Cool Local Find: Namuh Design

We met Eric, Joe and Scott, designers at Namuh, at the recent Serving Up Style event and it turns out they are our neighbors!

Namuh is a lighting company with a distinct product line of chandeliers, pendants, portable luminaries and other alternative lighting. They also specialize in custom light fixtures and light branding. We stopped in to see some of their creative work; two of our favorites are “The Medusa Chandelier"and "The Classy Chandelier."

Along with producing quality and original work, Namuh strives to stay sustainably minded and support local. They design products that have minimal impact on the planet, and leave a long impression. We think Namuh is a great new company and look forward to working with them on future projects.

To learn more about Namuh, visit: www.namuhdesign.com

Cool Local Find: Kurt Van Vlack

Kurt Van Vlack is a local Portland artist who makes these incredible Raku pots that we just have to share with you. Raku is a Japanese technique that differs from traditional Western pottery in a few ways. Western pottery remains in the kiln during the warm up and cool down process, which can take up to 24 hours. Raku pottery is put in a kiln that is already heated and is taken out before it cools. The pottery is immediately put in a container with combustible material, like sawdust or leaves, and left to smoke. The smoke creates a metallic and cracked glaze, which gives Raku pottery its distinctive look.

Like what you see? Visit www.caplanartdesigns.com for more of Kurt's work.

Superstar Vendor: Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson is our freelance art installer. His superpowers include hanging expensive artwork without breaking a sweat. Here, Mark is installing a Kush tapestry for one of our residential clients. Bravo, Mark!

Super Star Vendor: Amy Caplan

Amy Caplan is the owner of Caplan Art Designs, and she represents local Portland artists. We love working with Amy because not only does she have exceptional taste in art, but she always goes the extra mile for our clients. She regularly brings art to our clients’ homes so they can get a feel for how the pieces will look before they decide to purchase.

Amy recently opened a gorgeous new showroom in the Pearl. Check it out at 1035 NW Lovejoy.

Visit Caplan Art Designs at: www.caplanartdesigns.com

Culture Club: Portland's Iron Chef

Portland’s Iron Chef event was a huge success this year, drawing 480 supporters to the Hilton Ballroom, including half of our staff. The event raised over $290,000 for the Children’s Relief Nursery, an organization that works to prevent child abuse and neglect in Portland.

SRM is proud to call the Children’s Relief Nursery a client, and we take every opportunity we can to support their cause. Our graphics department designed the print materials for the event, and it was great to see their work in action!

Learn more about the Children's Relief Nursery and Portland's Iron Chef at www.crn4kids.org

Behind the Scenes: Pratt & Larson Tour
Recently, our neighbors Pratt & Larson, one of the country’s leading tile manufacturers, hosted a walk-through their studio. On the tour, we got to see how they make their beautiful, handcrafted tile, which we have ordered for many of our clients over the years.

Pratt & Larsen opened in 1980. It now distributes its tile all over the U.S. and Canada and has over 100 employees.

Check Out Pratt & Larson's beautiful tiles at www.prattandlarson.com

Culture Club: Race For The Roses

Several of our staffers were among the 5,000 participants in this year’s Albertina Kerr Race for the Roses. SRM employees participated in all three events – the 5k, 10k, and even the half-marathon.

The annual race raises awareness for Albertina Kerr, an organization that works to create a community where all people with developmental disabilities can lead rich and fulfilling lives. Here, our team is photographed with our friend Jeanne Farr, Senior VP of Developmental Disabilities Services at Albertina Kerr. We met some incredible people at this event, and can’t wait to participate again next year!

Learn more about the race and the cause at www.albertinakerr.org and www.race4theroses.org

Superstar Vendor: Hexafoo

Hello Hexafoo! This great workroom is where we go to have fabrics of all sorts changed into pillows, duvet covers, and draperies to name a few. Corby and her team are incredibly talented and have created many a beautiful furnishing for our clients. Our most recent obsession is the knife-edged pillow. Consider our version a reinvention of the bolster.

Not quite as formal and traditional, this is a great way to create the same horizontal statement in a more casual and contemporary environment. Its clean shape and sharp stitching along with its impressive length make it something to drool over.

Hot and Local: Karen Friedman
Gorgeous! Absolutely stunning! That's the first thought that came to my mind when I saw this oil painting of a Peregrine Falcon by Karen Friedman. It looks so personal, like the falcon is trying to tell me something. Well, apparently, it is. This painting, which was commissioned for a client, is part of a series called "Animals in Controversy". This is a series of grouped paintings, each accompanied by a written narrative. The concept of controversy suggests not only endangerment but also issues of general welfare, human and animal interrelation, and questions of human and organizational responsibility.

For commissions, sales and more samples of her paintings, contact Caplan Art Designs: www.caplanartdesigns.com. For questions on "Animals in Controversy", contact Karen at karenfriedmanstudios
@comcast.net or visit www.karenfriedmanstudios.com.

Superstar Vendor: Kush Hand-knotted Carpets

Ahhh, Kush...we love Kush! This winsome rug shop is owned by two of our favorite rugmongers, Brian and Rebecca. Not only do we love them and their rugs, we love the service they provide for us and our clients!

Kush brings in rugs from all over the world representing all sorts of styles from modern to tribal to Tibetan to custom. To the right is a gorgeous rug called Hetch by Tamarian. We love how the golden silk creates a warm depth calling attention to the dining room!

Not only does Kush have rugs, they have many gorgeous textiles from all over the world. Check out these patchwork tapestries! They are from Rajastan-- the Northwestern part of India. Each piece is unique and hand-made from colorful sequined and embroidered remnants of saris and ceremonial garments-- the ultimate expression of recycling as art. Kush donates 50% of every sale of South Asian Patchwork Textiles to Progressive Women's Association in Pakistan. The PWA provides shelter, medical care, legal assistance and counseling to women victims of abuse in the region.