PRESERVATION ARTISANS GUILD BLOG
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October 17, 2022We’ve provided a transcript of David’s discussion below: It is another sunny, beautiful day here at the Victorian Belle, a great time to look at the stained-glass windows that have been put in over the last couple of years, along with some of the old, original Povey brothers’ windows. The double... -
November 5, 2021We’re pleased and proud to share this Old House Journal article featuring the work Karla Pearlstein, President, and co-founder of Preservation Artisans Guild, has done on her historic firehouse in NW Portland. The firehouse is now Karla’s home and workspace – and it is something to behold! Nearly all of the... -
October 27, 2020Historically, canvas rugs, also known as floorcloths, first came to fashion in 18th century England with the wealthy set; intended to mimic expensive floor treatments like parquet flooring, tile, and marble, floorcloths were eventually adopted for use in middle-class homes as well, which inspired the expansion of designs and styles. Eventually,... -
April 28, 2020Bruce Rosenbaum is about as Steampunk as you can get. Dubbed the Steampunk Guru by the Wall Street Journal and named Steampunk Evangelist by Wired Magazine, Mr. Rosenbaum’s dedication to his craft is evident in the exquisite creative-professional works he produces. Living and working from a converted 1876 Gothic Church (featured on episode 8 of the... -
April 22, 2020If you think historic preservation is the archaic, lofty pursuit of the stately elite, the folks at the Architectural Heritage Center (AHC) beg to differ. They’ll convince you that historic preservation is all about preserving the livability and historic character of Portland and the Northwest — and that it applies... -
April 9, 2020Queen Victoria reigned over Great Britain from 1837 until her death in 1901. In America, the term “Victorian Architecture” has become a catchphrase to describe any of a number of styles that were popular in the last half of the 19th century. This article will serve as an overview of... -
March 24, 2020Special thanks to Bradley Streeper of Gold Leaf Restoration (one of our newest members) for opening his studio to fellow Preservation Artisan Guild members and guests for a private tour earlier this month. Attendees enjoyed a fascinating demonstration of traditional water gilding techniques as well as a special opportunity to try their hand at laying... -
March 12, 2020In Part One, “Care Of Your Antique Victorian Picture Frames,” we looked at how Victorian frames were made, from their molding and ornament, to the various finishing techniques used to duplicate a carved, museum-quality frame. Middle-class Americans were now able to afford these semi-productions, picture frames for their parlors. Vintage Frame... -
February 27, 2020Most of us have something decorative framed on our walls. If we have an historic home, there are probably several period art works, prints behind glass, or paintings. If we are lucky, some of those artworks are family pieces with old frames, passed down to us years ago or recently... -
February 5, 2020Beginning in the mid-1880s, the Arts and Crafts Movement in England developed a philosophy of design based on medieval concepts of handmade artisan-produced goods. The movement arose as a reaction to the over-abundance of machine-made, often shoddy products that were flooding the marketplace at the time. Thinkers such as William... -
January 21, 2020In other parts of the country, two-family homes are known variously as twin homes, attached homes, two-flats, or even double-deckers. But in Portland we just call them all duplexes. Duplexes come in two basic types: the “up and down” duplex where one unit rests atop the other, and the “side-by-side”... -
January 8, 2020Silversmith Jeffrey Herman started his business, Herman Silver Restoration & Conservation in West Warwick, Rhode Island in 1984 and in the decades since, has garnered an international reputation for quality craftsmanship with special attention to surface finishing. Jeff is also the Executive Director of the Society of American Silversmiths. We recently... -
November 22, 2019Very special thanks to Scott Tice of TICE Industries (one of our newest members) for opening his workshop to us for a private tour. PAG members and guests in attendance all agreed that Tice Industries’ CAD-CAM manufacturing facility was a truly fascinating visit. We learned about the machinery, tools, and materials that Scott... -
October 10, 2019Preservation Artisans Guild has a long and enduring relationship with the folks at Old Portland Hardware and Architectural, owned and operated by Bret Hodgert. We recently sat down with Bret to learn more about how he got started with this unique and much beloved local business, what his favorite items... -
October 3, 2019This year’s DeMuro Awards have been announced! The DeMuro Award is Oregon State’s highest honor for the preservation, reuse, and revitalization of architectural and cultural sites, and honors the impact of these projects on the community. This year, twelve projects from across the state have been selected to receive the prestigious 2019 DeMuro Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. The... -
