By Gabrielle Enfield, March 20, 2018
Local boutique Woonwinkel is a Portland, Oregon-based shop owned by two women with a passion for independent designers, simple forms, and gorgeous color. They carry home goods and gifts from all over the world, most of it created by individuals and itty bitty companies. It’s also a big favorite of ours. By the way, woonwinkel means “living shop” in Dutch.
To celebrate Spring Equinox (yay!), owner and color expert Kristin Van Buskirk recently sat down with Broker Gabrielle Enfield to chat about interior color to brighten up the season. The blank slate of bare walls can be intimidating for a new homeowner, so Gabrielle enlisted Kristin to demystify it for her clients by boiling it down to what’s hot, and how to get started. Kristin and Gabrielle not only have the love of homes and interiors in common, they met through their sons’ school and enjoy spending sunny Sundays chatting about all things design- and decor-related.
Gabrielle: Kristin – thank you so much for doing this! Woonwinkel is, without a doubt, a big favorite of ours. I’m excited to sit down with you each season to tackle design questions and tips for our readers. First question: What’s your favorite color and how does it make you feel when you see it?
Kristin: I love color and I embrace change so my favorite color changes a lot. Right now I’m obsessed with terracotta. Ranging from pinkish to rose to orange to brown, it makes me feel warm and soothed. It’s very natural in its paler tones and when it’s deeper and richer it’s slightly exotic.
Gabrielle: Trends for spring 2018 – what color does everyone need to paint their accent wall this year?
Kristin: Without a doubt, it’s green. The world’s antidote to the digital world is a celebration of life. You might remember that a very leafy, bright green was the Pantone color of the year in 2017, and it was NOT much loved. We have to admit, we prefer a richer, deeper botanical green like Thrive.06 by local paint company, Colorhouse, or a dark neutralized green.
Gabrielle: What’s the most popular design and accent piece in your store?
Kristin: One of our strangest items is also one of our most popular: a plastic resin pineapple light that comes in tons of colors. Pineapples are the sign of hospitality so some people have bought them for their entryway. Others use them as a nightlight, and one customer was in the midst of a tiki room renovation!
Gabrielle: How can people embrace color at home in 3 easy steps?
Kristin:
1. Think 60% neutral. Even a colorful home needs a good grounding in neutrals. Don’t feel like you’re wimping out when you choose a simple neutral backdrop. Then you can mix up the accent colors in different ways at different times.
2. Find colorful items that can work in different rooms. Afraid of color commitment? Then buy colorful things that can travel to different parts of the house easily. Cushions and throws can travel from living room to bedroom to den. Storage baskets are useful in many different rooms, and planters can find a home in just about any room.
3. Find one place to go wild. Find one place where you can really experiment. I like going super bold in rooms that we tend to take in smaller doses, like an entryway or a guest bathroom.
Gabrielle: What do you read/follow/listen to that inspires you?
Kristin: Okay, this sounds really cheesy, but what really inspires me most right now is the sound of nothing. Or just the wind in the trees. I’ve been getting my best ideas lately when I’ve been able to enjoy some moments of true quiet, which is a luxury that’s totally worth seeking out.
Kristin co-owns Woonwinkel, and is a color expert, with more than 20 years in the design industry. Before jumping full-time into Woonwinkel, Kristin was Design Director at Nike, working with a range of product and apparel teams. Remember Usain Bolt’s yellow shoes that took the gold at the 2012 Olympics? That was Kristin and her teams’ design.
Gabrielle is lives in North Portland where she’s decorated her mid century home with thrift store scores and is no stranger to bold colors and textures. She works out of the Northwest office of Living Room Realty at 17th and Lovejoy in Portland and loves making people’s real estate dreams come true. Thinking about making a move? She’d love to hear from you.
Gabrielle Enfield
Broker | OR
She/Her
Real estate can be a wild ride. It's important you find your wingperson.
At Working Magic Group, we understand the important decision of choosing an agent partner for buying or selling in Portland. It's a relationship for the long haul. The team's goal is to apply myriad experiences, both personally and professionally, to help guide client partners through a thoughtful, strategic, seamless and fun journey. Founded by top broker Gabrielle Enfield, Working Magic's goal is to bust down the stereotypes of who Realtors are and how they serve. We are full service brokers, in it for the long haul, and believe in the relationship imperative. We operate from a place of trust with people at the center. Without that, we can’t do our work. Need an understanding of where to start, when it comes to getting ready to sell? We'll put backgrounds in project management to work and let you know what needs to happen, complete with spreadsheets, if you're into it. We've got the magicians on speed dial to show up and get it done so you can hit the easy button. We treat each listing as a brand we're launching and create emotional and sensory experiences that stand out. Custom playlists, anyone? We've been told our open houses are the best in town. Looking to purchase a vacation property and need it to generate rental income? Expect sharp pencils to make sure the numbers make sense. We can even help with the interior design and advise how to set it up to make top dollar. Ready to downsize? We'll be with you on this important chapter and gently guide you to what stays and what goes. First-timer who needs a steady hand to help guide you through the real estate process? Mama Bear's got you covered, and we'll be sure to point out what you need to look for or stay away from. Moving to PDX and need a proxy to get to know Rose City? Gab's a Pac NW native, and even with all its growth and change, this place still gives her butterflies. Plus, her background in video production makes those remote FaceTime home tours a breeze. About Gabrielle Enfield, Founder, Working Magic at Living Room Realty: I grew up in Woodland, Washington, and live in the wooded hills of Bridlemile, where I'm raising my family. #boymom. Today I am the #1 agent at my brokerage - which is Portland's #1 real estate office - and consistently rank in the top 1% of more than 8,400 brokers in the Portland metro. I love what I do and it shows. Before real estate, my career spans two decades of expertise I'm fortunate enough to apply every day. These experiences range from being a TV news anchor (visual storyteller) to helping develop some of the world's beloved brands like Xbox and Dave's Killer Bread (strategy and engagement). I also helped launch Paul Allen's MoPop to a global stage; it combined two of my life loves: music + architecture. I was on the forefront of integrated media, crisis communications, digital productions and managed events and massive teams that delivered headline-making news. I was practically born to sell Real Estate: my Dad is a retired custom home designer and builder, my Uncle is an architect and my Grandpa was a Realtor and developer. I am an active listener, have a keen eye for "good bones", and solving my clients' real estate needs in a creative and often unexpected way brings me joy. In my spare time, I am raising my kiddos to be confident weirdos, championing my spouse Per who is an IP attorney at Nike, hitting the thrift store circuit as often as I can, and volunteering my time as a Broker Advisor at Living Room. In 2023 I launched Hi Buddy Hospitality Group, a burgeoning hostel and restaurant in NE Portland. I also am a member of Project Color Corps Portland Chapter, a national non-profit that collaborates with people to add color to their essential community spaces, creating beauty, belonging, and joy. Please give a call – I'd love to see what it would be like to partner with you. For a look inside my everyday life, be sure to follow along on Instagram. Let's Work Magic together. High fives!
- T: 503-388-2788
- gabrielle@livingroomre.com
