Iconic Magazine by ARCIFORM

Issue 1

A Love Story, 25 Years in the Making A 1919 Dutch Colonial Remodel Timeless Wallpaper 9 Designer Tips for Kitchens

letter from the editor I have worked with Richard and Anne since 2017 Over the years I’ve come to know and love them and their inspired work. If you asked me for three words that describe ARCIFORM I would say, “adventure, family and story.” Anne explains the first word best when she says of Portland: “There’s an adventurous spirit here, and that’s a big part of what Richard and I are after.” Adventurous spirits Richard and Anne both lived on sailboats in South Carolina when they met in the ‘90s. Now they’ve spent 25 years growing ARCIFORM around their shared passion for older, eclectic architecture. Every remodel or restoration challenge they accept is its own unique design adventure. They work closely with their clients, who become like family to them. The many collaborative professionals who now populate ARCIFORM are also like family. ARCIFORM has long described its design approach as “inspired by the story.” The story of the house or building, including its original architecture and uses. The stories of the owners, past and present, that have influenced the house. And the story that the building wants to tell the future. All these stories inform their design solutions. This first issue of Iconic Magazine is the beginning of an adventure that, like ARCIFORM’s designs, will honor the stories of the past, featuring ARCIFORM’s thousands of remodeling and restoration projects. It will beautifully showcase current design projects, such as this edition’s article “Building Relationships, One House at a Time” which covers the decades long restoration of a 1919 Dutch Colonial. You’ll be treated to interviews with designers and homeowners, as well as DIY articles for owners to incorporate into their own future adventures. The greatest icon of Portland comes in multiples – striking diversity of architecture in our neighborhoods, incorporating nearly every style and period of the past two hundred years. The restoration of these iconic, varied buildings is far more than a niche for Anne and Richard, who love these older buildings – it’s a passion and a mission. Telling the stories of these iconic projects is the mission of this magazine, Iconic, whose first issue I now invite you to enjoy. It is with great pleasure that I join Anne and Richard and the whole

ARCIFORM family on this newest adventure.

Snow Blackwood snow@snowbdesigns.com 2

the iconic

table of contents 2

EDITOR’S NOTES from the editor-in-chief

A LOVE STORY 25 YEARS IN THE MAKING celebrating ARCIFORM’s 25th anniversary

RENOVATION AND RELATIONSHIPS the decades long restoration of a 1919 Dutch Colonial

YOUR WHOLE HOUSE PLAN helpful tips to guide your remodeling journey

9 DESIGNER TIPS FOR KITCHENS we’re all about the details

IF THE WALLS COULD TALK add style with unique wallpaper that speaks to you

COVER PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTOPHER DIBBLE

a love story

25 years in the making

With Arciform celebrating its 25th anniversary, Richard and Anne De Wolf look back on building their successful design and restoration business from the ground up BRIAN LIBBY / PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTOPHER DIBBLE

Every old building has a story: a timeline of people, materials and purpose that came together to make architecture, and generations of care enabling its continuing prosperity. A small business comes with stories too, especially when it’s a labor of love like ARCIFORM, and a partnership in more ways than one. Since Richard De Wolf first hung the company sign in 1997, joined by his wife Anne shortly afterward, ARCIFORM has grown and prospered thanks to a blend of hard work and passion. In this conversation, the couple look back on their journey west to Portland and building their business from the ground up. A 25th anniversary is naturally a time to look back. Could you tell us about yourselves before you started Arciform? How did you meet? Richard: We met in Charleston, South Carolina in the early Nineties. We were both living on our sailboats in the marina. Anne: Richard founded ARCIFORM. After architecture school at Clemson, he’d been working as a teacher’s aide at a school for children with behavioral and educational challenges. But that was very emotionally stressful, so he decided to return to the building industry. He worked for a grand staircase maker, and discovered he had a talent for carpentry and had a good mind for solving problems. And he was professional. What about you, Anne? Anne: After studying interior design in college, I came 4

Even on the grayest day, Anne, Richard and Finney can bask in the glow of the Round Room, thanks to walls decked out in Benjamin Moore’s Banana Yellow 2022-40.

with a passion for the whole process of creating

learn. We basically had to beg for work.

and designing. I’m from northern Germany, a

But when we got it, we really worked hard.

town called Kiel, about 45 minutes south of the

Sometimes to get a job done on time, we would

Danish border. I grew up around old things. I

actually be sleeping in their garage to save

like the aesthetic of them and they just make

time, working almost around the clock. We

me happy. So we had this aha-moment where

wanted to make a reputation for ourselves;

we just decided, ‘Let’s specialize in old houses.’

that we were reliable, we could be counted on

We still would take anything else that would

and that the quality of work was good. That’s

come our way. But that would be our niche

how we got our footing. Our name started to get

market.

handed around, and our base grew.

What was it like building the business in those

Richard: And there wasn’t a specific niche for

early years?

historic home remodeling back then.

Richard: I’ve always liked hands-on projects

Anne: No. It was the 1990s, where granite

and building things. When we came out west,

counters and cherry cabinets were the trend.

we found that they actually appreciated the

Often we’d find these old houses would get an

trades a lot more. It seemed like you really

Eighties kitchen in the Eighties, and then in

formed relationships with the homeowners.

the Nineties they would get a Nineties kitchen.

That was something I really enjoyed.

We would say, ‘If you remodel in a more period appropriate manner, there’s much more

Anne: We had no family here, no references.

longevity to your investment.’

We were 22 and 25, so we still had a lot to 5

As if building a business weren’t challenging enough, you also

the next set of goals and achieve them. You’ve got to stay behind

restored an old house of your own and made it a live-work space.

your word and you’ve got to exceed clients’ expectations. I think that’s the secret I want people to really understand. If there’s

Anne: We had this whole business plan that we could maintain our

an opportunity that fits within what you see yourself doing, and

staff and not have to lay them off seasonally by having them work

you’re willing to work hard, just go for it. You’re going to gain some

on our house in Overlook. This house was the worst house on the

experience and knowledge and repertoire and new connections.

block in a great neighborhood. We were able to go from the top down and really practice our trade. When we lived in it, our offices

What have you learned along the way?

and living areas were in the bedrooms and we rented out the lower level. The shop was in the basement. But it was really fun.

Anne: Don’t spread yourself too thin. Because there was a time when we went after too many opportunities.

Maybe it’s worth noting, though, that you’re not speculative house-flippers. ARCIFORM is all about helping homeowners

Richard: We got up to almost a hundred employees a few years

achieve their dreams, right?

ago. We were kind of taking any job. But we weren’t having as much fun. At some point Anne and I said to ourselves, ‘Where

Richard: Exactly. We’re not trying to make a quick sale. We’re

were we really the happiest?’ We realized it was when we were

trying to make one family happy. We want to build what their

doing a little bit less managing of people and doing more of what

dreams are, not what we think might sell in less than 20 days.

we love. So we readjusted our goals and readjusted the workforce accordingly. Now it feels kind of like the good old days. We’re

Anne: It’s about passion for the work but it’s also about results.

having fun designing and building projects. And you know, the

We set goals, realistic goals, and we go achieve them, then we set

math worked out.

Anne designed a cozy library on the existing landing with an unlacquered brass library ladder, moody wallpaper by Fine & Dandy, and a deep, rich teal hue for the built ins and millwork. Cabinetry by Versatile Wood Products. Paint: Slate Teal 2058-20, Benjamin Moore. Wallpaper: Paradis, peacock. Fine & Dandy Ladder: Putnam Rolling Ladder Co, Inc. Chandelier: vintage eBay find.

We’re talking at your beautiful 1904 Colonial Revival home in Northwest Portland, the Isam White House by Whidden & Lewis, designers of City Hall and the grand Portland Hotel. How did you wind up calling this home? Richard: We’re friends with Dan Volkmer, a realtor in the area who specializes in historic properties; we refer clients to him and he’s referred some wonderful projects to us. He approached us about this house and said, ‘You should come take a look at this house. Maybe one of your clients will like it.’ We’d just completed our house in Overlook. It was a beautiful home. But we were a little bored, honestly. When we came and saw this house we were like, Should we make an offer?’ We didn’t look at a single other house. We just bought the damn thing.

