When our family decided to move, we looked for a house with charm and character that was close to the city. We found a home with single-pane windows, no insulation, three layers of roofing sitting on top of 2″ x 4″ rafters, and inadequate plumbing and electrical systems. We soon found ourselves in a total down-to-the-studs remodel. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

When you walk down a paint aisle and see gallon paint cans holding less than one gallon of paint, the cans are paint base, short-filled to leave room for adding colorants, or tints. By coloring paint at the time of purchase, customers can buy an endless range of colors without the store having to stock them all. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Ben and Carol Radabaugh have been planning their new kitchen for a long time. They have a lovely home in Laurelhurst with a lot of charm, but it still had functionality from the 1920s. My company, Skändia Design, worked with them on a “grand plan” for the remodel of the whole house, but as is typical, the dreams went further than the budget (especially in the middle of the dot-com bust). The original project was cut in half, and the kitchen remodel was put on hold. This is just a preview...Read... more

Whether it’s a stainless steel suite of kitchen appliances or the latest in front-loading washing machines, Gladstone-based Hamilton’s Appliance offers customers something more than just a fair price: They offer a level of service that distinguishes the 44-year-old company from its competitors. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

While there is nothing more attractive than an unbroken expanse of glass offering an unfiltered view of the forest, ocean, or rolling hills, for most of us living in vintage suburban neighborhoods or new housing developments with scant landscaping, window coverings are a must. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

Today’s windows and doors don’t just frame the view, they make it. Over the years, windows and doors have evolved from rough-hewn openings to primary design elements in a home. More than just a screen against bad weather, today’s innovative products are not only functional, but they are also attention-grabbing, attractive features that provide the finishing touches to almost any renovation project. Multiple elements determine the latest trends in any industry. For windows and doors, these include... more

Whether or not to change out the breaker box is a question many homeowners have faced. Age, period built, brand, maintenance, environment, and cost are just some of the factors to consider when making this decision. There are a few options for any upgrade, but it really comes down to the needs of the individual breaker box. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

It’s not quite a gold rush, but step into any nursery, furniture showroom, or home furnishing store and you could be tempted to yell, “There’s bamboo!” Peter Talbot, office manager of Bamboo Craftsman, cites two reasons for bamboo’s burgeoning popularity: The desire to use earth-friendly products in the home and the aura of timelessness bamboo provides. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →