Iconic June 2023

getting real with dan volkmer

the arcifiles: anjeanette brown, the girls build™ executive director of fun!

building joy! a century of style: portland’s architecture from the 1850s to today

letter from the editor

It Takes a Community to Build a Village

What a diverse and amazing mosaic of creative people, businesses, and organizations make up the Portland design-build community! From designers to contractors to craftspeople, and from product designers to vendors to organizations that support the industry, it does indeed take a village to build, remodel, and restore our local village.

Until now, Iconic magazine has focused on bringing you the stories of ARCIFORM remodels, useful how-to information from our designers, and, with the introduction of ArciFiles in the last issue, profiles of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products team members. Now we’re opening up the magazine to include stories about our partners and vendors in the Portland area home industry.

We lead off with an article on some of our industry partners, featuring Dan Volkmer of the Dan Volkmer Team of Realtors. Dan introduced Anne and Richard De Wolf to the Isam White House, their new domicile, which they’ve stunningly remodeled. His insights are always worth paying attention to.

Next, ArciFiles introduces you to a very fun member of our community. Anjeanette “Bubbles” Brown is the Executive Director of Fun at Girls Build ™ , which empowers girls to learn building skills. With a title like that, how could we not include her? Get set to smile when you read the article.

Portland has a dizzying array of architectural home styles! If you ever get mixed up between a Craftsman, a Cottage, and a Colonial Revival home, Architectural Home Styles is the encyclopedic blog built to help you get them sorted out.

As Iconic evolves into a magazine about the people and places that make our design-build community great, we thought it was the perfect time to introduce a useful new service, the Iconic Community Directory of vendors, partners, and organizations that ARCIFORM works with. Have a look to discover our featured partners, vendors, and product designers that make it all possible.

Whew! That’s a lot for one issue. As we ramp up readership and expand our reach to the broader home industry community, perhaps it’s best to think of Iconic as a village square, a gathering place where you can listen in on lots of conversations and learn more about your diverse neighbors.

Snow Blackwood snow@snowbdesigns.com snowbdesigns.com

the iconic

table of contents.

EDITOR’S NOTE

From the editor-in-chief

GETTING REAL WITH DAN VOLKMER

Meet Dan Volkmer and his team of Realtors at Windermere Realty and Trust. This longtime Realtor has been working to preserve Portland’s great homes, from grand to more modest.

THE ARCIFILES

In this issue we meet a diversely creative member of the Portland design-build community, Anjeanette Brown, the Girls Build™ Executive Director of Fun!

BUILDING JOY!

See what happens when you place power (tools) in eager girls’ hands and give them the skills to use it.

A CENTURY OF STYLE: PORTLAND’S ARCHITECTURE FROM THE 1850s TO TODAY

Portland has a dizzying array of architectural home styles! This article will help you sort them all out.

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Meet vendors, partners, and organizations from our design-build community.

Yes, for over 20 years one of ARCIFORM’s closest relationships has been with a Realtor. But not just any Realtor. Rather, one who very much shares ARCIFORM’s love and appreciation of Portland’s vintage homes.

We sat down recently and spoke with Dan, who heads the six-person team of The Dan Volkmer Team. First, a little background: Dan moved here from Ohio in 1974 and has been a Realtor ever since. He came to Portland because, he says, “I was enchanted. The natural beauty and the beautiful old homes just spoke to me.” He also points to the urban growth boundary, the vibrant food scene, and the transportation system as reasons for his love affair, both then and now.

From the very beginning, Dan championed the city

and its architecture. He was the first to propose the historic designation for the Alphabet District, and has been instrumental in preserving older homes there and throughout the city.

Dan says, “I fell in love with these older homes, and I want to make sure they’re preserved. They’re a real treasure!”

Given that, it was destined that ARCIFORM and Dan would meet. Actually, the connection was made through one of Dan’s team-members, Kishra Ott. Kishra had bought her first home in the Southwest Hills, was in the middle of a remodel, and wasn’t happy with the way it was going. She says, “The architect and the designer weren’t in sync, and I felt completely neglected.” Worried that the result would be an expensive disaster, she happened to meet Anne at a

getting with dan real volkmer

“Twenty years! That’s how long we’ve been collaborating,” says Dan Volkmer regarding his relationship with ARCIFORM and its co-owner Anne De Wolf. He quickly adds, “I trust them so much, I gave them carte blanche with my own kitchen remodel.”

tradeshow. The two got to talking, and within days, Anne came to check out the remodel. Right away, Kishra could tell that Anne understood the design and architectural problems like no one else – Anne was thinking organically, holistically, and with deep knowledge of the style.

Kishra fired both her contractor and architect, good riddance, and gave the job to ARCIFORM; she couldn’t have been happier with the process or the results. That’s when she introduced Dan to ARCIFORM. Since then, it’s been a great, symbiotic relationship.

Dan heads up a team of Realtors from the elegant offices of Windermere Realty Trust in a turn-of-the-century mansion off of NW Johnson Street. He and his team – Burdean Bartlem, Fritz Benz, Mardi Davis, Kishra Ott, and Melani Poet – work together seamlessly, and have positioned themselves as

TOM LUX / PHOTOGRAPHED BY MITCH HOSE

experts in architectural properties. But it’s more than positioning. It’s genuine and real. They’re as passionate and knowledgeable about older homes as the people at ARCIFORM.

Over the course of years, Dan became more and more familiar with the people at ARCIFORM and the quality of their work. That’s when he started referring clients. Dan says, “I’d walk through an older home with a client and maybe it didn’t show so well or it had obvious shortcomings, like needing a bathroom update, and I’d immediately think of ARCIFORM. Telling clients that I absolutely know that something could be updated – in keeping with the rest of the house – gives them and me a lot of confidence.”

Dan recalls one older home that had been neglected for years. “It was a beautiful old Foursquare that was run down and had been ‘remuddled.’ It made my heart sink. I walked through with this young couple and we talked about it. Obviously, the bones were great. But it needed a lot of work. Anne joined us on the next visit, and then my client really got excited. They ended up buying the house, and now it’s this amazing home. They couldn’t be happier.”

Photo: Chris Dibble

The relationship works both ways. Oftentimes, ARCIFORM clients will be doing a remodel in anticipation of a future sale, and ARCIFORM will suggest that they contact Dan. Knowing that Dan fully appreciates and understands ARCIFORM’s workmanship makes it easy to recommend him. Says Anne, “Dan and his team value these homes like we do. We at ARCIFORM believe every home has a story, that owners are caretakers. Dan and his team share that vision.”

The real estate market is always a hot topic of discussion, so we thought we’d get this very experienced team’s thoughts. We started by discussing neighborhoods, and all the agents nod when we mention obvious locales like Laurelhurst and Irvington, but then they also mention hidden gems, or “unplucked plums,” as Kishra calls them: places like Parkrose, Argay Terrace, and Rose City Park. Mardi adds, “There are nice homes in these neighborhoods; the areas are growing with young families, and it’s just very dynamic.”

Photo: Greg Kozawa

When we asked about the market in general, everyone agreed that it’s very healthy. “There are plenty of buyers and the right number of sellers. No big imbalances,” said Mardi. Burdean is quick to add, “Prices are holding steady and interest rates are still relatively low.” When we asked where buyers were coming from, she says, “It’s the same mix of in-town people looking to upgrade, plus out-of-towners moving to Portland.” Fritz, who grew up in Portland and is the youngest of the bunch, claims that a lot of his peers are moving back to Portland, looking for homes after having lived away.

Photos: Chris Dibble

Photo: Chris Dibble

ABOVE: Anne and Dan enjoy Dan’s fully updated kitchen, featuring both stained and painted cabinets by Versatile Wood Products, bold wallpaper (shown in background), and all-new appliances. This kitchen showcases ARCIFORM’s ability to blend modern functionality with period style.

