A fireplace is more than just a place to warm yourself on a cold day. In any weather, it sets the atmosphere for its surrounding environs. A home with the right fireplace will feel more comfortable, both because of its heat on a winter day and its aesthetics year-round. Likewise, a house with an unharmonious hearth will feel disjointed. If you suspect you’re not getting enough from what should be the centerpiece of your home, you have a few decisions to make before dismantling that mantle. This... more

When asked to contribute an article to Northwest Renovation about design trends in period kitchen renovation for 2010, I thought about both what — as a professional designer — I am observing industry-wide and locally what many of our clients are doing. Only a couple of “new” trends came to mind: we will see more durable eco-counter surfaces with period appeal and better integration of smart appliances into cabinetry in 2010. Designs that respect the original character/period of the home will... more

This issue’s musings from across the architect’s drawing board ponders how to talk to an architect. When I was in college, which seems like centuries ago, I had two favorite cartoons. One showed a hot dog shaped man opening his mailbox. He was withdrawing an envelope displaying the statement “You may already be a weiner!” The other illustrated a dapper gentleman strutting down the street with cane, beret, and cape. He was flanked by curvaceous supermodels on each arm while another man... more

I am not one to push or tout trends. My belief is that your home should reflect you, your family, your lifestyle, and the way you live in your home. The reality is, as consumers we tend to want a lot of the same things. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

ECOpdx started out four years ago selling their own custom line of furniture made out of local deconstruction and storm damage woods. Soon after they added the Tropical Salvage line of furniture made from 100% recycled handcrafted tropical woods pulled out of rivers and volcanic pits in Indonesia. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Most people will agree that a period house looks best with a period kitchen, and that a period kitchen looks best with period stoves. With that in mind, homeowners who are considering vintage stoves usually still have a few basic questions about them, “Are vintage stoves practical?” “Will a vintage appliance have enough capacity?” and “Who will service vintage appliances, can parts be found, and are old appliances safe?” This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

I am lucky. I admit it. I am lucky enough to get to go to Paris once a year to visit the Maison et Objet show. This show is one of the world’s biggest furniture and accessories markets. This year is my second trip to this show and I found it to be just as exciting, if not more so, than the first. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read 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. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →