When mid-century modern houses were built in the 1950s and 1960s, the most striking feature of their interior was usually their open and flowing floor plan. Living room spaces flowed into the dining room, which flowed into the kitchen. A vaulted ceiling over it all really did make the core of the house one big “great room.” This was, after all, the era of “togetherness.” If the ceiling was vaulted,... more

It’s a bit late to make a New Year’s resolution but it’s never too late to try something new. If you want to add some pizzazz to a room, put down that paint brush and go visit a wallpaper store. Today’s papers are modern, come in a range of colors and patterns, are easy to hang, and just as easy to remove. “Wallpaper has impact that paint does not,” explains Sue Haase, owner of Beaverton, OR’s Paint ‘n Paper Express. “Paint has impact when it is paired with something like cabinets... more

Anyone who has painted an interior or exterior surface has saved some paint for touch-ups. The Product Stewardship Institute estimates that Americans stockpile 34 million gallons of leftover paint every year, earmarking most of it for touching-up previously painted surfaces. Some do-it-yourselfers are so eager to repaint every ding, nick, or scratch that they have poured paint into washed-out roll-on deodorant bottles, ... more

This article is a condensed version of a more in depth rendition that can be viewed at Arciform LLC website www.oldhomesnewlife.com click the link First Time Old Home Buyers. Getting Started The most important part of any renovation project is planning. Hiring a professional to help you create an overall vision for the project not only gives you an idea of the costs and scope of the project, it helps to establish various... more

Mid-century modern is making a comeback. During the early 1950s when air-conditioning, dishwashers, and carpeting were dreams of the future, sleek and beautifully designed home furnishings were brilliant ideas coming to light. From automobiles and dinette sets to interior lighting, mid-century design offerings have timeless, futuristic touches that work well in ranch-style houses, loft apartments as well as a wide range... more

Choosing the right lighting makes all the difference in how you feel about your house, but the decision does not have to be daunting. Remember that after evaluating the amount of lighting you need for your space, deciding on the best style of lighting fixture and shade is subjective. Designers have been creating attractive lighting since the 1800s and there are many styles and periods to choose from. The real beauty ... more

Portland is a town renowned for its livability and historical sensitivity. So, it comes as no surprise then that the Rose City is home to dozens of the country’s leading restoration-focused manufacturing businesses. From tile and molding to period lighting manufacturers, these local businesses are working hard to maintain the craft and the availability of quality home products to the Portland and national markets. Schoolhouse... more

Hand (gun) Tufted Rugs The easiest production method in the rug industry is the gun/hand tufted rug. Twenty years ago, the majority of production consisted of a hand-held manual tufting tool to construct the rug. As of late, though, the industry has caught up with technology and the hand-held tufting gun has made the task of tufting a rug so expediently quick, that custom rugs to any size, color, and design could be had... more