The Best Boutique Hotel in Portland

High above Macy’s in Portland’s Pioneer Square lies a chic, luxurious dwelling, where those who appreciate art, design and Tiffany Blue can immerse themselves in this cultural epicenter.  We first visited The Nines in 2009, a year after it opened to great fanfare, debuting as the best hotel in Portland, putting the city on the map in the experiential hospitality scene.

We found The Nines was worthy of its name, but it has, after all, been twelve years. Is it still the best boutique hotel in Portland or is it now past its prime? Let’s dive in, shall we?

What I Loved: The hotel lobby, located on the 8th floor of a historic building, still creates a kaleidoscopic labyrinth of seating areas that blend into the restaurant, Urban Farmer. While it would likely look different if designed today, it still felt luxurious and was a great place for a pre-dinner cocktail.

What you Should Know about the Los Angeles Arts District in 2021

Update July 5, 2021: The DTLA Arts District has no doubt taken a massive hit due to the COVID pandemic. My old client Hammer and Spear closed their original location there in 2020 (they are still on La Cienega).

While it’s still worth visiting, just know that it’s definitely been set back. So many restaurants and stores have closed, but we hope to see a turnaround as we all make our way into a brighter future. I have updated my list below to reflect what is open and have removed those that are now closed indefinitely. R.I.P. so many gems that will be greatly missed.

Original Post from 2017: My client, Hammer and Spear, first introduced me to the Los Angeles Arts District four years ago, when they moved to the neighborhood, befriended everyone, and became a design destination and representation of what was to come.

They knew the owner of Bestia and could get a table any night of the week, when it was the hardest reservation to snag in town. They met a local photographer—who they later partnered with—to form a printing company that pays homage to the neighborhood. They launched Saint Rita Parlor, a hand-crafted eyewear company made in DTLA, and have since helped propel the careers of other artists and designers with unique perspectives and stories.

But this isn’t just a story about Hammer and Spear. It’s a story about why the Los Angeles Arts District has quickly become the most vibrant, creative neighborhood in the country right now. The foundation was built on community.

In a world full of big box retailers and cookie-cutter experiences, DTLA is full of talented individuals who had a vision for creating something local. Read on for a roundup of my favorite independent shops, bars, and restaurants that are all walkable in a city that rarely recommends walking anywhere.

The Best of Larchmont Village, A Neighborhood Gem in LA

Whenever anyone asks me what neighborhood I love the most in LA, it is without question the neighborhood where I live and work—Hancock Park / Larchmont Village. As long as I call myself an Angeleno, I hope I never have to leave this side of town. Bordering Hollywood, Hancock Park, and Korea Town, historic Larchmont Village is within walking distance of my house, and until quarantine, my office, The Storied Group, and is one of the most charming neighorhoods in LA.

While it had grown tremendously in the last few years—gaining larger high-end brands like Diptique and Blue Mercury—due to COVID, some shops and restaurants have closed, but there are still great independent boutiques and a Farmers’ Market every Wednesday (new!) from 1pm-5pm and Sunday morning from 10am-2pm . Though Larchmont Village is considered the south end of the street, it’s been expanding further towards Melrose with the opening of Cafe Gratitude a few years ago. If you’re looking to treat yourself, it’s worth nothing that this is the best massage I’ve had in Los Angeles, though they are still under a mask mandate.

For any out-of-towners, put this on your list for a local experience, and scroll down to see my favorite spots to eat, drink + shop:

If you don’t have clients, you don’t have a business. I know this because I have had a service based business relying on clients since 2008.

Some of these suggestions can be accomplished in a few minutes, while some are things to put in motion that will pay off over time.I have done most of these because they work for most businesses. Pay special attention to #8 and #9 because I have found them to be crucial in getting more word-of-mouth business.

Are you ready to ignite your business with new clients? Let’s go.

15 Creative Ways to Get Interior Design Clients

Make Your Client the Hero of Your Marketing: Stop what you’re doing! No really. Go to your website and answer this question: Who is the hero of the story on your website? Is it your client? Or is it you? 

Many designers make the mistake of making themselves the hero of their marketing narrative. Your client wants to know how you can fulfill their deepest desires and solve their biggest pain points. You need to make sure that your website copy speaks to your ideal client and convinces them that YOU are what they’ve been missing. And YOU are the one who is going to swoop in and make all their dreams come true.