Updated January 2022
At Modern Homes Portland, we live and breathe modernist design in the mid century and beyond. For years, we have looked at iconic moments and intrinsic people in modern design history here on our blog and in our real estate practice and for those passionate about the modern design community of Portland, we have put together a guide to some of our favorite spots to furnish your modern homes.
Before we dive in, I would like to take a moment to appreciate you. 2021 was an incredible year of growth for Modern Homes Portland, and it is all thanks to you. I am proud to have grown a community as passionate about modern art, architecture and design.
Now, on with the show.
Buy, sell, and repair mid-century modern furniture, or make custom furniture perfectly fit for your space! Even if you aren’t ready to shop, The Good Mod’s 20,000 sq. ft. showroom is a great place to browse for mid-century design inspiration. If personalization is key for your project, they offer the following customization services:
- Restoration
- Furniture design and construction
- Upholstery
- 3D printed and digitally fabricated furniture
- 3D printed lighting
Founder, Spencer Staley, began crafting furniture without formal training, with an interest in geometry and minimal ornamentation. Staley’s artistic inclination started with music and film, but he discovered an interest in furniture design while working in a mid-century Danish furniture store. As an artist foremost, Staley still works daily in shop, building The Good Mod furniture himself.
Our Favorite Pieces
Urbanite
Open everyday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Portland’s best designers, all under one roof! Urbanite hosts over 40 interior designers and artists who supply the shop with vintage items, antiques (100+ years old), modern pieces, unique treasures, artwork, and lighting. The shop also hosts community events – find their event calendar here.
Because the shop is hand-curated and ever-changing, there is no online store available. You can’t beat the experience of shopping in person!
Hive Modern
Monday – Sunday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Hive Modern’s showroom is like no other! But, for those who like to browse from the couch first, Hive Modern’s website brings “rare, unusual, and time-tested icons of design directly to your front door. Our manifesto is really quite simple: to share the joys of Good Design while providing value and excellence in service to our patrons.” The company values hiring craftspeople with generations worth of skill in production and living wages for every employee.
Our Favorite Pieces
Portland Furniture
Everyday except Wednesdays, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Located on famous NW 23rd Ave., Portland Furniture has one of the largest selections of modern furniture in the NW quadrant. For those who are interested in a subtle incorporation of mid-century in their home, Portland Furniture has an array of contemporary and mid-century inspired pieces that blend seamlessly with most design styles.
Our Favorite Pieces
Rejuvenation: Portland
Sunday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
10,000 sq. ft. of lighting, hardware, furniture, decor, one-of-a-kind salvage, and restored antiques, as well as special pop-up shops featuring local artists. Since 1977, the company has sourced locally whenever possible and produced high quality products.
Our Favorite Pieces
Lounge Lizard
Everyday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
An eclectic emporium showcasing an ever-changing variety of mid-century furnishings, decor & lamps. Find one-of-a-kind vintage pieces and furniture crafted in-house. Lounge Lizard also repurposes vintage 1950s lampshades and reclaimed wood tables.
Our hearts go out to the Lounge Lizard team – October 5th, 2021 their original location off SE Hawthorne (one block away from the second location, still open) was destroyed in a horrible fire. Luckily, no one was injured, but the team was understandably devastated. Help keep Lounge Lizard afloat by shopping online and at their second location.
Design Within Reach
Open every day 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, except Sundays open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Design Within Reach offers the world’s largest selection of authentic modern furniture, lighting, and accessories from designers past and present. The brand was founded in San Francisco in 1999 by Rob Forbes to market modern, European furniture to American consumers. He wanted to bring his favorite London designs to U.S domestic customers who, “didn’t know the secret handshake” of the industry.
Design Within Reach graced Portland in 2002 and after moving to a larger location in the Pearl, this DWR location is the largest in the country!
Our Favorite Pieces
Hip PDX
Serving Portland for 25 years! Hip PDX sources and creates custom modern furniture, lighting, and accents for your home. Until further notice, Hip PDX is open by appointment only, however, their design process starts online! Browse their immense collection of furniture and customization options, book an appointment with their design team, dream up the perfect piece, order, and have it delivered to your door.
Favorite Pieces
Between my love for mid-century modern design and Portland’s boundless furniture brands, it was challenging to narrow down the list! Find more of my favorite shops below. Stay tuned on my Instagram @modernhomesportland and blog for more mid-century inspiration.
Special Mention…
- Hawthorne Vintage – features over 7,000 square feet of quality mid-century home furnishings.
- Red Snapper (Milwaukie) – Quality, authentic and restored Danish and American mid-century modern furniture and design
- Vintage Pink – A collection of Portland’s best vintage dealers, located in the popular Hawthorne District. Featuring Mid-Century Modern, Danish, Retro, Industrial and Kitsch treasures.
