What teak and outdoor wood furniture has taught me about time, texture, and exterior furnishings

When a number of our outdoor furniture pieces had been put away in storage last fall, I knew that my work was cut out for me when the season shifted to the gorgeous spring that it has become. The experiential increase in the square footage in which we reside feels expansive now in April. 

In addition, I was given an older teak dining set that had been left to weather for years on a deck ... .this was added to our collection that has been built over the years. 

Wood, weather, sun and aging can take their toll on these pieces. 

Hardware store list;

• Sandpaper sheets and sanding block

• Round sandpaper discs for my neighbors power sander that she generously has lent me

• Dawn dish soap and Simple Green 

• Teak Oil and extra brushes

What surprised me most about this endeavor is what a physical workout it became and how much time it actually took to bring the furnishings back to life. 

Equally the satisfaction that came with the hours spent in, what turned out to be, a meditative process. As the sand paper went over the surfaces, the visual difference was extremely satisfying. Realizing that everything would need an extra cleaning after sanding proceeded to be another unexpected task, a toothbrush between the rungs of the chair was then enlisted to remove built up moss with a little bleach to coax it to clean.

The application of the teak oil is the real culmination of the task; the wood subsequently appears  luminous, undergoing a profound change.

I want to emphasize the significance of natural wood furniture over the 'fast fashion' alternatives often seen in garden settings, such as plastic or other non-wood materials.

While outdoor furniture may seem demanding in terms of upkeep, as it occasionally necessitates specialized attention, the processes of restoring, reusing, and repurposing these items are entirely consistent with current lifestyle trends and forecasting expectations.

This led to and was somehow connected to a major sauna rehabilitation on the property as well….

All of the walls were wiped down and lightly sanded, a new timer was added along with a small white light for reading at night over the upper benches.

Project Completion in Kona, Hawai’i and a Modern Kitchen Remodel Launching in Portland

Some projects begin with finishes or floor plans. This one began with land — with wind patterns, lava fields, and the shifting light over water.

I divide my practice between the Pacific Northwest and when the opportunity presents itself, as it has twice within the last few years, Hawai‘i - focusing on homes where land, light, and structure are in conversation. While the contexts differ, forest and coastline — the through-line is consistent: disciplined design grounded in place.

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In the West Hills of Portland, we’re transforming a kitchen into a warm, modern mid-century statement — defined by custom fir cabinetry, integrated appliances, along with the very much loved existing open floor plan. Resonate of flow, light, and connection.

In sharing photos of the raw space now, of the room stripped back to its structural core, we believe it assists in telling the entire story. Every line will be purposeful. Every material will be honest. Every detail will support both beauty and timelessness.

This is more than a kitchen remodel — it’s a reinvention of how the home lives and feels.

If your next chapter calls for design that is both rooted in time + location and deeply personal, we would be honored to guide the process

The Sun Bungalow

How the Sun Bungalow relationship began and where it is going……

We met our client—a young professional first-time homeowner—in winter of 2021, shortly after she had purchased the home, a fixer bungalow in SE Portland. “Your name came up THREE times as I was buying the home,” she told us. “Everyone says you HAVE to work with Shannon.” The house was a top-to-bottom fixer, with some charming original details, like the bathroom’s built-ins, tile floor, and tub. She wanted us to save and restore as many historic elements as possible, and introduce new period-appropriate fixtures, and use as much navy blue—her favorite color—as possible. Finally, she wanted the untouched attic space finished out and converted into a grand primary suite.

1. The before times :

Look at all of that potential!

2. inspiration & concept

Our first priority was to create a functional and beautiful kitchen where the client could cook and chat with her friends, with plenty of room for storage.

The client loves wallpaper, but we quickly realized we would need to keep pattern restrained to one or two rooms in the home. We worked from the Farrow & Ball palette to create a sequence of rooms both calming and energetic, that flowed together beautifully but stayed true to the spirit of a historical home. We explored pulling in texture in the form of tile, wainscoting, and molding to bring in more movement and structure.

3. In progress

We gutted most of the house. Working closely with Right Arm Construction, we closed wall in the kitchen to create a serene galley with loads of storage, panel-front appliances, and a gorgeous butler’s pantry.

We preserved original cabinetry in the downstairs bath, painting it a dark and dramatic blue. We were crossing our fingers that when we pulled the toilet we wouldn’t find damaged or missing original tile. Ditto with the pedestal sink. Not only was the tile intact (thank you, demo team), but when it was restored we saw that tile we believed were black were BLUE - a happy discovery that worked perfectly with the palette we’d chosen.

We opened up the stairway to the living room below, to create connectivity from the first to second floors. We added a shed dormer, skylights and a Juliet balcony to the attic, dramatically opening the space. Finally, we installed a bright walk-in closet and the biggest shower we’ve ever seen.

4. The final result

Can you believe this is the same house? We can’t, and we spent a year working it!

5. The future

The homeowner has recently begun to engage us once again in what is set to be a continuation of a project that originally started three years ago. The next phase involves a thoughtful remodel of the lowest level of the home, transforming it into additional living quarters. Alongside this, we will be addressing a cleanup and reorganization of the detached garage to create a more seamless connection. This will help integrate outdoor living more fully into the overall footprint and flow of the home, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Experience the perfect fusion of historic charm and modern sophistication with S.BAIRD DESIGN’s upcoming project. Our meticulous attention to detail ensures every element – from classic moldings to sleek, innovative finishes – is thoughtfully integrated. Elevate your property with a design that stands the test of time.

Stay tuned for updates….