Archives

ISSUE 3 - October/November 2002
News and New
Radiant Heat: Retro fit radiant heating into your older home.
Weatherizing Your Home: Keep the weather outside this winter.
Got a Hot House to Sell?: You might be able to sell it without an agent. One couple did and you can too.
Hardwood Floors 101: With more hardwood flooring options today, learn a few basics to help you make an educated choice.
Hardwood Floor Care: General Do's and Don'ts
The Old House Challenge: Kitchen Design for a Room That Can't Be a Kitchen
How To: Finishing Your Patched Hardwood Floor
How To: Winter Heating Tune-up

ISSUE 4 - December/January 2003
News and New
Interior Painting: Learn the basics to do a professional interior painting job.
Get the facts on Brushes and Rollers.
Color by the Size: Learn how color can affect the size of a room. Color also has moods — set the mood to fit your room.
Heating Oil Tanks — The Hidden Problem: Answers common questions about decommissioning an in-ground oil tank.
Should You Be Your Own General Contractor?: One couple takes on the job of beaning their own GC.
Permits — You Need “Em for alot of reasons: Permits can protect your home and save you money.
How To: Replacing vintage wood windows with new vinyl.

ISSUE 5 - February/March 2003
News and New
The Countertop Encounter: Countertops now come in all types of surfaces. This short primer is to acquaint you to some of the options.
Remodel or Reface?: Refacing can give your kitchen or bath the feel of a full remodel at a fraction of the price.
Asbestos in Homes: This fire retardant wonder material of the 1920's shows up in more products than you thought.
Remodeling Fever: Are you inficted?
If so the Ten Commandments of Remodeling could ease the pain.
Designed for Retrofit—Mini-duct System with Radiant Floor Heating: These two heating/cooling systems together can be retrofited with little or no remodeling.
Harmony in Color: Using monochromatic or analogous colors can create a color flow in your home to reflect your style and personality.
How-To: Using steel studs in your remodeling project.
How-To: Anchoring solutions for lath and plaster, drywall, solid cement

ISSUE 7 - June/July 2003
News and New
About Cabinets: Knowing the language of cabintery will help in communicating your ideas to a cabinet manufacturer or designer.
What About Local Cabinetmakers? Custom cabinetry offers more choices: One local business also offers options like bamboo and sustainable materials in their cabinets.
Gourmet Cooks, Gourmet Kitchen: One company takes direction from two cooks and creates one great kitchen for both.
Identifing Oregon Architecture: Part Two in a series. Four styles are covered in this issue.
Fixture Trends for the Gourmet Kitchen:
Sinks and faucets more than the old standard.
Water Filters — No Longer Luxury Appliances: Water quality is covered and how we can bring filtered water into our kitchens, along with answers to common questions we all have.
A Purveyor of Quility Hardwood Flooring — McGee Salvage Reclaims Flooring From a Number of Sources: Tobey Parsons whose passion for hardwood flooring has keep many board feet out of the landfills.
The Pros and Cons of Latex Over Oil-Based Paint: What Works Best Under What Conditions in the NW What makes up these two types of paint and how can one be better than the other.
How-To: Layout your own cabinetry for yor kitchen remodel.
How-To: Build A Workbench For Under $30.

ISSUE 9 - October/November 2003
News & New
Looking Through Your Window Options
Replacing your windows for energy loss or for historic theme, it's worth looking into.
The Vocabulary of Architecture
These terms willenrich your experience with architecture.
Treasure Hunt: Hippo Hardware
Three story building full of treasures.
What a Homeowner Should Consider Before Hiring a Designer
A few tips on what to ask and what to know when hiring a design firm.
ReBuilding Center to Expand
This five-year old nonprofit pland to expand and save more materials from the landfill.
Are You Ready for Winter?
Certified Arborist provides tips on what to look for when assessing your Northwest trees.
Replacement Windows:
Style, Selection, and Energy Efficient Too!
How-To
Re-Glazing Broken Windows

