18 Karat is a furniture manufacturer that specializes in contemporary interior design accessories. View a sampling of their products below, or come into Hip and see it for yourself! For a full catalog, check them out here: http://www.eighteenkarat.com

Check out the before and after on this dining room from a HIP design consult!

Before:

Photo Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal Properties, Niels G. Brownlow Portland, OR

After:

Dining Table: "Action" by Calligaris Italy, Tempered Glass with Walnut Legs, $3180

Dining Chairs: "Even" by Calligaris Italy, White Leather and Chrome, $587/ea.

Like what you see? Contact the friendly staff at HIP to set up your own consult! Fee: $75/hour. This charge will be applied toward future purchases at HIP.

Email us: Call us: 503.225.5017

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In Early September HIP was contacted by MASH Studios of Southern CA; Mash was seeking representation for the new PCH Series design group (http://www.pchseries.com). After doing her homework, Tamra determined that HIP was the only retailer in Portland suitable to market and sell the new PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) line. We were certainly interested, but we are always picky when selecting a line to represent at hip. After doing a little research on our own, owner and buyer Dave Haleston, not only found the PCH line interesting but additionally took interest in the precursor to the PCH line: the LAX Series (http://www.laxseries.com). Because of the mutual interest between Mash and HIP, Tamra put together a workable plan to place the PCH line, as well as the LAX Series, on to our floor. Now, with 90% of the line on display, we are excited to give our customers the chance to view both lines in person and see what makes MASH and HIP such a great fit.

Thanks again to Tamra and MASH Studios for the extra efforts made to pull off this new partnership.

It's simple. The LAX series of furniture is designed to provide perfect shapes that fit seamlessly into your home. Not distracting or overwhelming. LAX is crafted from high-grade materials, including English walnut & powder coated white aluminum.

Designed in California and named after the Pacific Coast Highway, the PCH series is designed with style for everyday use in mind. It's a combination of plantation grown teak, accented with polished aluminum panels, made from solid wood and built to last. The collection will continue to shine beautifully for generates to come.

Ever wondered how the owners of Gus* Modern decorated their home? Well, wonder no more! Design Sponge shows further....

http://www.designsponge.com/2011/08/sneak-peek-amanda-dave-from-gus.html

To those of you who have walked through HIP with your eyes closed for the past 4 years, please meet our artist, Deanna Lautenbach. Since 2007 Lautenbach has been making affordable, one-of-a-kind works for HIP. In that time her art has afforded a healthy following of loyal fans and today her pieces are coming in and out of the shop before we can have them hung. Thankfully Deanna will replicate previous works, as well as offering privately commissioned works to customers with specific requests.

The following is a sample of "Lautenbach's" available at HIP now; and keep in mind that they fly fast, because, hey, just because your Italian sofa took 4 months to arrive, doesn't mean your art has to.

For more information head over to http://www.artismycanvas.com

Modern Décor is often considered minimal and sterile; something to be admired, but not necessarily livable. We have many customers who come in “just to look around” and liken our shop to something of a museum. When pressed as to why they are not interested in owning a piece, the response is often something along the lines of “Oh my home is nowhere near modern! None of this would match.”

For those of you who can relate, allow me to introduce the 80/20 rule. The basic idea is that, when decorating a room, the secret balance is to have a main décor (80% of the room) and a supporting décor (the other 20%).

The room above is an elaborately decorated sitting room. The rich blue, heavy drapes, and stained glass window suggest an almost regal décor. However, the use of the 80/20 rule has created a healthy balance of modernity to this style. Minimal glass tables and a metal shaded lamp add positively to the character of this space.

The kitchen above is soft, almost country-like, with the use of a rich walnut table, lightly adorned white cabinets, and detailing down the bar stool legs. Yet, with the use of Eiffel dining chairs and dome pendant lighting, you have modernity mixed with country. And you know what? It works!

As always, remember that if you need style advice, just ask us!

"Introduction to BDI"

"The High Performance Features of High Performance Furniture"

"Sequel Office"

Learn about one of our favorite manufacturers by checking out this great video on Gus* Modern!

In continued efforts to save our customers money we recently added a sale section to ubhip.com. Proceed to the Hip menu on the left side of this screen. Directly underneath “products” you will find “sale.” Here you will find our current store-wide sale at the top of the screen, underneath “On Sale Now.” Below this will be our “Current Specials;” this section will always have a number of items that are on special discount throughout the store. Be sure to stay tuned, as you never know when your favorite items will go on sale!

