Make Things Better – Scout Book

Make Things Better

Scout Book by Pinball Publishing

Maple Seed Renovation has commissioned a custom Scout Book by Portland local print geniuses, Pinball Publishing.  They make these lovely, little books to give away to your compatriots.

Scout Books are customizable pocket-sized notebooks that feature 100% recycled papers, soy inks, and most excitingly, the option to use your artwork on the cover!

Fun Scout Books Details:
-32 pages + durable chipboard covers
-Manufactured in Portland, Oregon
-Made with 100% Recycled Papers + Soy ink + Renewable Energy
-Sized for portability at 3.5” X 5” with two staples and rounded corners.

In my case, I wanted to offer something positive and, hopefully, the means to accomplish it.  My friend Jack said, when he opened it, “I thought there might be some instructions in here for how to make things better.”

I replied, “That’s for you to figure out”

“How Buddhist of you…” he laughed.

Inside is blank graph paper for all your plans and schemes.  Sketch out your next basement redesign or treehouse or  dinner menu.

Stop me on the street and I will give you one.

File under: Schwag

Schramm Living Room/Dining Room Remodel

Schramm Living Room/Dining Room Remodel

Winter/Spring 2010

Greg and Jennifer had me install 3 new windows in their living room.  At the same time they wanted to deal with the old existing water damaged ceiling and crumbling  plaster walls.   They also wanted to make the rooms more formal and period correct for the era of the house.

We rebuilt the arch between the living room and dining room to look more appropriate for the style of home they have.  This also allowed us to install a built-up crown in both rooms.  The casing is a beaded stock with a backband.  The windows have a simple bed-mould under the stool with a beaded apron.

Thank you for all the hard work. We love the way everything has turned out and very much admire your work.

-  Greg Schramm

Apartment Therapy/Make:Blog Loves Hidden Rooms!

Apartment Therapy / MAKE: Blog Loves Hidden Rooms!

Our little project for the Cowing’s was highlighted on Apartment Therapy, Geekologie and MAKE:Blog the other day.  It seems everyone loves a little place to call their own.  Especially if it is a hidey-hole secreted away.

Via: ourvictorianhouse.com

Via: Jessamyn

Via: weburbanist.com

Craftsman Profile: Ecoheat

March Craftsman Profile

Ecoheat

Thomas Schwab, the owner of Ecoheat, is a great resource for the contractor and home owner alike.  While he is well versed in standard residential and commercial HVAC systems, he is also an expert in more complex hydronic systems (radiant heat), heat pumps, tankless hot water heaters and energy efficiency.

They are also now available to perform full duct cleaning.

Don’t wait, give ‘em a ring!

503.708.9889 / thomas@ecoheatpdx.com

Book Review: Get Your House Right

Book Review

Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid

By: Marianne Cusato, Ben Pentreath, Richard Sammons, Leon Krier, H.R.H. The Prince of Wales

Get Your House Right is an excellent reference for the carpenter, contractor, home owner, architect or armchair pedant.   This book highlights the do’s and don’ts of architectural detailing.  But at it’s core it is a great primer on why we use the detailing we do, why they look appropriate and where many traditional architectural elements stem from.

There is an interesting section on the Greek orders, for instance.  Now, the Greek orders are a slog on a good day.  So for me to say that there is an interesting section on the Greek orders is to say that there are some graphics and tables that catch your eye before you flip passed them.

That being said, you do go back to Greek orders to cross reference styles to see where lineages split and hew.  But the graphics and tables tend to get mired in their own descriptions and one can find it numbing to try to understand the point of  describing proportion in ratios and then not drawing to scale or clearly identifying what the baseline of the ratio is.  But, if you don’t care enough to dig a bit deeper, you probably aren’t reading this book…

There are some great sections on basic layout and aesthetic that I found particularly enlightening.  An example would be using an odd number of divisions when laying out anything from the face of a house to a wall of cabinets.  This makes it easier to direct the eye to a focal point since there will always be a center to highlight.

Roof-line gaffes, common errs of modern home design and a decent rant on the lack of proper education of traditional architecture from H. R. H. are also all included and reason enough to pick up this book.

