Pat Austin’s Portland Studio Was Designed to Evolve

Interior designers often use their studios as opportunities to express their fully formed aesthetic. Pat Austin has a point of view—it just didn’t come together all at once. Rather than rushing to complete its Portland office, founders Candace Cohu and Ally Hasche spent the last three years allowing it to evolve naturally, testing ideas, collecting vintage pieces, and refining details as the practice itself grew.

That slower pace has resulted in a workspace that feels less like a static showroom and more like an extension of the studio’s design process.

A wooden dining table with black chairs sits by large windows with autumn leaves visible outside; a modern light fixture hangs above.

Photography by Pablo Enriquez

Located in Portland’s Central Eastside inside the Historic Cully Building, an 1884 structure with exposed brick walls and heavy timber construction, the approximately 1,200-square-foot office immediately stood apart from the warehouse spaces the duo had been considering.

“We were touring a lot of open warehouse-style spaces that were missing the warmth and character of our studio,” Cohu and Hasche explain. “We walked [into our current space], and it felt reminiscent of a Chicago or New York office. We loved the brick, the big windows, and the large oak tree.”

Open double doors reveal a small table with two stools in a softly lit room; a potted plant stands to the right on a wooden floor under an exposed beam ceiling.

Photography by Pablo Enriquez

Those architectural bones became the framework for an office to grow over time. A generous open workspace brings together custom maple desks, a conference table, and a residential-style lounge, while a separate materials library provides space for quieter, focused work. Instead of filling every corner immediately, the designers allowed the office to develop alongside their practice.

“We’ve been very thoughtful about pacing out the process,” the duo shares. “Naturally we’re designers, which means we like to test different iterations of things, collect items, and take our time on decisions when we have that luxury.”

That philosophy is visible throughout the office. White walls create a quiet backdrop for a rotating mix of vintage furniture, custom pieces, rugs, and artwork. Earth-toned furnishings and natural materials—including wood, stone, and woven fibers—establish a sense of warmth, while rotating artwork and accessories allow the space to shift over time.

A modern dining area with a round black table, four chairs, a sculptural hanging lamp, and a kitchen with shelves and various items in the background.

Photography by Pablo Enriquez

“The space easily came together as a reflection of us, and our appreciation for eclecticism,” they say. “It feels fluid and able to evolve while also feeling artful and warm.”

Much of that evolution happened gradually. After moving into the building in 2022, the team continued refining the office before completing a major round of updates in late 2025, including custom upholstery, drapery, a sculptural pendant above the conference table, fresh paint, and an upholstered acoustic wall in the materials library. Rather than treating those additions as a finished renovation, they became another chapter in an ongoing process of experimentation.

Black metal bookshelf with drawers, books, decorative items, and boxes stands against a white wall with exposed brick and wooden floor. A brown chair is partially visible in the foreground.

Photography by Pablo Enriquez

“We’ve always wanted the office to feel more residential than commercial,” Cohu and Hasche say. Comfortable seating encourages informal conversations, while the kitchen serves as a daily gathering place. Together, the spaces support both focused work and collaboration without feeling overly prescribed.

That spirit of experimentation extends beyond the interiors practice. The office also serves as home base for Patty, the rug collection launched by Cohu, Hasche, and studio director Max Pluenneke. Inspired by travels through the South of France, the collection extends the studio’s ongoing interest in natural materials, earthy palettes, and craftsmanship.

“Pat Austin and Patty work together in a very harmonious and symbiotic way,” the team says. “Our knowledge of interior design influences how we approach rug design, but it has also opened up new ways of thinking.”

Nearly four years after moving into the Historic Cully Building, Pat Austin’s office continues to evolve alongside the practice. Shaped through careful additions rather than a single sweeping transformation, the space reflects the designers’ belief that the best interiors often emerge over time, through experimentation, and with thoughtful refinement.

Editorial Transparency: This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools, which may have been used for research, outlining, editing, or copy refinement. Reporting, fact-checking, and editorial decisions were made by the Design Milk editorial team.