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Is The Northwest Too Wet For Solar Energy? Think Again.

Don’t let the name fool you. Solar energy isn’t only reserved for homes and businesses in year-round sunny climates. Solar energy is for anyone with a desire to create a more sustainable, energy efficient home. Conventional wisdom says the Pacific Northwest is too wet to receive any real benefit from solar energy. But modern solar photovoltaic panels can collect energy in all types of weather.

“Germany is the worldwide leader in solar energy, and the country has very similar climate and resources as Oregon,” says Steve Coughran, Neil Kelly Solar and Energy Services Manager in Bend.

The first step in getting your home or business ready for solar is to schedule a complimentary solar assessment. A Neil Kelly energy specialist will check the site for solar resources and whether or not the roof can support a system. Next, the technician will check the unit’s power bill.

Above: Modern solar panels collect energy in all types of weather.

“Solar electric systems vary greatly in size based on the home or business’s heating equipment and appliances used,” says Coughran. “But today’s modern systems let you get the most bang for your buck. The cost of the panels has decreased so much in the last seven years, but the power has doubled to 300 watt panels for most projects.”

These modern solar electric systems are reliable, efficient, economical — and local. Neil Kelly is proud to install top performing system components from industry leaders such as SolarWorld, the largest American solar manufacturer based out of Hillsboro, Oregon.

“At Neil Kelly we not only do solar, but home energy retrofits,” says Coughran. “Solar is a fantastic first step, but we can do a number of modifications to make your home or business more efficient and use 10-15% less energy.”

Solar Tax Incentives

Generous solar tax credits and incentives can substantially reduce the cost of installing a solar electric system, but the incentives are changing fast.

Federal Tax Credits can offset up to 30% of the cost of a residential or commercial solar energy system in 2018. This percentage decreases to 20% in 2019 and 10% in 2020.

Energy Trust Incentives are available for Washington and Oregon, including up to $4,800 for Portland General Electric customers, and up to $4,400 for Pacific Power customers.

Is your home or business ready for solar? We specialize in the design, installation and maintenance of residential and commercial solar energy systems — backed by a five-year warranty — and can help you access tax credits and incentives that can pay half of the cost of installing the system in many areas. Talk to a solar energy specialist today.

  Original source neilkelly.com

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Vintage Looks And Styles Defined

How do you define a vintage home? Each one differs in their own way, but they all take advantage of past styles to add more interest to their spaces. From vintage colors and materials to design elements, many homes are taking inspiration from the past for their current remodels. Three types of vintage design are particularly popular right now: mid-century modern, vintage farmhouse style and vintage industrial.

Style 1: Mid-century and cool, clean lines

“The primary factor in mid-century modern style is the actual architecture of the home,” said Stefanie Rotella, Design Consultant, Neil Kelly. Very often, mid-century homes feature vaulted ceilings with natural wood or painted beams. Part of incorporating mid-century modern design is embracing those elements.

“Typically, the kitchens and bathrooms we’re designing within mid-century modern homes are going to have very clean, simple details. They are typically going to feature pops of color in very interesting, thoughtful ways,” said Rotella.

Above: Farmhouse style makes its presence felt in this delightful Lake Oswego home.

Style 2: Vintage farmhouse (without the farm)

For vintage farmhouse styles, the blending of whites or off-whites with warm rustic woods is popular. “The wood can be incorporated in a butcher block, it could be reclaimed wood on the floor, or even floating shelves,” said Rotella.

For cabinetry, homeowners often choose built-in units with decorative features like wainscoting that are both practical and stylish. For furniture, styles trend toward simple and sturdy, with the occasional ornate feature that highlights the craftsmanship of the piece. Instead of islands or peninsulas in the kitchen, some vintage farmhouse styles are bringing the table back into the kitchen, with a large, free-standing wood surface for both serving and prep work.

Above: Exposed brick adds industrial flavor to this Southwest Portland kitchen.

Style 3: Exposed brick for that vintage industrial look

Like mid-century modern, this style also leans heavily on the architecture of the space. Vintage industrial styling focuses on exposed building materials like beams and brick, incorporating these features right into the design.

“There’s a lot of metals and reclaimed wood within industrial styles” said Rotella, “and spatially everything is open. You can see your pots and pans, you can see your cutlery, and it’s easy and accessible to grab — it’s all part of the design.”

The design is in the details

When you think of colors, paint chips may be the first thing to spring to mind, but an important feature to remember when it comes to color in, say, a mid-century home, is the presence of lots of warm, stained woods.

“The colors of a space are going to interact with the color of the woodwork. Within cabinetry, within the walls, within the beams, whatever it may be,” said Rotella. Mid-century colors, like light blue, teal and burnt orange, are usually bright and pop. “It’s very intentional and very thoughtful, but a lot of it is focused on the existing style of the home.”

Are you a farmhouse person? Mad about mid-century design? Maybe you like the exposed brick and industrial look? Let us help you find your style. Get in touch!

Original source neilkelly.com

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Choosing The Correct Colors For Your Home

Colors are an important aspect of a home remodel that can bring visual appeal and increased comfort to a space. Colors in the kitchen can stir your appetite. The color of a bath can make you feel more relaxed. In other words, choosing the right color is important and integral to the success of your home’s design.

A color primer

The first question Mary Miksch, Design Consultant, Neil Kelly, asks her clients is: are they open to adding color? “Sometimes the consideration is that they’re looking to sell in a couple of years, and they want to keep it more universally appealing. Sometimes, it could be a personal decision — like a bright red special teapot they want to work in. That’s where it all starts.”

