Mac-Bo in Oregon Home
2012, January 13th
Oregon Home Magazine managing editor Vivian McInerny mentioned Mac-Bo in her blog, Home Style, on Wednesday. In the entry, McInerny says, “I find other people's remodeling projects a delight. I love hearing stories about how they did and what they did, and why. I admire their vision and thrill to see the results of their labor.” She then goes on to ask readers to send in their remodeling stories and pictures to be posted online. See the post here.
At Mac-Bo, we love to be part of our clients’ remodeling stories. From design development to construction to the last finishing touches, we ensure each story has a happy beginning, middle, and ending. Keep an eye on Home Style in the coming weeks to see some featured Mac-Bo projects.
The Architectural Heritage Center: One of Portland’s Treasures
2012, January 11th
A link that we put on our web page some time ago is for the Architectural Heritage Center. For those of you who are unfamiliar the work of the AHC, allow me to say that it is one of Portland's treasures. In their own words, the "Architectural Heritage Center is a non-profit resource nexus for historic preservation..." "As ‘home base’ for heritage conservation in the Portland, Oregon metro area, the AHC hosts dozens of programs, tours, and exhibits each year which help people appreciate, restore, and maintain older and historic buildings, neighborhoods, and traditional commercial areas.
In the cooler months of winter, the AHC focuses on educational programs, some of which are coming up soon. Ever wonder about the massive William Temple House on NW Hoyt? Come to the lecture “A House of Stone for Dr. Mackenzie: Rebuilding Portland’s Architectural History.” Are you a lover of stained glass? Attend “The Stained Glass of the Povey Brothers.” Are you a railroad fan or curious about the settlement of the Pacific Northwest? Check out “Railroad Architecture and the Northwest: Economics, Ethos, and Culture.”
When the weather warms up, look forward to walking tours of historic Portland such as the “Ladd's Addition Walking Tour,” “Cast-Iron Portland: Skidmore - Old Town Walking Tour,” and “Terra Cotta Portland: Downtown Walking Tour.” Additionally, special home tours such as the Heritage Home Tour and the Kitchen Revival Tour allow you a glimpse inside many of Portland’s historic homes.
We are fans of old houses and love to work on them. Let Mac-Bo help you preserve yours!
Rock Candy Continued
2012, January 4th
A while back I blogged about an exciting tile called Mosuprema. Looking like rock candy trapped under glaze, the tile intrigued me from the moment I first saw it in the showroom. We finally got to use it in a new fireplace surround and the results are awesome. Take a look at the following pictures to see what I am talking about.
A combination of vertical slivers and 2" x 2" tiles on the hearth make up the new surround
A close-up shows the slivers, grouted in brown, and a trim piece done in cherry wood painted black with a sand through effect on the edges.
An Egyptian mosaic harmonizes with the tile, trim, and built in entertainment center, also by Mac-Bo.
The home owners could not be happier and there is talk of using the tile again but as a kitchen backsplash this time. Suprema!
Don’t Move. Improve!
2011, November 30th
I was recently in a local bank, waiting in line when I saw the bank’s newsletter in a rack beside me. I picked one up and was immediately drawn to a headline that said, “If you can’t move, it may make sense to improve.” Now that’s what a remodeler likes to see- the local bank encouraging their customers to use his services. The article went on to point out some interesting ideas that I’ll summarize here.
First, create a wishlist of things you would like to change about your home. Make these things that you’ll not only enjoy, but will increase the value of your home such as increasing square footage (expanding into an unfinished attic space) or improving the home’s energy efficiency (insulation or replacing the ancient furnace with a high efficiency one).
Next, call your local contractor, like Mac-Bo, and talk about the feasibility of what you are doing. We will be able to tell you if you need an architect and what building permits may be required. Don’t be afraid to tell us what your budget is. Doing so lets us tailor solutions to what you can afford: there are as many remodel options as there are budgets. We can also tell you approximately how long the project will take and what you can do to prepare for it.
Once you know what it is going to cost, your bank can offer you options to pay for it such as refinancing and taking cash out, opening a home equity account, or finding a personal loan or line of credit. The good news about financing today is that interest rates are at historic lows. Remember that applying for financing and getting approval takes time, often three weeks or more to process an application. Take this into account when you map out a remodeling project on your calendar.
Let Mac-Bo be your guide through this process. We will be happy to help you plan your remodel and ensure that it is a pleasure before, during and after construction.
Sweet as Rock Candy
2011, November 29th
Every once in a while I get to go shopping for a client and come back with something I find really exciting. Take tile for instance. In this example I was charged with finding an alternative to a very homely fireplace surround. I discovered a tile called Mosprema that looks subtley like rock candy trapped under tinted glaze. I can't wait to see these reflecting firelight in a darkened room. Take a look at the following shots to see what I'm talking about.
From a distance, we see "slivers" of glass tile.
Upon closer inspection, we see that each tile contains rock candy-like chunks of glass under the surface of the glaze; they catch light and sparkle. Stay tuned to see how we used these around the fireplace opening.
