Notes from
the studio.
Design, hospitality, business, Portland, projects in progress, and the things we keep noticing.
Start reading ↘Useful thinking, honest project stories, and a view into the life around the work.
The questions clients ask us most, answered honestly — plus the project stories, studio news, and Portland observations that don't have another home on this site.
Six subjects we keep coming back to: Hospitality, Commercial, Residential, Studio News, Gallery, and Portland.
Before you sign a restaurant lease
Twelve questions smart operators ask to expose constraints, protect leverage, and avoid preventable delays in a Portland build-out.
Read the story →
From "just new furniture" to a complete transformation
How an honest early conversation changed the scope, orientation, flow, light, and life of a midcentury lake house.
Read the story →When clients go smaller, the work gets more complex
A practical framework for planning boutique commercial interiors around flow, feel, and friction.
HospitalityHospitality everywhere
Why welcoming design is not limited to hotels and restaurants, and why feeling matters long after the first impression.
WorkplaceWhy commercial office lobbies matter more than ever
How arrival spaces influence tenant perception, identity, connection, and leasing performance.
Studio lifeBringing a shared dream to life: our gallery space
The story behind turning part of the WDP building into a public-facing creative room for Portland.
PortlandFinding your place in Portland
A personal look at helping people create homes that feel grounded in the city and the life they came here to build.
Read what is useful.
Stay for what is personal.
Hospitality
Feeling, welcome, gathering, ritual, and what makes people want to stay.
Commercial
Leases, test fits, lobbies, restaurant planning, workplace, brands, and the realities behind opening.
Residential
Remodels, daily life, decision making, furniture, materials, and the stories behind complete homes.
Studio News
Projects, people, events, collaborations, and what is happening inside WDP.
Gallery
Artists, exhibitions, interviews, and the ideas that enter the studio through the work on the walls.
Portland
The city, its creative community, its buildings, and why place matters to the way we design.
A few thoughtful emails each year. Choose studio news, Gallery WDP updates, or both.
Bringing a Shared Dream to Life: Our Gallery Space in Portland
When Travis and I purchased our design studio building, we discovered something extraordinary—a gallery space waiting to be brought to life.
India Lovejoy and Sidony O’Neal preparing for a show by Lisa Jarrett at WDP’s Gallery
When Travis and I purchased our design studio building, we discovered something extraordinary—a gallery space waiting to be brought to life. For both of us, this was more than just an additional room; it was the fulfillment of a long-held shared dream to create a space that could truly connect and inspire our creative community. In 2024, we dove headfirst into exploring the gallery's potential, hosting a series of exciting events that activated the space and forged wonderful connections with artists, creators, and our local community.
One of the most meaningful collaborations this year was with India Lovejoy and her groundbreaking Tinted Connections art series. This powerful project explored themes of identity, representation, and community through a remarkable lineup of artists. We were honored to provide a platform for artists Lisa Jarrett, Christine Miller, VoVo, Judy Cooke, and Rob Lewis, each bringing unique perspectives and profound storytelling to our space.
Our programming wasn't just about displaying art—it was about creating meaningful connections. We celebrated our daughter's first art show, welcomed a pop-up by Jon Marquis (@marquisdemod), hosted weekend pop-up events with Witte Flower Farm selling their beautiful bouquets, and even showcased a fashion pop-up with Alyson Eastman.
As business partners and creative collaborators, Travis and I found that each event reinforced our belief in the power of creative spaces to bring people together and expand community dialogue. The gallery became a living, breathing testament to Portland's rich artistic landscape.
Looking ahead to 2025, we're excited to continue this journey with six planned art exhibitions, intimate wine tastings, and creative pop-ups that will further explore the potential of this space.
To those who share a passion for art and community, we invite you to join us! Sometimes, dreams are found in unexpected spaces—and sometimes, they're best realized together.
