Designer Tricia French explains how art has an unmatched ability to infuse a home with personality, personal style and culture, and is one of the most personal exchanges you’ll have with an object.
Read MoreDesigner Spotlight: NW Portland
This contemporary new construction home in Cedar Mills was looking for a complete transformation with upgrading their furniture. The focus was to bring in pieces that were warm and inviting, starting with the great room.
Sectional 2848 covered in a taupe fabric with deep navy undertones complimented their earth toned floors. The adjustable headrests on the sectional are perfect for support and relaxation. The sinuous forms of the dining chair and barstool collections bring movement through the dining room. The chairs have a high curved back, providing lumbar and back support.
New homes are a work in progress and will continue to have layers added on to complete the needs of their everyday lives. We will move on to other areas in the future.
Renee’s Designer Favorites
Each month one of our designers discusses their favorite pieces from the showroom and beyond. You probably didn’t expect to get self-care tips from a modern furniture store, but this month Renee’s favorites are all about taking a moment for yourself during this busy holiday season!
Read MoreDesigner Spotlight in The Pearl
Laura and Wade moved into a condo in the Pearl District and were ready for a change. As wine enthusiasts and cocktail maestros, they love to entertain and wanted their new home to be modern and reflect hospitality, warmth, and comfort.
The challenge of an open floor plan is defining living spaces. Laura and Wade wanted designated entry, living, and dining areas, and a nook in their bedroom for light office tasks. Our designers started with rugs to define the focus of each, and took color cues from Laura and Wade’s art collection. The textured shag rug in the living area shows comfort and the glass topped coffee table provides utility and a focal point without carrying a lot of visual weight.
For the dining area, they used a hide rug to anchor the table, and added chairs and a console to add storage and functionality. As a finishing touch, the designers added mirrors to open up the space and reflect the gorgeous Pearl city lights. The end result is a modern home with warm organic touches of walnut and comfortable, inviting areas to entertain.
Designer Favorites
Each month one of our designers shares their favorite pieces from the showroom and beyond. This month Julia’s got her eye on the bold, organic pattern of a coverlet + pillow and how they’re mimicked by a brass tabletop sculpture.
Read MoreWe're PDBA's Retail Business of the Year!
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Read MoreGetting Your Home Ready For Fall
The crisp feeling of fall is in the air. It’s that time of the year when we begin to adjust our wardrobe for the cooler weather ahead. Here are some tips for adding layers and textures to your home, too!
Read MoreFirst Thursday Pop-Up: Penrose Candles and artist Renee Staeck
Sip some wine with us this First Thursday, October 4, 6-9 pm and meet Penrose Candles and local artist Renee Staeck.
Read MoreFirst Thursday Artist Pop-Up featuring Renee Staeck
Stop in and meet local artist and illustrator Renee Staeck. We’re open late so you can explore the showroom and shop prints, organic modern furniture, and accessories!
Read MoreRenee on KGW News for Modernism Week
Renee had a great time at KGW news talking about how to modernize a home for Modernism Week.
Transforming With Multifunctional Furniture
Furniture doesn’t only have to look good and feel comfortable, but also serve a greater purpose of function. Many homes today face the challenge of small spaces. Here at EWF Modern we offer a unique range of “transforming furniture” to perfectly suit your furniture challenges and needs.
Read MoreHow To Measure Your Space
Often times when we are in the hunt to furnish our home, we fall in love with a piece before we know if it will fit in our space. Something to ask yourself when shopping is, “how much space do I have to work with?” To avoid any disappointments on delivery day, we have provided you with a checklist for your consideration.
Read MoreHoliday Festivities 2017
To celebrate our customers, community, and another great year, we celebrated with a holiday party at EWF Modern!
Read MoreWest Linn Modern Makeover
Almost a year in the making, this beautiful home belongs to one of our awesome customers. Slowly pieces were added to create layers and a well balanced design. Our interior designer had a fun time collaborating with the client and is currently working on a few more updates to her home.
Interior Design Spotlight
Erez and Renee, architect and designer at EWF Modern, recently finished a remodel in Vancouver, Washington. The clients contacted EWF Modern because they wanted their 80’s style 5000 square foot home to feel more contemporary and tasked Renee and Erez to create a living space reminiscent of a Pearl District Penthouse. The scope of the job included new outdoor furniture, new kitchen remodel with a dedicated seating area for bridge, a bedroom remodel, a new entry including a new door and stairwell, a new fireplace area and living room furniture, new dining room, new electrical with new chandeliers, sconces and can lighting, new paint schemes for every room and a new powder room. The goal of the project was to open the spaces to allow them to flow together and emphasize the river views while bringing back life to the living and dining rooms, which weren’t often used. In addition, the client wanted the furniture to be modern but comfortable, functional, and unique. Erez and Renee enjoyed redesigning the client’s home so that the space reflected their lifestyle, creating a living room conversation pit that flowed into the dining room and kitchen. Look forward to another EWF Modern post from us when we finish adding the final layers to this amazing project!
