Every holiday season, I turn into a decorating machine. The holidays give me the excuse I need to pick some new colors and cut loose! Do you love decorating for holidays, but loathe the thought of spending a lot of time and even more money to make your house feel festive? Me too! Even if your decor hasn’t seen a single change since the early 80’s, you can revamp and revitalize it at the holidays with just a few simple changes. In contrast to formal decorating, where you agonize over paint, fabric,... more

Of all the plants we grow in the garden, garlic, a bulbous hardy perennial, must be the most pungent. Related to onions and a member of the lily family, garlic is one of the oldest known cultivated plants. It is native to central Asia and has long has been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as Africa, Asia, and Europe. Egyptians worshipped garlic, placing it in tombs to help sustain the dead, and at one time it was so esteemed that it was even used as currency. Folklore credits garlic... more

Could your early-20th century home possibly have been selected from a catalog and purchased by mail? As unusual as it might seem today, many older houses in Portland — and across the nation — were built in just such a fashion. After financing had been arranged and the order form sent in, homebuyers could expect to receive their new home in about one or two months. The home would not, of course, arrive all in one piece in the mailbox. Rather it would arrive in 30,000 pieces — not including nails... more

Whether it’s a stainless steel suite of kitchen appliances or the latest in front-loading washing machines, Gladstone-based Hamilton’s Appliance offers customers something more than just a fair price: They offer a level of service that distinguishes the 44-year-old company from its competitors. “We’ve been in business since 1962,” says Larry Snider, one of the owners. “We do business the old-fashioned way. Our intent is to satisfy the customer and along the way make the sale. If we do... more

While there is nothing more attractive than an unbroken expanse of glass offering an unfiltered view of the forest, ocean, or rolling hills, for most of us living in vintage suburban neighborhoods or new housing developments with scant landscaping, window coverings are a must. Formal or informal, sheer café-style curtains or light-blocking wooden shutters, today’s window coverings are designed to filter light, provide privacy, protect the furniture, and add color and charm to any room. The... more

Today’s windows and doors don’t just frame the view, they make it. Over the years, windows and doors have evolved from rough-hewn openings to primary design elements in a home. More than just a screen against bad weather, today’s innovative products are not only functional, but they are also attention-grabbing, attractive features that provide the finishing touches to almost any renovation project. Multiple elements determine the latest trends in any industry. For windows and doors, these include... more

Whether or not to change out the breaker box is a question many homeowners have faced. Age, period built, brand, maintenance, environment, and cost are just some of the factors to consider when making this decision. There are a few options for any upgrade, but it really comes down to the needs of the individual breaker box. In order to understand the needs for a service change, there are a few items within the service that need to be defined. An electrical service generally includes four major parts:... more

There’s nothing quite like the look of a freshly painted room: It speaks of new beginnings and possibilities. Unfortunately, there’s nothing quite like the smell of one, either. A just-painted room reeks of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, plus headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Some VOCs can cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. AFM Safecoat American Pride Acro by Miller Paints Horizon by... more