Ask designers Rhonda Knoche and Anne De Wolf about kitchen trends, and you’ll get at least a moment’s hesitation before they reply. That almost imperceptible moment of silence has nothing to do with their knowledge. Both can readily answer questions about kitchens from floor to ceiling, including historic design, structure, appliance features, efficiency, and ecology, but trends — well, both prefer to make things a bit more personal. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Homeowners who plan on replacing the roof this summer are faced with one basic question: What is the best choice for my home? Keith Green, owner of Keith Green Construction in Portland, OR, and Steve Philips, owner of Four Star Roofing based in Hillsboro, offer advice on how to choose the best roof. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Tile has been around for thousands of years. That’s one reason why the form appeals to Jason Coleman, who owns and operates Stardust Glass with his wife, Megan Coleman. “I love the fact that people have been making tile for one purpose or another since the dawn of time,” says Jason. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Whether you are remodeling a kitchen or bath or upgrading an existing home, there are many options and decisions to consider. What are the latest trends, and will granite countertops still be in vogue 10 years from now? However, I am pretty sure rough-in plumbing won’t make the top of anyone’s design to-do list. Choices in plumbing products used to be left up to the professional plumber, until now. With the increasing popularity of the PEX tubing, plumbing has changed and is turning green due... more

The kitchen is the area of the historic house that is most likely to have been remodeled over time. Many of these improvements were unnecessary at best. Today, more and more people are returning their kitchens to an appearance more in keeping with the age of their home. Others who are lucky enough to have original features are devising new ways to preserve them, while making the kitchen more functional to modern life. First, let’s take a look at some of the kitchen styles and ages most commonly... more

The Challenge: Recognizing the mandate for increasingly energy efficient building envelopes, with increased safety requirements, inventor R. Keene Christopher developed an insulation material unlike any other, that could withstand the test of time, weather, building codes, and even lawyers: air krete®. Worker drilling pluges. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Spring is the perfect time to get your yard and garden ready for spring and summer planting. But before you plant your first bulb, seed, tree, or plant, remember that healthy plants start with healthy soil. Healthy soil makes healthy plants that naturally resist diseases and pests. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Our tastes change over time; the floral motif wallpaper in the family room seems out-of-date, and the kids have outgrown the wallpaper with zoo animals in their bedrooms. Paint can revitalize these rooms but what about the wallpaper? This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →