A Portland Home Packed With Personality
Images by Alba Betancourt
What drew us to Karie Higgins’ work as an interior stylist was that every one of her spaces looks inherently lived in, like it’s been there forever. The native New Zealander's current home, in the trendy city of Portland, Oregon shares the feeling. Full of character, you can tell they really live in this architecturally designed abode; stacks of books, crates overflowing with records, and kid’s doodles taped to the walls are juxtaposed with timeless furniture choices, local artwork and intentional greenery: “there’s something about both planted things and art - they take time to collect and grow, but they completely transform a home”, says Karie. Join us on this heart-warming tour of a house absolutely jam-packed with personality.
“We’ve been in our Northeast Portland home for six years. I live here with my husband, Lee, and our two girls, Lo (7) and Rue (4). It’s a modern home by Waechter Architecture with clean lines, high ceilings, and lots of glass that brings in beautiful light throughout the day. The kitchen and living areas open onto an internal courtyard and a small garden out back. It’s a great layout for family life and city living, and really helps the space feel connected to the outdoors. We’ve been slowly cultivating the garden over the years, which has added so much softness and life to the space. All the bedrooms are upstairs, which creates a nice separation between public and private areas. We’re also just a few minutes’ walk from some of Portland’s best restaurants and cafés, and our daughter’s school is right next door. We really love our little neighborhood!”
“Our bedroom is upstairs and unusually spacious given the home’s overall size, which feels like such a luxury in city living and one of the really well thought out pieces of the floor plan. It’s one of the calmest spaces in the house, and we’ve kept it really pared back - there’s something so satisfying about having everything tucked away. We have a large piece by Maja Dlugolecki above the bed, and some of her other works throughout the home.
I love how calm and restrained the room feels, and how changing the linens can shift the whole mood
"The full-length linen drapes we added along the window wall are such a simple but impactful gesture - they bring softness, diffuse the light beautifully, and add texture. The Noguchi pendant gives it a gentle sculptural quality. I love how calm and restrained the room feels, and how changing the linens can shift the whole mood. It’s a quiet, minimal space that doesn’t have to do anything but be restful. We try to keep the kids' toys and general ‘stuff’ out of our room so it stays a grown up and uncluttered space…mixed results, but that’s always the goal, ha!”
Karie's bed is dressed with our Oversized Heavy Linen Bed Cover in off-white & Bolster Cover in natural
“There are a few pieces that really hold meaning for us. We found two vintage Corbusier dining chairs on the street when we were living in New York, and held onto them for years before we could finally afford to have them re-strung. We also planted an olive tree in our courtyard when I was 8 months pregnant with Rue (I literally fell into the hole while helping dig it). Our potted hydrangeas and climbing white jasmine are nearly as old as our kids. And we have some beautiful art pieces by John Vitale and other local artists that add richness and meaning throughout the home. There’s something about both planted things and art - they take time to collect and grow, but they completely transform a home. They add life, color, and personality in ways that make a space feel loved.”
There’s something about both planted things and art - they take time to collect and grow, but they completely transform a home. They add life, color, and personality in ways that make a space feel loved.
“I think the feeling of a space being "lived in" comes from mixing materials and tones that bring warmth and age. I like to include something unexpected, even if it feels a little off at first - that tension makes everything else feel more relaxed.
“For me, it often comes down to texture and natural materials - stone, wood, ceramics. I gravitate toward things with patina, warm wood in different tones, and pieces that feel collected over time (like vintage leather accent chairs to contrast a new modern sofa). I try to avoid spaces that feel too perfect or polished - they can come across as a bit stale or uninviting. I lean into the accumulated, curated feel of things collected with intention. That layering of organic texture is what keeps minimal spaces from feeling cold.”
I lean into the accumulated, curated feel of things collected with intention. That layering of organic texture is what keeps minimal spaces from feeling cold.
“I focus on editorial interior styling - collaborating with architects, designers, and high-end realtors to prepare homes and spaces for photoshoots. My approach blends new and vintage furniture, collected accessories, and works by local artists and sculptors to create layered, lived-in compositions that photograph beautifully.
“I also offer design consulting for homeowners - helping refine layouts, source furnishings and art, and bring clarity to a home’s overall style direction.”
The family's guest room is dressed with our European Linen bedding in Lilac & Chestnut
“I’m currently working with a select group of clients on furnishing and curation for private homes. It’s a nice counterpoint to the fast pace of shoots, these projects move a little slower and allow for more personal, hands-on decision-making. I love helping people build layered, meaningful spaces.
“That said, I also love the energy and creativity of being on set. I’m always dreaming up, sourcing, moodboarding, and prepping for upcoming editorial shoots - it’s so fulfilling to bring interiors to life through imagery.
“One of the things I’m most excited about is Assemble Collective, which I co-founded with two close friends here in Portland: photographer Alba Betancourt, whose eye is incredible, and Annie Brett of Wilma, a brilliant vintage curator. Together, we offer full-service creative direction, styling, sourcing, and editorial production. It’s such a fun, inspiring collaboration, getting to work with talented friends makes the whole process even more special.”
Pops of colour in the kids room from our Organic Cotton in blue stripe & European Linen in mist, lilac & cool grey, and in the bathroom: our lilac bath towels
“The food and wine scene here [in Portland] is so good – we’re spoiled with incredible restaurants, wineries, and coffee spots. It still feels more affordable than other cities with a similar lifestyle, and being surrounded by nature is a huge part of what makes the PNW so special. You can be at the coast, in the mountains, or deep in the forest within a couple of hours. Our river cabin is just an hour away, and it’s our favorite place on earth.”
The family's guest room is dressed with our European Linen bedding in Lilac & Chestnut
“There’s something about Portland that reminds me a lot of home. The shared love of food, wine, and that feeling of being a little off the beaten track makes the two places feel surprisingly aligned. Both are deeply connected to nature and lifestyle, and even the climates are relatively similar. We do miss our families back in New Zealand though, which always makes NZ feel like our true home.”
Karie's bed is layered in a combination of Organic Cotton in our white & milk, and Heavy Linen in off-white
“We love spending time at the Oregon Coast - Neskowin, Cape Lookout, Short Sands and Manzanita are our more regular spots. Our little cabin is along the Wilson River in Tillamook, which is where we spend most of our free time.
“In the city, we’re two blocks from Proud Mary, a great Aussie café that we love, and super close to No Saint (our favorite neighborhood Italian spot). Other favorite restaurants include Gabbiano’s for dinner, Sweedeedee for brunch, + Cafe Olli and Guero.
“For design and shopping, I love Spartan Shop, Storied Objects, Frances May, and Yo Store. The Japanese Gardens are always beautiful to take visitors, and my favorite wineries are Sosta House, L’Angolo, COR Cellars, and Syncline.
“Summer in Oregon is such a dream - we’re soaking up every minute of it with family adventures and fun projects. Hopefully we’ll get home to New Zealand for Christmas. We're also dreaming of a trip to Japan or Europe, but that might be one for 2026 when the kids are a bit bigger.”
Featured Products