ISSUE 10 - December/January 2004
News& New
Choosing Your Kitchen Appliances — More Than Just a Color, Size, and Price Choice
A primer to what's available in appliances today.
Kitchen Appliances — A Major Design Element
Choosing appliances that complement your lifestyle and cooking habits.
Interior Features of the Historic Home Knowing what elements that were original to your older home can help bring integrity back when restoring its interior.
Tankless Water Heaters
Discover what the rest of the world has known for 75 years.
What to Do When Construction Deals Go Bad
Steps you can take when you have to go to court to correct a problem or obtain money damages.
Ladies Night Out— With Tools Provided
These hands-on sessions teach women that power tools aren't just for men any more.
Living An Adventure In Remodeling
We follow one couple's remodeling project. Adding a second story to their 900 sq ft bungalow.
Storing Paint
Knowing a few simple tricks, helps you keep leftover paint from "going bad."
How-To
Replacing A Mercury Thermostat With a Programmable Digital.

ISSUE 12 - April/May 2004
Trends in Kitchen Design
With multiple cooks, today's kitchen must accommodate the increased traffic and provide efficient work areas.
Stainless Steel Sinks Shine
Complementing stainless steel appliances with durable, attractive stainless steel sinks can brighten up your kitchen.
"Cash and Carry" Cabinets — Buy Today, Install Tomorrow
Putting off that kitchen renovation? Parr Cabinet Outlet might make the task easier on you.
Custom Molding
Whether replacing damaged molding or adding decorative vintage detail, there are countless knife profiles to choose from.
Macerating Toilet System by Saniflo
Locate that new bath anywhere in your home, under a stairwell, attic, or basement leaving your floors intact.
Living an Adventure in Remodeling
In Part Two the remodel is complete and the Collins' baby boy is born.
Financing and Remodeling a Fire-Damaged Dream House
How Portland Development Commission financed a loan when other lending institutions would not.
Staking Your Claim: Filing a Complaint with the CCB
Addresses another piece of the recovery puzzle — recovering damages from the contractor's bond.
Choosing the Correct Paint Sheen for Your Project
Determining the amount of wear and tear on the to-be-painted surface is crucial when deciding on the paintÕs sheen.
News & New
The Future of Paint Is Here Portland Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store Decreases Landfill
Web Pick — www.creativewoodworkingnw.com
How-To
Coping an Inside Molding Corner

ISSUE 13 - June/July 2004
”Plunging” into the History of Your Bathroom — Trends in Bath Design before World War II
It’s usually the smallest room in the house and a close second to kitchens when it comes to being updated.
Skylights and Roof Windows — Improve Interior Lighting, Ventilation, and Your Health
Fill your rooms with daylight, using fixed or ventilating skylights and roof windows. Add light to windowless spaces with a Sun Tunnel®.
Hiring an Architect Is a Valuable Investment when Remodeling
Architects can keep the integrity of your home intact, help with the bidding process, and keep schedules on track.
A Building Reborn in La Center
Century-old hospital transformed into state-of-the-art library, preserving heritage and period detail.
Deconstruction: Dismantling Offers Multiple Benefits
Help keep valuable building materials out of landfills and get a tax benefit too.
Composite Decking: Attractive and Low Maintenance Too
Wood-grain engineered deck materials makes having a beautiful, wood-grained deck a lot less work.
What You Can’t See Is What Makes a Great Paint Project
The most important part of any painting project is the part you do not see — the primer or sealer used under the topcoat.
News & New
New Enrollments at Schoolhouse Electric Co.
W.C. Winks Specializing in ”Hard to Find“ for 95 years
How-To
Installing a VELUX® Roof Window

