The dazzling patterns and colors of old-fashioned Formica grabs attention. And in a world run amok with granite countertops, this has never been truer. Formica (laminate) used in the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gorden house at the Oregon Gardens in Silverton, OR. Resources: Bars and Booths Boomerang laminates www.barsandbooths.com Pastense Retro diner furniture and laminates www.pastense.com Formica is made of paper, topped with a high-grade paper, with bright solid colors or wild patterns... more

Wanting to remodel your kitchen or considering it in the near future? With the realization that your home may not be worth what it was three or four years ago, it still may make sense to go ahead and improve your space. Whether you want to remodel for resale or you have come to the conclusion that you will be staying put for a while, you will need to make many decisions. Budget Regardless of which group you fall into, the first thing that should be addressed is the budget for the whole project. A... 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. “I wanted my red velvet couch in the kitchen,” the homeowner confessed. “It’s an antique that belonged to my grandmother, and I’ve been carrying it with me from... more

Aging and disability are facts of life. If you live long enough you will end up needing modifications to your home — that is if you want to continue living in relative comfort. Face it, try as we will, there comes a time when we will not be able to enjoy the level of mobility — real accessibility — that we had when we were younger, fearless, and willing to climb stairs. Whether or not the modification(s) is as simple as adding a grab bar, or as complicated as remodeling a home that you absolutely... 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

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. What’s new in the kitchen for 2010? Not surprisingly, the trends lean toward products that are environmentally responsible and multi-functional, appliances that promote healthy, fresh food preparation, and kitchens that are designed to accommodate personal technology devices. The... 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?” Kim and Roy Fox’s 1915 stove, restored by Dave Erickson. Joan... more

Spokane County, WA became the launch pad last July for the nation’s strictest ban on dishwasher detergent made with phosphates, a measure aimed at reducing water pollution. The ban will be expanded statewide in July 2010, the same time similar laws take effect in several other states. Among other states that have banned or are banning phosphates in dishwasher detergent are Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Michigan, Vermont, Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York. A bill on Capitol Hill... more