This is where basic color theory comes in. Bright colors such as red and orange are stimulating, while blues and grays are calming. Brighter colors are often used in more active areas like kitchens, while blues are popular in bathrooms — though lately, Miksch has been seeing blues becoming a popular kitchen accent color. “Green is a color that could go either way. If a green has more yellow tones in it, it could be an energizing and activating color. Greens that have more blue mixed in are more spa-like and can be calming,” she said.

Above: The bold red cabinetry in this kitchen balances perfectly with white walls and wood accents. Inset: Deep red wall color recedes into the background while white cabinets stand out.

Historical color palettes

What are the first colors you think of in an outdated 70s kitchen or bathroom? Probably harvest gold or avocado green. That’s no accident. Each era and decade has its own color. Some homeowners want to keep those colors and emulate an era’s style, regardless of today’s trends. Others go the opposite direction and use color to try to modernize the feel of a space.

Miksch recalls a Craftsman home in Portland’s Irvington neighborhood where the previous owner had added contemporary dark walnut cabinets and a gray backsplash to the kitchen. “It felt dark and modern in what was supposed to be a very charming house. The fix was a kitchen remodel that restored it back to a typical white cabinet Craftsman kitchen with some black accents,” Miksch said.

Lighting is a factor

When choosing a color for your kitchen or bathroom, the amount of natural or artificial light the rooms get can play a huge role in how the color behaves. The shape of the room, whether tall or narrow, low or high ceilings, can also play a big role in how and where a room is lit.

“In the Northwest, we don’t get as much sun year-round as say, Tucson, to help bring out a color’s warmth and energy,” said Therese DuBravac, Design Consultant, Neil Kelly. “Our light here will absorb the color more, making them more neutral.”

Above: Large windows have an effect on the color of this Queen Anne kitchen throughout the day.

Exterior environments can affect your color choice

Think about the placement of windows and what type of environment is outside or near your home. What’s outside your window can affect how colors react inside your home.  

“A condo’s interiors on the Southwest Waterfront will have a much different impact on how the homeowner perceives color than a home next to a large green field or a condo on Division,” said DuBravac. “That large green field will cast a lot of green in a room while the waterfront condo will cast more shades of whites and blues.”

Everyone has reasons for the use of a specific color. It may be an emotional attachment, it may match the style of the home, or it’s merely based on personality. “Some people like cool tones, some like warmer tones, or they might choose a color based on the color of a kitchen cabinet. It all comes down to personal preference,” said DuBravac.

Have questions on what colors will work best with your home? Need help choosing the right colors? Our experienced designers can help! Get in touch.

Original source neilkelly.com

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What Kind Of Kitchen Are You?

Whether you’re a gourmet chef or you prefer to heat up restaurant leftovers from the night before, your kitchen says a lot about you. But before you jump into design details for your next big kitchen remodeling project, it’s important to ask yourself, “what kind of kitchen are you?” It’s only when you learn to ask the right questions — and answer them honestly — that you can design your dream space.

“Homeowners always know what their pain points are in the kitchen,” says Neil Kelly Design Consultant Janel Campbell. “They know the answers, but they may not know the right questions to ask themselves. Usually kitchen projects start because the homeowner says, ‘this kitchen just doesn’t work for me.’”

Certified kitchen designers or master kitchen and bath designers like Campbell have the training and experience homeowners need to make a kitchen work. These design professionals can help homeowners create the appropriate amount of storage and prep space for the room, create the right cupboard heights for appliances, choose the best lighting and more.

The two most common kitchen complaints are not enough storage or not enough counter space. The contemporary kitchen above addresses both.

Kitchen Remodeling Questions to Consider

“I will design your kitchen as if it’s my own unless told not to,” says Campbell. “I do home canning, baking and everyday cooking — the full gamut. It’s important to make considerations for all the different activities that occur in the space.”

Because so many factors influence the design of a space, Neil Kelly’s approach to kitchen remodeling starts by asking our clients several questions:

– What kind of kitchen do you have right now? – Does your kitchen serve your needs? – How do you use the space? – Are you able to cook, wash and access storage comfortably? – Does one person cook or do several people use the space at once? – Do people eat in the kitchen? – Do you entertain in the kitchen? – Does homework or any other activity get done in the kitchen? – How do people pass through the space? – Do you want to open the kitchen to the rest of your home? To the outdoors?

“I like to ask clients free-flowing questions after an initial observation,” says Campbell. “Is the kitchen cluttered? Are there small appliances or paperwork all over the place? Is there fresh food on the counter? What I start looking for are habits.”

Common Kitchen Complaints

The two most common kitchen complaints are not enough storage or not enough counter space. Updating cabinets to accommodate modern kitchen appliances or creating an “appliance garage” to store everyday items out of sight can free up additional counter space. Homeowners can also create a designated “message center” to hold phone chargers, keys, mail and other paperwork that otherwise clutters countertops. With the ideal amount of counter space and workstations in mind, it’s time to address workflow.

“How you move from the refrigerator to the sink to the stove is important,” Campbell says. “The goal is to create a space that doesn’t have major traffic running through that work triangle.”

Last but not least, homeowners should ask themselves how they plan to use the kitchen in five years, 10 years and 15 years. Will the space be used by family for generations or will it be sold or remodeled again for downsizing?

