ah
northwest
Dancer Synergizes Open Space
If all the world's a stage and we are merely
players, then an empty house for sale may require
a creative eye to fashion the void and show poten
tial homeowners that this envi
ronment is livable.
Nik Murrow, 40, owner of
Synergy Staging, uses his expe
rience in dance and costume
design to establish a sense of
definition to rooms that would
otherwise display a cold, un
inhabited area. Raised in New Hampshire, he was
trained in the styles of tap dance, hip-hop, ball
room and contemporary dance for Princess Cruise
Line. He moved to Los Angeles in 2002 and
became a project coordinator for Silvia Costumes.
“Defining space is important,” said Murrow.
“Staging can highlight certain features of a room
while minimizing its weaknesses. Drawing atten
tion to a beautiful fireplace while placing a rug over
tacky tiles can do a lot for an open house.”
Operating out of his home in
Oregon City, Murrow is an
accredited staging professional
and a member of the Inter
national Association of Home
Staging Professionals.
Working mostly with Realtors,
Murrow offers consultations for
occupied homes and bid proposals for vacant
homes. Although the prices vary for proposals
according to size, Murrow says staging is an invest
ment, not an expense. “Staged homes are proven to
sell faster and often for more money. Some homes
I’ve staged have sold the first dayjhey were put on
the market by showing buyers the
potential of living in a beautiful space.”
With an inventory of furniture, art,
rugs, electronics and accessories,
Murrow charges a labor fee for loading
and unloading as well as a monthly
rental fee. He uses his talents with
spatial awareness, traffic flow and visu
al impacts to temporarily add a sense of
purpose to sterile rooms.
Several houses and condominiums in
Portland were staged by Synergy Staging.
“Variety is the spice of my life,” said
Murrow, “and I want a range of loca
tions within the Portland area. 1 like
meeting different people and having
them allow me to add beauty to their
finesse.
lives for that short amount of time.”
business
watch
Nik Morrow turns dull into décor with a dancer's
H ollywood A ntiques
PORTLAND'S PREMIER ANTIQUE MALL
EST. 1982
FUNKY & FABULOUS!
SEE OUR EXPANDED MID-CENTURY SECTION
1969 NE 42nd Ave.
For more information call 503-557-2244 or vis
it www.synergystaging.com.
New Java Joint Opens
“Eat, drink and be merry,” owner Justine
Hollinger replied when asked about a mission state
ment for Trippin’ Billie’s Coffee, Portland’s newest
lesbian-owned cafe. Opened Aug. 17, Trippin’
Billie’s has the potential to grow into a crowded hot
spot in North Portland.
Hollinger and her partner took time and con
verted what used to be a Mexican restaurant at
3226 N. Lombard St. into Trippin’ Billie’s using
friends as support and inspiration. “[The art) is
done by a friend of mine; he’s a metal sculptor. He
did the lights, too,” said Hollinger. She hopes to
showcase local artists and musicians in a large room
adjacent to the main sitting area, which is also
Justine Hollinger owes the inspiration for her new
designated as a space for groups to hold meetings.
cafe to her friends and a Dave Matthews lyric.
The shop sports much more than just coffee and
espresso drinks, including teas, soups, sandwiches
euphoric. The more you grow {as a corporation], the
and an array of vegan pastries. A license was
more you lose. That’s why I left corporate coffee."
obtained to serve beer and wine for events such as
The cafe has eco-friendly features such as
artist premiere nights. Trippin’ Billie’s also offers discounts for bringing one’s own cup, plastic cup
free Wi-Fi for tech-savvy customers and discounts
recycling, composting biodegradable waste, takeout
will soon be available for seniors and students.
containers made from recycled paper prcxiucts and
As a former Starbucks employee, Hollinger
produce from local vendors and farmer's markets. It
hopes to focus on developing interactive relation also offers certified organic coffee beans from Cafe
ships with customers. “I think many chains have
Vida, a roaster based out of Seattle.
become so large as corporations that the coffee is
The shop is “a way to bring people together and
mass-produced. All of the quality is gone, and
create a community," Hollinger said. “The name is
although you can get the same thing anywhere and
lyrics from a Dave Matthews song. In the urban
the service is quick, you don’t leave with anything
dictionary, it means ‘to seize the day.’ ”
For more information call 503-283-0205. ©
personal. When I walk into a place and get a good
cup of coffee and interact with someone on a con
versational basis, I leave with a feeling that’s almost
By M elanie A ltaras and J ulius C alasicas
I’m straight...
I
I
when it comes to real estate
Straight ... as in
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Straight forward
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Deborah Hetron CRB, (¡RI
Princi|>al Hrokcr
1 block north of Sandy • 2 blocks from Max
Phone: 503-288-1051
E-mail: hollywoodantique@comcast.net
www.hollywood-antiques.com
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