Date Archives: January 2023

If you're ready to start planning your projects for 2023, our brokers suggest exploring some of the new interior design trends that might be a good fit for your home. Here are some of the top 2023 design trends. 

• Wallpaper with Bold Colors and Patterns
  While wallpaper has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, this trend is expected to become even more popular in 2023. Adding wallpaper to a wall, nook, or built-in is an easy way to incorporate color and fun prints into your home's decor. 

• Intricate Surfaces
  Countertops with ornate patterns are a top selection as more homeowners add statement pieces to their kitchens. These intricate patterns are popular across a variety of kitchen counter materials, including marble and granite. Some of these designs also incorporate dramatic colors for a bolder look.

• Light-Colored Kitchen Cabinets
  As homeowners opt for darker-colored countertops, they'll lean towards light-colored cabinets to create an aesthetically pleasing contrast and brighten up their kitchens. White cabinets and cabinets with light staining will both be popular selections. 

• Nature-Inspired Elements
  Tones, shapes, and textures inspired by nature are expected to appear in more homes. Furniture, wall trim, and other decorative elements will feature soft, rounded curves intended to replicate the shapes found in nature. Expect decorative pieces, like bowls and vases, to use different textures that lend visual complexity to a space. Soft browns, mossy greens, and tranquil blues will be popular hues for wall paint and artwork. 

• Sleek Appliances
  As homeowners design kitchens that showcase their style using bold elements, they want their appliances to complement the space rather than attract attention. Appliances that are sleek, efficient, and offer a terrific cooking experience will be top options. 

• Decorative Elements with Stripes
  Wallpaper, window coverings, rugs, and painted designs will embrace striped patterns to create a dramatic, attention-grabbing look. Striped pieces use visual contrast to attract attention to the space. 

• Gold Hardware and Fixtures
  Fixtures and hardware with gold finishes are sophisticated options that go well with a variety of home decor styles. Depending on the hue, gold can add a contemporary feel to the room, or it can be used to complement a more traditional space. 

• Hobby Spaces
  Homeowners want areas where they can have fun. Whether they like to listen to records, sew, knit, paint, write, exercise, or read, they want dedicated spaces where they can relax. You don't need an entire room to create a hobby space. Extra closets and corner nooks are both excellent alternatives for homes where adding a dedicated hobby space feels tricky. 

• Coffee Stations Outside of the Kitchen
  A more luxurious trend that's surging in popularity is setting up a coffee station somewhere in a home other than the kitchen. Perhaps the main bedroom has an area to set up a brewing station (and eliminate the morning trek to the kitchen for an invigorating cup of coffee). Or, maybe the home office would benefit from a coffee station so that you can quickly grab a cup while you're working. 

• Curated Items
  Homeowners are forgoing minimalist decor trends and focusing on adding items and styles to their homes that they love. This includes collections and artwork, along with prints and patterns. 

• Inviting Laundry Spaces
  As more homeowners realize the value of an attractively decorated laundry room, more homes will have laundry rooms that are inviting and stylishly decorated. Laundry rooms will feature sleek organizational systems along with wall pieces and floral arrangements that add character to the space. 

As we head into 2023, there are a host of home trends to inspire and motivate homeowners to create and design rooms that are inviting, stylish, and functional. Ready to purchase a property with more space? Contact us to get started.

The Pacific Northwest is the hub for the gourmet coffee craze. Where better than Portland to observe National Coffee Break Day on Friday, January 20? Celebrate with a beverage from one of these top coffee shops near Portland homes for sale.

• Case Study Coffee Roasters - 5347 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97213
  The brew at Case Study Coffee Roasters will bring you in, while the cozy interior will entice you to stay. Comfortable chairs, clean lines, and plenty of lighting create an ambiance that's perfect for working on your laptop or reading a good book. Punch up your beverage with one of the homemade syrups. Hazelnut is a particular favorite among customers. Follow them on Facebook for information about art exhibits and live music. Case Study is open daily from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  
  
• Roseline Coffee - 1015 SE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97214
  The name Roseline Coffee holds a two-fold meaning. In addition to referencing Portland's status as Rose City, the name pays tribute to the foam "rosetta" that's characteristic of barista art. With notes such as white peach, lilac, red apple, and kumquat, Roseline's coffee smells as wonderful as it tastes. Their roasts have become so well-known that they're being sourced by coffee shops as far away as Colorado. Hours are 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., seven days a week.
  
  
• Stumptown Coffee - 128 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204
  Started in 1999, Stumptown Coffee is so iconic that they have their own Wikipedia entry. Founder Duane Sorenson is considered one of the pioneers of coffee's "third wave," which refers to high-quality beans featuring distinctive flavors. Sorenson also developed a reputation as a staunch supporter of independent coffee farmers, often paying well above market price for beans in recognition of their labor. Stumptown supports local artisans with a rotating gallery of art shows. Hours are 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on weekends.
  
  
• Tov Coffee - 3207 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
  Customers often do a double-take when they first spot Tov Coffee, which is housed in a bright red English double-decker bus. The "building" sets the charmingly quirky tone for the cafe, which specializes in Egyptian and Turkish coffee drinks. Owner Joseph Nazir, a native of Egypt, christened his shop with the Egyptian word for "perfect." Their signature Mint Thing, consisting of cold brew coffee and fresh mint syrup topped with half-and-half or chocolate milk, is such a hit that it's now canned and sold in various retail outlets. Hours are 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
  
  
• Barista - 539 NW 13th Ave., Portland, OR 97209
  While the names of most coffee shops highlight java, the owners of Barista chose to honor the friendly and knowledgeable staff members who skillfully pour the drinks. As a three-time winner of the Northwest Barista Competition, owner Billy Wilson is himself a rockstar barista. Rather than focus on a single brand of coffee, Barista sources from nearly a dozen major roasters around the country, including San Francisco's Sightglass. Refine your own barista skills by taking home a bag of beans from one of the featured roasters. Barista is open weekdays from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  
  
• Broobee Café - 433 NW 10th Ave., Portland, OR 97209
  The future of coffee is here now at Broobee Café. Staff member Billie is a robotic "barista" who would be right at home in Star Wars' classic cantina. If you're lucky, you may catch Billie in the middle of a dance. Drinks are brewed to order using the finest quality Arabica beans. Pastries are supplied by Alex Wilson of The Hungry Hero Dessert Café, winner of Sugar Rush, a dessert competition on Netflix. Broobee Café is open 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily except Monday when closing time is 2 p.m.
  
  
• Oracle Coffee Company - 3875 SW Bond Ave., Portland, OR 97239
  Vegans need coffee too, as demonstrated by the success of Oracle Coffee Company. In addition to a rotating selection of coffees from roasters around the country, Oracle offers a number of plant-based pastry and milk options. Andy Hurley, the drummer of the emo-punk band Fall Out Boy, is one of Oracle's co-founders, adding to the shop's hipster cred. Hours are 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Portland manages to be a trendsetter while maintaining a relaxed, laid-back vibe. Contact us at Coldwell Banker Bain for cheerful and experienced assistance from our brokers with all your real estate needs.