Project Description

Historic Maximalism: North Tabor Flat & Kitchen Remodel

PROJECT: North Tabor
DESIGNER: Dyer Studios
BUILDER: Glen Ford
PLUMBER: Paramount Plumbing
PHOTOGRAPHY: Meagan Larsen

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Every product from Chown Hardware tells a story, some originating from thousands of miles away, some from their backyard in the Pacific Northwest. Chown brings premium products from around the world to your home, but the origin of that product is only the beginning of the story. Join Chown for a behind-the-scenes look at their process of working with designers, architects and builders to create a luxurious experience you can come home to. 

Hidden in the urban and suburban North Tabor neighborhood of Portland, OR is a classic, 1921 Craftsman home recently renovated for form and function. The home boasts charming original features, including large archways and hardwood floors. The Craftsman details lent themselves easily to a modern update maximizing space and capitalizing on functionality and beauty using the highest quality plumbing, lighting, and hardware fixtures from Chown Hardware’s 2019 showroom. Chown partnered with the home’s designer, Dyer Studio, to ensure all fixtures met the project’s historic aesthetic and homeowner’s unique color palate.  

The project began with an upstairs remodel to preemptively accommodate for the needs of the homeowners as they aged. As it progressed, they moved to the main level with plans for a simple kitchen remodel that eventually evolved into a kitchen overhaul and whole-home transformation.  Custom details like Chown’s split-finish hardware, stained glass windows, pattern mosaic flooring, and client-made ceramic tile bring warmth and “funk” the homeowners desired.    

  When deciding on hardware to match the historic, yet modern aesthetic, the designers paired copper elements with oil rubbed bronze throughout the kitchen and bathroom with fixtures, faucets, and sinks. “I think some metals work well together, and this was a great example; in addition to the difference in color, the juxtaposition of the polished copper with the matte ORB brought a balance,” said Designer Stephanie Dyer. “In my first walk through at Chown, I remember asking about split finish options in hardware – it was an early idea that instantly caught our attention, and Tara did a great job bringing us options.” 

 Dyer said she typically leans toward brass, oil rubbed bronze, or polished nickel for a historic remodel, often taking cues from what’s existing, but mostly looks for what clients get excited about. In this case, it was copper sinks from Chown Hardware’s 2019 showroom perfect for the master bath. Dyer said their metal palette evolved from there.  

 For the kitchen, the homeowners insisted “white is not a color”. In fact, one of the homeowners is a potter and wanted to incorporate his signature red glaze color, along with a custom-made green tile. In response, Dyer kept focus on a copper, electric orange, deep teal-black, and “perfect” green color palate, while taking advantage of the added space and light allotted by vaulting the ceiling. While the colorful red and green elements together could have easily felt busy or read “Christmas”, Dyer allowed the cherry-toned wood, green cabinetry, and Chown Hardware’s split finish pulls and knobs to shine against the stark white of the ceiling. The finished look not only maximizes space, but feels fresh and unique.   

In addition to plumbing and cabinet features, Dyer selected classic lighting pieces from the Chown Hardware showroom, including hall sconces, bathroom sconces, and a flush mount for the bedroom. While lighting is sometimes the star of the show, the clean lines of these pieces let other elements of the remodel shine.    

Dyer takes pride in her design choices for the project, and is grateful the fixtures in Chown Hardware’s showroom met the homeowner’s functional and aesthetic needs while also helping create visual interest, depth, warmth, and surprise. As a designer, Dyer values Chown’s unique, quality product selection and superior customer service. “I know I can rely on their quick response time and knowledgeable staff and they stand behind their products,” she said. 

 

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