was little. She says that her grandfather, who was an architect, was a big influence in pursing her career in interior design. After Blaise gradates in March she plans to land a job and continue following her passion in sustainable design practices.

Stupid Paint Color Name of the Week

Cool Local Find: Core-Ten Fire Place Wall

This fireplace was made out of Core-Ten that was cut and sourced from the Portland based, Versa-Tech and then installed by local contractor, Bob Nicholas. SRM introduced the rustic metal fireplace wall to play against the clean lines and modern furniture around this Hood River vacation home we recently designed.

Solution of the Week: Painted Case Goods to Make Your Art Pop

We showcased this colorful artwork by hanging it in the middle of the library’s bookcase. To further highlight the artwork we installed lighting in the shelves, then to make the lighting more dramatic, we painted the shelves bright white, except for the back which we painted black. The contrast really makes the artwork standout.

Stupid Paint Color Name of the Week