ISSUE 15 - October/November 2004
Replacement Windows — Today’s Choices Are Vast and Surprisingly Inexpensive
When to replace windows? A brief explanation of the eight different window styles and the different materials available.
Good Intentions Gone Astray: Full Disclosure About Oregon’s New Property Disclosure Law
Jonathan Norling, partner of the law firm Lovinger Norling Kaufmann LLP provides insight into Senate Bill 515. If you plan on buying or selling a house this is a must read.
PROfile
Truax Builder’s Supply — 58 Years of Providing Doors and Windows
Small, unique, family-owned, intimate, and wildly busy business hosts a full line of door and window products.
PROfile
“I Found It at Winks”
When you can’t find a solution to a hardware or home improvement project, Winks Hardware is often the place to turn for answers.
The Best Time to Paint
Knowing when to paint is just as important as knowing what to paint.
News & New
McCoy Millworks offers a Craftsman-tapered square column in wood and MDF
How-To
Create a Custom Sanding Block for Molding

ISSUE 18 - April/May 2005
Gather ‘Round the Hearth: Kitchen Trends Tie Old World Values to Contemporary Ideas
More than a place to cook, eat and do the dishes, today’s kitchens have evolved into the top hangout room in the house.
Mix and Mash: Power Tools for the Kitchen Simplify Cooking Chores
Choosing a vintage lamp, faking a great lamp, and how to take care of a lampshade are addressed.
From Outback to Outdoor Den: Add “Rooms” to Your House by Amping Up the Garden
Today’s gardening trend suggests turning the outback into an outdoor den.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters —
How Do You Know If They Are Safe?
GFCIs should be located in your kitchen, bathroom, garage, or any place where water and electricity are in close proximity.
Make Your Home Office "Green" in Five Easy Steps
When applied to remodeling, the concept of "green" means recycling and reusing as much as possible, selecting the least toxic materials, and making purchases that balance longevity with price.
MetroPaint Moves to New Location on Swan Island
After producing and selling recycled latex paint from its Oregon City garbage transfer station for 13 years, MetroPaint has moved to its own Swan Island facility.
News & New
• Schoolhouse Electric Adds a Location, Expands Its Product Line, and Publishes a New Spring Catalog
• Tool Library Lets North Portland Residents Borrow Instead of Buy
• "Green" Bedding Comes to Portland, OR

How-To
Applying Oil Finish to an Unfinished Adirondack Chair

ISSUE 19 - June/July 2005
Bath Trends 2005 More than the Basics
From a spa experience with aromatherapy and mood lighting to a toilet that resembles a hat box.
Ten Tips to a Better Bathroom
Electric faucets, showerheads, and storage are a few of the tips covered in this article.
First in a two-part series: Bathrooms
Final Resting Space — Aging-In-Place
Aging-in-place bath designs promote safety for the entire family.
GREEN FOCUS
From Fabulous Finishes to Frugal Flushing:
Eco-Sound Products for Your Home
Do-it-yourself plaster, new “green” line of paint, and a toilet with a dual flush system to save money.
Portland’s Storybook Houses
Jack Bookwalter presents a primer on these fun and whimsical cottages that dot the greater Portland area.
PROfile
Out of the Landfill, Onto the Roof
Recycled Rubber Used to Cap Homes
One of the latest innovations in roofing materials is using recycled rubber tires. One of the companies that has harnessed this technology most effectively is GEM Euroslate.
Painting or Remodeling? Lead Paint Can Poison: Learn How to Protect Your Family
Lead poisoning often occurs before parents are even aware their child has been put at risk. Learn how to protect your family from this ever-present problem that can be avoided.
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Paint
A little thought on protecting surfaces, preventing paint spills, and removing the mess.
News & New
• McCoy Adds to Its Craftsman Series and Creates New Loft Series
• 1909 House Project Receives Top Honors
Bath Settee Turns Toilet Into Cushy Chair
How-To
Installing a Solar-Powered Attic Fan