It’s about passion for the work but it’s also about results. We set goals, realistic goals, and we go achieve them, then we set the next set of goals and achieve them. You’ve got to stay behind your word and you’ve got to exceed clients’ expectations.

I know Isam White was a successful businessman, but do you know much about the Whites or prior owners? Have you enjoyed learning those stories? Richard: Oh yeah, we’ve got portraits of them and everything downstairs. A lot of the Rose Festival princesses were crowned here. Anne: There was even a restaurant in here for many years, and we have some of the original menus. Oh, there’s such stories. Is it true you turned down a popular TV homes show interested in profiling your purchase? Richard: Yes. There’s one where they follow a couple to three different potential homes to buy. Somehow they got a hold of Dan and he said, ‘Talk to Richard.’ But I found out they wanted to show us looking at other homes, then coming into this house and saying, ‘We’ll buy it!’ and it would be romantic and everything. They said, ‘Don’t you want to be on TV?’ I’m like, ‘That’s not my story.’ I said, I don’t want to tell a fairytale just to be on TV.’ So we turned that episode down. Our personal story is important to us. It’s who we are and what we’ve created as a couple. What was it about Portland that first attracted you, and from the setting of this wonderful Isam White house, how does it feel 25 years later? Anne: It just felt like Portland had a lot of different neighborhoods, you can explore the countryside, and there are so many things that make it not generic. I think my biggest fear is to be generic and to fit into some sort of mold. And I felt like with Portland, being your own person is encouraged. There’s an adventurous spirit here, and that’s a big part of what Richard and I are after. • 8

The main stairway is lit with a glass chandelier and original stained glass windows. The ceiling adds a warm glow thanks to ARCIFORM painter Rene Flannigan’s painstakingly-applied gold leaf. Wallpaper: Paradis, peacock. Fine & Dandy. Chandelier: Miele Murano Glass Chandelier.

PAINT White paint: Milk Mustache, Dunn Edwards, color matched by Benjamin Moore Gray paint: Iron Mountain 2134-30, Benjamin Moore. Den & Dining Room walls. Teal: Slate Teal 2058-20, Benjamin Moore.. Library, Ante Room, Living Room , Stairwell walls. WALLPAPER Main Bedroom Walls: Shanghai PDSH206. Pacific Design, Miller Paint Grand Avenue. Bedroom 1 Walls: Judarn Mural. Anthropologie. Living Room Nook Walls: Egrets FBW/Rf96, stormy seas. Florence Broadhurst / Signature Prints via Miller Paint Grand Ave. Living Room & Entry Clgs: DE900, York, Miller Paint Grand Ave. Basement Staircase & Uppers at Butler’s Pantry: Boxing Hares, billiard green. Barnaby Gates. TILE Kitchen Nook – Cle 8” encaustic hex, kelly green. COUNTERS Kitchen baking center: honed Carrara Kitchen counter, floor inlay and cooker plinth: Venoso polished, Pental Butler’s Pantry counter, sink, backsplash, shelf: SoapStone, Pental Main Bath shower wall, threshhold: Carrara w/ogee at top edges, 2cm honed. Alpha Stoneworks PLUMBING Kitchen sink: salvaged, white cast iron from eBay Kitchen faucet: salvaged Concinnity faucet, polished nickel, wall mounted with sprayer Butler’s Pantry faucet: vintage swan, satin nickel Butler’s Pantry sprayer & hose: Rohl from Ferguson. Handsprayer & hose kit F A1461WS APPLIANCES Butler’s Pantry – DW: Asko DFI675XXL/DWTC from Eastbank Contractor Appliance – OVL Freezer Drawer: Fisher & Paykel/ Standard TV & Appliances: RB36S25MKI1_N, integrated Kitchen – Range – Aga Fridge – custom by Richard in nook

whole house

remodels 10

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTOPHER DIBBLE

renovation and

relationships Arciform’s multi-stage, decade-plus renovation of a classic Dutch Colonial home is all about the bond formed between designer and client BRIAN LIBBY / PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTOPHER DIBBLE

As Arciform celebrates 25 years in business, it’s a

give a lot of time to the initial meeting, and we had

moment to look back on the many historic homes

a great time hanging out. And it was clearly a great

that the firm has restored, expanded, and given new

house with a great lot, and an incredible view of the

life. Founder Richard De Wolf and owner-designer

city. It’s on a little dead-end street so it’s quiet and

Anne De Wolf are proud of Arciform’s portfolio full

tucked away. Andrea and Josh have a big yard and

of beautiful Victorians, Craftsman homes, Tudors,

patio to sit out and look over the city. As often is

and ranch style houses, churches, barns, 100

the case with these old homes, there are also a lot of

year old movie theatres, schools and many other

things that didn’t quite work.”

significant structures. They are also very proud of the employee and client relationships: the trust you

When the homeowners hired ARCIFORM, the

build and the fun you have together making a dream

company had already been in business for 10 years,

a reality.

but was only starting to develop a reputation for ambitious whole-house remodels. “Andrea and

This residence and its owners, with whom

Josh took a chance with us and trusted us with

ARCIFORM has collaborated for over a decade, is an

what turned out to be a complicated job,” Anne

ideal example of one of those relationships.

remembers. “It wasn’t easy, to be sure.” The clients, a busy surgeon and physician, had two

The clients first hired Arciform in 2008, shortly

young children and had recently hired a nanny.

after they purchased their 1919 Dutch Colonial

In the first of a series of projects, ARCIFORM

house in southwest Portland, just a stone’s throw

remodeled the third floor adding two new dormers,

from the rose gardens of Washington Park. “We hit

a bathroom and a new third-floor roof deck while

it off right away,” Anne De Wolf recalls. “I like to

restoring all the adjacent bedrooms. A few years 13

later, Andrea and Josh had ARCIFORM build out

The home’s interior style is a blend of traditional

their master closet and remodel their living room;

with touches of contemporary and hints of sparkle.

after yet more savings had been accumulated,

“I’m so proud of how it turned out,” Anne says. “It’s

ARCIFORM redesigned and remodeled the former

not predictable, but it doesn’t feel too whimsical.”

servant’s quarters at the end of their house, and created a new kitchen. “It had been in a home

The kitchen is full of natural light, with white quartz

magazine at the time,” Anne says of the kitchen, “but

countertops and backsplashes pairing with soft

it was awkwardly designed and honestly very dated

blue-gray cabinetry and a reflective white coffered

with this Eighties-country style. The client loves to

ceiling to spread the illumination from nearby front

cook and he’s running all around showing me the

windows. A restaurant-level professional cooking

kitchen, and saying, ‘How do I cook in this place?’”

range gives Josh all the firepower he needs to cook, and a large island hides the small appliances. The

The house had multiple additions in the 1930s and

interior design also mixes contemporary lighting

‘40s, which made remodeling and expanding the

and furniture amongst the home’s historic style,

house difficult. In the kitchen alone, for example,

including a midcentury Saarinen table in the

there were three different ceiling heights, one of

breakfast nook and a trio of textured glass lamps

which had been lowered to make room for a stairway

above the island.

landing above. The redesign called for greater openness and clarity, but perhaps most of all, the

The kitchen is one of two spaces in the house

client wanted natural light and to make a dark

featuring cabinet doors with eye-catching antiqued

interior feel brighter. The ARCIFORM construction

mirror glass, which has a kind of cloudy patina. “It

team, led by project manager Adam Schoeffel and

adds glam without much cost, but it has fabulous

senior site lead Jamie Whitt aker, worked with Anne

texture and reflectivity,” Anne says. “We were

and found a way to make the pieces fit together.

worried the space would still seem dark, so we brainstormed all these reflective surfaces to make it

as bright an area as it could be. That antiqued mirror glass is just one of those things that can really add sparkle, but because of its patina, it also has a kind of mystery to it.” The mirrored glass is also used in the back splash for a cocktail-bar in the new family room, juxtaposed against the geometric Calacatta marble tile of a new fireplace surround. “There was just a little door into that room,” Anne De Wolf says. “Now you can look through that into the kitchen where we opened up the enclosed servant’s stairs with a balustrade.” Outside at the house’s entrance, an overhanging eave followers the contours of the new addition, offering shelter at the side door but then tucking away from the adjacent kitchen windows. It’s not the overhang initially designed, but instead exemplifies how the De Wolfs believe in working with the client to get it right. To keep the project within the clients’ budget, Anne and the ARCIFORM team had designed an overhanging front eave going straight across over the kitchen windows.

