Selecting a kitchen sink while trying to achieve the appropriate look for a period kitchen can be a huge challenge. There is just so much misinformation and misleading marketing out there. It is often very difficult for homeowners to know what is correct for their specific period. Many of the ads, images, and plumbing stores insist that clay-fired farm sinks (also referred to as apron front sinks) are “historic.” Though they are indeed historic, this is an English style of kitchen sink rather... more

Wow! That’s what all of us long to hear and feel about our decor, be our home small or grand or somewhere in between. And the good news is that goal is easily accomplished. All it takes is putting aside our fear of color (especially in the Pacific Northwest, where taupe passes for a jewel tone) and the knowledge that little things loom large. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

One of my favorite things to do at the end of a long day is to relax in a long hot shower. As one who, as a child, was taught the environmental benefits of a “military shower,” the occasional long hot shower is a luxury to me. Unfortunately the long shower sometimes becomes an opportunity to notice just how badly my shower needs to be redone. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Nothing compares to the natural warmth and beauty of wood cabinets, floors, and trim in the home. But over time, dirt build-up, wear and tear, and age-discolored finishes make wood look flat and lifeless. It used to be that once woodwork in the home reached the point where it looked terrible, the options were limited to stripping, sanding, and refinishing, or completely removing and replacing with new. Neither solution is very attractive to anyone mindful of the expense and environmental impact.... more

In most kitchens, it seems that everything behind the first row in the pantry gets lost and falls into a black hole, never to be found again. Are you always looking for those items you know are there but cannot seem to find? If you want to use your mixer, you have to get on your hands and knees to unbury it. There has to be a better way. There is! This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Kohler Karbon Kitchen Faucet With five pivoting joints, the Karbon articulation faucet offers total range of motion, putting water exactly where it needs to be. Now featuring an extended palette that includes Bronze, Polish and Brushed Gold, and Black with polished Chrome. Available in deck and wall mounts units. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

A Designer’s Take on How to Become Architectural Salvage Savvy Photos courtesy of Arciform LLC One of the hottest renovation trends today is the use of salvaged materials in remodels and even new construction. With today’s builders trying to incorporate more sustainable practices and materials into their work, salvaged materials offer a great mix of financial, environmental, and esthetic benefits. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

The kitchen sink is evolving. Gone are the days when your only choice was between a single or a double bowl. The number of bowls is only one of many options the sink buyer has to consider in the 21st century. Sinks from a century ago were nearly all made of cast iron or ceramic materials. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →