Interior designer Andee Hess approaches residential spaces not merely as living quarters, but as evolving art installations. Her studio, OSMOSE, recently completed work on the JM House in Portland’s West Hills, transforming a 1920s Tutor-style home into a 6,000-square-foot residence that defies easy categorization. The project blends era-defining trends with bold aesthetic choices, resulting in a space that prioritizes visual interest over neutral safety. While the exact style is difficult to pin down, the overall vibe is unapologetically cool.
For many designers, combining wild colors and shapes presents a significant challenge. It can be difficult to execute these choices in client work without the result feeling chaotic. For Hess, this fearless playfulness is an asset. OSMOSE’s projects range from commercial venues like Q Restaurant & Bar to private residences, all sharing a specific stylistic DNA. The JM House serves as a prime example of this philosophy in a domestic setting.
Continuing the Vision
The project has an unusual continuity. Hess’s firm originally renovated the property eight years ago, and when those clients sold, most of the custom design work and furnishings remained with the house. The designer was curious about the new owners and their plans for the space. When they contacted her to say they wanted to “keep going and complete the design,” she was “floored and excited.”
The group bonded almost immediately. Hess noted that after their first meeting, everyone agreed that regardless of the project’s direction, they were “meant to be friends.” The clients are a family of four described as full of adventure and humor. They view their home as an ever-evolving installation, a perspective that provided the freedom to make significant visual shifts.
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Treating a residence as a temporary gallery rather than a permanent fixture changes how people interact with their daily environment. It shifts the focus from resale value and neutral palettes to personal expression and sensory engagement. This approach challenges the standard industry notion that homes must be universally appealing to succeed.
Light and Seasons
The sunroom stands out as a primary feature of the renovation. The design draws inspiration from Eichler homes, utilizing wood paneling and extensive glass to connect the interior with the outdoors. The goal was to capture as much natural light as possible. Large sliding doors were installed to allow the family to be wrapped in the environment during all four seasons.
Hess mentioned that the room looks “incredible right after a snowstorm.” The space functions as more than just a viewing area. It doubles as a home theater, with a screen concealed behind sliding panels when the room is not in use for media consumption.