Are you ready to ask yourself the hard questions and create your ideal kitchen for today and tomorrow? Contact our Design/Build Remodeling team for a consultation today!

Original source neilkelly.com

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Award-Winning Kitchen Remodeling

Neil Kelly is well-known for our kitchen remodeling projects — and with good reason. Our projects inspire homeowners and other professionals within the industry, winning design awards every year. Discover the most recent award-winning kitchens from our talented design consultants.

Above: Thoughtful material selection gives this historic kitchen an authentic feel.

Updating a Historic Kitchen

Design consultant Fabian Genovesi transformed a compact kitchen with a clumsy 1980s remodel in a historic home built in 1896. The end result? A contemporary kitchen with an updated aesthetic that complements the craftsmanship of a bygone era. “Working with an old home, it’s so easy to mess up,” says Genovesi. “But everyone who walks into this kitchen says it feels authentic to the house. To me that is a great accomplishment.”

The space was inspired by service kitchens and draws from a palette of craftsman and industrial components. Statuario polished quartz countertops, industrial glass lighting fixtures from Troy Lighting, polished nickel Rohl faucets and warm grey colors complement stainless steel Sub-Zero, Wolf and AsKo appliances. To brighten the space, Genovesi used a full wall of white subway tiles with a glossy finish and white Neil Kelly cabinets that reflect light from the windows.

The home is under historic designation, so no exterior changes were made without consulting the local planning commission. Inside, an unused door to the living room was removed, a guest bathroom was removed to expand the pantry, and a new appliance configuration for the refrigerator, sink and range created ergonomic workstations.

Award: NARI Contractor of the Year, Northwest Region Design Consultant: Fabian Genovesi Kitchen: $100-$150,000 | Chrysalis, Northwest Region | $75-$100,000

  Above: Puget Sound kitchen featuring island with custom two-toned counter.

Enhancing Coastal Views

Design consultant Diane Foreman’s goal for this kitchen was simple — increase the openness and sweeping views of the Puget Sound. In completing this goal, the space received additional storage options and functionality while integrating seamlessly with the great room.

The project took a unique turn as the angles in the original layout of the kitchen were challenging to work with. Foreman solved these issues by installing an unusually shaped and beautifully fabricated island with a two tone countertop that highlights the workspace and eating areas.

“The new layout increases storage and function significantly,” says Foreman. “The island sink creates a highly functional prep zone while the main sink — focused on the Puget Sound views — anchors the cleanup zone.”

The Neil Kelly design-build remodel team also created a pet feeding area in the island, a charging station and communications area near the kitchen entrance, and a beverage center in the dining room’s built-in buffet.

Award: NARI Contractor of the Year, Northwest Region Design Consultant: Diane Foreman Kitchen: Over $150,000

  Above: Victorian Inspired Kitchen

Creating a Victorian Farmhouse Kitchen

Design consultant Janel Campbell found color inspiration in a surprising place for this kitchen remodel in a 100-year-old home: chicken eggs. The homeowners had lived in the space for more than 40 years and needed to update features from the 1970s. The result? A Victorian farmhouse with lovely Carrara marble countertops, green cabinets, soft peachy walls, a faux tin ceiling and an ornate tile backsplash from Pratt and Larson Tile.

“The homeowners and I really bonded because I too have chickens at my house,” says Campbell. “I understand the beauty of the pale blue-green, peach, bright white and speckled eggs.”

The Neil Kelly team sourced local, sustainable and period-appropriate materials for this kitchen — an approach that was not without its challenges. The team worked hard to restore the original wainscot, trim molding and curved window casings while the project was under construction. As a result, the space effortlessly combines modern conveniences with timeless charm.

Award: Oregon Home Structure and Style Award Design Consultant: Janel Campbell Kitchen: Over $75,000

Need help creating your dream kitchen? Our Design-Build Remodeling Team will help you transform your vision and existing space into a kitchen that is as functional as it is beautiful. Contact us today.

Original source neilkelly.com

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Make your home healthy and comfortable

How is comfort defined? Does your kitchen have enough ventilation? Are dangerous particles being filtered out of the air? Do your windows provide enough light? Like good design, you don’t have to compromise on wellness when it comes to your next remodeling project. Here are ways you can be comfortable and healthy.

Weatherproof against mold

In the verdant Northwest, homes are built tight and weatherproofed to keep the moisture out. “If you want your home to last for a long time, you have to ensure your siding, roofing and windows are weatherproofed and done really well,” says Troy Zdzieblowski, Home Improvement Consultant at Neil Kelly.

If it’s not, water or moisture can intrude and mold starts growing. This can cause numerous problems, from expensive mold mitigation to health issues. “Before a remodel, it’s important to get your exterior in order to ensure it’s working correctly. We’ve run into a lot of homes here in the Pacific Northwest where there’s literally water running into their basement when they want to do a basement remodel.”

Tighten up — but ventilate

Indoor air quality is a popular topic for good reason: The quality of the air inside your home can make the difference between being comfortable and being unhealthy. And, if the building’s envelope isn’t sealed correctly, air from the crawlspace (that can harbor everything from dead rodents to debris) can infiltrate your home. One way Neil Kelly helps is though the installation of heat recovery ventilation systems. These systems take air from the outside, filter it, put it back into your HVAC system, then push new fresh air throughout the house.

Above: Thoughtful lighting design adds comfort to this bathroom project.

Replace lighting

You don’t have to live with glaring, 1970s fluorescent fixtures under your cabinets or harsh spotlights in your living room. There are many options for better lighting. “It’s all about the type of light and the correct temperature balance to a light fixture,” said Michael Rieger, Master Carpenter, Neil Kelly. “By adding in elements like a few pendant lights with the under cabinet lighting, or overhead can lighting, you can create a dynamic environment that offers lighting options for different moods or times of day,” he says.

Replace leaky windows

Many of the homes Neil Kelly remodels are from the 1920s — and many have beautiful single-paned windows. Unfortunately, the original wood in these windows has often rotted out. We can help you with next steps, from repairs to replacement with wood, vinyl or fiberglass frames. Each have their own advantages, like durability, energy efficiency, soundproofing and price points. “What I always say is if you’re going to do windows and you can’t do all of them, start with the ones that you’re near the most because you will feel the biggest difference in those spots,” said Zdzieblowski.

Small things you can do

Maintain and clean your bath vents, dryer vents, and the grease traps of the stove vents. “Just doing maintenance on things that are moving air is a really big thing. They’re pretty simple to do. You just have to make sure it’s on your list,” says Zdzieblowski.

Is your kitchen stuffy, do the windows leak air, and is the light in your living room brighter than the sun? Get in touch with us! We can help install new systems and design new ways to make your home comfortable — and healthy.

Original source neilkelly.com

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10 Built-In Storage Options For The New Year

There’s no time like the new year to get a jumpstart on your home storage and organization projects. With a little imagination and elbow grease, your home can be in tiptop shape before you get the itch to start spring cleaning.

“The first of the year is a great time to start planning your next storage project,” says Larry Romick, Neil Kelly master carpenter. Romick has worked in Neil Kelly’s home remodeling and handyman divisions for a combined 27 years. In that time he’s built elaborate master closets, organized garages with a surplus of outdoor equipment and created storage solutions for gourmet chefs.

He says the key to getting organized is first evaluating how you use a space. Determine what items are housed there permanently, what items move in and out of the room and who else in your family uses the space. Next, determine how you would like the space — and everything in it — used differently. Finally, brainstorm creative solutions.

“Neil Kelly designers and the internet are wonderful resources for gathering ideas,” says Romick. “It’s great when clients bring me their ideas because they know how they are going to use the space better than I do. Then together we can come up with a solution.”

Here are 10 built-in storage solutions to get you organized.

Lifted Storage

Lifted storage options or overhead storage racks allow you to utilize unused space above the garage door. Whether storing Christmas decorations or rooftop carriers for your car, this is the ideal location for items used periodically throughout the year.

Above: Cabinet pull-outs make it easy to access items without crawling or reaching.

Pull-out Pantries & Kitchen Cabinets

The easiest way to use all your storage space in the kitchen or pantry is with pull-out shelves. Pull-outs allow you to store and access items in previously hard-to-reach places.

USB & Electronic Connections

Whether in the bathroom, home office or bedroom, modern homes require more connectivity for electronic devices. USB ports and electric outlets can be built into cabinets to ensure you stay online and your devices are organized.

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves work in just about any space. Whether it’s the kitchen, laundry room, kid’s room or living room that needs a bit of organization — and visual interest — floating shelves offer versatile storage solutions in a range of styles and sizes.

Built-in Cabinet Lazy Susans

Whether it’s a full circle or half, these storage solutions feature rotating trays for food and appliance storage in difficult-to-reach corner shelves.

Garage Cabinets & Countertops

“Most garages don’t have cabinets, which means your possessions are just leaning against the wall,” says Romick. “Adding durable cabinets, shelf space and workbenches allows you to keep tools and garden supplies organized. Whether or not it’s actually organized behind the cabinet doors is up to you, but at least it looks tidy!”

Tip-out Trays

When you don’t have space for a full drawer, tip-out trays are the next best solution for both kitchens and baths. These sleek, hidden storage solutions are perfect for keeping dish sponges or toothbrushes out of sight but easily accessible.

Walk-in Closets

From the simple to the glamorous, walk-in closets allow you to organize your life in the most personalized way possible. Numerous rods, shelves, cubbies and even speciality items like tie racks, shoe racks and lighting solutions perfectly customize master closets, workspaces or craft rooms.

Electric or Pulley-operated Overhead Storage

Motorized or pulley-operated overhead storage is an easy way to secure kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, skis, bicycles and more. These storage systems allow for easy in and out access from your garage.

Built-in Toiletry & Cosmetics Holders

The bathroom is the most personal space, why not customize it? Adding built-in holders — equipped with electrical outlets — for hair dryers, makeup brushes, cosmetics and more keeps your bathroom counters clean and your daily bathroom or beauty routines organized.

Need help getting your home, garage or workspace organized? Our Handyman Services team will get your project off the ground. Speak with one of our skilled carpenters, tradesfolk or designers today.

Original source neilkelly.com

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The Power Of The Wish List: Defining Your Next Remodel

Here’s a hypothetical question: If you were in the market for a remodel — and time, space and budget were no object — what would your dream project look like? Where would you even start? One way we kick-start a remodel with a client is to help them determine both their baseline needs and their big ideas for a given space. We believe that the more you draw from your lifestyle, the easier it is to narrow down design choices before you actually remodel your home. The best way to achieve this? A wish list.