Happy Shopping!

The Alchemia chair is offered in a variety of colors. Click here for more info: http://www.ubhip.com/products/chairs/detail/alchemia/

Thanks to Ashley at Soho Concept, Hip will have 6 new and stunning chairs to offer. When many suppliers have tightened up credit, Soho Concept has stepped out of the box by placing these new chairs in our showroom with no initial cost to Hip. Soho Concept knows that space in a showroom, and cash to purchase new items, can be tight. This type of partnership thinking, shows Soho Concept’s belief in Hip’s ability to present their products to Portland customers looking for new designs. Thanks again to Ashley for believing in Portland and hip as the place to go to for Soho Concept furniture. We're excited to work with Soho Concept and to show off our new additions.

Dave Haleston -Owner

Starting out in 1895, Niels Eilersen began business as a coachbuilder. After the company burned down in 1934, he rebuilt it into an entirely different production process: Furniture. The sofas quickly became incredibly popular and Eilersen has been booming ever since. Today, the name itself is synonymous with quality and Eilersen has a fantastic, world-wide reputation for its sofas. Every piece of furniture is based on genuine craftsmanship and fashion-conscious design. Come in and check it out this month!

Meet Conrad: Warehouse Assistant and the most recent addition to the HIPpest team in town. His interests include: Travelling, playing with his new puppy (a chocolate lab named Stella with a face to melt your heart) and being a transplant from Virginia. Next time you request delivery, be prepared for this young man to show up. We adore him for being our baby (at 20 perhaps “baby” is the wrong term, but we can’t help ourselves) and for bringing us his bright and upbeat attitude. Don’t be intimidated by his masculine, flowing, golden locks; we assure you this one is a sweetheart.

Just shy of 21, Conrad can’t seem to think about much else…. The Zoe bar is chic, sophisticated, stunning and full service. Great for hosting a party at home or for setting the tone in your new bar and/or restaurant business. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/tables/zoe/)

The Kara lounger by NUEVO had Conrad at first seat. Fun, funky, and oh-so-comfortable; Kara doesn’t just hold you, she rocks! The cushioning and visual appeal may be what drew Conrad in, but the rocking feature is what made him stay. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/chairs/kara/)

Did Conrad find Portland, or did Portland find Conrad? Either way, Conrad is eco-consciously living in one of the most eco-friendly cities around. As such; he chose the Magnolia shelf not just for its functionality and visual appeal, but for the values behind its manufacturer. Greenington builds environmentally sustainable Bamboo products in their ISO 9001 Quality Management and ISO 14001 Environment Management Certified Factory. Conrad knows that this shelf is an investment to feel good about and he wants you to feel it too! (http://www.ubhip.com/products/storage/magnolia_shelf/).

We are clearing out our remaining 2010 Style Garage items. Many items are now below cost. Mitchell Gold, left overs, Bo Concept, Natuzzi and more. We will be posting more during the week. Call or come by and see a sales associate for details and further information on what's available.

Hello Hipsters! It's yours truly, Lauren: resident blogger and sales associate here at HIP. My interests include the Oregon Ducks, piano, sushi, and art appreciation. Originally from the Oregon Coast and most recently from a stint in Eugene where I earned my college degree, I am a relative newbie to the Rose City. I love meeting new people and learning about this beautiful place. So please, come in and teach me about you and your home! (and then perhaps I can help you furnish it).

The Queen by Natuzzi caught my eye right off the bat. You can literally feel the quality in this piece, as It offers impeccable attention to detail. Esthetically speaking, I am astonished by it's feminine beauty and strength of formality. Ideally, I like seeing this chair in pairs as their compliment to one another is positively graceful. Also, as a girl with back problems, comfort is high on my list of priorities and I promise you, this fits the bill. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/chairs/queen/)

From day one at HIP my eyes were glued to the glass tables by Calligaris. I knew I had to have one and "Hyper" is just right for me. The clear glass offers a chic yet industrial look, as it creates a clear view of Hyper's structure underneath. I prefer it with wood legs, so as to soften the industrious style just a touch (as opposed to using metal). With extending leafs on each end, this piece is great for entertaining as well as everyday use. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/tables/hyper/)

The Orchid Platform Bed by Greenington is perfection. Clean lines and espresso-stained bamboo envelop understated elegance. The simplicity of the platform allows me to throw out my box spring and the basic design warrants nearly any type of bedding. Simply put: I love this bed. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/beds/view/orchidplatformbed/)

Meet Marshall: Warehouse Manager and resident funny-guy at HIP. His interests include: leaving you in hysterics, volunteering at church, baby sitting his niece, and being incredibly tall. If you ask for delivery, be prepared to catch this face on your doorstep! We love him for his oversized heart and for literally making things move around here at HIP. Marshall will never leave you disappointed on a delivery; trust us, the smile he leaves you with will be priceless.

