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Explore 12 of Our Favorite Homes in PortlandView 13 Photos

Explore 12 of Our Favorite Homes in Portland

Known for its natural beauty and rich culture, Portland has become a proud hub of architectural excellence.
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Here, we've collected some of our favorite homes in the City of Roses.

1. Brian White's 1960s Ranch 

After searching in vain for an empty lot to build on, architect Brian White settled for a nondescript 1960s ranch that nobody else wanted—and proved that building from the ground up doesn’t always start on the ground.

After searching in vain for an empty lot to build on, architect Brian White settled for a nondescript 1960s ranch that nobody else wanted—and proved that building from the ground up doesn’t always start on the ground.

Even before construction was complete, the Stump House was turning heads. When its green-minded future owners learned of its shining environmental résumé, they knew they’d found a place to call home. The Boglis love the self-reliance afforded by generating thermal energy and growing a garden on their roof.

Even before construction was complete, the Stump House was turning heads. When its green-minded future owners learned of its shining environmental résumé, they knew they’d found a place to call home. The Boglis love the self-reliance afforded by generating thermal energy and growing a garden on their roof.

A pair of windows shed a bit of light in the bedroom, which boasts a lofted bed and workspace with a sink and closet beneath. The sink is by Lacava and the tap is from Fluid Faucet's Wisdom line.

A pair of windows shed a bit of light in the bedroom, which boasts a lofted bed and workspace with a sink and closet beneath. The sink is by Lacava and the tap is from Fluid Faucet's Wisdom line.

Uninspired by the loft options in downtown Portland, Oregon, the Andréns opted to design and build their own freestanding version in the hills just minutes from the city.

Uninspired by the loft options in downtown Portland, Oregon, the Andréns opted to design and build their own freestanding version in the hills just minutes from the city.

One of Portland's up-and-coming neighborhoods can thank a modern reinterpretation of a previously decrepit building for inspiring a wave of a rather chic downtown development. Referencing the First Presbyterian Church’s slate roof, 12 + Alder makes nice to its divine neighbor.

One of Portland's up-and-coming neighborhoods can thank a modern reinterpretation of a previously decrepit building for inspiring a wave of a rather chic downtown development. Referencing the First Presbyterian Church’s slate roof, 12 + Alder makes nice to its divine neighbor.

A renovated warehouse fuses engineering and artistry, much like its owners. Hutchins and Montague furnished their living area with Theatre sofas by Ted Boerner for Design Within Reach and Womb chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. The Kubo coffee table is by Mobital, and the Strind side table is from Ikea. Torrent, an ink-on-watercolor-paper installation by Hutchins, hangs on the far wall.

A renovated warehouse fuses engineering and artistry, much like its owners. Hutchins and Montague furnished their living area with Theatre sofas by Ted Boerner for Design Within Reach and Womb chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. The Kubo coffee table is by Mobital, and the Strind side table is from Ikea. Torrent, an ink-on-watercolor-paper installation by Hutchins, hangs on the far wall.

Architect Ben Waechter wrapped the upper floor of Nick Oakley’s house in inexpensive black corrugated steel. By rounding the corners, Waechter avoided unsightly trim at the edges.

Architect Ben Waechter wrapped the upper floor of Nick Oakley’s house in inexpensive black corrugated steel. By rounding the corners, Waechter avoided unsightly trim at the edges.

The architect John Yeon designed the Aubrey Watzek House for a lumber magnate in 1937, and it's celebrated as one of the earliest examples of modernism in the Pacific Northwest. Using Douglas and Noble fir trees as his primary materials, Yeon created a retreat that sits peacefully among its woodsy surroundings. 

The architect John Yeon designed the Aubrey Watzek House for a lumber magnate in 1937, and it's celebrated as one of the earliest examples of modernism in the Pacific Northwest. Using Douglas and Noble fir trees as his primary materials, Yeon created a retreat that sits peacefully among its woodsy surroundings. 

Fusion Landscape Design worked with PATH to remake this backyard into a grown-up playground. Under the stairwell sits a tiny custom cedar sauna and an outdoor shower—just a literal hop, skip, and jump away from the sprawling in-ground, eight-by-ten-foot hot tub. Down three short stairs, Gloster’s Elan dining table from Design Within Reach is surrounded by Spark chairs by Don Chadwick for Knoll and a built-in fire pit and DCS grill by Fisher & Paykel—all resting on a smooth surface of bluestone pavers.

Fusion Landscape Design worked with PATH to remake this backyard into a grown-up playground. Under the stairwell sits a tiny custom cedar sauna and an outdoor shower—just a literal hop, skip, and jump away from the sprawling in-ground, eight-by-ten-foot hot tub. Down three short stairs, Gloster’s Elan dining table from Design Within Reach is surrounded by Spark chairs by Don Chadwick for Knoll and a built-in fire pit and DCS grill by Fisher & Paykel—all resting on a smooth surface of bluestone pavers.

Scott Pitek designed this gabled structure for Betty Rahman on a 5,000-square-foot lot.

Scott Pitek designed this gabled structure for Betty Rahman on a 5,000-square-foot lot.

Reminiscent of California Eichlers and a perfect example of low-key mid-century modernism set in southwest Portland, this house takes its name from a local developer, Robert Rummer, who built more than 750 such homes throughout the area and more than 60 in the owner's immediate neighborhood.

Reminiscent of California Eichlers and a perfect example of low-key mid-century modernism set in southwest Portland, this house takes its name from a local developer, Robert Rummer, who built more than 750 such homes throughout the area and more than 60 in the owner's immediate neighborhood.

When creative director Ben Watson and his partner, painter Claudio Tschopp, relocated from Basel, Switzerland, to Portland, they had been told about Portland’s Pearl District—a popular former industrial enclave now brimming with galleries, restaurants, and residential lofts.

When creative director Ben Watson and his partner, painter Claudio Tschopp, relocated from Basel, Switzerland, to Portland, they had been told about Portland’s Pearl District—a popular former industrial enclave now brimming with galleries, restaurants, and residential lofts.

Byron Loker
Landscaper @ The Garden Route Company, San Francisco | Blogger @ Dwell | Author of a short story collection | Surfer | Traveler | Woodworker | Failed Poet

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