Cornus House is a 1910 Craftsman home in North Portland, Oregon — named for the Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) native to the Pacific Northwest. The house sits on a mature urban lot with established fruit trees, a grapevine, and a working garden.
The name reflects both the place and the people: rooted, practical, and quietly alive to craft, creativity, and community.
The Property
Built c. 1910, wood frame Craftsman construction. Located in North Portland's Arbor Lodge neighborhood on a deep urban lot with south garden, established walnut and fruit trees. The lower-level suite operates as a short-term rental through Airbnb, VRBO, and direct booking.
The Family
Cornus House is home to Noah, Kari, and their son August. Noah is a professional cook, woodworker, natural perfumer, and co-founder and bass/baritone of the Rose City Renaissance Singers. Kari maintains an independent professional practice from the property. August is a prolific builder of games, worlds, and imaginative systems.
Projects & Ventures
Cornus House is an umbrella for a growing set of family projects and small ventures:
- Cornus House Airbnb — lower-level short-term rental suite
- Crack Grease — small-batch tree-resin salves and balms from Pacific Northwest conifers
- PDX PDA Mutual Aid — community app for Portland-area PDA families
- Studio Conversion — garage-to-studio architectural project with Ken Wiesler
The Logo
The Cornus House mark is a dogwood kamon — a Japanese-style family crest built around the four-bract flower of the Pacific dogwood. Kamon are traditionally geometric, monochrome, and designed for legibility at any scale.