Echoes of History
Portland’s 1883 Ladd Carriage House Gets Resurrected as “Raven & Rose”
25 November 2024Portland’s 1883 Ladd Carriage House Gets Resurrected as “Raven & Rose” While it may not be a craftsman or bungalow, the story of the beautiful and historic Ladd Carriage House is both fascinating and worth sharing. Today, it might appear a bit out of place amid the modern high-rise buildings that now surround it on a bustling corner in downtown Portland, Oregon. However, when it was originally built, the Ladd Carriage House was an integral part of a grand estate owned by one of the city’s pioneering entrepreneurs. William S. Ladd was born in Vermont in 1826 and grew up in New Hampshire working on his family’s farm before leaving home at age 19 to go work for the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad. A few years later at the age of 25, Ladd headed west to San Francisco seeking a new life in the mercantile business. The year was 1851, and by this time the San Francisco marketplace had become saturated, so Ladd decided to head north to the Oregon Territory (Oregon wouldn’t gain statehood until eight years later), and he set up shop there in the spring of that year. The day after Ladd arrived in Portland, he rented a small storefront in downtown Portland and started selling a small load of wine and liquor that he had brought with him from San Francisco. At the time, although Portland had well under 1000 residents, it also only had a handful of saloons that sold alcohol. Almost overnight, Ladd’s business was booming, and in his first 4 months, he made $2000 (a huge sum of money in 1851). Ladd quickly parlayed his new found success as a businessman into other ventures and over the next ten years he would twice serve as the city’s mayor and branch out into banking, before getting into shipping and railroads, while later becoming a major land-owner in the Pacific Northwest region. With the earnings from his many business enterprises, Ladd purchased a large parcel of land at the corner of what is now SW Broadway & Columbia, and built a massive Queen Anne/English Stick style mansion designed by Joseph Sherwin. A few years later, the Ladd Carriage House was built across the street to house his stable of horses and carriages, while also serving as living quarters for his carriage-driver and other work-hands. Ladd was involved in countless businesses throughout his later years and was the driving philanthropic force behind many of Portland’s charitable endeavors. At the time of his death in 1893, the Ladd estate was valued at over $10 million dollars and included over 4000 acres of land owned throughout the region. Following his death, however, it quickly became obvious that his descendants did not possess the same business savvy that helped build the family fortune. Some of his real estate holdings were sold off and developed into the affluent present-day neighborhoods of Ladd’s Addition and Laurelhurst (home of The Craftsman Bungalow, by the way), and another large tract of land in SE Portland later became the campus of Reed College. Sadly, the Ladd Mansion was demolished around 1925, but fortunately the carriage house was left untouched and was primarily used as office space over the years, with periods of vacancy in between. Noting its historical significance, the Ladd Carriage House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, but by the early 2000’s, its owners were looking for a more suitable, long-term tenant to fully restore the property. The adjacent church (above at far left) that owned the entire block was beginning to entertain offers for redevelopment of the site which included the construction of a high-rise condominium building on the northern half of the block. As plans for the high-rise moved forward, the fate of the carriage house was in jeopardy as it would have been in the way of the excavation needed to provide underground parking facilities for the twenty-three story condominium building. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the The First Christian Church, the Friends of Ladd Carriage House, and especially NW Structural Moving, a plan was put in place to move the carriage house to a nearby parking lot a few blocks away while construction of the Ladd Tower high-rise took place. So on June 16, 2007, that’s exactly what happened. The time-lapse video (above) shows the 350 ton building being lifted off of its 100+ year old foundation and “driven” up SW Columbia Street…pretty amazing! The Ladd Carriage House was displaced for a little over a year, and was finally returned to its new/old home in October of 2008. If you’ve ever wondered how a building of this magnitude can be moved in its entirety, you’ll want to check out the video above. It documents the moving of the carriage house back to its original site and the difficulties involved in such a huge undertaking. Once it had been returned to its rightful home, the carriage house underwent numerous structural modifications to shore up its bones – while respecting its historical context – to get it ready for the next 100 years. It was during this time that the exterior was also completely restored and painted with a brown color palette. After all that hard work, a suitable tenant still needed to be found to put the building to good use. Enter Lisa Mygrant – a young, intelligent woman who grew up in Oakland, and later moved to London to help a friend open multiple bakery-cafes, before moving to Ireland to attend Ballymaloe Cookery School. She then moved back to the US and worked in several high-end restaurants, until she was ready to branch out on her own. Mygrant moved quickly to acquire the building and assembled a talented team of craftspeople to bring her vision of a farm-to-table restaurant, Raven & Rose, to fruition. As mentioned earlier, the exterior of the carriage house had been fully restored, but the interior was still a blank canvas, waiting for its new owner to build-out the space in her own style. It was important to Mygrant to use as much of the original fabric of the building as possible to honor the building itself, as a testament to its own longevity. The restaurant on the first floor features exposed columns and beams along with original beadboard, as well as a wood-fired oven made of brick from the house’s original fireplace. Salvaged oak fence posts from Kentucky were remilled and used as flooring, while sustainably harvested lumber was used for the bar and its surrounding woodwork. The result is an elegant, inviting space that provides the backdrop for enjoying classic, well-appointed cuisine. Little touches like this hand-painted tile scene (below left) speaks of the Pacific Northwest’s verdant natural beauty and rich agricultural history. Upstairs, the former hay-loft (below) has been transformed into The Rookery Bar, a soaring space that puts the building’s unique truss system on full display and couples it with cozy nooks for gathering with friends. A massive fireplace (below) flanked by deep, cushy seating makes for a relaxing spot for sipping tasty cocktails, and a long soap-stone bar made by Wallace & Hinz looks as though it’s always been there. Since its opening in January 2013, Raven & Rose has garnered a lot of high praise, and after having Valentine’s Day dinner there with my wife, I can see why – the food is delicious and the atmosphere is among the city’s best. The resurrection of the Ladd Carriage House would not have been possible without the synergistic efforts of all parties involved. It’s important that as a society we cherish and preserve these historic relics, and it’s good to see that like-minded individuals can come together to achieve something that will be appreciated for generations to come. So, hats off and congratulations to Lisa Mygrant and her team, along with the Friends of the Ladd Carriage House and everyone else who helped this beautiful old building dodge extinction. I’m sure that William Ladd himself would be proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Ancient abodes that have survived into the 21st century
25 November 2024Ancient abodes that have survived into the 21st century 1.Kandovan cave houses, Osku, Iran Nestled at the foot of the Mount Sahand volcano, the remarkable village of Kandovan in Iran's northeastern East Azerbaijan Province is made up of troglodyte homes that were carved out of the soft, porous volcanic rock 700 years ago by refugees fleeing the Mongol hordes.Troglodyte translated from Greek means 'cave-dweller' in English. These cave houses are called Karaans, possibly after the local dialect word for beehive. Continuously inhabited since their creation, the cliff houses are carved into fantastical shapes that look straight out of a fairytale.For centuries, they have protected the village's inhabitants from enemy invasions, not to mention the region's blisteringly hot summers and bitter winters, thanks to their precarious position and wonderfully insulating walls.The homes can stretch up to four storeys in height. The ground floor traditionally houses livestock, living quarters are situated on the next two floors, while the upper level is used for storage. As you might imagine, Kandovan is now a major tourist attraction and the village, which has a population of 670, usually welcomes 300,000 visitors a year. Kandovan is not only home to these incredible troglodyte dwellings: the village's spring water is said to be healing, plus many of the plants that grow in the area are reported to have restorative properties. To accommodate the ever-growing number of visitors, a cave hotel opened in 2006, while this gift shop caters to tourists. 