On average 25% to 50% of energy used in a home goes right out the window — literally. In most homes, windows provide the biggest openings between indoor and outdoor air, and they provide the biggest opportunity for valuable energy to escape. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

My dream home appeared in the form of a beautifully restored 1923 Craftsman Bungalow in Northeast Portland. The modern upgrades in the kitchen and bathrooms were a bonus, but it was the wide eaves, the square column porch, the built-in cabinetry, and the leaded glass windows that drew me in and sealed the deal. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Spring is here! So while planning and planting your garden, you may want to update your lawn furniture. Today’s gardens and patios are more than just a place to eat at the picnic table for the occasional barbeque. Gardens are outdoor rooms. Here in the Pacific Northwest the evenings are long and what a better way to enjoy those long evenings than sitting in a comfortable chair. One of the most comfortable and timeless chairs for your outdoor room is the Adirondack. This is just a preview...Read... more

Whether replacing damaged molding or adding decorative vintage detail, there are countless knife profiles to choose from. Do you associate the word custom with the word costly? Or, do you think of the word custom as choice? If you live in an older home there’s a good chance that all the moldings in your home are unique. Decades ago, profiles were cut on site using special hand planes with custom-cutting... more

There are many digital thermostats on the market today. These can be used to replace most conventional low voltage and millivolt thermostats. One of the advantages to a programmable thermostat is the ability to save energy and money on your utility bills. According to the the U.S. Department of Energy, a programmable thermostat can reduce heating costs by up to 35% and cooling costs by... more

Can a person have a passion for hardwood flooring? Yes, and Tobey Parsons, owner of McGee Salvage located on the south edge of Scappoose, has it bad. Parsons’ main gig is reclaiming high-quality wood flooring from gyms, dance floors, old warehouses, buildings, and homes. “I get calls from schools all around the West to tear-out their old floor. Hardrock maple gym flooring has a lot of life still left in it and provides a great hard surface for homes. Just a few months ago we removed old growth... more

One day I asked Jon Hearron, Vice President and General Manager of W.C. Winks Hardware, what was the most common question asked by his customers. The answer came quick, anchoring. How do I mount this to that? This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

As a home owner/renter you can increase the efficiency of your heating system by doing a few fall tune-ups. The heating unit itself should not be tampered with. If you feel that your heating system is not performing to past standards call a licensed heating specialist. Gas, electric, and oil burning units carry high voltage and could impose a serious injury or health hazard. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →