Reliable Remodeler Blog

Make the Most of Your Small Space

tshewchuk — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:52:16 PDT

In a previous life of living large, downsizing has now become a necessary part of life for most people. Rather than dwelling on what you don’t have, make the most of what you do have. There are many ways to make a smaller space feel comfortable and inviting allowing you and others not to notice [...]

Daydreaming About Decks

tshewchuk — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:51:15 PDT

There are few home additions that make as much of a statement as a nice deck. Whether you use wood or composite material building a new deck can make quite a statement. With the summer weather approaching the northwest soon I am inspired to share some beautiful decks. Enjoy! (www.artofwooddesigns.com) (www.nadra.org) (www.rdbmagazine.com) (www.nomaintenancedecks.com) (www.gardenstructure.com)

Modern Design…From the 60s

Paige — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:12:06 PDT

I recently went to my hometown of Fullerton, CA and happened upon a really sweet and interesting exhibit in the local museum. A retrospect of photos taken in Fullerton by architectural photographer Julius Shulman in the 1950s and 60s showcased not only some great black and white photographs, but also the original designs that inspired [...]

Blogs to Read for Design, Home Improvement and More

Paige — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:07:52 PDT

I’ll be on vacation for a few weeks – which means a lull in the blogging that will be going on here. So, to get your home improvement fix here are some other blogs to keep your interest. OldHouseWeb – a newly revamped blog with knowledgeable writers and lots of other articles and databases to check out [...]

Shower Designs – Dreaming of a Day Beyond My Clawfoot Tub

Paige — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:46:15 PDT

Clawfoot tubs are great. They look great, that is. In terms of ease of use, and practicality – well, not so much. After living with a clawfoot tub for a few months, I would kill for a real shower. Well, not kill…but I do want a “real” shower someday. So to torture myself I spent [...]

Having a Handyman at the Ready Can Save You Time and Money

Paige — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:41:52 PDT

As any weekend warrior and DIY builder knows – sometimes the greatest enemy can be time. While many home renovation projects are quick to finish in a weekend, often that seemingly simple project turns into a much bigger one that has more components and steps than you initially expected. Suddenly, it’s 10 o’clock on Sunday night, [...]

Backsplash Options for Your Kitchen

Paige — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:57:46 PDT

Whether you are creating a new kitchen from the ground up, or just want a quick weekend project to update your space, a kitchen backsplash is fun way to make a design statement. There are lots of options for any taste or budget – so, to whet your interest, here’s some backsplash inspiration. A very common [...]

The Right Tools Make All the Difference

Paige — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:35:33 PDT

I’m not great with tools. I’m awkward with a hammer, I can never get the pliers to stay in the right setting, and ask me to use the cordless drill without supervision – well, I’m hopeless. But the more home improvement projects I work on, the more I realize how important it is to have an [...]

Pre-Move Projects Will Make Your New Home More Welcoming

Paige — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:23:23 PDT

Today I’m happy to have a guest post by Tim Johnson from Relocation.com, take it away Tim: When I bought my new apartment at the tippy-top of the market, a wise person gave me a sage piece of advice (not the same guy who advocated buying at the top of the market, btw): If you want [...]

From the Hood: Range Hood Options for Your Home

Paige — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:42:41 PDT

If you’ve ever lived without a hood for your range, you know annoying it can be. So, this post is basically an ode to my new hood-less kitchen, and the creation of a wish list for a new one, if I ever have the time (and depending on the model, the money!) (Areitta Hood via Home Depot) (Luftig [...]

Container Gardening Brings Fresh Produce Right To Your Front Door!

tshewchuk — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:54:19 PDT

If you’re anything like me, the idea of supporting life for an entire garden sounds virtually impossible. After researching ways to grow vegetables without having a lot of space or sunlight in my yard, as well as very minimal gardening experience in general, I ran into a great idea called container gardening. Benefits of Container Gardening Container [...]

An Afternoon at the Rejuvenation Factory

Paige — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:47:22 PDT

Rejuvenation is a household name here in Portland, the company has two retail spaces in Portland and Seattle as well as a factory in Portland. The company produces reproduction period hardware as well as original refurbished pieces. I don’t ever really consider myself an industry insider; I’m more a wide-eyed fan of the design resources I [...]

Happy Earth Day: Green Resolutions for the Home

Paige — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:50:46 PDT

It’s Earth Day today, and in fact, it’s the 40th Earth Day to be celebrated since its inception. In the past forty years we’ve come a long way in changing our ways to protect the earth, but as much progress as we’ve made we still have a lot of work ahead of us. Remember Al Gore [...]

Energy Efficiency Starts at Your Front Door

Paige — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:40:14 PDT

Lots of small household upgrades pack a double punch of money savings and eco savings.

Options for Renting the Tools You Need for Home Improvement

Paige — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:39:34 PDT

The season is starting to shift. The cherry blossoms are blooming, Farmer’s Markers are opening again and it’s getting slightly warmer. That can only mean one thing: Spring is on the way! Or maybe two things. This shift also usually means homeowners are done hibernating through the windy, cold and rainy months, and they are again [...]