Dan and his team value these homes like we do. We at ARCIFORM believe every home has a story—that owners are caretakers—and Dan shares that vision.”

Photo: Chris Dibble

Throughout our conversation, these Realtors refer to historic homes throughout the city the way some people talk about baseball players, musical groups, or Beethoven’s sonatas. They know the history and specs of many buildings. Plus, they can all talk zoning, regulations, box-beam ceilings, and clear grain fir as well as any architect, designer, or carpenter.

Such deep knowledge and passion explain why The Dan Volkmer Group joins ARCIFORM as a longtime donor to important non-profits such as the Architectural Heritage Center and Restore Oregon.

We spent over an hour speaking with Dan and his team and left with the gratifying sense that here is a realty firm that doesn’t just hustle for sales; they truly care about the historic homes and buildings that they help buy and sell. Like ARCIFORM, they delight in listening to and preserving the stories that Portland’s diverse architecture has to tell. And to this, we say, “Thank you! And nice to have met you, Dan and team!” •

In 2003, the historic Balch Farmhouse was within days of being bulldozed. When a young realtor named Dan Volkmer got word of this, he intervened immediately, rallying the neighborhood and ultimately helping get this landmark home moved rather than destroyed.

arcifiles.

the profiles of the faces behind the places

No man is an island, John Donne famously wrote. No company is, either. ARCIFORM works with many sub-contractors, product designers, and industry nonprofits to achieve stunning remodels and restorations. In this edition of ArciFiles, we introduce you to Anjeanette Brown, the Girls Build™ Executive Director of Fun!

PETER HERRING

ANJEANETTE “BUBBLES” BROWN

Company: Girls Build™

Duration: 8 years

Role: Executive Director of Fun

BUILDING JOY THROUGH A LENS OF HAPPINESS

Role at Girls Build™

Executive Director and “Fun” don’t usually go together. And the ED’s nickname is not usually “Bubbles.” So what’s in two names? Context helps. Girls Build™, a nonprofit formed in 2016, empowers hundreds of eight- to fourteenyear-old girls a year to attend camps where they learn construction skills. Anjeanette “Bubbles” Brown is their one woman support system. “I’m the person to greet the girls, to make sure that they get accustomed and feel comfortable. Throughout their camp experience, I’m there. If they ever feel overwhelmed or have a hard time, they can come to me. I also take care of the discipline. So if we have some behaviors, we can talk about that. We can see how we feel and what we need to do and work those things out.” When girls aren’t at workstations, she manages forty to sixty girls. “We’ll gather around, and I’ll create a space of fun and happiness. We’ll dance, we’ll sing, we’ll play games, we’ll chat it up, we’ll run in the sprinklers. I make sure that this week of camp is amazing, and the girls have a memorable time that they want to go brag about at school!”

As for her nickname? “The first year, everyone was picking a camp name. You throw a name out there. I like the name Bubbles. I love bubbles, first of all. And my personality is very bubbly!”

Getting Started

“I was going through a program called Oregon Tradeswomen (OT). I became a journeyman, but it’s very difficult to be a single mom and a tradesperson.” The long hours conflicted with family time. “I went back to OT and worked as their outreach person. That’s where I met Katie Huges. (Executive Director of GB.) We worked on a program called Building Girls.” When that program was cut, Katie formed Girls Build™ . “So I started at Girls Build™ on day one.”

Favorite Moment

“If you sum up what I do, I create an atmosphere of joy,” says Anjeanette. “It’s very hard for sadness and negative energy to thrive when this place that you come to is just beaming with the energy of joy and fondness and happiness; positive energy just being spewed at you!” She laughs. “It’s difficult for you to not have a good time. I create an atmosphere of joy so that folks can come do the things that they came to do, but from a lens of happiness, from a lens of, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m so excited. I can’t wait to do this thing!’”