September 24, 2019Recently, we paid a visit to long-time friends Old Portland Hardware & Architectural to ask owner Bret Hodgert a few questions, explore the showroom, and found many one-of-a-kind architectural gems and replacement hardware. Why did you decide to open Old Portland Hardware & Architectural – an architectural salvage shop? I have always... -
September 16, 2019Downtown Portland, Oregon has a wealth of beautiful terra cotta buildings, most dating from the first three decades of the 20th century. A number of factors came together in this period to produce this abundance of terra cotta in our city. First of all, the invention of the elevator and... -
September 6, 2019No one knows for sure when the first porch was invented, but it’s safe to say that porches have existed – in one form or another – since humans first built habitable shelters. Porch technology did not evolve in steady stages around the globe, however. Ancient kingdoms in Africa had... -
August 22, 2019When Samantha and Jeff Irwin first laid eyes on the historic Balch Hotel, they fell in love with it and knew this unique property had potential. Raised in the Hood River, Oregon area, they were familiar with the beauty that the Dufur Valley offered. Without prior construction or hospitality experience,... -
August 12, 2019Greek Revival was the dominant house style in America from 1820 until some time after the Civil War (1861-1865). Elements of Greek Revival design, however, persisted through the Victorian era and into the 20th century. Because the young state of Oregon was sparsely settled in the mid-19th century, comparatively few... -
August 4, 2019There are many surprising and interesting things to learn about The Portland Mausoleum and its rich history. and carefully preserved architecture and elegance. Here are ten we think you should know: This historic building is the oldest crematory west of the Mississippi, having been established in 1901.The building consists of 8 floors, 3... -
July 30, 2019One of Portland’s most successful restorations in the past decade has been the Signal Gas Station in the St. Johns neighborhood. A number of years ago, developer Rob Phillips, owner of Renovation Properties, had been searching for an antique gas station to restore. A classic car enthusiast as well as... -
July 16, 2019Could your early-20th century home possibly have been one of the now infamous mail-order houses that was selected from a catalog and purchased by mail? As unusual as it might seem today, many older houses in Portland — and across the nation — were built in just such a fashion. After... -
July 5, 2019The Four-Square style house (sometimes referred to as the American Four-Square House) was popular from just after 1900 to well into the 1930s. Thousands of these Four-Square houses were built in Portland and its older suburbs. Virtually every older neighborhood in Portland has many, many examples. This local popularity mirrored... -
March 20, 2019Still seeking more Pasadena-area Victoriana? Just slip across the city line to the East and find yourself in the L.A. County Arboretum in the City of Arcadia. I found this by pure luck one day driving around what I thought was still Pasadena. The Arboretum was originally the home and... -
March 12, 2019If you still are in the mood to seek out more Victorian buildings, check out Heritage Square, in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Highland Park, just across the Pasadena city line to the west. It is a collection of eleven Victorian buildings moved there from other parts of L.A… mostly... -
March 6, 2019Mimi Near Mosaic Studio: Living with Mosaic: A Personal Reflection We’re pleased to share this very special presentation for Preservation Artisans Guild by member Mimi Near. Preservation Artisans Guild members and guests enjoyed the chance to learn about this enduring and beautiful art form from a truly accomplished mosaic artist as well... -
March 4, 2019PAG member Jack Bookwalter, our Architectural Historian, spent a week in Pasadena last month exploring that city’s unheralded Victorian design legacy. Here’s the first of three articles he wrote to share these beautiful homes with us: Although Pasadena is best known for its early 20th Century Craftsman houses, there is also... -
January 25, 2019Not far from the famed Woodburn outlet mall on I-5, just south of Portland, can be found a most amazing Victorian treasure box of a house. The Settlemier House, owned and cared for by the non-profit French Prairie Historical Society, is open to the public on a limited basis. Tours... -
January 22, 2019The Pittock Mansion in the West Hills is Portland’s own “Hearst Castle.” It was built in 1914 by Oregonian newspaper founder and publisher Henry Pittock and his wife Georgiana. Many would say that it is the grandest of the great homes of early Portland. Descendants of the Pittock family lived... -
