There have been some interesting trends in the world of flooring over the last year. Some of the most notable advances have been in the ease of maintenance and installation. Oiled Wood Floors The realm of “what’s old is new again” can be seen in the development of oiled wood flooring. In this country, we decided to put the hardest finishes we could find on the surfaces of wood floors. These finishes protect the floor by forming a wear layer, in effect a plastic-type film on the surface of... more

We spend at least a third of our lives in a single room. We turn there for comfort, refuge, and daydreaming. So why don’t we give more thought to our bedrooms? Not to get too personal about it, but it may have something to do with our private and public selves. We give our all to impress and entertain others, so the kitchen and other main floor rooms get our primary focus. But the bedroom is private, and if no one else is going to see it, we may think it unworthy of our attention — to our own... more

Next time you need a new sconce or dome light, try thinking outside the (big) box (store). Anybody can buy those lights! You want something different. You didn’t realize it before, but you do. You want something old. Something used, refurbished, re-wired. And I’m here to help you! While new is good, and it certainly has its place (new underwear comes to mind), it can lack character. And there’s also the danger of new being homogenous. Homogenized milk is good. Homogenized light fixtures... more

I am ostensibly rebuilding my deck at the moment. In reality, however, I’m remodeling my back yard. I will have a new and bigger deck, plus new paths, new fence, a patio for my containers, and more. It’s a ginormous project. And, I’m trying to use primarily salvaged materials. I like the low-impact feeling and look I get from using salvage and I love the challenge of turning salvage into a beautiful space. If you don’t know, I have purchased about 30,000 pounds of salvaged metal from... more

Nothing makes a bathroom stand out quite like a shower area that is a real work of art. You could have that look if you took the time, effort, and a modest amount of money to make it happen. The best part is that a quality shower doesn’t have to cost a lot. This tub enclosure is made with ¼” glass, and because it has three sections it collapses down to a minimum of space when not in use. The above shower enclosure is an example of 1/2 “ frameless glass and is strong, but very minimalistic. This... more

Often, we at Harvest Construction LLC are asked to design and remodel a bathroom from floor to ceiling. Frequently the potential client will add, “It’s just a small bathroom, about 6’ X 8’,” which typically means they really don’t want to spend much money on this remodel. Then the client will add their wishes for finishes in their remodeled space, such as tile in the shower or tub surround, tile on the floor, and sometimes heated travertine floors. While these finishes can be beautiful... more

The anatomy of a staircase is not something most people will contemplate or take the time to know. After all, unless one is a stair guy, why would one need to know the difference between a ball top and a tread cap? While it’s true that stairs are more complicated than just about anything else a carpenter could tackle, it’s also true that if you have stairs you will eventually find yourself standing in front of a stair guy, trying to decide what to do about your out-of-date or -code stairs. At... 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