Her two-year-old daughter helps. “I turned the music on the first day of camp, and she just got to dancing. So as these kids are coming in with their parents, they’re met with this baby shaking her thing, full of joy. She’s so good at ringing up kids and breaking down barriers, because here’s this cute baby dancing. ‘I don’t have time to be an angry teenager. I need to go check out this baby!’”

Proudest Accomplishment

My proudest personal accomplishment is what I’ve done with my family. I raised several children, and they really give an example of what kind of parent you are. Professionally, my proudest accomplishment is that I was always just myself, and people created spaces for who I am. I came as myself, and people saw value in that and created jobs, like Executive Director of Fun, to house me and my rambunctious character. My loud laugh and random screams of joy.”

Experience Working in the Local Design-build Field

While the pandemic cut off GB’s outreach to the trades, we’re building it back up. “We have trades folk that come out and talk about their trade, and during the spring break camps, the girls go on a construction site and actually get to do some work there.”

How do you see the future of design-build?

“Lots of different shades, different cultures, and different genders. I envision it, in my heart, to be this very inclusive place where we work together to build up our communities, our cities, and our towns. And we spread that out—that joy that I like to spread.” •

Over the course of the last few years, Girls Build™ founder Katie Hughes has been traveling North America interviewing and photographing girls who build. Girls Who Build showcases girls who hammer, drill, pour concrete, solder, bend sheet metal, wire projects and do anything they set their hearts on.

ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products support Girls Build™ financially, by donating office space, and through mentorship. It’s the perfect partnership for the two companies, both of which work in the home and building industry and have many empowered women on their teams. They look forward to a more diverse work force in the Portland remodeling and building industries. Girls Build™ is uniquely positioned to help make that happen!

joy! building

See what happens when you place power (tools) in eager girls’ hands and give them the skills to use it. Girls Build™ is a non-profit organization based in Portland, OR, inspiring curiosity and confidence in girls through the world of building. They currently empower girls in Southern Oregon, Portland, the Oregon coast.

archive. a century of style

Portland’s neighborhoods are treasure troves of historic homes built in many different architectural styles. At ARCIFORM, we love preserving and reviving the stories that these gems tell. Knowing what defines the popular architectural styles that are a part of Portland’s history is essential to the process of honoring the past while enhancing the livability and efficiency of the structures.

The easiest way to know the different styles is to understand what was going on during the time when each were popular. Architecture reflects the fashion, science, art, and industry of the times.

Portland’s rich architectural diversity had humble origins; the first home built here by people of European descent was a log cabin. In 1841, William Johnson moved his family to the banks of the Willamette in what is now the South Waterfront. From there, Portland spread in all directions, and architectural styles proliferated.

Prairie (1900 – 1920)

The Victorian Era (1860 – 1900)

The Victorian area architecture is defined by verticality and formality. Access to exotic products was made possible by an expanding railroad and shipping network, and stylistic details and exuberant mixtures within styles flourished. Most Victorian homes in Portland are two to three stories with complicated asymmetrical shapes and separated formal interior spaces.

Italianate (1840 – 1885)

Italianate homes have low pitched roofs with moderate to wide overhangs, decorative architectural features, and arched top windows. Note how vertical the proportions are. This is the key element of Victorian architecture.

The Victorian Era (1860 – 1900)

Italianate (1840 – 1885)

Mid-Century Modern (1945 – 1960s)

Second Empire (1855 – 1885)

This is a French-inspired interpretation of the Victorian style. If a structure reminds you of Paris, it is likely in the Second Empire style. Mansard roofs, molded cornices, decorative brackets on the eaves, and features that resemble carved stone define the style.

Queen Anne Revival (1880 – 1910)

Inspired by the Queen Anne era from the early 1700s, these romantic, whimsical structures feature steeply pitched roofs with towers, turrets, spindle work, patterned shingles, and asymmetrical facades. They are often very colorful.

Victorian Farm House (1880 – 1910)

The Victorian farm house’s identifying characteristics are the vertical proportions of the windows, the rooms and the simple steeply pitched roofs.

