No Grass! Parking strip plantings

Are you tired of cutting grass in your parking strip? Plantings can change all of that for you and make your landscaping more dramatic. Here are two great examples using flowers, ground cover, and decorative grass to create the wow factor. (I'm thinking someone should get a teenager out of bed, get a broom, and sweep the gutter in the first photo to spiff it up.)

New Corian Kitchen Countertops

 This kitchen was updated in 1990 with white tile countertops, backsplash, and oak trim. It looked good for the times and was very functional. However the grout did not hold up well and after 22 years it was looking a little tired.

The home owner's removed the tile and countertops and prepared the cabinets for new Corian counters. In removing the backsplash, the sheetrock ripped off with the tile adhesive. This made for easy access to fish electrical cable through the wall to add under cabinet lighting.

The lights were installed, the sheetrock repaired, and the new Corian installed. With a solid surface, coved backsplash, and seamless Corain sink, cleanup is a breeze.

Dining Room- before and after

 This 1914 bungalow had been updated in the 1960's but was looking mighty tired. Some changes to this dining room add a lot of value to the home. The old wallpaper was removed. Tall wainscoting with a plate rail on top was added. The doors and wood trim were all painted white. Warm paint colors were added to the walls giving the dining room and  hall a sunny feel. The wood floors were refinished. Some art, a piece of furniture, and a table lamp were added. What a transformation!




What may look like wainscoting in the before photo was really just a piece of painted wood trim at chair rail height with two types of wallpaper above and below. The tall wainscoting in the after photo is vertical trim boards approximately 18 inches apart with trim molding on top forming a plate rail. The main part of the wainscoting is not made of wood panels. It is just the existing wall plaster, smoothed, and painted with semigloss white. All fairly inexpensive.

A great looking fence: copper pipe and lumber

 Here is a great looking fence made with lumber and copper tubing. Visually, it has a unique, attractive, open feeling. It keeps pets and kids in and passerbys out without closing off the house from the street and neighborhood.

Farmers Markets- locations

If you’re looking for some of the freshest fruits and vegetables to put on your table this spring and summer, then look no further than your local farmers market. Shopping for your produce and more at these local markets ensure outstanding flavor and freshness while supporting your local family operated farms.

Farmers markets around Portland are known for their vast variety, healthy choices and fun atmosphere. Often, you can find beautiful flowers, artisan crafts, fresh local honey, tasty baked goods and more at the market.

Just click on the link below. 

(Courtesy of First American Title)

http://www.firstamtech.com/index.php/2012/05/farmers-markets-in-and-around-portland/

Fabulous Light-filled Kitchen!

This is a very cool kitchen. How many times have you seen dark galley kitchens with a tiny window over the sink. Here they opened it up by adding a huge window to bring in the light, installed white cabinets, and a sunny room color and turned the ordinary into the extraordinary! Who wouldn't love to work in this kitchen?

Water features- fountains

 Installing a water feature in your yard can add value to your home and give it a nice outdoor focal point. The bubbling sound is soothing and the water attracts birds.

A fountain in a courtyard paired with potted plants creates a nice ambiance.

Although water features do add value to your property, one this size may be a little aggressive for the novice gardener's first time project.