Wall decorations go back to the days when people lived in caves. There, on the stone walls, are the images of hands and animals. Mystical beings look out at us as artistic memories of that time and place. Although the Chinese were using decorated rice paper to embellish their walls for thousands of years, the story of wallpaper in Europe started with the use of beautiful tapestries that were hung to both bring beauty into the space and act as a form of insulation. Castles with stone walls were cold!... more

It is one of those dreaded things in life, when the toilet doesn’t flush. At first, you jiggle the handle and it works for a while. Deep down, you know that you really should go down to A-Boy and buy a new flapper. You let it go a little longer, until you have to jiggle it almost every time. The procrastination is starting to get to you, so you go and buy a flapper for less than four dollars. It sits in the trunk of your car for a week and then your wife says, “We have relatives coming to visit... more

Nothing makes a bathroom stand out quite like a shower area that is a real work of art. You could have that look if you took the time, effort, and a modest amount of money to make it happen. The best part is that a quality shower doesn’t have to cost a lot. This tub enclosure is made with ¼” glass, and because it has three sections it collapses down to a minimum of space when not in use. The above shower enclosure is an example of 1/2 “ frameless glass and is strong, but very minimalistic. This... more

Often, we at Harvest Construction LLC are asked to design and remodel a bathroom from floor to ceiling. Frequently the potential client will add, “It’s just a small bathroom, about 6’ X 8’,” which typically means they really don’t want to spend much money on this remodel. Then the client will add their wishes for finishes in their remodeled space, such as tile in the shower or tub surround, tile on the floor, and sometimes heated travertine floors. While these finishes can be beautiful... more

We recently completed a remodel of the second floor of our 1924 bungalow, which involved reconfiguring 500 sq ft into a master suite with a bath and two closets, a second bedroom, and a reading alcove, all without adding a dormer or changing the roof line. Like many who consider remodeling, we contemplated moving but chose instead to live with dust and contractors for six months. As an architect, I had already helped many homeowners achieve their dreams of a new kitchen, bath, or large addition.... more

Northwest Renovation interviewed the owner of Portland Vintage Plumbing, Brenda Wasco, on what products she has to offer and how she can help her customers find the right products for their home remodel. Why did you start Portland Vintage Plumbing? I’d worked in the plumbing industry for over 10 years when the business I worked for closed. I couldn’t imagine anything I would rather do, so with the encouragement of a very good friend, I opened Portland Vintage Plumbing. I have been... more

A faucet is comprised of a spout, handle(s), and at least one valve. The valve is the part that gets the most wear and tear. Faucets and valves keep this world in running water. We couldn’t have the water systems we have today without the controls afforded by pipes and valves. The only problem is that all valves leak over time. If we don’t keep our faucets in good repair, they will leak. Single basin faucet. Although not common in most homes these days, it still has the most common compression... more

Historic preservation consulting is a multifaceted area. There are professionals who specialize in nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, historic tax credits, research of historical records, and policy administration relevant to historic properties. There are also preservation consultants who specialize in traditional building crafts, architectural plans and drawings, historic landscapes, period lighting, plumbing, tile, paint colors, wallpapers, and other... more