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

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charmer, you’re often confronted with a seemingly endless list of problems: inadequate insulation, single-pane windows, outdated furnace and appliances… Rather than be overwhelmed with questions like “Where...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

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

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

Wet basements are the bane of many homes, especially older ones. Moisture in a basement can breed ruinous mold and mildew, impart a musty odor to storage items, and render valuable square footage unusable. Clogged rain gutters and downspouts, broken or leaking pipes, seepage and condensation are among the causes of wet basements. Fortunately, there are a few simple things homeowners can do to diagnose basement moisture and keep it from developing into a serious problem. Water damage in a basement.... more