When the clients arrived home from work one afternoon during framing of the addition’s roof “They said, ‘We don’t like it.’ They felt it would make the kitchen too dark,” Anne recalls. “I saw their point. We tried to make it simple and for less money, but it was the wrong choice.” She and the clients agreed to share equally the expense of a redesigned roof without deep overhangs in front of the kitchen. “When there is something like that, then we can all jump in and roll up our sleeves and fix it,” she adds. “We make sure that if there’s something that doesn’t quite work out the way we wanted it to, we will move heaven and earth to make it happen. And especially for these guys. They’re just really, really great.” Though these are now clients and friends of many years, the journey is not over. Joshua and Andrea still have their main suite to renovate. While some of our clients like to renovate an entire house at once, many, if not the majority, prefer to go room by room over time. But when the clients are ready, ARCIFORM can’t wait to dive back in. • 17

archive.

your whole house plan part one: a solid foundation You may only be thinking about a quick update to your master bath or basement right now. But have you considered how the choices you are making on this remodel will affect the future plans you may have for your house?

Creating a whole house plan will ensure that each step you take to improve your home will be thoughtfully considered

Part One: Creating a Solid Foundation for your Whole House Plan

and efficiently executed with the needs of future projects in mind. This will save time, prevent costly re-dos and offer

1. Identify Your Goals

the peace of mind that each improvement you make will

Before you spend any money on your home, it will be

dovetail seamlessly with the projects before and after it.

important to consider carefully the following questions:

In this three part series, we’ll break it down step by step to

Which investment will be right for your home based on its

offer which questions to consider and which best practices

current value?

to keep in mind for each phase of your plan to ensure a

How does your plan fit in with the style and scope of homes

result you’ll be happy with for the lifetime of your home.

in your neighborhood?

Which kinds of improvements are most appropriate for your

as you develop your plan.

stage of life and the life cycle of your family? Some remodeling

As a design|build company, Arciform offers an integrated design

projects recoup nearly 100% of their cost in increased home

and construction team that will stay with you every step of the

value—others may not but may be worth the investment for

way and coordinate all of the other professionals you will need

other reasons.

to complete your projects.

You’ll also need to keep both your family’s long term and short term needs in mind. Consider: • How will your family’s needs change over the time you plan to be in your home? • Will you need to accommodate an aging parent? • Make room for your family to grow? • Prepare for an empty nest?

2. Assemble Your Team Assembling the team of professionals you’d like to work with at the beginning will ensure clear communication and avoid unnecessary overlap or conflict between the responsibilities of each professional. At minimum, you’ll want to identify your: • Architectural Design Team • Construction Team • Interior Decorator

3. Develop Your Design

• Landscape Architect

Your whole house design will take into consideration any engineering, systems upgrades (like new heating or electrical)

Keep in mind that each of these teams will have existing

and structural changes required to meet your long term goals.

relationships with city officials and subcontractors who will also end up being an important part of the decision making process

It will also develop the design details for each proposed project 19

your whole house plan part one: a solid foundation

so that they will fit the architectural style of your home while

your house if necessary.

showcasing your family’s unique tastes and personality. Along

Getting your basement completely dry will often also require

the way your design team will help you consider the following

a look at your rooftop water management systems, your

questions:

landscaping plan (to be sure water is being directed away from your foundation with appropriate grading) and may include the

• Which layout changes will make your home function better?

installation of underground french drains to route groundwater

• What storage needs do you have?

around and away from your home.

• Which appliance or technology upgrades are you hoping to incorporate? • Which architectural details will integrate well with your home’s era and style? • What mood and design aesthetic would you like the finished spaces to evoke? • Which colors, shapes, textures and design details would you like to see integrated into the finished project? Every detail of your proposed project that can be selected in advance will save costly delays and change orders later.

