New to Portland or thinking about moving here? Or how about planning a visit to the ‘weird’ Pacific NW city? There’s a lot to know about this town that has seen some pretty wild and wacky times throughout the generations. From an outsider’s perspective — if you believe everything you read in the news — Portland can be a somewhat confusing place. Some may even find it a little scary, especially if you’re not into peace rallies or pup-tents.
But in my perspective, as someone who has spent the past thirty years living, working, raising a family, and starting a business here, there’s a much deeper current of artistic and altruistic influence at work that makes Portland a unique and certainly never boring metro area. So if you’re interested in what makes the City of Roses tick, especially from a creative curiosity standpoint, let me share some fun facts that may help your glasses turn a little more…pink, at least from a designer’s point of view.
Design in Portland: A Multifaceted Perspective
Portland is often viewed as a dichotomy. When people think of Portland, they conjure up images of hippies vs. handguns or tents vs. Teslas. Though there is certainly a social (and emotional!) disconnect between the two sides of our city, the juxtaposition of these groups allows for a culture of freedom of expression to thrive.
It isn’t limited to just spoken words or word art (aka graffiti); this cultural amalgamation results in a creative mecca where all forms of art and design thrive. Award-winning artisan foods and beverages explode the tastebuds, extraordinary musical talents tantalize the ears, and incredible works of 2D/3D, performing, textile or fashion arts all make beauty out of the strife and struggle. To a designer or other creative spirit, inspiration abounds in and around Portland. It’s everywhere, once a person chooses to truly look and see beyond the surface.
Beyond Ideas: How Portland, OR Shapes Interior Design Everywhere
Rose City is also home to some of the region’s — and nation’s — most brilliant building product manufacturers. Here, you can find colorful artisan-made tiles from the likes of Pratt & Larson or Ann Sacks or heirloom quality vintage-inspired light fixtures and home goods from Rejuvenation or Schoolhouse Electric. Each of these Portland-based companies produce their uniquely distinctive items by embracing circularity, sustainability, and responsible sourcing. Last but definitely not least, they fiercely protect the well-being of factory workers. These four tenets are hallmarks of Portland’s putting the people and the planet prior to profits.
Where Portland Gets Inspired
If the food, fashion, music and art scene aren’t satiating or inspiring enough for those of us inclined to design, create, and make, one can’t possibly ignore the pull of nature. After all, it’s what the Pacific Northwest is known for.
From cascading waterfalls, snow-covered mountains, rocky oceanside cliffs, high-desert lava beds and everything in between, when it comes to mother earth, there is no shortage of fodder for the imagination. Minutes away, one can ‘bathe’ in nature amongst the tall trees and winding trails within Forest Park, which happens to be the setting for the Wildwood Chronicles, a highly-recommended adventure book series written by none other than a Portland-based musician Colin Meloy of the band The Decemberists.
In just about an hour’s drive, practically in any direction out of the city (if traffic permits!), you can get away from the concrete and crowds and float a river, hike a trail, hit a hot spring, or ski a slope. You name it, there’s not many outdoor recreation activities that don’t exist nearby.
Are You Inspired By Portland, OR Design?
So, whether you’re the city type who craves creature comforts in order to design their next masterpiece, or the nature sort who needs fresh air, peace and quiet to pique your creative senses — it’s all here, enveloped in the wonderful, wild, and weird Portland, Oregon.
In a word, Portland’s unique brand of creativity is empowering. This city makes the weird and wacky acceptable, and gives you permission to explore every bold, unconventional design idea you have. Learn more about taking a fresh — and sometimes wacky — perspective on interior design by getting in touch with A+E Design Lab.
