I have been recently revisiting the “Green Plumbing” theme, and found that the term “green” has many different definitions. The most important is finding that definition for the homeowner. Is conserving water your concern? Saving energy? Are you looking to reclaim rainwater? Maybe the term “green plumbing” has more to do with how you water your lawn and gardens. Maybe the homeowner wants to pack all of these concerns together. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

If you’re looking at building green, the options can be confusing. In the Northwest alone, there are multiple green building programs for new homes, green rating systems for new homes and remodels, energy efficiency standards, and beneficial new technologies and equipment to consider. Earth Advantage Institute's display house featuring products and building materials. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Tobey Parsons, owner of McGee Salvage, purveyors of quality reclaimed hardwood floors, based in Portland, OR, has been in the business of selling reclaimed wood flooring since 1985. He salvages material from all kinds of deconstruction sites and sources, from gymnasiums to churches, and turns it into re-usable flooring for people who want to do “green” renovations, fix-its, or new construction. “I was green before anyone else was,” he says. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

If you are about to tackle a flooring project, big or small, there are lots of options to consider — from budget to style to installation. Once you’ve determined the scope and budget of your project, consulting a flooring expert is a good idea. That expert can guide you to the product and installation method best suited to your needs. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Are you tired of repeatedly having to paint your home? If you want to break the re-painting cycle but don’t like the idea of vinyl or metal siding, then you owe it to yourself to take a close look at a protective ceramic coating that gives the look of a freshly painted home year after year. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Inspiration strikes homeowners in many forms: for the owner of one Queen Anne Victorian, it was improving the flow and feeling of the home while at the same time embracing the original design and elegance of a great example of the “Painted Lady” style … and to make sure that the “new” design featured her red velvet couch. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

As more and more consumers ask for eco-friendly or green flooring, it is an easy choice to pick woods that make minimal impact on the earth and also create a healthier environment for you and your family. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

When most of us describe color we say that a house is blue or a room is yellow. A few of us get down to the level the house is light or dark blue or the room is pastel or bright yellow. Because so few of us get down to the undertone of a color, a lot of us end up with unexpected color results when we paint our home. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →