One of the most common types of remodels done in older Portland neighborhoods is the renovation of the attic (or “upstairs”). People back in the early part of the 20th century must have been more athletic than us today, because usually going up the “stairs,” alluded to by the word “upstairs,” was more like climbing a ladder while ducking to clear low headroom and carrying an armload of daily laundry, or other detritus. Some of those goofy Japanese TV ninja-style course competitions pale... more

In the last issue of Northwest Renovation I wrote about visiting some of the best-known Arts and Crafts buildings in England. In this issue I will continue this architectural journey into Scotland and look at some early 20th century buildings designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his Glasgow cohorts. Scotland St. School shows the abundant use of natural glass. Decorative metalwork on the Glasgow School of Art. Glasgow at the turn of the last century was the Second City of the... 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. “People are more aware of the need to use sustainably grown, earth-friendly products, and bamboo is certainly that,” Talbot says, adding... more

Siding. Whether it’s wood, stucco, or stone, the cover of your house is akin to a beautifully wrapped gift, looking good on the outside while protecting what’s inside from damage. Although every home has siding, not all siding is created equal. Wood needs to be sealed and painted; low-maintenance vinyl and aluminum need to be power-washed and checked for damage at least twice a year; and stucco, reminiscent of adobe villages and Italian villas, can crack. Wood, with its natural beauty and long-lasting... more

No one knows for sure when the first porch was invented, but it’s safe to say that porches have existed — in one form or another—since humans first built habitable shelters. Porch technology did not evolve in steady stages around the globe, however. Ancient kingdoms in Africa had relatively sophisticated concepts of indoor-outdoor living at the same time that European hovels tried as much as possible to shut out the cruel world beyond. It would take several millennia and much intermingling... more

Impressive entrance greets visitors on approach. The Pittock Mansion in the West Hills is Portland’s own “Hearst Castle.” It was built in 1914 by Oregonian newspaper founder and publisher Henry Pittock and his wife Georgiana. Many would say that it is the grandest of the great homes of early Portland. Descendants of the Pittock family lived in the house until 1958. In 1964 it was purchased ... more

Kitchen Ideas Span Continents; Capture the Style of Both Old Europe, and Asia. If you’ve never been to Tuscany, this year’s Home & Garden Show provided a virtual passport to the region’s rolling hills and sweeping vistas. For homeowners gathering ideas for a kitchen remodel the message is clear: Today’s top trend is all about capturing the essence of Italy. The signature look combines stonework and iron, terra-cotta tiles and earth tone hues, textured plaster walls and exposed... more

It all started with a stray comment. Tobey Parsons was taking Kathleen, his wife of 33 years, out of town for her birthday. “I mentioned to my kids (four, all grown) that we might remodel the kitchen when we got back,” he recalls. The Parsons came home to a surprise: No more kitchen. Their children had demolished the dilapidated room down to the studs. “We washed our dishes in the utility sink for next two years,” Parsons says, laughing at the memory. It wasn’t funny at the time,... more