MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: DANI CHRISTINE

Business Name: Portland Design House

Location: Portland, Oregon

DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY TO DESIGN AND HOW YOU GOT TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.

I’ve always loved art and have pursued creative passions my entire life, but it wasn’t until we bought our first home in Oregon (that felt like a “blank canvas”) that I turned my attention to interior design. That began a 15 year journey of DIY to make the home our own. In that time, I had a workroom sewing for interior designers and started a blog to share the story of our design journey. I learned a ton about managing projects, navigating “clients” (working with family teaches you A LOT!) and what NOT to do when it comes to updating a home. In 2018 I had the opportunity to go back to school and infuse my experience with a formal interior design education. And Portland Design House was born!

WHO WAS THE FIRST INTERIOR DESIGNER TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON YOU?

Wow… that’s a tough question! There are so many designers that have left an impact on the work I do, but probably the FIRST designer would be Charles Eames. Before deciding to going back to school, I watched a documentary on the lives of Charles & Ray Eames that is amazing. Their passion for design and going all in on pursuing it got the wheels turning for me.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT INFLUENCE YOU, ASIDE FROM FURNITURE AND DECOR?

I love a beautiful space, but understanding how a room needs to function and serve the family living in it, always influences my designs.

WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TO BASICS?

In addition to good functionality, I believe every room should have something in it that makes you smile. A great piece of artwork, an heirloom rug that has been handed down through the generations, a favorite chair… if it brings you joy, it can become the foundational piece for a space that you are going to want to spend time in.

ARE YOU SEEING ANY PARTICULAR STYLE REQUESTS TRENDING AMONGST YOUR CLIENTS?

To be quite honest, not really. Most of my clients specifically want something that is timeless and not influenced by a current trend. They have a wide range of styles that we drill down on to create a look that feels all their own.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?

There have been many moments of getting to do something that I would’ve never dreamed possible, but becoming the IDS Chapter President for Portland is at the top of that list. I went to my first IDS meeting in 2008 when I had a workroom and was overwhelmed by the talent in the room. To now support and work alongside the Portland design community as the chapter president is mind-blowing and a total blast!

WHAT IS THE MOST TREASURED ITEM IN YOUR OWN HOME?

There are several items that I’d run into a burning building for, but my most treasured décor item is a piece by artist Tadahiro Uesugi, “The Wind”. It reminds me of the hills in Southern California where I grew up and is the inspiration for my home studio.