Autumn begins

It seems as if the changing of the seasons brings about a flutter of new, used and old information about making your home cozy, warm and inviting. Each reference becomes so trite. Each experience in this life should be new.The expectation of what each day brings us should be seen with that fresh anticipation.

 It is easier to do what others are doing rather than to be bold to venture out and make a new way for themselves.

This season reconnect with your truer path.It is ok to experience a darker side, the one that your gut tells you to do. The leaves will fall. The weather will change.This is inevitable.  You are unique and are limitless in your thought and creativity. So be bold, be unruly, bend the rules...

IVY: a league of its own

According to the Dictionary of Ornament, ivy was a popular motif through out the ages. As ivy holds fast to whatever it grows upon, it came to symbolise fidelity, friendship and commitment.

The home at the Macleay Overlook

Fabric on Headboard from Clarence House fabrics.






Here are a few photos of a project that I have been working on for the past year. It was really great to be able to work with a wonderful client that allowed me the freedom of doing some creative work. For the first time,I was able to use reclaimed wood on this project.The artisans created a hand chiseled counter in the kitchen made of native Oregon myrtlewood. We also created a live edge mantle using Big Leaf Maple in the master bedroom.http://www.endurawood.com/

A Clarence House fabric http://www.clarencehouse.com/ was selected for the custom headboard in the master bedroom. The bed skirt not shown is a woven chenille from Old World Weavers that looks like faux bois (wood grain) with a flat silk welt detail at the bottom of the skirt. A bench was covered in a pale blue chenille from Brentano(not shown). The stunning Pollack fabric http://www.pollackassociates.com/called Zither on the lounge chair helped to complete the look of the rustic but modern feel of the home. It was placed next to the custom fireplace facade designed by an interior architect friend of mine.

There is more work being done.The living room furniture is at the upholsterers right now!I will show more pictures of that when it is delivered.
It looks as if my world of design is taking on a new role.Exciting new adventures await.
take care all,

John

Farewell from Wayne Martin Inc.

Thank you all very much! My end of an era party for the Portland designer’s was quite successful in many ways. After 40 years in serving the design trade in Portland, I ended my 23 year career with all the dignity, integrity , honesty , sincerity and generosity as the man , Wayne Martin had when he started his business and throughout his life time. He singlehandedly brought good taste and design product to the city of Portland. Many design careers were made by our company. Many either shopped here for the first time or worked here only to achieve greatness as designers, Such as Sandra Lamer, Janet Edwards, Henry Brown, Kim Lamer, Jennifer Roos, Susan Green, Jenise Adams, Diane West, Lee Kidd, Howard Hermanson , Jayson and Carrie Gates, Frances Lefever, Cyndi Mohr, Garrison Hullinger, Joelle Nesen and the lovely ladies from Maison Inc and our beloved Mary Roberts to name a few. This was achieved through the vision of one man, D. Wayne Martin.
I wanted let you know it was a pleasure working with all the vendors, their national sales teams, their wonderful customer service and all designers and students from the design school that we nurtured into fresh new designers that have walked through these doors at 210 NW 21st Avenue. I am glad that I have the rich deep experiences from this and wonderful bonds of friendships were made. I feel like the richest man in town.

With much love and appreciation,
John A. Thompson
Showroom Manager
WAYNE MARTIN INC.
Portland, Oregon

the end of an era

John A. Thompson, The Showroom Manager at Wayne Martin Inc.




Dearest Designers,

How does one say what needs to be said. These words are among the saddest that I have ever written. The difficulty is only as a result that I have made deep connections with many of you throughout the years.You were there when my son Eric was born. Many of you saw him grow up when he visited me at the showroom. I remember a beautiful blue sweater that Mary Roberts knitted for him as a baby. She was also there for me when I was going through Stage 3 colorectal cancer. So many of you were there for me during that time as well. Your kind words and fierce encouragement helped me through the most difficult time in my life. Yours gifts of flowers made me smile when the pain was too great.
Words can not begin to describe what you all have meant to me. I have learned so much from all of you. We have shared endearing conversations, laughs and tears from our joys and our losses. Wayne Martin Inc. was more than a showroom for designers to shop.It was a place that friends met, relationships began and young careers blossomed to become talented interior designers. Our lives have been woven together in a textile more important than the ones that you purchased from us.
Many of you have had fond memories of our showroom's founder, D. Wayne Martin. My fondest memory was of Wayne sitting in his Wicker Works Rama lounge chair taking a drag from his menthol cigarette. As he exhaled, the billowing smoke would roll around his face.A designer would walk through the doors. Wayne would graciously greet her and say "Darling you are looking fabulous" later after she left he would ask me "who the hell was that?". It was the lively cast of characters that most intrigued Wayne. I can now understand his joy for this business. It was more than selling fabric. It was about you and our relationships that bonded us together.

Our talented wonderful interior designers,It is with much sadness that after 40 years of serving the interior design community, Wayne
Martin Inc. will be closing on July 31, 2010. We have been a leader in the industry with the finest quality furniture,
textiles, wall coverings, lighting, carpeting and accessories. You have been a strong part of our
former success. The economy has put a strain on our resources and as a consequence we can no
longer continue business. Our industry has been hit especially hard. Luxury items such as what we
have represented have been hard to sell. Along with the controversial problems created by our
Seattle showroom have forced us to make the decision to close.
We have striven to conduct our business with loyalty, integrity, honesty and good faith with our
vendors and our clients. Our customer service to our clients have been some of the best in the
industry.
It has been a pleasure getting to know you over the years. I have truly enjoyed my 23 year career at Wayne Martin Inc. I consider myself an expert as a mercer of fine textiles.I have helped you make thoughtful and wise selections for your clients. handled your problems with the best of my abilities. You have given me a strength and confidence as I have learned about interior design from you.
I feel very sad but I also feel a strange empowerment. I feel the energy surrounding this event is meant for something good. I have a very strong commitment to the design community. I am very open to the possibilities that are out there.You are my friends.I wish you all a successful future in the world of interior design.

Thank you for your cooperation in these unfortunate events.

Love,

John A. Thompson


(The Photo below my picture is at the first Fabric of Life, a benefit for Aids awareness. My dear friend, Mary Roberts is on the left, Wayne Martin and Judy Hoffer is to his right).

a graphic display for mother's day

Don't get to graphic. Stick with flowers she will appreciate it more. Remember it is the thought that counts.
take care,
John

My new living room

Thank you all who placed orders, made phone calls, moved furniture, rearranged furniture, selected a new paint colour when it looked like the bottom of a swimming pool,gave gifts, took photos and made pillows etc. I could have not done this without you. sincerely, John

Bronze sofa from JD Madison.

Chinese alter table with table lamps from Maison Inc.

lacquered boxes from Bedford Brown.

Greek key armless settee and wood framed chair covered in black and white fabric from Pollack from The Consignment Gallery.

Round black glass and steel side table from EWF Modern.

John Derrian,Fornasetti plates from Cielo Home.

Christopher Marley insect art from St.Maine

Pillows made by Hexafoo and my mom.

textiles from Clarence House, Glant, Ralph Lauren, Brentano and Pollack.

Photography by Corey Shelton.


I love my home.