This is an opportunity to do something good with water. Old-style driveways push water away Typically driveways are either concrete or asphalt. Both materials [...]]]>
When you daydream about making improvements to your home, you probably aren’t thinking about your driveway. But sometimes a driveway gets so cracked and bumpy it needs to be replaced.

This is an opportunity to do something good with water.

Old-style driveways push water away
Typically driveways are either concrete or asphalt. Both materials send rainwater out into the street. The problem with that is it carries pollutants to rivers, bays, and the ocean.

Permeable driveways soak it up
A better strategy is letting rain and landscaping water soak into the ground. This does several good things:

• the soil helps filter pollutants
• it reduces the load on storm sewer systems
• local plants have more ground water to drink
• it keeps water from flowing onto a neighbor’s property

Local planning departments are getting stricter about that last item. Water going from your yard to the one next door is a bad thing. If your neighbor develops water problems, they might just come after you.

Materials you can use
So, what to do? There are many great water-permeable materials available. The main categories include:

• permeable pavers–grass grows in them
• blocks with sand in the joints
• pervious pavement–clean periodically to keep pores open (pressure washer of blower)

Another advantage to these driveway systems is that if one section becomes damaged or stained you can replace just that part. So, when you install a permeable driveway it will be the last one you ever put in.

photo by Ryan Wilson

The Projects section has slideshows for each project [...]]]>
After many hours of behind-the-scenes designing, tinkering, and nudging I’m happy to announce the unveiling of my newly revamped website.

The homepage has been completely rewritten and redesigned. A wonderful photo by Treve Johnson of one of my kitchen projects graces the top of the page.

The Projects section has slideshows for each project now. And the main navigation has been reorganized for clarity.

I have a long list of future tweaks I’m planning to do to the website, including adding much more to the Info Center, so stay tuned.

Kitchen remodels typically are worth more than, say, replacing the roofing. But what [...]]]>
Most of us won’t stay in the same house for decades. So, when you do a remodel, it would be helpful to know which types of projects give you the most value when it comes time to sell your house.

Kitchen remodels typically are worth more than, say, replacing the roofing. But what about other improvements you might consider? Is there a way to compare the cost versus resale value?

Remodeling magazine
Yes, indeed there is. Remodeling magazine’s annual report: Cost vs Value quantifies this very thing. It shows typical average costs, resale values, and percent of cost recouped.

This report is broken down by region and city. For the Bay Area they list San Francisco. There are comparison’s with national averages. And, for many of the most popular project types, they include two tiers of numbers: “Midrange” and “Upscale.”

Well respected source
While there are no guarantees, of course, for how much of your remodel money will be made back when you sell, Remodel magazine’s annual report is one of the most respected sources for this type of data. At the very least, it ought to make a good conversation starter with you contractor or real estate agent.

photo by Timothy Ellis

Does this still make good sense? California tries to change law According to an article at treehugger.com the governor of California is in agreement [...]]]>
For years sofas have had fire retardants added by the manufacturers. The law required this to reduce the harm from toxic fumes produced when furniture burns in a house fire.

Does this still make good sense?

California tries to change law
According to an article at treehugger.com the governor of California is in agreement with many others that the time has come to end this practice.

The article has a link to a discussion of whether these fire retardants “don’t even work or even do more harm than good.”

More on the legal battle
To read much more on the legal battle to remove fire retardants from everyday items, and hopefully do less damage, see the New York Times article on the subject.

This is an example of a conflict of goals with no easy answer. Of course we don’t want foam furniture to give off dangerous fumes during a house fire. At the same time adding toxins to items we come into contact with everyday, toxins that have been proven to be detrimental to our health, is a terrible idea.

Or maybe we should be given the clear choice to buy our couches one way or the other. What do you think?

photo by maleva apaixonada