Portlanders love their old homes. Features like original moldings, millwork, built-ins, coved ceilings, covered porches, leaded glass windows, and hardwood floors are irresistible to many homeowners, who will go to great lengths and expense to preserve and restore them. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

The bathroom fan has come a long way in just the past year. With the introduction of the dual-sensor fan that monitors both humidity and motion, the bathroom fan has become mostly automatic. For many years the bath fan was turned on like a light with a switch or a timer. Now the Panasonic WhisperSense fans come on only when moisture or motion in the bathroom is detected. It saves energy by not working when it is not needed. Why operate the fan when there is no moisture, and you are not there? By... more

A staircase can reveal a lot about a house’s personal history – particularly its age. We’ve all seen those outdated oak staircases, or the staircase hemmed in by half-walls. A dated staircase can be a turn-off for a would-be homebuyer, or seem too costly a project for a homeowner. This may be why homeowners tend to overlook the staircase when doing home improvements. However, if a staircase is a prominent feature in the home it is well worth considering an update. This is just a preview...Read... more

Tucked away on a quiet side street in a peaceful neighborhood in north Portland is a small business on an oversized lot. It boasts one really big garden. A design studio. And a nursery. There’s also a client base that travels up the west coast to buy plants and order custom woodwork. This enterprise is called Bamboo Craftsman, and the company has grown its reputation largely through word-of-mouth, charming designs, and the owner’s business savvy. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

When Ian Fleming said, “beauty is a question of millimeters,” he wasn’t talking about bathroom remodels. But when it comes to the small bathrooms typical of most homes, beauty and function is sometimes a question of millimeters. So when you renovate, you want to be mindful of the details. If you get them right, you can transform a cramped bathroom into an appealing, high-functioning, and spacious part of your home without adding a single foot to the existing room dimensions. This is just a... more

Everyone has had to deal with a transition at some point in his or her home. I’m not talking about a transition to a new job or from young age to older. I’m talking about flooring transitions that adjoin different types of floor coverings. You know, the big strip of wood that constantly trips people as they walk from the kitchen to the dining room. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

During September of this year I made my first visit to the Republic of Ireland. Like many Americans, I had only fuzzy impressions of what the capital city of Dublin might look like. The city is of modest size for a European capital (1.8 million) and has never been showcased in films the way that London, Paris, or Rome have. I was pleasantly surprised to find the city a treasure chest of historic architecture found in its houses, its educational institutions, its public buildings, and its many churches.... more

If you’re a parent or a parent-to-be, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll want to enjoy a glass of pinot with friends in a living room cleared of LEGOs and My Little Ponies. Balancing the needs of children and adults is challenging throughout parenthood, and making changes to your house to accommodate a growing family is no exception. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →