Yoga helps put my mind and body in tune with my world and balances my life equilibrium. Organized rooms and spaces provide me with a sense of balance, too. What disrupts your equilibrium? Could it be restoring a historic home, remodeling an outdated kitchen, or replacing your carpet with hardwood floors? This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

For this how-to we are using limited installation guidelines and photos for a Laurelhurst Fan. If installing a Laurelhurst Fan, a more custom installation brochure comes with the fan. We would like to thank the owners of the Laurelhurst Fan Company for providing this information. This basic overview should work with many wall mounted exhaust fans. Every fan has its own characteristics so check with the installation guide that came with your fan before attempting any installation. This is just a... more

Installing a pre-hung door is one of those things that a carpenter learns by doing. It becomes instinctual and automatic after a while, but the steps involved can be analyzed and explained so that almost anyone can understand the basic process. If you want to do it yourself, I advise you to try a few inexpensive doors first (such as interior doors), so you can get a feel for the job and learn to trouble-shoot some of the surprises that may come up. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Bradford Derusit offers a biodegradable metal cleaner that does not require a neutralizing agent for disposal, eliminating the water pollution often encountered with other cleaners. B-P Metal Cleaner is harmless to skin, metal, and other materials. It is virtually odorless and gives off no toxic fumes. Northwest Renovation puts it to the test in this how-to. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

If you are attracted to the idea of vegetable or herb gardening, a raised bed is a great way to start. This is a great project to get the kids involved. They can choose the herbs, vegetables, or even strawberries to have a garden of their own. Your family can choose a theme such as a pizza or taco garden: planting tomatoes, basil, tomatillas, peppers, cilantro, onions, and more. With this design the bed is easy to break-down and move, no parts to lose, and is perfect for a temporary location. This... more

Collecting the rain that rolls off your roof to use in the garden preserves natural resources and saves money on your water bill. One affordable way to capture hundreds of gallons of rainwater every year is to make and install rain barrels from simple plumbing fixtures and recycled food grade containers. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Futons are here to stay. People have been sleeping on cotton-filled mattress for thousands of years. The ancient Babylonians, Mesopotamian, and Egyptians used cotton as a bedding material because it is comfortable — it has good loft or springiness to support the body; it breathes, which helps control temperature and it’s easy to produce. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Many older homes have concrete slabs that are broken and outdated and do not fit in with the new backyard design. The homeowners profiled here had to come to terms with what they had. They tried to plant sod around the existing concrete patio and that lasted a year or so. They tried seeding to keep the mud down and that too failed after a year. As a last resort they placed old bricks, pavers, and river rock in an attempt to keep the mud at bay and a path for the dogs to access the rest of the yard. This... more