Making a splash in the bath — while using less water — is increasingly the goal of “green-minded” homeowners embarking on a bathroom remodel. And with good reason: According to WaterSense, a voluntary public-private partnership program sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, each American uses an average of 100 gallons of water per day at home. By installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances, usage can be dropped by about 30% — which shaves an average of $170 per year off... more

With energy bills on the rise, water conservation is a major concern for homeowners. Did you know, toilets make up about half of a home’s water consumption? Americans flush nearly five billion gallons of water down their toilets each day. To help conserve water, years ago the federal government required builders to install toilets that used no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Although these new toilets met the government’s requirement, they often performed poorly. When low-flush toilets... more

Flooring Cork, bamboo, recycled and reclaimed fir, reclaimed Hard Rock Maple gym flooring and hardwoods are all examples of sustainable flooring products harvested from deconstruction or renewable resources. These products are available to installers from local sources. Some companies specialize in salvaged wood floors. Carpeting can be manufactured from a variety of sustainable materials, such as wool, cotton, sisal (agave), sea grass, and jute (burlap.) Recycled-content padding made from wool... more

Whether you are remodeling a kitchen or bath or upgrading an existing home, there are many options and decisions to consider. What are the latest trends, and will granite countertops still be in vogue 10 years from now? However, I am pretty sure rough-in plumbing won’t make the top of anyone’s design to-do list. Choices in plumbing products used to be left up to the professional plumber, until now. With the increasing popularity of the PEX tubing, plumbing has changed and is turning green due... more

Indoor plumbing became commonplace in new homes during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. By 1900, most all-new construction of middle class housing contained indoor bathrooms. The American bungalow — popular in the 1900-1930 period — developed along with the modern American bathroom. Bungalows, considered the most modern homes of the time, had bathrooms that reflected the latest trends and highest standards of efficiency that indoor plumbing could provide. Early bungalow bathrooms were... 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

There is something reassuring about being helped in a plumbing and electric store by a friendly salesperson who actually has knowledge and experience with the project you are about to tackle. This is the way it used to be in all building supply stores, and remains that way today at A-Boy Plumbing and Electric. The family-owned business is, at its roots, a neighborhood plumbing, electric, and hardware store.... more

This family-owned company has grown from a small retailer of plumbing and electrical products to a seven-store hardware and home center chain serving the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. John Dolan founded A-Boy Supply in 1960. He first sold plumbing fixtures, electrical supplies, and appliances from a former grocery store in Southeast Portland. Lighting products and supplies were added later. Steam bath display located at the Vaughn Street store. Ask for a demonstration. A-Boy... more