Available at Amazon, Borders, and everywhere else…

Young Bathroom Remodel

Young Bathroom Remodel

Winter 2010

Ms. Young had a bathroom that had been through a remodel that took a turn for the worse when a severe southwest theme emerged – to her horror.  Not that she is disdainful of the aesthetic of the Southwest, it just seemed out of place in the Northwest and the sand textured walls were simply not her thing.

So, we gutted the bathroom totally, installed recessed lighting, subway tile, a custom CVG fir vanity, concrete countertop with vessel sink and new fixtures; new towel bars, bath hooks and hardware; vivid, red marmoleum; craftsman trim package, recessed craftsman medicine cabinet and a Schoolhouse Electric three shade sconce vanity light.

Charity Highlight: Central Asia Institute

Charity Highlight

Central Asia Institute

The Central Asia Institute was founded by Greg Mortenson – the author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into School.  The Institute focuses on building schools in under-served remote mountain communities of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and the steppes of Mongolia.

I recently heard a great interview with Greg Mortenson on KQED’s Forum with Michael Krasny.  You can hear it here.

Donate

Craftsman Profile: Portland Cement Co.

February Craftsman Profile

Portland Cement Co.

Todd Robinett and Rude Graves are purveyors of this fine and interesting establishment.   While Todd and Rude – with the assistance of Mike Albano – are excellent tile setters and installers, what truly set them apart is their line of concrete paving tiles.

I have seen their tiles formed to look like antiqued wood planks on a wine cellar floor, bamboo canes in a bathroom, and scalloped wall tiles almost resembling scales. Their patterns are pretty limitless.

You can see examples in person at Pratt and Larson here in Portland – and they need to be seen to be believed.

Portland Cement also are experts in concrete counter tops.  The same proprietary color schemes that are available in their tiles are also available in their custom slabs as well.

Featured: Oregonian’s Homes & Gardens

On the cover of the Oregonian’s Homes and Gardens section today you will find a feature on the Woodbury remodel that I worked on for Dave Rush.  The feature, titled: “A wheelchair-friendly remodel preserves a Hawthorne bungalow’s 1920′s character“, is an in depth profile of the project pointing out the various wheelchair accessible requirements, finish details – including a focus on the hearth and mantle that I built, and the projects green credentials.

Max and Tali Woodbury talk about the project and how it has changed their home and life:

“I love it because it’s just such a functional space for us,” says Tali. “Before, our stuff was everywhere.” The new mudroom keeps balls, books and backpacks off the floor where they could become obstacles to Max. A low built-in closet and plenty of built-in shelves offer Max, Tali and 4-year-old sons Levi  and Noah a place to store their coats and shoes. One wall is coated with chalkboard and metallic paint so the kids can display their artwork.

Interviewed, also, are Alice Design’s Kevin Fischer and Charlotte Cooney of Domestic Arts discussing the many intricate parts of this sensitive remodel.

At first, their designer, Kevin Fischer of Alice Design, tried to talk them out of an extensive remodel. There are lots of wonderful ranch houses, he said. And a full second-story addition would be more costly and complicated than building a new home because of structural issues, seismic upgrades and the addition of a $40,000 elevator to accommodate Max and his service dog, Mr. B. But Max and Tali were adamant.

“We loved our house,” says Max. “We didn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Craftsman Profile: Domestic Arts

January’s Craftsman Profile

Domestic Arts

Charlotte Cooney is the interior decorator behind Domestic Arts.  She is a powerhouse of smart suggestions and a keen study of people.  Often it is the right color paint, fabric or peice of furniture that takes a project the extra mile.

Here is what Oregon Home Magazine had to say about her:

A former stockbroker, Portland-based Charlotte Cooney has been an interior designer for the last seven years. She pairs up with Kevin Fischer of Alice Design L.L.C. (503-280-9026) to do bathroom and kitchen remodels and helps her clients transform their spaces with great fabrics, vibrant wall colors and an eclectic mix of furnishings and antiques.

Here is what my current client, Sarah Young, has to say about her:

Charlotte did an awesome job!!!  Thanks Douglas!!!

Charlotte elevates my work whenever she is involved.

Whether you need to repaint your bathroom or retire your entire steez and start over, Charlotte’s your lady.

Also, she is a lover of the French Bulldog.

Domestic Arts  | 971/227.5675 | domesticartsco@yahoo.com

971.227.5675