4. Deal with the Foundation First If your goals include updating the seismic bracing, mitigating water infiltration or expanding the head height in your basement, these are all projects that should be tackled prior to any interior

5. Update your Mechanical Systems

renovations. This includes digging out your foundation or lifting

Are new furnace or heating systems part of the long term plan

for your home? As un-sexy as these basic mechanical upgrades

6. Button Up Your Envelope

can be, they can make a huge difference to your comfort in the

After your mechanical systems are updated, its time to

home. They also require ripping into walls, usually on multiple

consider what energy performance upgrades might be needed

floors, so it is best to take care of them early before you start

in your home. Sealing the cracks and air holes that create

any internal renovation projects. The last thing you want to

drafts, adding insulation and installing new windows and

do is tear into your beautiful new paint job to arrange the

doors can all happen prior to any internal renovations.

installation of a heating duct.

Next Step: The Fun Part! Planning your Interior Renovations In the next installment we’ll take it floor by floor to offer insight into which projects to tackle first and what questions to ask as you design your dream kitchen, main suite and basement.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTOPHER DIBBLE

kitchen

design

9 tips

for a well-designed kitchen By the time we are done designing your spaces, you will know more about your house than you ever wanted to. Like what does the outlet cover look like, what is the shade of grout, which direction do the floor boards run. As we quote so often, the devil is in the details. We unearthed this ICONIC blog post to share a bit more about the details that make a space special and functional.

1. Work Triangles This refers to the cooking area, sink and refrigerator. The concept behind the work triangle is that when the three elements are in close proximity to each other, the kitchen will run efficiently.

2. Work Zones Think about the areas where you prep, cook and clean. Is the waste container near the prep zone? Is there counter space near the stove? 24

3. Ergonomics Think about the height of your counters and whether there will be two or four people in your kitchen. Is there enough space to move without constantly bumping into each other? Cabinet height, drawers instead of doors and pullout trays can all play a role in an ergonomically correct kitchen.

4. Aging in Place If this is your forever home, will you be able to reach into your cabinets easily? Is there enough light to see as your eyesight changes over time?

5. Hood Venting This kitchen project required the removal of an existing chimney and the re-routing of the stove exhaust through a new hood and into the soffit above the penninsula. Depending on the location of the hood and the direction of ceiling joists, venting the hood can be challenging. There are also minimum clearances required for venting that is located next to operable windows.

6. Outlet Placement Are there enough outlets and are they logically placed? Code requires that you have outlets placed every five feet plus some.

7. Range Hood Placement and Size This kitchen renovation in a Portland National Monument building included a custom range hood designed for the project. Hoods should be placed a certain distance from the cooking appliance for optimum ventilation as well as at a distance that works with the user’s height. Design by Anne De Wolf.

8. A ppliance Placement This is an important thing to take into consideration for creating a work triangle and work zones that correspond to how the user will use the space. We will also consider how appliance door swings and clearances will affect adjacent cabinets and other obstacles.

9. M aterial Durability/Maintenance Needs and Concerns While it may cost more initially, selecting durable materials will pay off in the long run. The soapstone counters pictured above require additional maintenance (they should be oiled regularly), but patina beautifully over time. If you prefer a more pristine look, your designer may recommend a counter top material that is less porous.

if walls could

talk

More art than wallpaper, today’s designer

room, and give your walls a unique voice.

inspired wall coverings offer unique and

Want to inject a little intrigue into your

dynamic ways to add depth, color, texture

design? Get creative! Try using wallpaper in a

and even personality to your space.

completely unexpected place like the ceiling, or bring additional character to your design

Whether it’s egrets for the alcove, bold

with a whole room mural. When faced with

graphics for the basement, botanicals for the

endless possibilities, what story do you want

powder room or a dramatic and broody velvet

your walls to tell?

damask for the bedroom, adding wallpaper can spark joy, bring balance and focus to a

or do they? PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTOPHER DIBBLE

Living Room Nook Walls: Egrets FBW/Rf96, stormy seas. Florence Broadhurst / Signature Prints via Miller Paint grand ave.

Basement Staircase & Uppers at Butler’s Pantry: Boxing Hares, billiard green. Barnaby Gates.

Bedroom 1 Walls: Judarn Mural. Anthropologie.

ARCIFORM.COM • 30

(503)

493-7344