Situated at NE 14th and Alberta, Shift sits directly across from Tin Shed. Sip coffee on the front porch while you wait for a table at the popular brunch spot.

Image: Kurt Hettle

The brunch crowd milling around outside of popular NE Alberta eatery Tin Shed finally has something else to ogle besides the listings on neighbor Living Room Realty's window and the dresses in Frock's window: With its colorful exterior, stairway poetry, and tricycle chandelier framed in the front window, Shift Vacation Rentals, a recently renovated home turned guesthouse directly across the street, begs for attention. 

The roomy, duplex debuted last Thanksgiving as an ideal east side option for out-of-towners looking to get in touch with Portland's indie scene. Modern, green, and cleverly decorated—owners and bike enthusiasts Michelle Ruber and Klaas de Jonge also own sustainable remodeling and interior design firm Encircle—the roomy duplex presents two options. The four-bedroom, two-bath upstairs "High Gear" unit sleeps nine comfortably, while the downstairs "Low Gear" unit easily accommodates six. Both boast large kitchens and cozy living room spaces that play up the property's cycling theme without going overboard.

Situated at 14th and NE Alberta, Shift puts guests within a few paces—or pedals if you rent a ride from nearby Everybody's Bikes ($25 per day)—of Portland's indie arterial. Plus a stay here comes with discounts at Alberta shops, like 10 percent off at wine and bottle shop Cork or 20 percent off at Garnish boutique ... a perk that comes with the place even if you're a townie simply looking for a spot to hold your next company off-site.

Take a tour with our slide show.

Book it on shiftvacationrentals.com. From $195 per night plus cleaning fee, two-night minimum on weekends