ISSUE 20 - August/September 2005
Cabinets: Unsung Heroes of a Kitchen Remodel
Cabinetry — more than the sole support for countertops and storage for glasses and plates, cabinets can determine whether a remodel is successful. Read about a few trends in kitchen cabinets.
What’s Cooking in Countertop
From natural wood and granite to man-made products, learn about the large array of products to top-off kitchen cabinets.
Land Ho! Islands Create an Oasis of Space in Kitchens
Aging-in-place bath designs promote safety for the entire family.
Portland’s Bungalows
The bungalow is perhaps the most common house style in Portland’s pre-World War II neighborhoods. Jack Bookwalter provides a primer on bungalows.
Second of a Two-Part Series —
Kitchens Final Resting Space
Planning for the future in design promotes
self-sufficiency and safety for seniors.
Radon Is a Common Threat: Is Your Home Safe?
Any home — old, new, with or without a basement or crawlspace — may harbor a dangerous concentration of radon.
Bring Northwest Beauty to Your Garden
Incorporating natives into most garden settings is easy. Natural plants can bring native wildlife to your garden.
Hiring a Painter
Many do-it-your-selfers can paint their home, but some are not satisfied with their effort. Tips on hiring a professional painter can help with the end result.
News & New
The ReBuilding Center: Waste Liability Becomes an Environmental and Social Benefit
How-To
Creating a Living Patio

ISSUE 21 - October/November 2005
Put a New Face on Your Place! Windows Add a Finishing Touch
Windows and doors are often described as the “face” of a house. Consider the possibilities of views, work with the quality of light, and the many faces of windows.
It’s an Open and Shut Case: Doors Add Charm, Security to the Home
By concentrating on door size, style, and applied finishes the front door can reflect both your personality and the era of the home.
GREEN FOCUS
Hottest Trends in “Green” Flooring
One of the first places that many people look to make eco-conscious changes to their homes is right under foot.
The Four-Square House in Portland
Virtually every older neighborhood in Portland has examples of this popular style.
GREEN FOCUS
Can a Hot Water Heater be Considered Green?A Tankless Water Heater Provides Continuous Hot Water and Saves Energy Too
As all energy costs increase — saving water, gas, and electricity can be considered a green thing to do and a tankless water heater system can help.
Autumn Gardening
Because conditions now are less extreme, many plants that peak in autumn put on a prolonged performance lasting for weeks or even months.
Ceiling: The Heaven of Every Paint Project
Most people are painting their already white ceiling white. New ceiling paint shows missed spots and streaks in a different color but dries to its original color.
News & New
New SANIGRIND System Offers Wider Choice by Fitting All Conventional Toilets

How-Tos
Create a Rain Barrel Collection System

Make Your Own Futon Chair/Bed

ISSUE 22 - December/January 2005-06
The Latest Trends In Kitchen Appliances
Whether you are replacing a worn-out appliance or planning a full-scale renovation, appliances that combine technology, ergonomics, and improved design continue to top the must-have list.
Selling Your House? Set the stage for top dollar
Like raising the curtain on opening night, a staged home creates a feeling of anticipation and helps potential buyers envision themselves living in that space.
The Air We Breathe . . .
Homeowners nationwide are increasingly becoming aware that the air inside their homes is probably more contaminated and polluted than the air we breathe outside.
The Owner-Builder Craze
Home owners have always been involved some way in building their own homes or remodel projects. Read about a school and companies that can help you do it right.
Keep the Home Fires Burning
Fireplaces, stoves make a comeback as energy prices soar.
Fireplace Safety Tips
Modern Is HistoricMid-Century Modern in Portland
The years between World War II and the Vietnam War saw the rise of a sleek, forward-looking style of architecture known simply as “Modern.”
GREEN FOCUS
Using Biodiesel to Heat Your Home Can Make You Feel Good
Biodiesel is a readily renewable, non-petroleum product that is gaining favor.
Part One: Buying Rugs Should Be Fun... and Informative
A short primer of rug buying and hand-knotted rugs is covered in part one of this two-part series.
Paint It White
While white reflects all the colors in the spectrum it isn’t a color but remains the most widely used interior hue.