The 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition was one of the reasons Portland grew 129% in the first ten years of the 20th Century. Spec houses built during this time in the Colonial and Craftsman styles remain part of our treasured neighborhoods today.

Colonial Revival (1880 – Present)

In architecture, the term “revival” means a renewed interest in old styles. Colonial Revival is inspired by America’s early colonial homes. Features include symmetry, a central porch, and doublehung windows with shutters. The roof shapes are clean and symmetrical as is the interior room layout.

Dutch Colonial (1880 – 1955)

A double-pitched gambrel roof defines this style. Dutch Colonial homes are made to resemble homes of the 1600s-1700s in central and northern Europe. They are usually two stories and can be on the more elaborate side with large front porches supported by large simple columns.

Spanish Colonial or Mediterranean (1910 – 1930)

These homes feature stuccoed exterior walls and terracotta tile roofs. Other features can include asymmetry, narrow, arched windows and doors, warm colors, towers, and turrets with iron balconies. The interior spaces seem to create the exterior spaces rather than the other way around.

Queen Anne Revival (1880 - 1910)

Colonial Revival (1880 – Present)

Craftsman (1905 – 1930)

Craftsman style focuses on structure and function rather than decoration, making the homes cozy and casual for the more informal lifestyles of the period. This was a reaction to the formality of the Victorian Era. These homes feature lowpitched roofs with deep overhangs, large columns, decorative rafter tails, and front porches that span the width of the house, treasured neighborhoods today.

Prairie (1900 – 1920)

With low-pitched roofs, usually hipped, deep overhangs with boxed eaves, and extensive porches, these two-story homes were inspired by the Prairie style that emerged in Chicago in around 1900.

Foursquare (1900 – 1920)

These homes come in many styles, including Prairie, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman. The “Foursquare” name originated from the square floor plan with four rooms upstairs and four rooms downstairs.

Tudor (1920s – 1930s)

This style is loosely based on Medieval English architecture of the 1500s-1600s. Local Tudor homes feature steeply pitched roofs, smaller windows, and cozy interior spaces. Tudor arches, whimsical details that mimicked thatched roofs, and half-timbered construction are common. These two decades were dominated with drastic changes in industry and politics, and cozy enclosed spaces where attractive to the consumers. Portland’s Peacock Lane, home to an annual Christmas light display, is one well-known collection of Tudors in the area.

Cottage (1935 – 1950)

Built rapidly during the Great Depression and WWII to house workers and returning veterans and their families, these small one-story homes came in many different styles and were known as “the little [houses] that could.”

Ranch Style (1935 – 1975)

The Ranch style home has a simple, broad, single-story profile, a rectangular shape, a low-pitched roof without dormers, and often an attached garage. Ranch style homes were influenced by increasing reliance on automobiles as suburbs developed. Interiors were usually open with living, dining, and family rooms blending together, and the single-story floor plan was well-suited to families, seniors, and those with mobility issues.

ARCIFORM will be hosting our Architectural Home Styles Event at the iconic Isam White House.

DATE: 10/18/23 TIME: 12:00pm

Craftsman (1905 - 1930)

Mid-Century Modern (1945 – 1960s)

Mid-Century Modern homes feature large windows and open spaces. Focusing on integrating nature, these homes are innovative, and sometimes influenced by the Space Age or the Bauhaus movement of the 1920’s in Europe.

New Traditional (1980 – Present)

These homes are often based reviving home styles from previous time periods, including Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, or Colonial style homes. They often feature attached garages that are prominently placed. This was a counter-movement to the freespirited 70s. People craved more order and predictability.

21st Century Contemporary (1990s – Present)

The introduction of computer-aided programs and unlimited access to resources allowed for endless possibilities in design. Seen around Portland as infill or singular statements.