January 10, 2019Chances are that if you are reading this article you either own or have a strong interest in old houses. What is it about old houses that fascinate us so much? Is it the sense of history (if these walls could talk)? Is it the romance of living in an environment... -
January 2, 2019Whether restoring an older home, or adding old world character to a newer home, using architectural salvage is both “green” and beautiful. Finding and using salvage treasures can both be fun and frustrating. Here are a few tips that will minimize the frustration: 1 Plan Ahead Whenever possible, plan ahead…way ahead! Integrating... -
November 3, 2018Until his retirement in 2018, Frank McGinness delivered art on a consistent basis, on a grand scale, from projects as intimate as a powder room, to the restoration of the walls of a state capitol building and finishing a cabinet that housed the Magna Carta. Frank proudly produced fine finishes... -
August 22, 2018Old house lovers in Portland, OR might be surprised to learn that many of the city’s most charming early 20th-century homes are actually built of concrete. Houses built of concrete block often masquerade as stone, while continuous-pour concrete houses are often mistaken for stucco. The 1909 Bramhall House in the Piedmont... -
August 7, 2018The Wallace House, above, designed by architect William Whidden in 1888, was the first Colonial Revival-style house built in Portland. Intensively-planted urban gardens and mature street trees give the neighborhood a connection to nature. Most Portlanders just know it as NORTHWEST PORTLAND. Historic Northwest Portland is a charming slice of dense urban living in... -
June 28, 2018This very special guest article was authored by Preservation Artisans Guild member Rachel Hibbard. Rachel, who creates considered designs that enhance architectural features in both private and public settings, recently traveled to old Mexico and we are fortunate to have this exceptional and historic report on local architecture based on... -
June 14, 2018Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is known throughout the world as the great American architect who designed such icons as Falling Water, the Robie House, and the Guggenheim Museum. His most influential accomplishment may well be his series of small and practical Usonian houses built between 1938 and the 1960s. Many features... -
June 7, 2018Stalking the Victorians Portland was a prosperous and expanding city in the late 19th century. Many fine quality homes were built in this period. Unfortunately, many of them were demolished to make way for the expansion of the prosperous downtown. Still others fell victim to changes in fashion or land use.... -
May 30, 2018Portland, OR is well known for its unique array of architecture: new and old, residential and commercial. These neighborhoods were built and designed by interesting people with forward-thinking ideas. Getting to know a home’s history, its architectural origins, and its designers/builders can give a new appreciation for the houses we... -
May 18, 2018The ending of World War II brought profound changes to this nation culturally, economically, and architecturally. The ensuing baby boom, rising car culture, and new technologies all thrust America into a new era. The mid-20th century in America would be a time of exceptional growth and expansion. The generation of Americans... -
May 14, 2018We recently caught up with PAG’s resident Architectural Historian & Preservation Planner, Jack Bookwalter to learn more about his personal history and his lifelong fascination with old buildings. Jack graciously shared his story with us, as well as some very interesting insight into one of Portland, Oregon’s most prevalent historic building... -
May 9, 2018The years between World War II and the Vietnam War saw the rise of a sleek, forward-looking style of architecture known simply as “Modern.” All types of buildings were constructed in this style: high-rise offices, medical clinics, motels, apartments, and of course, houses. Modern’s hallmarks are large expanses of glass,... -
April 3, 2018Generations of woodworkers in Mike Edeen’s family preceded his own interest in carpentry and cabinetry. He grew up learning about tools and techniques from his father in his garage shop. His interest in architecture developed in tandem and in time he had the opportunity to explore both sides of the... -
April 3, 2018Jim and Sharon Mackie served the Portland, Oregon area as well as clients from all over the country on silver restoration projects. Until the couple retired and closed their shop in 2017 they offered repair, polish, and re-silvering for heirloom pieces. They performed soft solderingon soft metals, as well as... -
February 12, 2018Nancy Thorn is a founding and current member of the Preservation Artisans Guild Board, as well as participating member of the Guild. Gilding since 1974, Nancy founded her company Gold Leaf Restoration in 1980. Nancy initially discovered gilding through a student who had studied the craft in the 1930s under Yale professor, Daniel... -
