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Expressionism - Fall Winter 2026 2027 Design Trends:
The Renaissance of Real The truth in all its forms: As we reclaim authenticity in how we live, dress, and design, there's room for not only quiet minimalism and grounded tradition, but also for emotion, play, and unapologetic self-expression. This is where Expressionism enters the conversation. If Preserve honors heritage and Bare finds meaning in simplicity, Expressionism celebrates the human impulse to experiment, layer, and personalize. It reflects a world where indi
Dec 19, 20257 min read


Bare - Fall Winter 2026 2027 Design Trends:
The Renaissance of Real The quiet revolution in design. Technology continues its relentless climb, but the most meaningful design movement right now isn’t loud. It’s quiet. Intentional. Whisper-soft. This is the new face of minimalism — not cold or rigid, but warm, human, and deeply felt. Bare invites us to rethink what simplicity can be, showing that restraint can be emotional, expressive, and profoundly grounding. BARE Where simplicity becomes a form of care. Bare arrives
Dec 13, 20256 min read


Preserve - Fall Winter 2026 2027 Design Trends:
The Renaissance of Real Reawakening: Today’s technology is transforming the world at a breakneck pace — yet with that acceleration comes a quiet, growing ache for what’s tangible. For what we can touch, feel, and trust. In response, a countercurrent is rising: one that brings the hand of the maker back into focus, where materials speak through texture, and where imperfections read as proof of humanity, not flaws. It’s a recalibration of values — a shift toward analog pleasure
Dec 7, 20255 min read


The Renaissance of Real - Fall Winter 2026 2027 Design Trends:
In an age where technology moves faster than we do, something unexpected is happening: people are reaching back for what’s real. As the digital world accelerates, our hunger for touch, texture, craft, and cultural memory is rising just as quickly. We’re living through a quiet renaissance—a return to the handmade, the heritage-rich, the deeply tactile. The Fall/Winter 26/27 season is all about authentic expression, heartfelt connection, and design with soul. Every cycle, we s
Nov 29, 20252 min read


The House of Rose - Custom Tailoring in Lake Oswego
Tony came from Nigeria, where his mother first placed a needle in his hand. She taught him how to sew, how to see fabric as something sacred. Every morning, she’d dress him in tailored suits before sending him off to school — much to his teenage dismay. Years later, Tony became an engineer. But when his mother passed, the world fell quiet. In that silence, he felt the pull of the thread again — the urge to create, to return to what she’d given him. Sewing became his way of ke
Oct 27, 20252 min read


Toeheads - Yearly Cleaning Guide
Cleaning Tips: Once a year, your home deserves a deep, joyful refresh. Think of it as a ritual—a chance to clear away what no longer serves and invite harmony back in. 🏡💫 🧘 Mindset matters. A yearly clean isn’t just about dust or carpets—it’s about energy. Create a ritual: play music you love, light a candle, and see this as a reset for both your home and your spirit. 🌸 Goodbye crumbs, hello cozy! ✨ A yearly deep clean keeps your carpets fresh, soft, and ready for barefoo
Sep 5, 20252 min read


Toeheads - Seasonally Cleaning Guide
Cleaning Tips: Your home deserves a seasonal reset. Ready? Clean with intention, live with ease. Clear glass = clear perspective 🌞 Keep...
Sep 2, 20251 min read


Toeheads - Monthly Cleaning Guide
Cleaning Tips: Weekly resets are essential, but monthly deep care transforms your home into a true sanctuary. Here’s your 5-step monthly cleaning ritual to refresh, reset, and spark joy all over again Think of your monthly ritual as gratitude in action. By giving your space deeper care, you create room for clarity, creativity, and calm Our cabinets quietly hold our daily essentials. Taking time to clear and reorganize makes them lighter, fresher, and more intentional We touch
Aug 24, 20251 min read






How to be Chic On A Small Income
You don’t need a salary to have style—just a little sense and a lot of self-respect. A man can dress with his income and be chic, no matter how small that income may be. Most men don’t even know what patterns work for them—they buy clothes based on what other men are wearing, what’s trending. That even applies to some wealthy men. And when a man has a limited income, he’s often inclined to buy things his mom would put him in as if he was five. That’s a serious error. Good tas
Jul 11, 20254 min read


The Portlandia Style Guide: How to Dress Like You Belong (Without Selling Out)
Whether you’ve just landed in Portland or you’ve been riding your vintage Puma bike way before the food carts were replaced by a Ritz-Carlton, this guide is for you. Just like the Yuppies had their Brooks Brothers and briefcases, Portlandians have Patagonia and emotional support water bottles. Because let’s be real—no one in Portland actually cares about who’s wearing the latest designer clothes. It’s a city where people express themselves freely, without the need for validat
Jul 1, 20252 min read


Finding Your Path as an Immigrant in Small-Town America (A Multi-Post Series)
As a baby, as a child, you’re not making big life decisions. You follow your parents. They’re the ones choosing where to go, what to do—and you go along, trusting their choices, even if you don’t fully understand them. As a parent, you want the best for your children. Sometimes that means leaving behind everything you know, crossing oceans, and starting over in a country that promises dreams can come true. My family moved to Oregon from the Philippines in the ’90s. It was my
Jun 21, 20252 min read


Why I Wear Wool in the Summer - and Why You'll Love it Too
I know what you're thinking. Wool? In summer? Have I lost my mind? For years, I saved wool for the depths of winter, convinced it would be unbearable in the heat. But after discovering the incredible properties of modern wool fabrics, I've completely changed my mind. Now, wool has become my secret weapon for staying comfortable during the hottest months of the year. Here's why I'm never going back to synthetic summer clothes - and why you should consider making the switch too
Jun 11, 20254 min read


Experiential Retail: Discovering Chess Club and Maps
Galleria SW 10th Ave seen from my MAX commute A Fresh Start for Retail I entered Chess Club, a magazine shop that just opened on Glisan...
Apr 28, 20253 min read


The Heartmaker’s Journey — From Spark to Stitch
Photo by Lindsay Turner I. The Tale of the Heartmaker’s Quest In the dim glow of his sanctuary, our hero — the young artisan and entrepreneur — sat among soft cushions, the flicker of a screen dancing across his face. The tale unfolding before him was not one of dragons or treasure, but of a heroine whose chamber was adorned with curious artifacts: plump, heart-shaped pillows , their fabric gleaming in the gentle light. A spark. A whisper from the ether. The artisan’s mind fl
Feb 27, 20254 min read


Filipino Recipe: Buko Hand Pies to Sweeten the Season 🎄🥥
Buko Hand Pies Makes 10 pies Transport yourself to the tropics with these flaky, buttery Buko Hand Pies filled with creamy young coconut...
Nov 29, 20242 min read


A New Culinary Landmark: The James Beard Public Market Comes to Portland
Portland is finally getting its own kitchen—right next to its living room at Pioneer Courthouse Square. As a chef and designer, I know...
Oct 29, 20242 min read


Celebrating my 30th Birthday With 30 Reasons to Choose Sustainable
As I write this, I have experienced 31 summers (I turned 30 in May), I am approaching my 31st autumn, and my 31st Christmas. Over the...
Sep 6, 202414 min read


Reflecting on My First College Design Project: Lessons and Growth
The enduring popularity of Japanese-inspired design in modern homes can be attributed to its ability to create a harmonious living space that promotes relaxation, contemplation, and a sense of well-being. Whether it's through the use of traditional elements or a contemporary reinterpretation of Japanese aesthetics, this design style continues to captivate homeowners looking to infuse their living spaces with a touch of timeless elegance and tranquility. As previously stated i
Aug 30, 20247 min read
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