Digital memories

A wish list can be made by “pinning” cool kitchens and bathrooms on Pinterest, saving links on Houzz, observing your neighborhood and the styles of homes, or getting inspiration from a cherished piece of old furniture or a collection (like your grandmother’s dresser from the early 1900s).

If you’re not familiar with Pinterest, it’s basically a virtual clipboard that lets users pin images from the web. Folders, like “kitchen” or “bathroom” can be created to organize your images and thoughts. (Visit Neil Kelly’s page for an example here.)

“We are seeing more and more clients turning to Pinterest and online communities like Houzz,” said Amy Hekker, Bend Design Consultant, Neil Kelly. “As this group of buyers gets more sophisticated and is online more, books and magazines are being referenced less.”

Despite the drop-off in printed matter, people looking for ideas are still clipping images from inspiring magazine spreads. However, Hekker uses Pinterest heavily with her clients as well. “It helps me get a visual on what my clients are aspiring to.” If you’re inclined to add Post-It notes to magazines, that’s fine too — though some of your favorite design magazines may even have online issues, allowing you to add to a Pinterest board as well.

Above: Pinterest allows you to save a set of ideas as a “board” for easy reference later on.

Hekker says Pinterest also lets her clients share ideas and make real decisions. Clients might choose tile, fixture or faucet options by creating a board just for those types of details, then Hekker works with them to narrow down the options based on the look they’re going for. Alternatively, Hekker might create a board to start with, and let the client narrow down their choices to get a better idea of the design direction. “It’s also a great tool for documenting everything. You can show friends your ideas from the app and not have to scroll through pages and pages,” says Hekker.

This physical world

Despite the wealth of digital tools available, sometimes you need to step away from the screen. Hekker frequently visits clients’ homes to get an idea for their style.

Whether intentional or not, the rooms in your home definitely have a style of their own. Back to grandmother’s dresser we mentioned earlier: Many homeowners have an item of furniture in their homes that they’ve designed around. Many times that furniture wasn’t picked out by a homeowner; it was given to them. With this in mind, it might be time to rethink how those pieces affect the overall design of the home.

Need more inspiration? Take a walk around your neighborhood. Take notes of the styles, the home exteriors and what you like and don’t like. Geography and location can play a huge role in your wish list. “Bend is different than Portland obviously. Geography changes with style. In Bend there are less historical significant homes, more lodge homes, yet each can be an inspiration,” says Hekker.

Coupled with your digital or magazine collection of likes and dislikes, your well-built wish list will help you define your style and make important decisions on what materials and accessories to buy — whether you decide to keep or let go of grandma’s antique dresser.

Need help deciding how your new room should look? Let Neil Kelly’s award-winning designers help you get inspired!. Get in touch!

Original source neilkelly.com

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Finding solutions through thoughtful design

Are you getting run over in the evening because there’s not enough room to work in your kitchen? Tired of sharing the bathroom with your spouse on weekday mornings? Are things feeling cramped or cluttered overall? You’re not alone.

It might be time for a remodel or a redesign.

These are typical pain points that clients want solved when they come to us. In fact, these concerns are key in helping us determine how we begin a remodeling project and what solutions we use.

Above: Establishing a work triangle allows more efficient use of space and easy traffic flow around the food prep area.

What’s cooking in the kitchen? More space

A well laid-out kitchen should have a work triangle that includes a sink, cooking area and food storage, with space for easy access and movement. You also want to ensure your dishes are close to your dishwasher “zone” and away from an area where someone might be cooking.

“Dishwashers are a huge pinch point in kitchens,” says Anna Lovell, Seattle Design Consultant, Neil Kelly. “Good space planning will help alleviate this and provide plenty of room for more than one person in the kitchen.”

One option for a cramped kitchen is to double up on appliances or sinks. “We’ve designed many kitchens with a main refrigerator within the working triangle then adding a small refrigerator in the island as a secondary fridge for go-to items like snacks or drinks,” says Lovell.  The same concept can be applied to sinks — one large sink in the food prep area and a smaller sink in an island where someone can do smaller tasks like wash their hands or clean fruit.

Another common problem seen in smaller Northwest homes: bad cabinet placement. In many cases, the dishwasher isn’t free-standing and a cabinet door won’t be accessible when the dishwasher is open. “This is another case of re-designing the kitchen so it works better for you and takes advantage of existing spaces,” says Lovell.

Storage is a huge issue with older homes and it’s something homeowners want more of in their new kitchens. “Be efficient with your storage space — there’s no need for pantries to be 12 inches deep. Six to nine inches is fine for storing things like canned goods. It’s all about maximizing storage even in small spaces.”

Above: Dual sinks and easy access to storage alleviate traffic problems in the morning.

Stopping bathroom battles

The biggest complaint about bathrooms? The battle for the sink every morning. Whether you have two people, three or six living in your home, everyone inevitably wants the sink at the same time. Some smaller bathrooms are so tight they can only accommodate one person. Thankfully, there are some simple solutions for these small spaces. “The sink and toilet can be separated, with the vanity on one side and the toilet on the other. Also don’t center the sink — put it to the side to create more space,” Lovell says.

Look at the location where two occupants are shaving their face or drying their hair at the same time. Where are the functions located and where are they plugged in? “If there’s only one outlet or two close together they can easily be separated to create spaces for each task at the same time,” says Lovell.

Whether you have a stamp-sized bathroom or a kitchen the size of a small boat galley, there are options to make the space work better. “Sometimes it’s an easy fix for bad design. It’s all about how you plan to use your space. And many times, it often comes down to inches. Those couple of inches can make or break how well these spaces will perform for you,” Lovell says.

