Hi, I’m Christina

The founder of Knotty Pine

I started this business after acquiring and setting up two of my own short-term rentals and realizing that I might have a knack for it. As I looked back on the different apartments and houses I’ve decorated, remodeled and lived in, I found that I’ve been sourcing vintage and thrifted furniture, art and home goods for decades. This approach creates a warm, eclectic mix that infuses a space with a sense of history, whimsy, and intrigue without spending a ton of money. That’s the essence of Knotty Pine Design.

My career has spanned journalism, corporate communications and brand marketing, but honestly, sometimes I feel like I was born to design and set-up vacation rentals. Throughout my life, at the side of both my crafty mother and my globe-trotting aunt, I developed a sixth sense for bargain hunting, curating spaces and making guests feel at home. Other families went hiking and camping; we went to flea markets, fabric stores and secondhand shops. This was our family sport.

Services

  • What you get: Custom color palette, defined style direction and inspiring mood board, plus 3-5 handpicked vintage items to set the tone.

    How it works: Establishing a clear design direction and color palette helps you make decisions quickly and easily, and guides a cohesive look and feel for your space. To get there, we’ll talk about the vibe, styles and colors you’re drawn to. We’ll consider usage, location, geography and nearby recreational activities to inform the mood and story of your space.

  • What you get: An original mix of estate and new furnishings chosen specifically for your space.

    How it works: Furniture, art, lighting, textiles, books and decorative objects give a space character and texture. Whether we are designing or refreshing a single room or an entire property, we’ll go treasure hunting (and dip into our own rotating archive) to find the goods that align with your style, goals and budget. We’ll install and style everything for a pulled-together, standout space.

  • What you get: A fresh take on things you already own. A transformed space that feels like you and suits your changing lifestyle.

    How it works: Let me bring new perspective on how to use your belongings for more wow factor. We'll look at what to keep, what to toss and how to rev up your space with layout, paint, wallpaper, textiles, art and choice items that don't break the bank. We can do this for a rental property or your own home. It's the thing friends ask me for the most!

  • What you get: A decluttered and sharply styled home ready to sell while you're still living in it.

    How it works: Different and more affordable than staging, restyling uses your own furniture and belongings to get your home picture-perfect for open houses and viewings. We'll declutter, arrange rooms for their intended purpose, create lifestyle vignettes and provide tips on how to quickly tidy up and refresh your space when you need to clear out for buyer visits.

Interested but don’t see the service that’s right for you? We know every project is different and we’re happy to provide a tailored solution.

Get Started!

What Makes Knotty Pine Different ?

  • Hands-On Approach

    We work virtually and in-person, bringing tangible goods and a personal touch to each space. 

  • Storytelling

    We lead with a strong story to help you stand out from the rest.

  • Cost Aware

    We are transparent about costs from the get-go and committed to saving you money at every turn.

  • Sustainability

    We’re the only vacation rental design business that specializes in vintage and estate goods.

FAQ

  • I hear you. The world of interior design seems inevitably high-end and opaque. I provide a transparent cost estimate up-front along with a clearly defined proposal and will provide project updates along the way.

  • I provide virtual services anywhere.

    I work in person in:
    The greater Portland, Ore., area, including the Oregon Coast, Columbia Gorge, Hood River and Mt. Hood mountain towns.

    Other locations considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Furnishing and decorating a space doesn’t have to be expensive, especially when you lean into vintage and thrift. I can save you money in 3 distinct ways:

    1. Define your design plan up front.

    2. Expertly source inexpensive but impactful second-run items.

    3. Identify what to save on, what to spend on.

  • Start with the story you want your space to tell and how you want guests to feel. The story informs design and decor, and neatly narrows down possibilities.

  • Certainly not. There are several things hosts should purchase new: mattresses, bedding, towels, doormats, throws and throw pillows. It often makes sense to buy new bed frames and area rugs, though you can sometimes score antique beds and vintage rugs in great condition. And there will be specific items that might make a space – a rattan daybed and glass-topped coffee tables, for example – and can’t be found at resale in a given timeline.

  • Ordering online is great for some goods and supplies and I’ll let you in on which ones. But searching and shopping online also takes a lot of time to research and wade through options, and then everything arrives in boxes, plastic wrap and styrofoam–which all needs to be unwrapped and disposed of. Not to mention the trying task of furniture assembly. Talk about a time suck.

    When you shop vintage and thrift, you automatically limit your options (in a good way) and things arrive already assembled, without tiresome and wasteful packaging. In addition to being thrifty, it’s the most sustainable way to set up a property.

  • Sure! Anyone with the time and inclination can take this on. But if you’re reading this, my guess is that you might need a helping hand. Purchasing, setting up and listing a vacation rental takes considerable time and energy so it can make sense to hire out some of the tasks on your big list of to-dos.

    Our modular services are offered a la carte and easy to mix and match in the way that best suits your vision and budget. My goal is to save you money during the set-up phase and over the long-term by creating spaces that rise above other listings, bring joy to your guests, and boost your nightly rate, occupancy and repeat booking frequency.