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

There has always been a blending of decorative arts with functionality in the design of domestic kitchen tools, everything from painted scenes in the glazes of ancient clay vessels to the graceful curves in hand wrought iron kitchen tools. The Shakers, for example, were known for blending simple elegance with form and functionality in a way that parallels that of ancient Japanese artistry. General Electric marketed the first electric toaster in 1909. It was simply known as the D-12. Of the three... more

With the current economy forcing people to stay in their homes because they can’t afford to sell them, we see some new trends in the remodeling industry. Before 2008, it was common for people to spend $50K or more remodeling their kitchens, and being able to recoup the investments when they sold their houses a few years later. That all changed with house prices plummeting four years ago. This kitchen involved moving the range out of the island and the refrigerator from where the range is... more

After completing a number of smaller home improvement projects on her 1910 bungalow, including exterior painting, building a new fence, and adding a gate, plus regular maintenance, Elizabeth Epping was ready for a more substantial kitchen remodel. WILLCO was excited to be her chosen building professional for the job. As a design-build remodeler, we were prepared to help Epping face the types of challenges that can come with remodeling a century-old home. In so doing, we were equipped and ready to... 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

So you have an old house and you want the kitchen to look more period appropriate. All you see in your neighbors’ houses, the advertisements, and the builders’ supply places are stone, stone, and stone. And yes, stone can be beautiful! But is it appropriate for an old house? Historically, stone was rarely used as countertop material. The method for economically processing large slabs of stone is a relatively new development. Thus, continuous stone countertops are more of a modern countertop treatment. Formica... 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

With their “shotgun” arrangement of space along two walls, galley kitchens are often narrow and can feel cut off from the rest of the house, but thoughtful design connects people and living spaces in the Beaumont-Wilshire kitchen of Rose and Eric Brooks. The Brookses had all the usual reasons motivating their decision to remodel the kitchen of their 1940s house. The existing kitchen was the product of multiple cheap renovations, with unattractive cabinet veneers and worn linoleum... more