Entries by altpdx

Six Home Renovation Mistakes People Make in the Winter

Renovating a home, no matter the time of year, can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. However, renovating in the winter may come with its own set of additional issues. Exterior renovations are especially risky during the colder months since the ground at your construction site can be slippery and wet. Plus, you need to take holiday […]

Are Property Taxes Lower for Condos or Townhouses?

Are property taxes lower for condos? What about townhouses? If you’re buying your first home, you might wonder how the type of home you buy may affect your taxes and whether buying a condo or a townhouse makes a difference. It seems plausible that a smaller home might come with a smaller tax bill, right? But […]

For Portland Homeowners and Interior Designers, Wallpaper Is Back

Cool new choices and YouTube tutorials help resurrect the midcentury trend. Local interior designer Mandy Riggar chose this paper from Portland-based collective Makelike for a client’s stairway. IMAGE: CHRISTOPHER DIBBLE Remember the glory days of patterned wallpaper? We’re thinking 1950s floor-to-ceiling patterns, more-is-more florals, and geometric shapes on every vertical surface. That was before the backlash—for decades, nobody would be […]

What Is a Saltbox House? A Colonial Style That Modern Buyers Love

Named for the shape of the container used to hold salt in colonial times, these homes have a steeply sloped roof that is much longer on one side than the other. Saltbox houses are common in New England, and back in the 18th century, housed many famous pioneers and patriots, including the second U.S. president, John Adams. Sturdy […]

Put the ‘Pow’ in Your Powder Room With These 5 Budget-Savvy Décor Ideas

Glamming up a guest bathroom is often a lower priority than, say, modernizing your kitchen or replacing your roof. But as the holidays approach—and your regular guests come a-calling—you might be looking for ways to spruce up your spare loo on the cheap. This week we gathered five trendy decor looks from Instagram—with affordable ways to get these […]

What Is Georgian Architecture? Symmetry and Sophistication Reign Supreme

Georgian architecture is an architectural style characterized by symmetry, balance, and proportion that traces its origins back to 18th century England. You’ll find this popular design scheme across the nation, though it’s concentrated in the Northeast, particularly in New England. Photo by Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd. Georgian architecture landed in the United States in […]

8 Real Estate Documents to Keep—and What Happens If You Don’t

After a real estate sale, there are a lot of documents to organize. But do you have to keep them all? After all, you don’t want to have to file all of it if you don’t have to; but you also don’t want to chuck something crucial. Your closing company is required by law to keep a […]