Whether you’re thinking of updating a bath or reinventing your kitchen, Neil Kelly’s award-winning designers are ready to help you in 2018. Get in touch!

Original source neilkelly.com

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Get Inspired At A Neil Kelly Design Workshop

Need a little design inspiration? Each month Neil Kelly hosts workshops that provide an introduction to remodeling specific areas in the home, design styles and trends with the latest materials, fixtures and appliances, before and after case studies and a Q&A with design experts and partners.

“It’s important for homeowners to speak with the experts, even the do-it-yourself-types,” says Randi Reed, senior design consultant with Neil Kelly. “We want to make sure your project is well thought out, organized and done safely. Because let’s face it, many ‘weekend projects’ take up to a month to complete. And Neil Kelly is here when you need an expert.”

Reed hosted her first workshop — that featured a display of a 1950s kitchen at the Oregon Historical Society — 25 years ago. She says the informal but educational classes are especially popular with new homeowners. The most popular workshops include kitchen and bathroom remodels, and aging in place seminars.

“Kitchens and baths are always areas people think they can tackle themselves,” says Reed. “The workshops give homeowners inspiration.”

In the classes attendees discover the elements of design, view before and after photos and floor plans, learn how to personalize their space, and speak directly with Neil Kelly partner vendors like Kohler.

“We love the meet-and-greet with homeowners afterwards,” says Reed. “We encourage everyone to ask questions. It’s a great time for us to learn more about their upcoming project or design inspiration.”

The workshops also offer an introduction to the Neil Kelly design/build remodeling process, and demonstrate value of hiring a team of experienced professionals to do a major construction project.

“We really enjoy hosting the workshops and sharing knowledge with homeowners,” says Reed. “It’s a fun thing to do on a Saturday.”

Resolve To Remodel Workshop Series

Don’t miss the 2018 Resolve To Remodel workshop series on January 27 and February 3. For two consecutive Saturdays Neil Kelly will offer a complete program of workshops designed to jump start your next remodeling project, from re-imagining your home to simply making it more stylish, comfortable and efficient.

Kitchen Event — Jan 27, 10am-2pm, All Locations Ready to bring your dream kitchen to life? Let’s get cooking! Join us for a day of remodeling inspiration, ideas and advice. Meet home design and product experts, and discover how personalized design, elegant materials and great craftsmanship can transform your home. Plus enjoy gourmet fare, Northwest wines and more!

Bath Event — Feb 3, 10 am-2pm, All Locations Ready to create your own personal oasis? Let’s dive in! Join us for a day of remodeling inspiration, ideas and advice. Meet home design and product experts, and discover how personalized design, elegant materials and great craftsmanship can transform your home. Plus enjoy gourmet fare, Northwest wines and more!

The complete schedule, including details and registration for all series workshop dates and locations, is available at neilkelly.com/events.

Original source neilkelly.com

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How to: Cast Iron Cinnamon Roll Recipe

This week is, understandably, about a few key flavors: hot, roasting turkey and its drippings, made into a savory gravy. Or the buttery, sauteed smell of sage and onion and celery, which perfumes your entire home and reminds you of the holidays of childhood, even though you're pretty sure your grandmother never actually made anything from scratch. 

Let's not demean those foods, and the bountiful leftovers. It's what the season is all about. But, sometimes...you need a break. Because this is the week of houseguests and slow mornings and relying on food to fill unoccupied time. And when you're not feeling a fourth helping of stuffing (or, perhaps, right before the dried bread and fixings are even mixed), it's time to employ: the DIY cast iron cinnamon rolls.     

Because the season of indulgence is here, and you might as well make sure those calories taste amazing. 

Kelsey Boyte of Huckberry says, 

In the sea of sweets this season, these cinnamon rolls are totally worth splurging for. I don’t necessarily hail from a family history of great cooks or culinary tradition, although mom rocks a mean carrot cake recipe, and Grams had her meatloaf. For the most part I’ve been in the business of establishing (or at least beta testing) family holiday recipes and tradition that might stick around for a few generations. Without a family recipe, I turn to the queen of “BOOOOTTER AND OYYAL” herself, Paula Deen. 

Make these cast iron cinnamon rolls with vanilla bourbon glaze and GET HAPPY, PEOPLE.

Ready to "roll" your own. Get the full recipe from Kelsey at the Huckberry Blog: 

Provisions: Cast Iron Cinnamon Rolls 

Enjoy the long weekend.

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How to Clean Your Entire House in 45 Minutes: A Modern Man's Guide

Your bachelor pad. Your family home. That apartment with all the architectural detail and the amazing view. Wherever you live, houses get messy. And they stay that way, until you clean them. When your plans to let someone inside ends up happening before your hopes of getting your home back to normal, then it's time to clean it. Quickly. 

You don't have the time to deep clean and scrub, so make the little bit you have count. If you're smart and focused, you can pull it off in the running time of your favorite record.    

45:00 - Pick a music album (or playlist) you know and love.  Not Ramones-length short, but no double LPs here either. An average 12-14 song album that you can sing along to and not focus on. Your house will be clean by the time the secret bonus track comes on. 

44:00 - Fill up the sink with hot soapy water. Or, if you have a dishwasher, make sure it's empty with the racks pulled out. You're gonna need somewhere to place all the  dirty plates and coffee mugs lying around all over the house. 

