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 open kitchen and family room shows one family’s... 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. Q. How do I know when it’s time to replace my roof? A. If there’s a leak, it’s probably time, says Philips. Otherwise, “Do a visual check. If it looks nice and flat, not curly, that’s ok. But... 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. Stardust Glass production facility located in Southeast Portland, OR. Jason adjusting a mold in their custom-made kiln. Each mold is filled by hand with the bottom layer of clear glass measured... 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. Worker injecting air krete.® Plugs replaced after cavity is filled. The Solution: While most foam insulation products are petroleum based and therefore... 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. There are five to ten billion organisms in a heaping tablespoon of fertile soil. You can put these tiny “garden helpers” to work in your yard by applying compost. Worms, fungi, and more make soil fertile for... 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? Ask a room full of people and some will say, “Paint over the wallpaper. I’ve done it lots of times.” Others will say, “Painting over wallpaper is asking for a disaster.” Both thoughts are correct. It depends on the condition of the wallpaper, the type of wallpaper,... more