Tudor (1920s – 1930s)

Foursquare (1900 – 1920)

directory. community

Atelier Douce France

ADF is a women-owned business run by Anne Williams, who was born and raised in Normandy, France, where she began learning the art of traditional upholstery at 15. We specialize in custom, high-end furniture upholstery for modern and traditional pieces. We have also created a whimsical, mushroomshaped ottoman called the “Mycelia Seat.” ADF resells a small inventory of well-curated pieces that we have restored to their former glory. Two years ago, we started teaching upholstery at Wildcraft, and now in person at our North Portland studio.

Fine & Dandy Co.

Visual storytellers based in Toronto, Fine & Dandy Co.’s bespoke wallcovering studio can customize existing patterns, create entirely new designs based on a particular project or inspiration, or recreate an heirloom motif for a historic restoration. Whether it’s a small residential powder room or a palatial ballroom, Fine & Dandy Co. can make any room feel grand.

United Tile

United Tile has offered the most comprehensive and creative selection of tile, stone, and glass products in the Northwest. In addition to tile, we carry a high quality engineered hardwood; Plank. All products are found throughout the region at quality flooring and tile retailers. As a wholesale distributor of premium tile, stone, metal, glass and hardwood—we pride ourselves in providing service equal to the amazing selection of products we offer.

Versatile Wood Products

We are committed to building custom cabinets, windows and doors that honor and make history. By preserving traditional ways of construction and blending them with modern technologies and performance standards, we design and build custom solutions for both residential and commercial projects, that harmonize aesthetics and temperament with function and utility.

Eastbank Contractor Appliances

Eastbank Contractor Appliances supplies quality appliances and exceptional service to the building industry. Builders, designers, architects, remodelers, cabinet companies and tradesmen trust Eastbank for their appliance needs. We are open to the public.

The Old Church Concert Hall

Portland’s sanctuary of sound. A historic landmark and concert hall in Portland, Oregon with worldclass acoustics and ambiance. Est. 1882.

Z Collection

Offering a vast selection of porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tiles and mosaics, Z Collection is the ultimate resource for tile. With distribution centers in Portland and Seattle, we pride ourselves on providing locally stocked tile options that have been especially curated for the Pacific Northwest market.

Level Plane Tile and Stone

Level Plane, serving Oregon and Washington for over 13 years, is a dedicated team of problemsolving tile experts. From small home projects to high-end residential and commercial spaces, we handle all tile jobs with precision and offer a wide range of products and finishes.

Cornerstone Tile & Marble, LLC

If you are looking to remodel your bathroom tile or restore your new or old home’s fireplace, kitchen splash or bathroom tiles with precision and care and attention to fine details-look no further than Cornerstone Tile & Marble,LLC. With more then 25 years of experience and a commitment to preserving the historical elements of your home, Cornerstone is the perfect choice for your restoration needs. Visit our Instagram to see some examples of my work and let’s get started planning your project today!

Restore Oregon

Founded in 1977, Restore Oregon is a state-wide, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supported by members/donors, led by a volunteer board, and staffed by professionals, who help people save and revitalize historic places. Along with industry experts, like ARCIFORM, we work on the front lines and behind the scenes to leverage relationships, resources, and creativity to preserve, protect, and pass forward Oregon’s heritage—visit our website to learn more!

Cornell Farm Nursery & Cafe

Nestled into the West Hills of Portland on the Blatter family’s fourth-generation farm, Cornell Farm Nursery has been providing guests from all over the Northwest with the finest plants for their gardens, homes, and offices since 1987.

Snow B. Designs

As the creative agency behind the ARCIFORM brand and producer of Iconic Magazine, we are Mom-built and powered by our team of long-time creative pros in branding, design, writing and campaign strategy—whether online/mobile or traditional. We respect you by listening deeply to your needs, concerns, and goals—and how you want to reach them. We communicate honestly and clearly.

Founded in 1997 by Richard and Anne De Wolf, ARCIFORM listens to the stories that our time-honored Pacific Northwest buildings and houses tell. Respecting history, enhancing the visions of owners and anticipating new purposes, we reimagine, remodel, and reinvigorate the vintage buildings we love, preserving and reviving their stories for present and future generations. We invite you to learn more at arciform.com