News & New
• Brew Express™ built-in-the-wall and self-filling coffee system
• Cool and free Old-House Style Guide “The Wheel” offered by Rejuvenation
• Book Review
The Survival Guide: Home Remodeling Plesset’s Principles for an Almost-Perfect Project

ISSUE 23 - February/March 2006
Lighting To Mix or to Match?
Choosing the right lighting makes all the difference in how you feel about your house but the decision does not have to be daunting.
New Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Mid-century modern is making a comeback. Historic lighting manufacturers are embracing this era’s style.
Lighten up! Decorate Mid-Century
Homes with Lamps from the Same Era
Vintage table and floor lamps are available at antique and thrift stores. These old lamps can enhance any retro decorating scheme.
The Craft of Lighting
Behind the scenes of a local vintage lighting manufacturer.
First Time OLD Home Buyers Know What to Look for in Your Dream House
Tips on what to look for when purchasing an older home.
Touch-Ups: Getting It Right the First Time
Tips on making the chore of touch-ups as good as the first time the wall was painted.
Control the Mood of Your
Home with Dimmer Switches
Setting the mood for a romantic dinner is not the only feature that these high-tech modern dimmer switchs offer.
Mid-Century Modern Interiors
Houses that were built in the 1950s and 1960s have a modern interior with mass amounts of glass and open floor plans.
Wallpaper Packs a Wallop!
Today’s papers are modern, come in a range of colors and patterns, are easy to hang, and just as easy to remove.
Part Two:
Buying Rugs Should Be Fun... and Informative
Hand (gun) tufted rugs, power loomed/machine-made, and woven rugs — wool and synthetics are addressed in the second part of a two-part series.

ISSUE 24 - April/May 2006
Portland’s Pittock Mansion
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.
What’s in a Trend?
Kitchen Ideas Span Continents; Capture the Style of Both Old Europe and Asia
Gathering ideas for a kitchen remodel the message is clear: Today’s top trend is all about capturing the essence of Italy. Define your own style, it doesn’t matter if your favorite kitchen look is in, out, or in transition — it’s your kitchen.
Nobody Here but Us Chickens
If you’ve been thinking about adding some fauna to your life, forget cats and dogs — spring is the perfect time of year to get chickens.
Get Organized! Control Clutter; Create Space with a Custom Closet
What’s in your closet? If you’re living in an early- or mid-century bungalow, the answer could well be “Nothing!” A custom closet might be a better answer.
Advertorial
A-Boy Plumbing and Electrical —Old Fashion Service with a New Contemporary Look
There is something reassuring about being helped in a plumbing and electric store by a friendly salesperson who actually has knowledge and experience.
Border Your Yard in Berries
Blueberries, huckleberries, and raspberries require little space, are easy to grow, and are generally pest-free, as long as you follow a few rules.
State Building Officials Offer Five Tips for Safe Decks, Balconies
Summer means increased use of elevated decks and balconies. For homeowners and renters who worry about the safety of their decks and balconies, the state Building Codes Division offers Oregonians five important tips.
Paint this House Sold
When it comes to painting a home for resale, color selection is not about us but about what buyers find attractive.
News & New
• Sanivite Gray Water Pumping System: Small Enough to Fit Inside a Kitchen Cabinet
• You Grow Girl Book, Website Offers Gals How-To Tips to Get their Garden on.

ISSUE 25 - June/July 2006
‘I’ Candy in the Bath — Latest Trends Focus on Self-Indulgence, Simple Pleasures
Manufacturers want you to believe that every minute you spend on your morning ablutions should occur in a palatial, spa-like setting.
Need to Add a Bath?
Macerating technology makes conversions a snap in the attic, basement, or anywhere else.
Renovating to Sell Your Home?
Read these Realtor’s Tips First
Diane Ingalls, a realtor with the Meadows Group, provides a few tips on how to update an older home without compromising its original style
A Building with No Community Energy
MetroPaint to the Rescue
A Community Energy Projects building needed a face-lift With the volunteers from Reynolds High School's Future Business Leaders of America and help from MetroPaint, this building has a new life.
The Rose and the Chrysanthemum —
Japanese Influence in PDX House Design
Japanese design and culture have played a role in Portland. This influence is seen in early 20th century styles such as Prairie, Bungalow/Craftsman, and Four-Square.
Hardhats Off to Tradeswomen
Four women share their reasons and dreams for starting their own business in a male-dominated industry.
Five Green Building Products
You Should Know About
It's getting easier to find building products considered “green,” or environmentally friendly, which are also attractive and affordable.
Create Your Own Organic Vegetable Garden
Raising vegetables takes planning, persistence and some hard work, but the rewards are tremendous.
News & New
The Latest Dirt…
• New to this issue is JJ De Sousa dirty bits about what's going on around town for the home gardener.
• Discounted compost bins for sale at Metro year-round
• Local business owner Kay Newell, of Sunlan Lighting, honored with the Gladys McCoy Award
Gadget Guru
Three great products, the PowerHook, Panel Clip, and the Maxlife 369.

