I love lighting — good lighting. While there is a big difference, most people don’t know the difference between effective and ineffective lighting. Once you have experienced quality lighting in your home, it is impossible to go back. With as many gray days as we have in the Northwest, it is especially important to provide the right lighting to improve your spirit. If you live in a period home like a Bungalow, Craftsman, or Four-Square, you might ask the question: “How do I get good lighting... more

In the late 1800s the bathroom was a practical, utilitarian space with few design elements. Over time, the American bathroom transitioned to a refuge — a place to refresh and relax. From the early 1900s through the middle of the century, bathrooms were transformed into beautiful spaces with intricate tile and trim work, artfully crafted sinks and tubs, and attractive but functional plumbing and lighting fixtures. Whether you are completing a bathroom remodel or just want to update the lighting,... more

You’ve chosen the lighting theme for your home – recessed and pendant lights in the kitchen, track lights in the living room, a vintage chandelier adorning the entryway, and an artful blend of wall sconces, table, and standing lamps adding character to every room. It’s time to throw the switch, but you’re still in the dark about what kind of light bulbs to choose. Does it really matter? Kay Newell, owner of Portland, OR-based Sunlan Lighting, says yes. Make a SAD Room Happier Do you feel... more

In other parts of the country, two-family homes are known variously as twin homes, attached homes, two-flats, or even double-deckers. But in Portland we just call them all duplexes. Duplexes come in two basic types: the “up and down” duplex where one unit rests atop the other, and the “side-by-side” duplex where both units share a common sidewall. Though more common in East Coast cities, duplexes have played a part in Portland’s building history as well. In the 19th century, Victorian duplexes... more

Being your own GC can be a lot easier when using experienced consultants. Tom and Marie Quarles bought their acreage in Beaver Creek with a 1980s era home that they planned to remodel into what Marie, a gourmet cook, called a “truffle house” — not too large but very rich inside. They hired their friend Benjamin Tarcher, a San Francisco architect, to design it. After interviewing several contractors, they decided to try to build it themselves with the help of Skändia Design, Inc., as a building... more

Installing a pre-hung door is one of those things that a carpenter learns by doing. It becomes instinctual and automatic after a while, but the steps involved can be analyzed and explained so that almost anyone can understand the basic process. If you want to do it yourself, I advise you to try a few inexpensive doors first (such as interior doors), so you can get a feel for the job and learn to trouble-shoot some of the surprises that may come up. Before After In this case, we are... more

The handsaw has been a toolbox staple for as long as people have been building things, and it hasn’t really changed much. What is surprising is how different cultures have created different designs to facilitate this most basic need to cut things. Our Western concept of sawing has always been to make the teeth of the saw cut while you push it through the material, and hey, it does work quite well! The Japanese, on the other hand, have always designed their saws to cut while you pull them. Today,... more