The 16th Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes

 The 16th annual Tour of Remodeled Homes in Portland, Lake Oswego, Wilsonville and Tigard will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15. Tickets, $22 for both days, are available at remodeltourportland.com; 503-684-1880).

One home on display will be one In Gabriel Park.

Janet Eastman explains the history and lets us know that "JB Construction and Deb Seeley Designs'  client was 6 years old in 1940 when her parents built this Southwest Portland house in dairy pasture, now known as Gabriel Park.

Over the years, the house changed along with its surroundings but the family held on to it, recounts Jim Bruce of JB Construction.

As an adult, the second-generation owner wanted a few upgrades: A master suite with an attached reading room, and to move the laundry out of the basement.

A wall of windows on one side of the old master bedroom became a well-lighted hallway leading to the new reading room and spacious master suite with a cathedral ceiling, walk-in closets and a bath with a walk-in shower.

Windows frame views of beautiful gardens and double sliding French doors open to a new deck.

The main floor laundry has custom cabinetry for front load washer/dryer and a built-in ironing board. The space doubles as a garden potting room with a separate counter and sink bench.

A den was created by reconfiguring a coat closet and part of the old living room.  With double pocket doors for privacy, it is perfect for viewing sports, says Seeley.

A Transformative Apartment Renovation in Brooklyn

Dwell has a feature about a renovation in Brooklyn. I was struck by the major transformation of the bathroom. Here is the before shot of the master bathroom.

Photo courtesy of Ed Kopel.

The renovated master bathroom. 

Photo by Francis Dzikowski/ESTO.

That's why we hire professionals!

Remodel Or Move

Bridget Otto writes about the costs of remodeling and she quotes Dan Fritschen, founder of RemodelorMove.com He offers four tips on getting answers.

Checking out RemodelorMove.com, I found a lot of discussion about remodeling versus moving. This site really heps answer that dilemma. In our neighborhood, I know one couple who remodeled their house, even taking their house higher by adding a second story. They looked all over this area and concluded that staying put and remodeling was cheaper.

We are seeing other homes that are completely gutted down to the foundation and rebuilt turning a $400,000 house into a bigger house valued at $800,000 to $900,000 house. They really must like this Grant High neighborhood and its nearness to downtown!