Both interior and exterior architectural coatings fall into two general categories: latex or water-based paint or oil-or alkyd-based paint. Contractors and do-it-yourselfer’s select latex for its good performance and ease of use. Latex moved from 30% to 35% of paint sales in the 1970’s to over 80% of architectural coatings sold today. While the pigments in latex and oil-based paints are often the same, different... more

Having a sturdy workbench can make projects easier and safer. below is a step-by-step pictorial to help you build this project. One can use this workbench for building all types of projects and can also be used as a planting bench. Store tools and supplies on the lower shelf. The overall dimensions of four feet by two feet will fit nicely in your garage or basement. The cost of lumber can vary week to week but in most cases it shouldn’t vary to much. Most suppliers will cut larger stock to fit... more

More than likely you already have a pretty good idea of what you like about your existing kitchen, what you hate, and what you can’t afford to replace when you remodel. The first step is to create an overhead sketch of the room including all of the appliances you plan to keep, electrical outlets and switches, plumbing, windows and doors — be sure to indicate the direction of door swings. You can use these symbols to reference items in your drawing. (figure 1) You’ll need graph paper, pencil... more

People most often judge the quality of water by its taste. The scary fact is that you cannot taste, see, or even smell most contaminants. Since Portland water is so soft, it does a great job of leaching lead and lead solder from pipes and fixtures in older homes, and even from the city’s distribution system. Even at low levels, contaminants in drinking water have an impact on your long-term health. If you plan on ... more

For the true gourmet the kitchen’s plumbing fixtures are extremely important. Inadequate faucets and sinks can hinder the best kitchen layout. The best cooks have their sinks, appliances, and cabinets designed in a manner that is efficient and makes the hard tasks easier. This sink can accommodate pots and pans with it’s round basin. Farmhouse sinks work well with most kitchen styles. More than a place to wash dishes sinks now add high styling to kitchens. Sprayers use in... more

PART TWO read part one During the last quarter of the 19th century, England’s Arts and Crafts movement sought to elevate craftsmanship to an art. William Morris, a social-thinking designer, had called for a “new birth” of artistic idealism that looked to nature and tradition for inspiration. His philosophy espoused that furniture, textiles, and houses were all subjects of artistic expression. The effect of this aesthetic... more

Gourmet cooks are often frustrated with their “builder basic” kitchens, especially those who cook for a living and are used to professional kitchens and equipment. Skandia Design and Remodeling customized the new kitchen for Steve and Vonda Scholibo, restaurateurs and gourmet cooks. Steve likes to experiment with new recipes and had many requests of the designer, Paul Olson. He wanted a large spice drawer adjacent to the commercial-style range, and a knife drawer on the other side... more

One option to consider when considering the purchase of a new kitchen is to contact a craftsman to have your cabinetry locally built. This offers a custom fit job, and can also make more options available to the homeowner. For example, Ron Ring of Cascadia Custom Cabinets offers not only the standard woods available but also a wide selection of other interesting choices. Cascadia promotes the use of local woods, ... more