Late last year, my friends Carrie and Kari bought a really great contemporary tri-level in SW Portland. From the outside, it’s unassuming, but once you’re inside, it feels like a tree house because the floor-to-ceiling windows look out on to an undeveloped, forested area.

In the span of a week, the United States has changed totally. The invisible virus we’d been watching ravage Asia and Europe is suddenly upon us and we’ve been asked to be responsible citizens, to stay at home and to eliminate all non-essential activities for at least two weeks.

When it comes to furnishing your home or business, you have the option of using custom-made or retail furniture. Too frequently, people don’t even consider the idea of custom, instead purchasing from a huge national retailer like Room + Board or Pottery Barn.

About seven years ago, I was volunteering at Dress for Success as a personal stylist when I met Stephanie Plymale. While I wouldn’t say we became fast friends, we did become friendly, swapping stories about what we did for a living, favorite restaurants etc.