42:00 - Start in the Bedroom. 

Pick up all your laundry and put it in the hamper. Don't worry about emptying pockets or removing belts or turning socks right side out - just get it off the floor. If your hampers are overflowing, place items in laundry baskets and put them in the most hidden corner of your room. 

Pick up any books and magazines and stack them neatly. Clean off dressers and side tables. Close all dresser drawers, making sure there's no little pieces of sock or t-shirt sticking out of the closure. 

Make your bed like you mean it. Arrange pillows neatly. 

38:00 - Begin the bathroom and kitchen. You can't make the whole thing spotless, so focus on the areas that need the most help. Use time and the power of the cleaners to your advantage. 

Put your toiletries and daily use items away and where they belong. Hang up towels.

Then spray the hard surfaces with bathroom cleaner. Get the sink, faucet, outside of the toilet, and the bottom of the tub or shower. You can use the shower curtain or doors to your advantage. Just clean the outside. (Unless you know someone will be using it. Then spray away.)

Fill the toilet bowl with toilet cleaner, getting as high up as possible (that's where the real crud lives). 

Spray cleanser on the kitchen surfaces: stovetop, counters, and any sticky spots on the floor. 

32:00 - Tackle the Living Room. 

Deal with the surfaces: clean off the coffee table, entertainment cabinet, side tables etc. Stack books and magazines and place remote on top. 

Fold blankets, then smooth cushions and neatly arrange pillows. It sounds fussy, but it's amazing what a difference it will make.

Roll up any cables or cords, close and store your laptop, and turn on all lamps. 

Embrace the stack. If you don't have time to put things where they belong, place them on top of each other from largest to smallest. It might not look like an display of objets d'art, but it'll look like you intentionally put them there. Which you did. 

25:00 - Finish the bathroom. 

Wipe down all the surfaces that have been soaking.

Clean the toilet insides with a toilet brush. You cannot scrub too hard.

Use an antibacterial wipe to clean the outside of the toilet and the area around the bowl. Don't get that stuff on your good sponge.

Use a wet paper towel to clean the floor, wiping up all the hairs and beard trimmings and other goodies that end up in cracks and crevices. 

Replace the hand towel your guest will use, and light a candle if you have one. 

Essential #1: Empty the bathroom trash so no one sees your dirty q-tips and other unmentionables.

Essential #2: Clean the mirror with glass cleaner and a paper towel. YOU MAY NOT SKIP THIS. It takes 90 seconds, and getting all those toothpaste splashes and water drops off the mirror is the single most important thing you can do to make your bathroom look clean. 

Use the glass-cleaner towel to polish the sink, faucets, or other metal fixtures. It's the sparkle that counts.

17:30 - Kitchen It Up. 

You're still singing along right? This is what keeps you sane.

Wipe down all the surfaces you sprayed before, including counters and cooktops. Get all the crumbs and coffee grounds and salt and stuff out of the corners and edges.

Wipe off the front of microwaves, toaster ovens, refrigerators, etc. If you have stainless steel appliances, use those little wipes intended for the stainless. Those things are &#*%ing magical. 

Deal with the dishes. Like faster than you've ever dealt with dishes before. Food-encrusted plates and dirty glasses are what makes your house look gross. Figure it out. Don't get obsessive, just get it done. 

Finish by wiping out the sink and polishing the faucet. See: bathroom. 

5:00 - Sweep the [floor], Johnny. 

Bust out the vacuum and do all carpets and rugs. If you don't have much time left, focus on the paths from the door to the sofa, bed, and the bathroom. Those not only will be the dirtiest, but are the places your guests will see.

If your vacuum can handle it, use the hard floor setting to do the kitchen, baths, or any tile/wood floors. If not, bust out the broom and work quick. Make several little piles and then come around with the dustpan at the end to finish up.

You probably don't have time to mop, so use an antibacterial wipe or two to scrub up grimy or sticky spots and remove built-up crud. A wet Swiffer thing will also get it done fast. 

Use any extra time to dust hard surfaces in the living and bedroom. 

Done.

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8 Legitimately Good Thanksgiving Movies to Watch While You Digest

Halloween has its horror and December its infinite loop of sparkle-strung classics. Good or bad, they're the established traditions of their seasons.

But, if you will, allow me to make the case as November as perhaps the prime month for festive film watching. We can't all relate to being chased by ax murderers nor having the carolers sing as we find our soulmate under the mistletoe just as the snow starts to fall outside. But everyone knows the experience of returning home to break bread and spill gravy with family, or, perhaps, what it's like to strike out on your own for the first holiday not spent at your grandparents. The Thanksgiving table (and four days of being stuck in the same place) is the perfect setting for drama, comedy, and everything in between. Plus, all those sweaters. Here are our faves that get it right. 

  1. Scent of a Woman (1992)

Unable to return home for the holiday, a prep school student stays behind in New England to take a job to care for a retired Army officer. The elder man, of course, has other plans, and the two spend the long weekend in a series of perfectly executed, fall leaf colored set pieces. If you think they end up learning something from each other, you've seen movies before, but don't assume it trite. It truly is a hell of film, and gets bonus points for an early, star-making performance from a shaggy-haired Phillips Seymour Hoffman. RIP, buddy. 