Townhouse in the Pearl Residential Project
Renee, EWF Modern owner and Designer, recently worked with a Pearl District couple to furnish their townhouse. The couple adjoined their two townhomes into one home to create an expanded living space and wanted to expand the master bedroom, a teenage junior suite, and a new kitchenette. The space needed to be casual and informal but also accommodating to hosting large parties. Renee worked with these clients in the past so it was fun to expand on their history adapting their previous purchased EWF Modern furniture to their new environment and larger space. Taking inspiration from the view of the park and bridges near by, they ultimately selected warm woods, steel, and leather interior furnishings.
Patio in the Pearl Residential Project
Oliver and Renee, both EWF Modern Interior Designers, recently worked with some clients in the Pearl District to furnish and design the patio outside their townhouse. As the couple entertain a lot, the goal was to create an outside space that was comfortable and conversational, but with maximum seating. In addition to meeting the form and functional needs of the client, Oliver and Renee also found a way to plan the space of the outdoor dining area that complemented the indoor environment, which was important as the two spaces flow together. The designers enjoyed coming up with a comprehensive design and finishing the project quickly. This provided the clients ample time to enjoy the end of our beautiful Portland summer!
How To Find Inspiration To Define Your Style
Defining the look and style of your space can be tricky. There are endless ways to find inspiration, whether it be from the architectural style of your home to the infinite number of colors found in nature. The function of a space can greatly impact its design as well, but for now we will be focusing on finding inspiration to define the aesthetic of a room. Here are a few ways to find inspiration by making your space absolutely lovable and livable! Let’s get the gears turning and center in on the living room.
CHOOSING A COLOR PALETTE
I love playing with color and how it affects the overall picture of the room. We are highly perceptive to colors and textures as we tend to gravitate towards attractive choices that reflect our personalities. Your home interior is an expressive reflection of your taste and own style whether it be eccentric and dramatic, tranquil and subdued, or sometimes a little bit of both.
Pops of playful colors can brighten the mood and evoke stimulating senses. Warmer tones of yellow, orange and red are invigorating colors while stimulating the eye. Energy flows through color and using it as an accent can be effective on a neutral palette and soft textures. Sofas and accent chairs in a bold color are great statements as they introduce color in a profound way. The luxurious Sofa 4896 shown here covered in a plush, rich velvet in a deep marigold acts as a great eye catcher in the room. This sofa is offered in leather or fabric in a multitude of fun colors and textures which are all available to view at our showroom.
Monochromatic tones and hues within the same color range produce a calming and balanced palette. I like using grays and browns together with a pop of white to add a dramatic contrast. Earthier colors such as taupe, white, black, green, and blue are natural and organic compositions while incorporating wood elements. Warm and soft colors are inviting as they are comfortable to the eye.
DEFINE YOUR FOCAL POINT
Start with the biggest and most functional piece of furniture to base your design off of - the sofa. It’s all about looks and comfort, the perfect marriage of great design. A great way to utilize a piece of furniture as the main focal point in a room is highlighting its function. Fall in love with your furniture, let it shine. Your furniture tells a story which speaks volumes of your own creative style.
The stunning Theater Sofa 2804 is a perfect example of form and function. With a wide selection of beautiful leathers, this sofa brings great versatility in comfort as the adjustable back cushions offer you two seat depths at an upright and stretched out position. What better way to enjoy watching your favorite Netflix show than on a convertible lounger sofa where you can sit back and relax!
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER
A cohesive, well balanced room is all brought together with a beautiful rug. Rugs have an overwhelming possibility of choices as they come in a variety of textures, patterns, and fibers. Think of it as “art on the floor” and what great expression a rug can introduce. Try selecting a look that draws colors from other pieces in the room or elevate the textures surrounding the rug by bringing contrast. On hardwood floors, a rug instantly breaks up the wood look and helps soften the living area. Using a rug grounds all the pieces within the room and adds dimension.
The main thing to keep in mind when formulating your ideas of inspiration is to have fun. The living area of your home should emphasize your own personal taste. Take your time when making decisions and remember that all the perfect pieces will come together if you have a firm sense of direction and inspiration.
Whether you’re defining your style for the first time and need a little direction or want to try a new look and need a spark of creativity, I am happy to assist with getting the gears turning. I’d like to discuss design with you! Stop by the showroom and we can work together on your next project.
