The western slopes of Mt. Hood hold a myriad of recreational opportunities and scenic wonders. The area, clustered along Route 26 from Welches up-mountain to Government Camp, also contains dozens of artistically rustic “Steiner Cabins.” Between the late 1920s and 1940s, German immigrant carpenter/homebuilder Henry Steiner and his son, John, constructed as many as 100 of these one-of-a-kind log dwellings (the exact number is still a matter of speculation).Many cabins and houses were built on Mt.... more

“Prairie” is the name given to a style of house originated by Chicago architect Frank Lloyd Wright around 1900. The first use of the term “Prairie” occurred with Wright’s plan for “A House On the Prairie,” published in the Ladies’ Home Journal in 1901. The term “Prairie School of architecture” was later given to the informal group of architects who practiced in this style. Many of these later architects had worked for Wright himself, or for Wright’s mentor, Louis Sullivan.... more

Flipping through shelter magazines, you’d think “green” remodeling involves the installation of expensive energy-saving devices and a minimalist design that advertises the homeowner’s familiarity with the cutting edge. Or, conversely, an environmentally conscientious remodel might reflect a low-tech, salvage-focused approach, often at the expense of comfort and design. Preserving the original woodwork in the dining room not only saved resources, but also authenticates the home’s... more

The author of the above lines was expressing a yearning for an authentic sense of place, firmly rooted in the historical past. Much of America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was looking backward to a romanticized pre-industrial colonial past, where life seemed somehow less complicated and stressful, where a sense of community mattered more than the rush to industrial prominence. The Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876 unleashed a wave of patriotism and pride in all things traditionally... more

So you are trying to achieve a more period look in your old house kitchen. At some point you will need to make the decision between using actual vintage appliances or reproduction appliances. When consulting with clients on their kitchen restoration projects, I carefully assess what their needs are and then advise accordingly. Big Chill replica refrigerator sports a 1950s vintage personality outside, but has modern functionality inside. The best of both worlds. Heartland vintage six burner... more

What do public structures like the Coquille River Lighthouse have to do with period homes? These public structures are important in and of themselves because of their age and important place in the architectural character of Oregon. Also, many of the techniques used to maintain and renovate public structures can help homeowners care for and improve their period and vintage houses. Coquille River Lighthouse All photos courtesy of Arciform LLC and Versatile Wood Products Ladd’s Carriage... more

It’s June, Portlanders, and we all know what that means, right? Well, yes, it does mean Rose Festival is here again, but the month also heralds in the return of the sun to us light-deprived northerners. Sometime during June, El Sol will roll into town and remain more-or-less parked in the daytime sky until it’s time to go back to school in September (or if we’re lucky, until Halloween). What better way to celebrate the coming bright season than to learn more about the historic architecture... more

Palm Springs, CA — the famed desert resort 100 miles east of Los Angeles — has reinvented itself as a hip, retro-chic tourist destination playing up on its legacy of modern-era buildings from the 1950s and 1960s. Each year at the end of February, the city is host to “Modernism Week,” a weeklong celebration of all things Mid-Century Modern. Each year, the event grows larger, adding more tours, lectures, and exhibits. This year’s Modernism Week stretched from February 23 through March 4,... more