A short interview with the owner of Portland Vintage Plumbing, Brenda Wasco on what products she has to offer and why she opened her business. Why did you start Portland Vintage Plumbing? I have worked in the plumbing industry for 10 years, and can’t imagine anything I would rather do. I feel it’s an honor to work with customers that trust you with their home projects and joy to see the finished result. I love the whole process of the job, from picking out fixtures to keeping track... more

Portland, OR is well known for its unique array of architecture: new and old, residential and commercial. These neighborhoods were built and designed by interesting people with forward thinking ideas. Getting to know a home’s history, its architectural origins, and its designers/builders can give a new appreciation for the houses we live in. Researching a home’s history can be fascinating and informative. Your home probably had several owners, and could have undergone a remodel or two.... more

Old house lovers in Portland, OR might be surprised to learn that many of the city’s most charming early 20th century homes are actually built of concrete. Houses built of concrete block often masquerade as stone, while houses built of continuous-pour concrete are often mistaken for stucco. The 1909 Bramhall House in the Piedmont neighborhood is perhaps Portland’s most elaborate example of a concrete cast-stone house (above top and center). Smaller, simpler concrete houses were... more

People who love the charm and character of old Portland homes don’t have to deal with high heating bills and drafty bedrooms forever. Many energy efficient upgrades can make a tremendous change in your comfort, safety, and utility cost. When you think of the energy efficiency of your Portland charmer, you’re often confronted with a seemingly endless list of problems: inadequate insulation, single-pane windows, outdated furnace and appliances… Rather than be overwhelmed with questions like “Where... more

A custom-designed daybed makes room for sewing and crafts by day and rolls out to provide a queen-size bed by night. The above photo shows the bed closed The under-sized entry into the attic space was moved and incorporated as a cabinet door (far left) into the entertainment center, which now commits the room to a new statement and purpose. The pull-out work surface in the sewing room’s bookshelf lends an area for cutting fabrics and other tasks, without imposing on the graciousness... more

This issue’s musings ponders how to be sure a contractor’s competitive bid is fair, accurate, and complete. Not only is comparing apples to apples important, getting to the apple core is equally essential. The Seed for a Shiny Apple Place yourself in the contractor’s position. How would you determine how much a project is going to cost before you actually do the work, and also be certain it is exactly what the homeowner wants? You would need a very clear description of every aspect of the... more

When you own a vintage home, you know what you love about it. It’s the ornate woodwork, ornamental trim, pocket doors, moldings, high ceilings, and vintage fixtures. You also know what you don’t love about it: those small closets, creaky pipes, and poor insulation. But those are mere annoyances, and, like the character quirks of your favorite elderly aunt, they only endear the house to you more. When it comes time to sell your vintage home, however, other factors apply. Buyers... more

I drive around a lot. Needless to say, I find myself looking at a lot of yards while I am out and about. And there it is: the ever present lawn. I know, I know; your neighbor has it, their neighbor has it. What else is there? It is hard to imagine that there is another way of landscaping your yard, but I promise there is. I call it the “Lose the Lawn” plan. I think that most people accept the status quo of what a garden should look like because they don’t know anything else is out there. I... more