2. Sky City, Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, USA Acoma Pueblo near Albuquerque in western New Mexico was established in at least the 12th century, though according to the Native American Acoma people, it was even earlier. The earliest surviving homes in the village sit atop a 367-foot mesa. A mesa is a flat-topped hill or mountain with steep sides and the word comes from the Spanish word for "table" because the tops of mesas look similar. The homes are said to have been built between 1144 and 1150 and archeologists believe the elevated location was first inhabited as far back as 2,000 years ago. Numbering some 300, the pueblo's structures were built using sandstone and adobe bricks, which are made by combining earth, straw, and water. They are constructed as multi-level terraces entered by ladders rather than doors. As well as having a spiritual significance, these ladders could be removed in the event of an invasion, further protecting the inhabitants from marauding tribes. 3.Adobe houses, Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, USA Staying in New Mexico, Taos Pueblo is likely the oldest continuously inhabited site in the US, possibly predating Acoma Pueblo by around a century. The home of the Native American Red Willow People for more than a millennium, the village is located in a high desert valley within the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range on either side of the Rio Pueblo. Designated as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark, the pueblo is made up of two multi-level apartment-style adobe houses. The Hlauuma ('North House'), stands five stories high and is said to be one of the most photographed buildings in the US and the Hlaukwima ('South House'). The village's adobe houses share many similarities with the homes of Acoma Pueblo, as this picture from 1877 shows. The thick adobe walls provide excellent insulation, keeping the rooms cool in summer and warm during the winter months. Like Acoma's structures, they were traditionally accessed by a ladder, though some went on to feature doors, and ground-floor rooms were kitted out with corner fireplaces. 4.Viking farmhouse, Kirkjubøur, Faroe Islands Kirkjubøargarður ('Yard of Kirkjubøur') aka 'King's Farm' in the windswept Faroe Islands is one of the oldest continuously inhabited wooden homes in the world and could very well be the most venerable. The remote farmhouse was constructed in the 11th century using driftwood from Norway. This is interesting as the Faroe Islands are virtually treeless and timber has long been a precious commodity. The Viking farmhouse, which like many traditional structures in the Faroe Islands features a turf roof to keep out the elements, first served as a Catholic episcopal residence and seminary. It was here that Bishop Erlendur penned the so-called 'Sheep's Letter' in 1298. This royal decree concerning sheep breeding is the earliest known document created in the Faroe Islands. It was enacted by Duke Haakon, who later became King Haakon V of Norway. In 1538, not long after the Protestant Reformation, the farmhouse was confiscated by the King of Denmark. Kirkjubøargarður was leased to the Patursson family in the 1550s and has passed through 17 generations, with the eldest son who is dubbed the King's Farmer, always assuming the tenancy. Today, the ultimate owner of the property is the Faroese government. The farm remains the largest in the Faroe Islands and the current custodians raise sheep and cattle. Visitors can take a tour of the interior of the farmhouse, which is as cozy as they come and filled with a plethora of age-old artifacts. You can also explore the surrounding historic buildings that include the 12th-century St Olav's Church and the ruins of the 13th-century St Magnus Cathedral. 5.Old Sana'a tower houses, Sana'a Governate, Yemen The ancient city of Old Sana'a high up in the Yemeni Mountains dates back more than 2,500 years, making it one of the most esteemed continuously inhabited urban areas on the planet. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Sana'a is renowned for its rammed earth tower houses. As many as 6,000 of these multi-level homes were constructed before the 11th century. Yemen has been in the grip of a devastating proxy civil war since 2014, after Iran-backed Houthi rebels ousted the Saudi-aligned government and took control of Old Sana'a and other parts of the country. Since then, the city has been battered by Saudi-led airstrikes, which have destroyed a number of its iconic tower houses and many of those that are still standing are suffering severe neglect. Adding to the multiple threats to the city's heritage, Old Sana'a endured months of exceptionally heavy rains in 2020. Weakened by the forces of Mother Nature and widespread flooding, 111 tower houses collapsed and 6,000 dwellings have leaky roofs. With the war showing no sign of ending, the situation is only likely to get worse. Let's hope some of these incredible homes survive. From one war-torn place to another, Aleppo's ancient Citadel which looms over the Syrian city, dates way back to the third millennium BC. However, the majority of the residences within its walls were erected by the Ayyubids during the 12th and 13th centuries.Full of history, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has withstood everything from earthquakes to sieges over the centuries.