ISSUE 26 - August/September 2006
Recycled Ranch With Style
A kitchen remodeling project morphs into a seven-year, full-scale renovation, where almost everything is recycled vintage artifacts from other people's homes or businesses.
Bamboo’s Popularity
Pumped by Products, Quest for Peace
The desire to use earth-friendly products in the home and the aura of timelessness that bamboo provides drive three local businesses to focus on the versatility and tranquility that bamboo offers.
Wrap Your House!
Although every home has siding, not all siding is created equal. NWR offers a primer on 10 common varieties of siding for the exterior of your home.
The American Front Porch
Jack Bookwalter leads us on a brief history of the American porch and a glimpse into a few styles of architecture that shaped the front porch.
Gardening for the Birds
What you need to create a bird-friendly
garden that is low maintenance and connected with nature’s rhythms and tranquility.
Skinny Houses, Big Ideas
Portland’s Bureau of Development Services
offers two winning designs to counter complaints about “skinny” or “infill” houses in our community.
Chip off the Old Color Wheel
Because paint chips are small and walls are large, paint chips are only the first step. Learn how to use these chips in selecting your paint color.
How-To: Remove Rust off Hardware
Gadget Guru
New generation of utility knives and blades offer distinct and innovative features.

ISSUE 27 - October/November 2006
Bring the Outside In. Expand your home's horizons with new doors and windows.
Today's window and doors don't just frame the view, they make it. This issue looks at over-sized patio and French doors, and Marvin introduces a new venting picture window.
A Room With a View: Window Coverings Add Flair to Any Décor
Formal or informal, today’s window coverings are designed to filter light, provide privacy, protect the furniture, and add color and charm to any room.
NWR PROfile
Count on Customer Care at Hamilton’s Appliance
In business since 1962, Hamilton's Appliance still does business the old-fashioned way. Their intent is to satisfy the customer and along the way make a sale.
Mail-Order Houses in Portland
Many homes in the early 20th Century were ordered through catalogs. One giant retailer used one-step distribution and a money back guarantee to sell homes.
Growing Glorious Garlic
Related to onions and a member of the lily family, garlic is one of the oldest known cultivated plants. Learn how you can grow your own glorious garlic.
Holiday Decorating on a Dime and Less Time
Don't have time to spend looking for holiday decorations? You'll love these tips on beating the crowds and spending less.
Should You Upgrade Your Breaker Box?
Answers to that question are covered by Jason Jenkins, instructor for the NEC-IBEW Local 48 Training Center.
Squelch the Stench: Breathe Easy and Say “No!” To Smelly Paints
Low-to-no VOC paints make it healthier to paint indoors year-round.
Gadget Guru
PlugGrip/SwitchGrip makes it safer to work with plugs and switches; Lefty-Righty tape measure; and The Quad saw/driver.

