My Favorite Local Finds and a Stunning Kitchen Reveal.
I love this time of year—the changing leaves and the colors that bring the outdoors to life in a whole new way. Here’s what’s happening at Latta Home this fall, along with a few design tips you can put to use at home.
Porch Giveaway
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to gift one lucky winner a porch makeover.
It was such fun!
I went a little unconventional this year, and the bumblebee gourds were a favorite—unique and beautiful. I also chose pieces that will carry the porch through to December, making the transition to the next holiday season easy.
The final review of this year’s Fall Porch Giveaway.
New Openings: Where to Shop
There have been some exciting openings around our area! At Bridgeport Village, City Home and Design Within Reach have both opened beautifully curated showrooms. Sur La Table and Arhaus are also on the way, with Arhaus bringing a large showroom later this year.
It’s great to have more places to see and experience furnishings in person rather than relying on photos online.
Beyond Bridgeport Village
I also discovered Willow Creek Antiques in Canby. It’s full of beautiful finds at great prices—definitely worth a visit!
And a shout-out to CFM’s new showroom in Tigard. CFM is one of my go-to resources for countertops, tile, flooring and cabinetry, and its new space is larger, brighter and easier to navigate. With improved displays, better lighting and private meeting spaces, it offers a more comfortable experience for exploring materials and making selections.Their new showroom also marks CFM’s 45th anniversary of serving our community.
I’m excited to bring clients into this updated space!
Let’s Talk Lighting
CFM offers a wealth of resources for remodeling, but lighting is one area that requires a different approach. And it’s one of the details that can truly set a home apart.
At this year’s Street of Dreams, I was blown away by the variety of lighting available. When sourcing fixtures, I won’t settle for boring. There are simply too many great options!
But choosing the right fixture is only half the equation. Placement matters, too. Here are a few general guidelines for hanging fixtures:
Dining table: 30–36 inches above the tabletop
Kitchen island: 30–36 inches above the counter, with approximately 24–30 inches between pendants
Entryway: At least 7 feet from the floor to the bottom of the fixture
Other spaces where people stand: Aim for 7–8 feet from the floor to the bottom of the fixture, adjusting for ceiling height and the fixture itself
Next Up: Lightbulbs
This is an easy detail to get wrong, and it can dramatically change how a room looks and feels.
Light color is measured in Kelvins (K). One of the most common issues I see? Mismatched bulbs. A warm pendant over the kitchen island paired with cool recessed lights can make the whole room feel off—even when you can’t quite pinpoint why.
Here’s a quick guide:
Warm white (2700–3000K): Soft, golden and inviting. Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms.
Neutral white (3500–4000K): Clean and balanced. Often a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms where visibility matters.
Cool white/daylight (5000K+): Crisp and energizing. Better suited to garages, workspaces and specific task lighting than spaces designed for relaxing.
One final tip: keep bulb color temperatures consistent within a space, unless you have a specific reason to vary them. The right lighting makes a difference in both how your home functions and how it feels.
Here’s my full Street of Dreams review.
Project Spotlight
A recent kitchen project is a great example of how incredible lighting and thoughtful design can change the way a home works.
After years in a cramped, dated kitchen and dining room, this young family was ready for a space that fit the life they were living—and the one they were building.
They love to gather, entertain and spend time together, so the goal was an open, welcoming and timeless design that complemented the contemporary feel of the rest of their home.
We started by removing walls to connect the kitchen, dining and family rooms into one cohesive space. Then we took the kitchen down to the studs and reimagined it from the ground up, with an improved layout, a larger island, new flooring, cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, lighting, paint and hardware.
The result? A home that finally reflects this family—how they gather, how they live and who they are. Beautifully settled, at last.
See the final results here.
I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful fall weather as much as I am! I’m finally making chili this week and heading to our first college football game this year. Go Beavs!
Although, with our money going to Oregon this year… go Ducks!