What is Wabi-Sabi? Experts Weigh in On How to Design Your Home in This Ancient Style
11 June 2024Discover the art of integrating vintage charm with modern simplicity through the lens of wabi-sabi. From historic apartments in New York City to contemporary rentals in Los Angeles, this Redfin article will guide you in infusing your living spaces with the timeless beauty of wabi-sabi, blending the richness of vintage aesthetics with the elegance of modern design. 1. Embrace wabi-sabi’s principle Embracing the wabi-sabi principle in your home invites a sense of appreciation for imperfection, simplicity, and the beauty of natural materials. Incorporating rustic elements, handmade objects, and weathered textures creates a space that exudes warmth and authenticity. By celebrating the beauty in the imperfect, your home becomes a sanctuary where every flaw tells a story and adds to its charm. Marieke Rijksen Interior Designer and Content Creator at Whispering Bold Interior Design, a inspiration hub for interior design and DIY decor for those who love a little urban chic vintage flair, says, “My top recommendation is to focus on the essentials and start with decluttering and creating peaceful environments, as it sets the foundation for embracing wabi-sabi. It’s important for newcomers to understand that wabi-sabi is not about achieving perfection, but rather finding beauty in the authenticity of imperfection. By letting go of excess possessions, prioritizing meaningful items that bring you joy and creating open, uncluttered areas, you can cultivate a sense of tranquility and harmony within your home.”
The Tortured Poet’s Apartment: How Taylor Swift’s New Album Inspires Dark Academia Interiors
11 June 2024In a remarkable Fortnight, Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, has shattered global records, leaving an everlasting mark on Swift’s large fanbase and further cementing her astounding legacy. With each era, Taylor Swift has given fans a reason to congregate–sharing emotions ranging from heartache to feelings of happiness and relief as they reflect on their personal experiences within her poetic lyricism. For those who have found an affinity for the 31-track album and are eager to elevate their listening experience suitable for a tortured poet, this Redfin article is for you. We’ll unveil an array of interior design and decoration tips that harmonize everyday essentials with the dark academia aesthetic of The Tortured Poets Department. Understand the color palette Each of Taylor Swift’s unique eras is distinguished by a signature color. Her eleventh studio album is no different, as The Tortured Poets Department debuted with a white album cover. Lo and behold, when Swift dropped The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (a second album), she did so with a black album cover. Her five vinyl variants include clear, white, black, and shades of greige. These colors make up the album’s aesthetic and are reflected in her album art and the Fortnight music video which features Post Malone. As you design your space, keep these colors in mind while integrating fabrics, furniture pieces, and other design elements. Avoid going with one color over another; seamlessly blending and layering these colors together will contribute to a dark academia interior. Display upcycled poetry and vinyls Upcycled poetry books and vinyls can add décor intrigue to any room in your house. Poetry books from infamous “tortured poets,” such as Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson, and Edgar Allen Poe, can serve as reading material accessible atop a coffee table or displayed among bookshelves with other literature. As the self-appointed chairman of the department, a vinyl shelf or stand with Taylor Swift’s discography is a must. Alongside her, vinyls from artists such as Stevie Nicks and Charlie Puth would be exceptional companions.