ISSUE 28 - December/January 2006-07
Appliance Roundup:A Home for the Range, Refrigerator, and Dishwasher, Too.
When it comes to kitchen appliances, looking cool has never been so hot.
Simplify Cooking With Kitchen Power Tools
Today's kitchen tools let you grind, pound,
and smooth your way to culinary success.
Moving Toward Greener Living
With a Heating and Cooling System That
Makes It Easy to Be Green.
Three systems come together — solar, radiant,
and geothermal — to produce an ultra green heating and cooling solution.
The Bungalow Bathroom
Brief history of the first indoor bathrooms and their progression.
Winter in the Garden
Designing a garden with winter in mind may compel a look at the more obscure attributes of plant groups.
A Kitchen Remodel Six Years in the Making
An old Laurelhurst kitchen is transformed at last into a 21st century gem with a lot of bells and whistles.
Electrical Safety During the Holidays
Tips from the NECA-IBEW Local 48 on how to keep this season safe from fires and electrical shocks.
Touching All the Bases
Learn how the right paint base can make any paint application perform and look better.
News & New
The Latest Dirt…
• Brighten your winter days with colorful winter plants
• Reclaimed Lumber Yard in North Portland
Gadget Guru
A look at a combination center punch and nail set by Spring Tools; Vix-bit, a self-cenering drill bit, by S. E. Vick Tool Co.; and Tajima Tool's Plumb-Rite, a quick plumb finder.

ISSUE 29 - February/March 2007
Lightingting Design: You Can Bring Period Lighting into the Twenty-First Century
Period lighting doesn't mean poor lighting. Use modern technologies in lighting to improve your lighting condition.
Light Up Your Bathroom
Jill Blanchard from Schoolhouse Electric Co. shares
what you need to consider when choosing output,
quality, placement, and safety.
Out of the Dark About Light Bulbs
Four types of bulbs are discussed: Neodymium,
incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescent.
The Portland Duplex
A glimpse at the varied styles of two-family homes throughout Portland.
Venerable Vintage
Rideout Reclamation gives new life to old wood.
We Built It Ourselves! With a Little Help.
Being your own GC can be a lot easier when using experienced consultants.
How-To
Replacing a Front Entry Door
Gadget Guru
Japanese Handsaws

ISSUE 31 - June/July 2007
The Settlemier House
Just south of Portland is a most amazing Victorian treasure box of a house.
Banish the Boring Bath Blues
Give your bath a new look, mixed and matched to your budget.
NWR PROfile
Save Money! Install Your Own Heating and Air-Conditioning System
With the help of Do-It-Yourself Heating you can install your own heating and air conditioning system.
Oh Baby! Decorating Trends for Tots to Teens
The baby business is booming, and with it comes an endless array of options.
Because I Said So: A Few Decorating Tips for a Child’s Room Choosing a Landscape Designer
If you have specific issues in your yard, or just want to renovate a weedy backyard, you may be considering hiring a landscape designer. Before you do, there are some factors to consider.
The New/Old Oil-Heated Home
Can Be Both Green and Cozy
If you're looking to buy a home, or you have home with oil heat, no need to convert to gas; this very warm system can be green with biodiesel fuel.
VOCs: It’s More Than the Odor
Low- and no-VOC paint are not created equal. Information you need to know when painting the interior of your home.

ISSUE 32 - August/September 2007
Green Building Materials and Products: From the Roof Down
An overview of green home products.
Re-Building Green: Easier Than You Think
Deconstruct, reuse, recycle, and use sustainable products to convert your remodel into a green home.
The Craftsman House in Portland
These homes celebrate the true craftsmanship that illustrated a movement in the first decades of the 20th century.
Green Incentives Programs and Agencies
Learn about the Energy Trust, Energy Star, Green Seal, and the EPA WaterSense programs.
Painted to Sell: Interior Color Choices Can Improve Your Bottom Line
No need to paint the rooms “realtor's beige” to sell your house.
Gadget Guru
Panasonic's cordless impact driver.

Issue 35 - February/March 2008Bright Ideas
Tips for lighting your whole house.
Change a Light, Change the World
Dos and Don'ts for compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
Spotlight on Sunlan Lighting
If you need a lightbulb odds are “The Light Bulb Lady®” has it.
Discovering Portland's Art Deco Heritage
Jack Bookwalter provides us with a tour of Portland's art deco homes and buildings.
Let the Pros Dip and Strip
Local environmentally conscious business helps save house parts from our landfills.
Green Building Hotline: Starts Small, Thinks Big
Need to know about or where to find green goods and services? Give Metro a call.
The Ins and Outs of Caulking
Learn all about preparation, storing, and the use of caulk.
Sustainable Solutions
Countertops
Old School
How to Keep Your Ol House...Old
GadgetGuru
The Ultimate Tool Box

