Tour Portland Like This Coffee-Loving Designer

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Keurig

Keurig

Keurig

It’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest is home to the most hipster coffee shops known to man. With the new Tully’s camper, Keurig raised the bar for this kind of aesthetic-driven coffee experience — pun intended.

The company enlisted the help of Max Humphrey — one of our 2016 Fresh Faces designers — whose joyful approach toward design gives spaces a layered vibrance. Humphrey is known for his use of wild patterns, textured materials and vintage art. His spaces reflect the thoughtful, comfortable aesthetic of the Pacific Northwest with an edgy, L.A. touch, courtesy of his background as a punk rock artist.

It was easy for Humphrey to get behind this new project for Keurig. The camper was made to celebrate Tully’s “slow and low” tour, which highlights not only the rich craft coffee that Tully’s K-Cup pods deliver, but also celebrates different artists – like Humphrey – and their interpretations of the motto. The camper drove up the Pacific Coast Highway, making stops in San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and everywhere in between. For a designer whose passion for design is fueled by good coffee, this was a dream collaboration.

For the design of the camper, Humphrey was involved in every aspect of the process. He began by working with the fabricators in Denver to ensure that the look of the camper fit the Tully’s brand.

“Designing a moving trailer is equal parts form and function – every inch matters and coming up with cool-looking storage solutions and a spot to hang a gallery wall were top priority,” explains Humphrey.

When it came to the aesthetic of the interior, he kept with the utilitarian vibe of the camper. Birch plywood and upholstery softened the aluminum cladding. Humphrey layered vibrant fabrics with campy decor touches, and pops of color to create a cozy space fit for the nomadic traveler who appreciates a quick, delicious cup of coffee while on the go.

“I spent all summer sourcing the art and accessories because I wanted it to feel personal and collected over time,” says Humphrey.

The designer loves to travel, but feels most at home in Portland, where he put down roots just two years ago. Below, take a peek into the ideal day of quirky-cool designer Max Humphrey, and live vicariously through his down-to-earth Pacific Northwest lifestyle.

7 a.m. I don’t really mess with eating breakfast out at restaurants. Grab yourself a coffee at Groundwork Coffee and some bread and avocados from the Whole Foods 365 store in Lake Oswego and make your own damn avocado toast.

10 a.m. One of the best things about Portland is that you can immerse yourself in culture without actually doing anything or going anywhere special. Skip the museums and tourist stuff (Voodoo Doughnut, etc.), put down your umbrella and just do normal stuff like you’d do in your own hometown. Apparently people go hiking, but I’d rather go shopping. Schoolhouse Electric is my go-to for home goods and domestic utility. For clothing I like Kiriko (Japan via Portland vibes). Canoe is like a design museum that you can shop at. Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage has the best vintage in town. Kat and Maouche is a Moroccan rug shop in Chinatown and is my go-to for legit antique rugs.

12 p.m. For lunch Pok Pok is worth the wait and the hype. Last time I was there I ate an entire fried tilapia.

2 p.m. Check out a Timbers game at Providence Park. They’re the best — as long as you don’t accidentally sit with the away team’s fans.

5 p.m. Grab a drink at Hungry Tiger on the East Side — it’s fun because there are pinball games and vegan-friendly bar food.

7 p.m. For dinner Ava Gene’s is worth it for the interior design alone and Salt and Straw (a killer ice cream parlor with wild flavors like Bone Marrow & Smoked Cherries and Arbequina Olive Oil) is next door.

9 p.m. Head back to your suite at the Ace Hotel in the Pearl District, or an Airbnb in one of the South Eastside neighborhoods. I’ll be ending my nights for the next few weeks watching Ken Burns’ new Vietnam documentary on PBS and eating pastries.