The design-build firm Vanillawood was founded by Kricken and James Yaker in 2006. Over nineteen years in business, they’ve perfected the integration of clean, modern design with practical livability, ensuring that each space reflects the client’s personality and lifestyle. The firm’s contemporary creations are visually stunning and provide a calming oasis in an ever-shifting world.

RUG INSIDER sat down with co-principal Kricken Yaker, for a refreshingly candid conversation about her design and business philosophies.

Dover Rug and Home is one of the select few area rug companies that has been around for over three decades and has grown from one store into multiple stores. Spanning several generations, this community-oriented and philanthropic company has also expanded into—sports and fitness.

Our family has a tradition of touring the rugged Oregon coast in winter. We love exploring the small, charming towns when tourism is low and the Pacific Ocean frothy and wild. During our last adventure, we fortuitously stumbled into Wanda’s Cafe + Bakery in Nehalem. It was the perfect spot to escape the blustery rain and omnipresent chill.

We had the privilege of speaking with two Portland, OR-based interior designers who are at different points in their careers. Kinsey Bagwell is working towards her third year, while Donna DuFresne owns a respected and well-established practice. Both provided keen insight into the field of design and how the rug industry can better serve the profession.

Rug people are a passionate lot. We care deeply about clients, co-workers, producers, our communities, and the rugs we create and hopefully sell one day. Passion is the fuel that propels us forward, but like the hours in a day, it is not endless. There’s a tipping point when working harder and longer becomes less effective. When working transforms into an endless loop, toxicity sets in. In addition to negatively impacting our quality of life, the caliber of work degrades. Mistakes are made, resulting in, you guessed it, more work!

Like some of the best in the business, Oriental Designer Rugs had humble beginnings. The Golchha family started the company out of a modest 600-square-foot space in Manhattan in 1984, and since then they have grown the company to be a powerhouse in the rug industry.