Posts tagged ‘things we love’

Designer Holiday Gift Guide: Part 4

For Part 4 of our Holiday Gift Guide, Junior Designer Bianca McKelvy shares her favorites local goods…

Not sure where to start? This is a great way to find local businesses, listed by neighborhood.

My nephew loves this sling shot that I got him for Christmas last year (his sister not so much). Boys Fort has some fun, unique things.

Cloud 9 Comics has an amazing selection of comic books. My younger brother was in heaven when he visited, and they have their entire selection listed online.

Löyly Spa has two convenient locations – one in NE and one in SE. I like to go just for the sauna visit which you can buy a sauna visit package for. They also offer a variety of massage and skincare services, as well as gift certificates.

Bull In China has nice local made barware for the mixologists in your life and it’s all made in the USA.

Adored Vintage has beautifully curated vintage clothing and jewelry.

Paxton Gate has lots of cool little oddities and pretty minerals.

Next up in Part 5, Designer Jeffrey Kelly and Senior Designer Kristyn Bester share their holiday must-haves.

Missed the first part of our guide? See them here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

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Designer Holiday Gift Guide: Part 3

In Part 3, Design Department Manager Marty Hegg and Junior Designer Tara Keefner share their favorites and must-haves for this holiday season.

Marty’s Picks

These Pendleton gloves are festive and long, to keep forearms warm!

For those who have a hard time with the winter darkness, this cheery and therapeutic light box is great!

And maybe a stash of full spectrum bulbs for all of our lamps from our favorite, local light bulb lady, Kay Newell of Sunlan.

For the Star Wars fan with an eye for design, a more refined nod toward the galaxy with this gorgeous wool rug.

Look at this practical and pretty gift: an extension cord with USB ports! The Exto USB by Conway Electric, made in the USA.

And for the person who does not need or want more things, Kiva provides gifts via loan, domestically and around the world.

Tara’s Picks

I’m recently obsessed with Porch Light on NW 11^th & Everett, thanks to Bianca. Specifically, their alpaca shawls and throws.

Not local, but I’m really jonseing for a Kindle Paperwhite. I’ve resisted for a long time and still prefer real books, but I’m so out of the habit of reading I’d like to remove my last excuse. Plus the Kindle has WiFi, so if I’m connected I can get a new book almost instantly which is cool!

A trip to the Garage Sale Warehouse in Beaverton. Basically a huge indoor flea market, with new goodies all the time. They have two locations now, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.

Missed our last posts? See what the team recommends in Part 1 and Part 2!

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Designer Holiday Gift Guide: Part 2

For part two of our Holiday Gift Guide, Senior Designer Chelly Wentworth shares her favorite items and places to find something special for someone special.

Danner Boots

I’m inspired by the Movie ‘Wild’, and this boot is made in America! With three stores in Portland, this should be an easy one to knock off the list.

Appetite Ann Shoulder Bag

This beautiful tote is hand-made in Portland with local Pendleton wool that is so pretty and practical.

Pigeon Toe Ceramic Bowls

These bowls are made just down the street from Arciform! Another pretty and practical gift, and the celedon interior just makes me happy.

Classes at Portland Nursery

It’s about time I became a better gardener! Portland Nursery offers a wide range of useful and informative classes.

Schoolhouse Electric Cotton Throw

I’m allergic to wool so this 100% cotton throw would be sooo cozy. And it’s pretty!

If you missed part one, take a look at suggestions from Junior Designer Anna Foltz and Senior Designer Anne De Wolf.

Part three of our Holiday Gift Guide will feature ideas from Junior Designer Tara Keefner and Design Department Manager Marty Hegg.

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Designer Holiday Gift Guide: Part 1

The holidays are here again which means it’s time to start thinking about the special people in your lives. The Arciform Design Team has put together lists of their personal favorites to help you get started and satisfy even the trickiest person.

For part one of our guide Junior Designer Anna Foltz and Senior Designer Anne De Wolf share some of their favorite places shop at and items to buy for the holiday season. Take a look and get inspired to brave the crowds to get the perfect gift for the loved ones on your list.

Anna’s Picks

John Fluevog

Canadian shoe designer, John Fluevog draws inspiration from Victorian fashion and Art Deco design. If these funky men’s and women’s shoes are not draw enough, the SW Stark St. store (really more of a shoe “museum”) is well designed and full of eye (and foot) candy. I have a really hard time going in here because I LITERALLY drool over every pair!

The Joinery

With a showroom/workshop on SE Woodstock Blvd., The Joinery uses classic woodworking techniques to create beautiful handcrafted furniture in modern and traditional designs. I find it inspiring that they take pains to honor the classic craft of traditional joinery to make a variety of pieces that are both sculptural and functional, while celebrating the inherent properties of the wood. The Joinery strives to use FSC certified and locally sourced wood and the manufacturing facility runs on solar power!

Iron Oxide Designs

Amy Fox is a local Portland artist who creates finely crafted handmade jewelry from reclaimed metals and quartz. I love the edginess of the metal patinas with the sparkle of quartz. Shop her unique, yet affordable Iron Oxide Designs online at Etsy or at Altar PDX on SE Hawthorne Blvd.

Andy and Bax

The outdoor enthusiast in your life will LOVE Andy and Bax, on SE Grand Ave. Andy and Bax is a magical wonderland of old-school military surplus, and the finest selection of high-quality camping and rafting gear that you’ve ever seen! You will not find rows of neon-colored high-tech fabrics in this store, but what I most enjoy is the air of WWII nostalgia and superb customer service that make this feel more like your Grandpa’s camp store.

Melissa Jean Made

This Portland artist uses hand-dyed, natural fibers to make beautiful, vintage-inspired macramé pieces. They are wonderful for hanging plants or just adding some decorative, organic texture to a room. Shop her website here.

Anne’s Picks

Filling Spaces

Located in NW Portland, this could be the one-stop shop for most of the people on your list! I especially like their poufs, they are the perfect boho-chic addition for your home.

Liebeskind Bags at Ink and Peat

Still a favorite, Ink and Peat offers a wide selection of home goods, jewelry and house plants. My current must-haves include Liebeskind bags, I love them!

That’s it for part one of our Holiday Gift Guide, stay tuned to see what the rest of our Design Team suggests!

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