Today’s home tour takes us to a tree-lined street in SE Portland, Oregon. “The homeowners had completed an extensive landscaping project prior to addressing the interior,” designer Donna DuFresne tells us. “At our initial meeting, the homeowner stressed the importance of blending the interior of the home to the newly landscaped exterior. We looked to materials, color, and textures to unite the two.” Tom, a Chief Executive at Providence Health and Services, his lovely wife Sarah, and their 13- year-old daughter, now reside in the home.
Demo was completed in February 2020, and structural changes were in progress right when Covid hit. Donna’s team, the General Contractor, and the homeowners all decided to push forward. “Using a very strict protection protocol we were able to complete this project 9 months later,” Donna shares. “In the early stages of design development, Sarah and Tom acknowledged they wanted a home that would be a perfect place for a staycation. In retrospect, that suggestion could not have been more relevant.”
Though the space leans a bit contemporary and has eclectic touches, nature was the strongest inspiration in the design–you’ll see plenty of zen-like elements along with an abundance of natural light. When you first step inside, you see a custom metal screen from a local artisan, which allows for visual separation of the entry and living room space. This offers much needed light into what was once a very dark entrance. Here, an antique table is paired with a mirror from Restoration Hardware, and an abstract painting by Sarah’s mother that is encased in a plexiglass box–a tricky material to find during the pandemic!
Moving through the rest of the home, the designer prioritized working with local artisans. Initial design meeting to move-in day was just under two years. “Since the clients were onsite almost every day while under construction, there was not a huge reaction to the reveal,” Donna says. “Instead, it was the texts and emails I received from them since they have settled in that has been the most rewarding. A recent message about how much their expectations were exceeded, and how they feel like they finally have their dream home, truly made this project one I am proud of.”
And of course, completing the entire renovation during Covid is no small feat. “In reflection, this also became a healing home throughout the construction phase to staging accessories. With the world upside down, this project brought unity and a sense of comfort to all involved.”