Woonwinkel (say that fast three times) means home shop in Dutch, and it's also the name of a local home store in downtown Portland. Opening just eight months ago, Woonwinkel has joined the ranks of hip businesses (Ace Hotel, Frances May, and Canoe) in the West End neighborhood. Not to mention that it's across the street from the food carts! Bubble tea and modern, minimal home design? Sounds like heaven to me.
One of the first things I noticed in the bright and spacious shop was this tile mosaic of an owl on the floor. It was discovered after the flooring was pulled up during the renovation. An Owl Pharmacy had once occupied the space in the historic Pittock Building, which explains the symbols on the mortar bowl. What a find!
The most fascinating piece in the shop was this collaborative work between Brooklyn designers Chen Chen and Kai Tsien Williams. In the left photo, you can see what looks like a hodgepodge of everyday objects wrapped in a giant piece of pink taffy. The found objects are actually bound in a mixture of epoxy, resin, and wax. And then cross sections are cut to create these unique and stunning coasters. Whoa.
Woonwinkel is a well-curated shop showcasing beautiful and clever designs by independent designers from Europe and the local region. Lucky for all you who live outside of Portland, an online shop is in the works. Now how do you say I want it all in Dutch?
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