Ah the hammer, a tool in heavy rotation since the stone ages. So what has become of this most basic requirement of humankind? Well, things have gotten crazy in the 21st century, with manufacturers using exotic materials like titanium, making wild claims of velocity improvement (violating all known laws of Physics), driving the most expensive of these tools up past $200! Woe to the flat-earthers who purchase these. But every now and then along comes the proverbial “better mouse trap,” a simple... more

Not far from the famed Woodburn outlet mall on I-5, just south of Portland, can be found a most amazing Victorian treasure box of a house. The Settlemier House, owned and cared for by the non-profit French Prairie Historical Society, is open to the public on a limited basis. Tours can be arranged that will take you through the house’s grand, mostly original interior. Rooms are furnished with period-appropriate furniture, and many of the Settlemier family’s personal household effects are on display... more

You are having a dream. It’s about your bathroom — it is spacious, sparkling clean, with top-of-the-line amenities at your fingertips. Your toilet never clogs. There is ample storage for all your toiletries and towels. There are even two sinks, with his and her medicine cabinets. Half awake, you stumble down the hall, fling open the door, and click on the light. Reality drips in: You have an ugly bath. In your world, the outdated term “water closet” is all too real. Your bathroom is a smallish... more

Save Money! With the Help of Do-It-Yourself Heating. Yes, you can install your own system: Thousands of self-proclaimed “do-it-yourselfers” have successfully upgraded their home heating and air-conditioning systems with help from Do-It-Yourself Heating, a local retail business known for its personal service, quality workmanship, custom made products, and expert advice. Located in Southeast Portland, Do-It-Yourself Heating was Oregon’s first retailer to offer do-it-yourself (DIY)... more

Getting ready to re-do your child’s room? Avoid the tangle of the terrible twos, temperamental tweens, and tempestuous teens by setting a few ground rules. Say Yes to… Sharing. Your own childhood fascinates your child. Share the stories, but save the vintage pictures, toys, and clothes for when your child is old enough to cherish your personal memorabilia. Compromise. If your child likes a color scheme, bedding ensemble, or cartoon character whose popularity will soon fade, let them be chic... more

My dream home appeared in the form of a beautifully restored 1923 Craftsman Bungalow in Northeast Portland. The modern upgrades in the kitchen and bathrooms were a bonus, but it was the wide eaves, the square column porch, the built-in cabinetry, and the leaded glass windows that drew me in and sealed the deal. To my own surprise, I was equally enamored with the cold air return vents. Made of intersecting solid oak slats to form a grid of rectangular openings, these “eggcrate-style” grilles are... more

A fresh coat of paint doesn’t seem so fresh when you consider that over 10,000 chemicals can be included in paint formulas. Many of these chemicals emit breathable gases that are potentially mutagenic, neurotoxic, and carcinogenic. Some of these chemicals interact and create detrimental compounds not present in the original product. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — easily evaporating organic compounds with one or more... more

Architectural salvage-hounds in the Northwest have a new destination for discovering recycled treasures. Old Portland Hardware & Architectural spotlights streamlined collections of high-quality architectural antiques in a 4,500-square-foot showroom, along with a wide array of hardware presented in behind-the-counter style, a thing of the past. “They’ve designed the store to create a customer-centered shopping environment — one that fosters a sense of discovery, but without... more