Local Style: Portland Patios, Decks and Balconies

Patios are a style statement. To put it in the terms of the Facebook generation: your patio is the profile picture of your home. When people search for your home, what image pops up first? How are you portraying your style personality? Each decoration (or lack of decoration) on your patio or balcony provides a glimpse to passersby of your unique style… yes, even that beat-up porch couch says something about what matters most to you.

The non-conformist in me has tried to escape that fact numerous times, only to find that even my listless attempts to defy the status quo with my patio décor said something about who I am and what matters to me. I’ve since given up my defiance and adorned my patio with locally-sourced items that bring a smile to my face and look great on my patio—an iron bistro table that holds my coffee cup and hookah pipe, and a vintage bird cage to house my struggling herb garden.

Outdoor spaces are the perfect place to add a dash of local style, while creating a space you can enjoy this summer. Update your patio profile with a few of these locally made items to create an outdoor space that is perfectly Portland.
 

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

When artist and designer Lisa Jones started Pigeon Toe Ceramics in 2009, she unearthed a beautiful niche in Portland. Lisa and her talented team craft each vessel sold at their Buckman store by hand, which is why there’s at least a two-week wait to get one of these rustic chic items. Her designs are classic and pure, perfectly balancing clean lines with a homemade, naturally imperfect touch. A few of our favorite designs are:

Photo courtesy of Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Scribble Hanging Planter

This natural porcelain bowl stands five inches high and spans six inches in width. The exterior features an intricate yet delicate wavy texture above a classically smooth finish. The bowl's interior is finished with a bone colored glaze. The bowl is suspended in the air by three 12 inch strands of deerskin leather, and, with over five choices of strand colors or natural three-ply jute twine to choose from, the Scribble Hanging Planter ($52) will fit right into whatever existing color scheme you have on your patio or balcony.

Photo courtesy of Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Disc Chimes

Each disk that lines this natural porcelain wind chime ($28-$46) is hand thrown and placed along the deerskin lace cord in either a set of four or a set of eight discs. One of the best things about this set of chimes is that it’s not as sensitive as traditional wind chimes, so instead of ringing all day long, you’ll get a nice gentle chime when the wind blows hard enough to blow the porcelain together. You get your choice of five colored cords or a three-ply natural jute twine to customize your chime.

Photo courtesy of Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Apartment Feeder

This classic bird feeder ($28) is stylish and practical. With its simple form and hand-sculpted perch, you won’t see any birds getting confused on how to get the food out of this feeder. The 12 inch long rope, made from strands of braided suede, suspends the feeder from any location and is sturdy enough to keep the birdseed off your patio floor and in the well-supported disk even in Portland's windiest conditions. The braided suede rope comes in two different colors and the inside of the disk is glazed in a bone-colored coating.
 

Dig Garden Shop

Thomas Adkisson started Dig Garden Shop back in 1999 when the Pearl District was just beginning its rebirth. Adkisson decided to use the knowledge he gained from working in the “field” of landscape architecture and merge it with his passion for urban design and supporting local artists by opening Dig. The shop is stocked with everything from custom containers and contemporary planters to stylish furniture and local garden art, and is literally a warehouse full of fantastic finds. When shopping for your patio makeover, or even just something to add a new flavor to your balcony, Dig is a must see. Our favorite products in Adkisson’s store? Local art. Here are a few of our favorite items from the store:

Photos courtesy of Jill Torberson

Local Art by Jill Torberson

Literally a “Jill” of all trades, Woodstock neighbor Jill Torberson has her hand in ceramics, printmaking and mixed media. But our favorite are her metal garden sculptures. Among her items sold at Dig, her work ranges from the abstract (like her Two Birds, One Stone garden sculpture) to the practical (like her reclaimed metal stair railing). Not only is her work locally made, but it’s often made from recycled materials found in Portland. Dig houses some of her most eclectic work, so you can pick the style that works best with your décor, from Asian to contemporary.

Photos courtesy of Scott Bord

Furniture by Scott Bord

When it comes to outdoor seating, Piedmont neighbor Scott Bord is your man. With creations ranging from benches to bistro tables to wall art, Bord’s style is clean and modern. Like much of the city of Portland itself, Bord’s design style perfectly merges nature with industrial elements, as seen in his sustainable hardwood bench constructed of stainless steel and wood slats. Any of his items sold at Dig will look great nestled between some perennials or even on a high-rise patio.

Photo © 2010 Neighborhood Notes

Customized Containers

Adkisson not only stocks, runs and maintains his shop in the Pearl district, but he also creates his own plant containers on wheels that add the perfect modern touch to any outdoor space. Made from galvanized metal and then powder coated for protection against the elements, these planters can be customized to any size up to eight-foot round diameter. Adkisson has made these containers in many different shapes, ranging from half circles to the classic box shape. Since they are on wheels, they are perfect for rooftop gardens as you can move them depending on your need for the space. Each container can be ordered through Dig and customized to your specifications.