If you think historic preservation is the archaic, lofty pursuit of the stately elite, the folks at the Architectural Heritage Center (AHC) beg to differ. They’ll convince you that historic preservation is all about preserving the livability and historic character of Portland and the Northwest — and that it applies equally to the grand courthouse and the modest bungalow. The Architectural Heritage Center is located on the Central Eastside in the rehabilitated Wests’ Block built in 1883. Owned... more

Two coats of paint will never equal the performance of a coat of the right primer, sealer or stain blocker, and one coat of paint. Paint applied to bare surfaces peels, cracks, and chalks early; colors appear splotchy and the sheen diluted and uneven. Primers and sealers are formulated to stick to a surface, creating a uniform foundation to accept the paint. Some formulas can hide stains and block odors. Because primer-sealers seal pores in the substrate, less finish paint is required. And, because... more

If you own a home built before the 1960s there’s a good chance that your interior walls are finished with lath and plaster. Over the course of time, homes settle, creating cracks that follow the lath on walls and ceilings. Another problem that can separate plaster is water damage.  If serious, enough chunks of plaster can fall out exposing the wood lath. To regain the smooth look and feel of the original plaster, you will need to refinish. Going Green American Clay Earth Plaster — the Original... more

Alton “Al” McCoy was a self-made man. He learned ocean navigation at the Portland library, eventually sailed all over the world and earned himself the rank of captain. During World War II, Al ran the entire United Fruit Company fleet successfully for the United States government. Al McCoy During his travels, he established ties with some hardwood companies on the east coast and began distributing hardwood flooring throughout the greater Portland, OR area. In 1946, Al founded McCoy Lumber. Al... more

Don’t let the dim economic news darken your door. When it comes to remodeling your home, you can pinch pennies and still add value to your property. Choose wisely, and those inexpensive changes you make today won’t affect selling your house tomorrow, say real estate agents based in Portland, OR. Even if you are not selling your home this year, any project — from paint to countertop — should be tackled with an eye on resale value, says Glenn Matz, principal broker with Re/Max Equity Group.... more

The year is 1958. Mom, Dad, and the kids are taking their first big driving vacation in their new Oldsmobile Rocket 88 sedan. They left their home in Southern California several days ago with the intent of reaching the Canadian border by the end of the week. It’s been a week filled with scenic wonders and much excitement but this day’s journey from Crater Lake to Portland, OR has been tiring. As Dad steers the car up the curving grade of Highway 99 at the foot of Interstate Avenue in North Portland,... more

Use an artist's palette to pick complementary colors to add accessories to a room. Notice how red, green, blue, and purple complements the yellow in the above example. Leading color predictors agree that one of the exciting new color directions for 2009 will be use of clear, bright and vibrant yellows in and around your home. With color names like Mimosa, Marigold and Sunshine, the new yellow is symbolic of our need for optimism for the future. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone... more

Here are a few tips on getting the correct hardware for your house or for that great deal you found at the thrift store. Know Your Vintage First, you need to determine the year of your house or piece of furniture and the correct style. Many styles of homes and furniture have subsets, for example the Victorian style, 1820 through 1920, includes Gothic Revival 1830-1850, Victorian Gothic 1850-1875, Queen Anne 1876-1905, and Victorian Italianate 1855-1870. As for furniture, Gothic and Rococo are approximately... more