February 5, 2018How much do you know about Preservation Artisans Guild founder Karla Pearlstein‘s preservation and restoration projects around our state? Here’s a beautiful story about one of Karla’s local rescue projects. You’ll notice many current Guild members are mentioned in the story, which was originally published at Old House Online. A Storybook Odyssey A wise restoration consultant... -
February 1, 2018Have you ever wondered what happened between the Victorian Age and the Roaring 20s that so drastically changed the way women dressed – forever? That’s exactly what the Preservation Artisans Guild invited PAG members, special guests, and the general public to join us for a very special ticketed event: Fashion on the... -
January 16, 2018Palm Springs, CA — the famed desert resort 100 miles east of Los Angeles — has reinvented itself as a hip, retro-chic tourist destination playing upon its legacy of modern-era buildings from the 1950s and 1960s. Each year at the end of February, the city is host to “Modernism Week,”... -
September 1, 2017Bo Sullivan grew up in a 200-year-old house in a 300-year old-town that had been forgotten by time. The son of a preservationist/antique dealer and a scientist-turned-old-time-hardware-store-owner, Bo spent his teen-age years digging up bottles and bits of china and exploring cobwebbed attics and abandoned garages. After graduating from North Carolina State University School of Design with... -
May 8, 2017We hope you enjoy this wonderful video of our time spent with PAG member Donovan Harding last weekend for the Spring Field Trip. Donovan gave us a tour of his incredible mill featuring period machinery and artisan craftsmanship. Enjoy the video, and please check our Facebook Events tab for upcoming... -
April 28, 2017Photos by Jack Bookwalter Bookwalter was in England this summer on the trail of Poirot. In the 1990s, the BBC filmed the Poirot Mystery series based on the Agatha Christie novels of the same name. The full series was shown on Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and occasionally still surfaces in re-runs. Hercule... -
March 17, 2017For our latest installment of the Preservation Artisans Guild Member Feature Series, Lee Littlewood of Lee’s Better Letters participated in a fun Q & A about his Portland-based hand-lettering and sign crafting business and just what goes into it. Lee Littlewood, who has been a member of Preservation Artisans Guild practically... -
March 3, 2017WATCH: A video recap from Brandon Spencer-Hartle‘s presentation for the Preservation Artisans Guild at Old Portland, Hardware & Architectural, shedding light on the state of demolitions in Portland, Oregon (and what we can do about it). Many thanks to Brandon for joining the PAG Member Social last Friday and for educating... -
February 17, 2017A charter member of the Preservation Artisans Guild, Deann Holtz of Portland Art Framing has nearly twenty years of hands-on experience in the art and custom framing industry as well as a passion for design, color, and textiles. Deann reminisces that her creative appetite began with an obsession for prepackaged mosaic... -
February 2, 2017We are so pleased with this recent write-up from The Oregonian and Oregon Live all about the beautiful Curry House – owned, lovingly restored, and lived in by Preservation Artisans Guild founder Karla Pearlstein! Karla’s sweet kitty Tanuki made a guest appearance as well. -
December 15, 2016Steve Pancoast refers to himself as an American Master Woodcarver, Woodworker and Designer of the Old World persuasion in a New World. You have to admit, that’s a thoughtfully-crafted title – and it’s a title hard earned and well-deserved. Like his craft and his art, just about everything Steve Pancoast... -
November 15, 2016A beautiful hand-restored silver baby cup at Art Craft Silversmith When you think of the age-old art of silversmithing, you may first think of a lovely dining room place setting, a delicate mirror and brush set, a baby’s silver cup or rattle, or even jewelry from Tiffany. However, there are... -
November 9, 2016If you appreciate the look and character of older houses or vintage furnishings, one effective way to enhance the charm and integrity of your home — whether building new, remodeling, or just “freshening” it up — is with period lighting. Yet with over 100 years of lighting styles to choose... -
November 2, 2016The dishwasher, we take it pretty much for granted. When looking at a home, the dishwasher is a convenience that we have come to expect. We use it to store dirty dishes, and sometimes clean dishes as well. But how did the dishwasher come to be? It’s an interesting story.... -
October 26, 2016Most people will agree that a period house looks best with a period kitchen, and that a period kitchen looks best with period stoves. With that in mind, homeowners who are considering vintage stoves usually still have a few basic questions about them, “Are vintage stoves practical?” “Will a vintage... -
October 12, 2016Known as the “Tiffany of the Northwest,” the Povey Brothers Studio has produced some of the most beautiful and lasting stained glass pieces in all of Oregon. For instance, David and John Povey’s artwork can be found in the First Presbyterian Church, the Atkinson Memorial Unitarian Church, and the Pittock... -
