We are as passionate about the small bathroom remodel as we are the new modern home. From kitchens to ADUs, basement remodels to high-rise condo renovations, we welcome variety in our residential projects.
Our mission is to create warm, tactile, singular spaces that have an intuitive flow and are built to last. Humane. Authentic. Refined. Respecting both past and present. We value these qualities-in design, and beyond. In 2008, I started Howells Architecture + Design in Portland, Oregon, with a desire to make beautiful, livable spaces that express the west but also benefit from a global sophistication. Renovation is a big part of my practice because it's a personal passion. My love of older houses goes back to a childhood spent moving around the country with a single mom who loved Florida kitsch, collected Fiestaware, and could turn an ordinary house into something special.
Thankfully no one was home when an electrical fire destroyed much of the interior of this SE Portland home. After the damage was done, Blythe + Peter took the opportunity to upgrade their kitchen + master bath. The result is a streamlined but historically sensitive renovation of a classic Craftsman home. For the kitchen, the plan was to lighten and open up the room, and provide better flow from kitchen to dining and back yard-important for a family with 3 kids. The layout stayed close to the original, but slight tweaks made a big difference.
The new kitchen in this 1909 NE Portland home was inspired by the owners' gutsy attitude and love of midcentury furniture. A conventionally attractive kitchen didn't suit Holly + Magda, so we opted for a bold materials palette: western walnut cabinetry, gunmetal tile, and white quartzite countertops. Skylights and a glass exterior door maximize daylight. Ample task lighting and a Jasper Morrison Glo-Ball provide additional lighting for all moods and functions. To harmonize the new modern space with the vintage of the home, we maintained the existing kitchen footprint and designed a cabinetry scheme to fit seamlessly into the bones of the room.
This 1920s Irvington house isn't short on charm, but the circulation between the kitchen, dining room, and breakfast nook made it awkward for family living. To maximize usable kitchen "real estate, " we closed off a redundant entry to the back staircase, creating vital counter space between the fridge and range. At the nook, we widened the opening for ease of access and designed a built-in bench to make for easy casual dining and a space for the kids to do crafts and projects. Matched oak flooring unifies new spaces and old.
The new design was inspired by the 1920s home's gracious English-influenced architecture. Clean lines and a shot of bold color strike a balance between modern and traditional. Several key factors informed the plan. The kitchen is a compact yet high-traffic area, giving access to several rooms. We had to design for that circulation, for ample storage, and also for better flow between the kitchen and breakfast room. Our approach was to forgo cabinetry above the peninsula, keeping it open. A bi-level countertop is multi-purpose: it screens messy prep areas from the kitchen, acts as a breakfast bar, and is also handy for placing hot dishes from the the adjacent double oven.
We converted an old attic into a spacious writer's garret in an historic Irvington home. The new space involves a dormer addition that had to meet strict Irvington Historic District design guidelines and blend well with the existing home-a noteworthy and unusual 1914 building. The new room was designed to be a elegant sanctuary in which to write and read. Warm gray wainscoting and honey-colored oak floors make for a serene palette. Skylights and generous windows ensure plenty of natural light. We designed a wall-to-wall desk from a beautiful piece of live-edge walnut, which provides ample room for writing, as well as for laying out research materials.
This project comprises an intensive renovation of an early midcentury home, on a sunny slope of Mount Tabor. Tom + Jane picked their home for its layout and position, but made big changes for reasons of aesthetics and performance, as well as to accommodate them for eventual aging in place. We completely reconfigured all bathrooms, raised ceilings, and updated all lighting and audio systems. A new scheme for cabinetry and trim aims to be refined, timeless, cohesive and in line with Tom + Jane's earthy but elegant palette.
With good bones but dated finishes, this 5,000-square-foot home underwent a gut renovation to meet its new owners' tastes. The goal was a sophisticated home with an earthy, rustic palette and interesting textures. In all of the rooms, we worked with organic materials in complementary finishes: rough and smooth, hard and soft. Wood, tile, steel, and stone are used abundantly. Rigorous attention to finish is prevalent in each room. The centerpiece of the home is the custom gas fireplace designed by Michael Howells with technical mastery by Walter Moberg of Moberg Fireplaces.
First step: We meet you where you are. Vacant lot or vintage home, Michael Howells will come to you for an initial consultation, at no charge. Next steps: We send a proposal. If it feels like a good mutual fit, we enter into a contract, then move into the design phase. For renovations, we first measure your existing space and follow up with a drafted plan. For new construction, we gather site information and present a rendering of the design concept. In both cases, your goals, tastes, and values deeply inform and inspire the solutions we propose.
We designed this ski-in, ski-out home in Teton Village, Wyoming, for a family with 4 children. Strict subdivision guidelines mandated a traditional western mountain style, but a reductive approach to detailing balances the rustic elements. The home has 7 bedrooms and 5 full bathrooms, and captures views of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and the valley beyond. The interiors are completely designed and furnished by Howells Architecture + Design. Regional staples (bison taxidermy, antler chandeliers) mix with more refined pieces.
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