Say hello to the King! A regal sofa from our favorite Italian leather line: Natuzzi. As a self-proclaimed modern traditionalist, Marshall admires this piece for its modern spin on a traditional look. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/sofas/king/)

"Who doesn't have stuff to put under their bed?!" says Marshall. Welcome the Marriott by Calligaris: our current top selling bed. Marshall regards this piece for its clean lines and hidden storage for a dual functionality. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/beds/view/marriott/)

The Lazy Time by Camerich: size, comfort, and "like a million pillows!" Not to mention, "my niece would make an awesome fort out of it" says Marshall. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/sofas/lazytime/)

Meet Rachel: Sales Associate and one of our resident designers down here at HIP. Her interests include: baking (yes, it’s delicious), pilates, the Oregon Beavers, and her huge Cuban family. Rachel cannot be missed; her signature laugh is frequent and easily heard from any corner of HIP. We love her for her energy and infectious spirit.

The Overachiever by Nuevo can take any room from blah to fabulous. It commands your attention from floor to ceiling and, as Rachel put it, “It’s just a gorgeous piece.” (http://www.ubhip.com/products/accents/overachiever/)

The Parentesi by Calligaris is one of our top selling tables. Simple in design, it can go with almost any kind of décor. It also shrinks and expands to three different sizes that can fit “any family!” says Rachel. Trust her, coming from a family that loves to cook, Rachel understands to importance of fitting everyone around the dining table. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/tables/parentesi/)

The unique quality of Natuzzi’s Sigma sectional is what drew Rachel in. The platform side panel is her favorite addition to this piece. It can be used for extra seating or as a side table. The sigma is handmade in Italy and offers a ten-year warranty.

Meet Kristen: Operations Manager and one of our resident designers down here at HIP. Her interests include; peppermint mochas, cruise ships, blogging (http://kristenjpeterson.blogspot.com/), scrap booking, and hanging out with the cookie monster. We love her for keeping us organized and maintaining sanity in the shop.

The Savoy by Natuzzi is a piece that Kristen truly believes in. She recently ordered this sectional in 25 grade Status Brown leather. The comfort of this piece is something that all the employees here agree on. While we all vary in our preferences from soft to firm cushioning, we've concluded that the Savoy is something we could really put our feet up on and sink into. It also happens to be a piece that the owners, Dave and Susie, have in their home. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/sofas/savoy/)

The Zeta by Natuzzi is not only a modern beauty, but it happens to be the most comfortable item in the store. (http://www.ubhip.com/products/chairs/zeta/)

"I love all our new rugs! It's so hard to pick just one." said Kristen, "I chose this one [Vitalize 114.012.100 by Ligne Pure] because of the coloring and unique design." Not to mention that a wool rug like this can last up to 40 years! (http://www.ubhip.com/products/accents/vitalize_114012100/)

Stay tuned! Starting this week we will be blogging about our HIP favorites. The employees here have picked their top 3 and soon our choices will be revealed. Keep checking the blog to see who is who at HIP and what makes their furniture-head spin!

This week marks a new expansion in the HIP world of Bamboo. We are bringing in the Magnolia line by Greenington. Providing us with new tables, shelving, storage, bar stools, and even a new bed! Clean lines and the use of tiger bamboo give this line a chic signature. Come in and check it out!

Introducing Ligne Pure: A new line of rugs from Belgium. Offered in a variety of sizes, the unique designs and high quality materials make Ligne Pure a true vision! With proper care, the wool rugs can last up to 40 years and 10 years for the polyester pieces.

We love Ligne Pure and are sure you will too! Come in and check it out today. Also, we will soon have the rugs up on our website, so keep your eyes peeled and keep checking ubhip.com for updates!

For more information visit http://www.lignepure.com