October 11, 2016Check out this gorgeous video from our most recent event in early September, 2016. Preservation Artisans Guild member, and special presenter of the evening was wallpaper and history aficionado Bo Sullivan of Arcalus Period Design shared a riveting visual history of wallpapers with us. -
October 5, 2016Irvington landmark commonly known as The White House. Two photos above are two historic apartment buildings that emulate large single-family homes in the Irvington neighborhood. On November 5, 2010 northeast Portland’s Irvington neighborhood was officially listed as an Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. It joins Ladd’s Addition, King’s Hill,... -
September 28, 2016“Prairie” is the name given to a style of house originated by Chicago architect Frank Lloyd Wright around 1900. The first use of the term “Prairie” occurred with Wright’s plan for “A House On the Prairie,” published in the Ladies’ Home Journal in 1901. The term “Prairie School of architecture”... -
September 21, 2016The dazzling patterns and colors of old-fashioned Formica grabs attention. And in a world run amok with granite countertops, this has never been truer. Formica (laminate) used in the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gorden house at the Oregon Gardens in Silverton, OR. Resources: Bars and Booths Boomerang laminates www.barsandbooths.com Pastense Retro diner furniture and laminates www.pastense.com Formica is made of... -
September 14, 2016To the untrained eye, a scramble of period styles in an historic building may not be problematic. The general approach of just installing what is easiest, or what the current owner thinks looks good tends to be the fate of many historic homes and buildings. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 This more... -
September 7, 2016With vintage houses and buildings, the hardware and lighting are architectural “jewelry.” In any renovation or restoration, attention to detail is crucial to a successful outcome. And among the many details, matching the style of hardware to the period of the architecture is critical. Actually, any changes to a vintage... -
August 31, 2016So you have an old house and you want the kitchen to look more period appropriate. All you see in your neighbors’ houses, the advertisements, and the builders’ supply places are stone, stone, and stone. And yes, stone can be beautiful! But is it appropriate for an old house? Historically,... -
August 24, 2016There has always been a blending of decorative arts with functionality in the design of domestic kitchen tools, everything from painted scenes in the glazes of ancient clay vessels to the graceful curves in hand wrought iron kitchen tools. The Shakers, for example, were known for blending simple elegance with... -
August 17, 2016Wall decorations go back to the days when people lived in caves. There, on the stone walls, are the images of hands and animals. Mystical beings look out at us as artistic memories of that time and place. Although the Chinese were using decorated rice paper to embellish their walls for... -
August 12, 2016What must it be like to come to work every day and enter a place where radiant light and vibrant color play to create a work of art? We visited renowned stained glass artisan, and Preservation Artisans Guild member, David Schlicker at his SE Portland studio to find out. David himself... -
February 6, 2014Gone are the large, boxy TVs, replaced by wall-mounted flat panel screens and mobile devices. Young people have no memory of the large furniture-like TV sporting a black and white screen, with only ABC, CBS, and NBC as the program options, or the heavy “clunk, clunk, clunk” as the dial... -
November 11, 2013The American Gothic Revival movement began around 1840 and continued for about thirty years for houses, much longer for churches and schools. Though early Portland was once filled with Gothic Revival houses, none exist today. Gothic style houses, together with houses in the Greek Revival style, were built in those... -
August 19, 2013The quest for appropriate hardware can be very confusing, and the choices overwhelming! For those looking to select appropriate hardware for their period home, there is the need to understand what would have been used in a particular time period, coupled with personal taste. For our purposes, the focus will... -
July 11, 2013Vintage fixtures have become increasingly rare with the successive remodels that have become so common in the past few decades. Perfectly functional vintage fixtures have given way to the latest and greatest fashion statements, being promoted by designers and those in the business of selling product. Untouched Victorian bathrooms are exceedingly... -
May 1, 2013On my usual trip to England last November, I made a weeklong side trip to Stockholm, Sweden. When people ask me, “Why Sweden?” I (half) jokingly tell them that I wanted to see if the whole country was run as well as that large Swedish home furnishings store we know...