Whether you’re looking to spruce up your dated decor, or making the move into your first home — the friendly and talented designers at Port+Quarter are here to help. With a focus on multifamily and residential projects, the talented team handles everything from the ground up, picking the flooring to completing the technical drawings. “We are on our 10th project,” Kyla tells us enthusiastically. We’ve met with her in the Port + Quarter office, a cozy little space just above Doan’s Brewery where they’ve been for the last four years. “It’s not the typical space for an office, but when people get here they say oh this is awesome,” Kyla smiles. “It’s also really convenient for where all of us live. I think this area speaks to our style as well, as our design style is more on the grittier masculine side.” 
Currently tackling the interior design at the Novella, a sophisticated new complex being built in Coquitlam, Kyla tells us that working with condo developers wasn’t the original plan for Port+Quarter. “When we first started we did not think that we were going to take this route, but there is so much work for this industry here, being in Vancouver,” she says. “(But) a lot of the projects we have gotten is because we are the target (market) for the developer who is building the condo or apartment — so we can really say what we ourselves — and people like us — would want in that apartment.” Michelle handles mostly multi-family projects at P+Q, and when we ask her what she likes most about her work, she tells us it comes down to the fact that they are creating something that has a bit of a legacy. “Because people are going to live and use these spaces,” she says, “and to know that someone is going to use the space and all the decisions we have made will affect them on a day to day business.” “I like being the advocate for the end user,” Michelle continues. “We are doing a penthouse in New West for a retiring couple, and I love the fact that they are going to move into a place that’s created to perfection for them and that they can enjoy it for the last 20 years of their lives. And with multifamily, 120 families can move in and we get to be a part of that. We also try not to re-use specs, we try to make something different for each project. It’s our mandate. With so many developments coming up, it’s nice to make each project a little unique.” “My favourite part of the job is clients,” Kyla says. “I love doing residential and I love creating relationships with them. I also like to analyze what their likes and life is like even when they don’t know what they want as the end result.” Currently designing the Portland Pop-Up IDSWest (which features five industrial designers from PDX showing off everything from outdoor furniture to hooks) the ladies from Port+Quarter will also have a booth of their own. With a new website on the way and Brittany, a new full time designer joining the pair, things are looking mighty bright for this talented team. Stay social on Twitter and Instagram for the latest on Port+Quarter!