By Rebecca Dow

Coffee is considered by most Americans to be a staple of their morning routine. Some choose to enjoy the comfort of a home brew mingled with 2 percent milk and sugar to taste, while others may prefer the calm surroundings of a quaint cafe. Living in the dorms with five classes can be a tad overwhelming, so when I get the chance to relax, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a hot cup of joe in the heart of Portland. This past Friday I decided to stop into Coffee By Design (CBD), specifically their Congress Street location. The walls were painted beige and brown with red and yellow accents, and in the back, multiple chess games ran full swing. While sitting in front of an oil painting by local artist Jan Ter Weele, the baristas happily chattered as they made my medium mocha chai. The atmosphere of the shop was smooth, chill, lighthearted and community oriented. Coffee By Design features new artists’ work every month, and the original pieces can be purchased directly from the shop — yet another example of the creative blood pumping through Portland’s artistic veins. This month’s featured artist was Jan ter Weele; many of his works were displayed on the walls throughout the café. There was a wide array of paintings displayed, some including collage elements, others, bright abstract colors and prominent textures using oil on canvas. I believe that the décor of an establishment can reveal a lot about their values, and when I walk into Coffee By Design, I am struck with a sense of community and creative belonging.

Sweets sold at Coffee By Design. Photos courtesy of Rebecca Dow.

Reflecting more on the beverages and confections being sold, their selection of sweets was stylishly presented in glass displays behind a window at the front of the brew station. There were cinnamon buns, muffins, doughnuts, cupcakes and pastries galore. For myself and my two friends who joined me, I purchased a peanut-butter bar split between us — it was crumbly and rich in all the right ways. The beverages included not only coffee, but chai tea, hot chocolate, and frozen or iced drinks. Honestly, when spending time at Coffee By Design, I was brought back to fond memories of my best friend and I sharing a pot on his front porch, eating coffee cake and sharing good stories. I miss those times dearly, and often find myself forgetting to make time for new memories. My recommendation for anyone looking to steep in Portland culture would be to visit a coffee shop, drink in the atmosphere, and soak up the art, the smells and the sights. Discover as many places as possible, because you just might find your favorite locale among the sea of shops that adorn the largest town in Maine.

Oil On Canvas Paintings by Local Artist: Jan Ter Weele, showcased in Coffee By Design. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Dow.