Issue 36 - April/May 2008
Kitchen Trends? Make It Personal
Designers Rhonda Knoche and Anne De Wolf agree on kitchen trends.
Raising the Roof? What to Put Down Once You Tear It Off
NWR asked two local roofing companies what is the best material choice for your home.
Recycled Glass Tile With Style
Local couple creates hand-made glass tiles from recycled post-industrial scrap glass.
Can You Be Your Own Plumber?
Yes, With the PEX System
Basics of using the PEX tubing system for new construction or retrofitting.
Reviving the Historic Kitchen
Jack Bookwalter gives us a look at the past and the future of the historic kitchen.
Green and Healthy Insulation For Existing Structures
Make your home more efficient with Energy Star approved air krete® insulation.
Better Soil, Less Toil: Compost Works While You Rest
Compost can generate fertilizers for your plants so you don't have to.
To Strip or Not to Strip Painting Over Wallpaper
Tips for removing or painting over wallpaper.
Sustainable Solutions
Linoleum (Marmoleum)
Old School
Interior Door Hardware Repair
Gadget Guru
The Original Cordless Drill

Issue 37 - June/July 2008
Environmentally Friendly, Sustainable, and Recycled Products for Your Home‘s Interior

Help Build Portland's Solar Future
With rising energy costs and unprecedented financial incentives,
the time is now to take a hard look at solar for your energy needs.
Unwrapping Your Older House
Wade Freitag, owner of Craftsman Design and Renovation LLC, answers common concerns that homeowners have when unwrapping their home.
Green Remodeling For the Historic Home
Going “green” could be only re-using what's on site.
Getting Started Can Be Biggest Challenge in Going “Green”
Here are a few suggestions for making the entry into the sustainable building industry, and one local contractor's experience in getting started.
Buyer Beware: Not All “Green” Cleaners Are Truly Green
Master Recycler Paulette Rossi provides us with insights into understanding what we are buying as so-called “Green” cleaners, and how to make our own.
NWR Profile
Consulting Can Save Money, Time — and Headaches
Local Construction/Owner-Builder Consultants provide their knowledge and experience to help homeowners make their next home improvement project a success.

Think “Green” When You Buy, Use, Store, and Recycle Paint

Sustainable Solutions
Create Your Summer Destination Right in Your Own Backyard
Gadget Guru
Porter Cable Compact Belt Sander 371K
Old School
Five Tips to Successful Salvage Shopping

Issue 38 - August/September 2008
Bathroom Basics: Save Water, Use Recycled Materials
Cut your water consumption with low-flow fixtures, plus incorporating new
and vintage recycled products can save money and the environment.
Low-Flush Toilets
Four low-flush toilets to choose from, gravity, pressure-assisted, vacuum-assisted, and dual-flush.
It's Easy Being Green
Found treasures transform a kitchen remodel and a new dentist's office.
Back to The Future: Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian Houses
Local Usonian homes: One designed by Wright, one designed by an apprentice of Wright, and one designed by a couple inspired by Wright's Usonian vision.
Rain Gardens: Landcaping for Clean Water and Healthy Streams
If you've considered building a rain garden, learn what you'll need and why to build one.
Green Source: A Source for Green Building Materials
Green Source Eco Home + Garden specializes in recycled and environmentally friendly green building materials for residential and commercial remodels and new construction.
Truax Builder’s Supply62 Years Providing Doors and Windows
Family-owned business specializes in windows, doors, door hardware, storm doors and windows, and custom screen doors with customer service as their main focus.
Staining Wood Decks 101
How to prepare your deck surface, select the right stain,
stain your deck, and make your stain last longer.
Sustainable Solutions
Bamboo Plus Shipping. (Bamboozled?)
Old School
Stripping Old Hardware is Easier Than You Think
Gadget Guru
Circuit Alert Tools by Gardner-Bender