Transform Your Sleep Space: 17 Strategies to Improve Sleep Quality
11 June 2024Picture this: Despite your jam-packed schedule, you’ve still reserved enough time to unwind and relax before bed. Your bedroom is cool, calm, and dark, and you’re able to fall asleep and stay asleep without any trouble. The next morning, you manage to wake up before your alarm and feel well-rested, perhaps even energetic, and ready to take on the world. If this sounds like a scenario you can only dream of, you’re not alone. Whether you live in a home in Kansas City, MO, an apartment in Minneapolis, MN, or a rental home in Des Moines, IA, there’s a good chance your bedroom isn’t set up for optimal rest. In fact, only about half of Americans wake up feeling well-rested. To help, we’ve gathered the 17 best tips for creating the ideal sleep environment to improve your quality of sleep so you can (finally) get a good night’s rest. 1. Declutter your room, improve sleep quality “An organized and clutter-free space can significantly enhance sleep quality by creating a peaceful and calming atmosphere,” shares Southern Roots Organizing and Style Co., serving clients in Frisco, TX, and surrounding areas. “When your surroundings are tidy, it’s easier to relax and fall asleep, as there are fewer distractions and stressors. This sense of order can help signal to your brain that it’s time to rest, leading to more restorative sleep.” Below, organizing and decluttering experts weigh in on best practices for keeping an organized and decluttered space. Limit distractions Keeping your bedroom tidy and removing any potential distractions is essential for your body to begin to relax. Ever tried to fall asleep but couldn’t clear your mind? Emily Santos, founder of Essential Organizing in Seattle, WA, recommends clearing the clutter in your bedroom. “Begin by tidying surfaces such as your dresser, nightstand, or floor, reserving items that induce calmness or serve a purpose. Discard or relocate the rest, and a helpful tip is to temporarily move items to another space for sorting, making it easier to identify what truly belongs in the bedroom.” Invite tranquility in “As a professional organizer, I’ve seen firsthand how transforming a cluttered bedroom into a serene sanctuary can work wonders for improving sleep quality,” explains Angela Nguyen, owner and professional organizer at Bring It Home Style in Fairfax, VA. “By creating an organized space, you invite tranquility into your life, allowing your mind to unwind and relax at the end of a busy day. So, declutter those surfaces, tidy up those closets, and let the peaceful vibes flow for a restful night’s sleep like never before.”
14 Outdoor Decorating Mistakes to Avoid for a Picture-Perfect Space
11 June 2024Designing a picture-perfect outdoor space goes beyond simply arranging furniture and plants. It’s about creating a functional, inviting area that enhances your lifestyle. So whether you just bought a home in Denver or you live in an apartment in San Diego, this Redfin article highlights key outdoor decorating mistakes to avoid. These tips will help ensure your outdoor space becomes a beautiful and enjoyable extension of your home. 1. Choosing the wrong furniture One of the most common mistakes in outdoor decorating is choosing the wrong furniture. Outdoor furniture needs to withstand the elements, so opting for materials like metal, teak, or weather-resistant wicker is crucial. Additionally, comfort should not be sacrificed for style. Test the furniture for comfort and ensure it suits your lifestyle needs, such as dining, lounging, or entertaining. 2. Ignoring the climate Failing to consider your local climate can lead to quick wear and tear of outdoor decor. For example, if you rent a home in Miami’s humid environment, metal furniture may rust rapidly, while in Phoenix’s extremely hot and dry conditions, wooden furniture might warp. Use weather-appropriate materials and invest in protective covers to extend the life of your outdoor pieces. 3. Overlooking lighting Proper lighting can transform an outdoor space, yet it is often overlooked. Relying solely on overhead lights or not having enough lighting can make the space less functional and inviting. Incorporate various lighting options, such as string lights, lanterns, solar-powered path lights, and candles, to create a warm and welcoming ambiance. 4. Skipping shade solutions Without adequate shade, your outdoor space can become uncomfortable, especially during the hot summer months. Avoid this mistake by incorporating shade solutions like umbrellas, pergolas, or shade sails. Not only do they provide relief from the sun, but they also add visual interest to your space.
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