2. Pieces of April (2003)

Released in that early millenial time between Dogme 95 and Mumblecore when every filmmaker was trying their hand at a naturalistic, grainy digital video feature lit by available light, Pieces of April tells the tale of a struggling young adult who invites her family to her tiny New York apartment for what they all expect might be their last holiday together. The film gets props for featuring the food in basically every scene, and for a spot-on soundtrack from The Magnetic Fields' Stephen Merritt. As usual, Patricia Clarkson steals the show, and Oliver Platt gets out of the way so she can shine.

3. The House of Yes (1997)

Based on the play by Wendy McLeod, Parker Posey and Josh Hamilton are a pair of twins with an (um...) interesting past and a passion for the Kennedys. The film maintains the small-cast-on-a-stage vibe, making its mansion setting as as claustrophobic and inescapable as it feels to be stuck in a house with family on Thanksgiving. It's not perfect. Tori Spelling, no doubt the "star" that got the film financed, is completely out of place, and the end apparently varies away from this play's script when it shouldn't have. But, it's all kinds of fun, and might make you grateful for the relatively relatable drama of your own kin. 

4. The Ice Storm (1994)

Set over Thanksgiving weekend of 1973, the film, and the novel its based on, perfectly capture the confusing haze of the cultural shifts of the last days of the Vietnam war. It's acerbically funny, offering both a loving portrayal of well-meaning East Coast WASPs while not letting them off the hook for their shortcomings. Nothing goes better with eating a plate of leftovers on the couch at 3:00pm while the rest of the country is off fighting for parking spaces. 

5. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

Besides the Peanuts classic and their meal of toast and popcorn, this is the Thanksgiving movie most people think of. While none of it actually involves the meal itself, it captures the tension of trying to return home during the craziest travel season of the year. It's funny, and while a few key jokes have definitely not aged well, it works as the thing to put on while you do your meal prep on Wednesday night. 

6. Alice's Restaurant (1963)

A cinematic adaption of Arlo Guthrie's classic story-song, Alice's Restaurant serves as the perfect Thanksgiving-themed companion to The Ice Storm. Here, we see the actual counterculture the former was reacting to, and the hippies receive their own dose of satire and homage. Draft dodgers gather for their own bohemian Thanksgiving, and their everything-is-cool-man attitude gets tested by real world consequences. It's a bit long, but it highlights the benefits and drawbacks of hippy living as well as anything in the Easy Rider era. Consider it a sociological study for anyone born after 1980. 

7. The Vicious Kind (2009)

This is the least pleasant of the films on this list, and you certainly wouldn't want to watch it with kids in the room. (That goes for others here too, so use your judgment.) It's a tale of self-loathing, and explores how reuniting with our families for the holidays can sometimes lead to unforgivable choices. Adam Scott, usually cast for his likeability, is everything but, and his cruelty goes unresolved, though perhaps not unpunished. Experiencing hurt at the hands the people we love is part of the holiday experience, and this is a story of what it's like to sit at the table with someone who simply can't like themselves enough to behave like family. 

8. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

I don't know how to feel about recommending Woody Allen films anymore, but I think this piece by Chuck Klosterman sums up the issues quite well, so I'm using that as my guidebook. 

It belongs on this list because it, as well as any film, uses the holiday as bookends. More than exploring the experience of the meal and the four-day weekend and the chaos it can brings, the film details how we use these yearly events as a way to mark time and self reflect. Set over a twenty-four month period that begins and ends on Thanksgiving (and encompasses one in the middle), the film is a morality tale (maybe?) that explores the self-justifications and consequences of actions by adults who still trying to grow up. 

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How to: Make Your Own Fire Cider to Cure a Cold, Allergies, and Boost Your Immune System

Like many of you, I suspect, I'd never heard of Fire Cider until a few weeks ago. It's a homemade tonic, and it wasn't historically something you could buy, and it wasn't a tradition in my family.   But, after stumbling upon a bottle of Shire City Fire Cider at a local market, and I snapped a photo and did some research. Turns out, is this old folk concoction of aromatics, vinegar, and other fermented goodies that's good for whatever ails you. 

Alex Redgrave reports,

Traditionally a cold remedy, many people take a hit of the cure-all every morning, since it’s known to have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, decongestant and digestive properties. Needless to say, with all those healing abilities, Fire Cider is not for sensitive palates or lily livers. The heady tonic has a way of making a clean sweep of your digestive system. (Woe to the person who kicks off a daily Fire Cider habit directly following a night of copious drinking…). As with most things in life, moderation is key. We recommend working your way up to gulping down the remedy with gusto. 

Of course, since for hundreds of years it was a homemade product, you can (and should) make some yourself. Most recipes include ingredients like fresh horseradish, ginger, onions, garlic, chiles, and of course apple cider vinegar. 

Not for the weak, for sure, but I can't wait to give this stuff a shot. Here's the recipe: 

Fire Cider

Ingredients

1/2 cup diced horseradish  1/2 cup diced garlic  1/2 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup diced ginger 1/4 cup diced turmeric  1 habanero chile, split lengthwise 1 orange, quartered and sliced crosswise thinly 1/2 lemon, quartered and sliced 1/2 cup rough chopped parsley 2 tbs chopped rosemary  2 tbs chopped thyme 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 2 to 3 cups raw apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup raw honey, or to taste

Directions

All of the ingredients in a clean, 1-quart glass jar. The vinegar should fill the jar and cover all the other ingredients. Make sure there are no air bubbles, and then cover the jar. If using a metal lid, make sure to line it with wax paper to avoid corroding the metal. Shake the jar up really well, and then let it sit in cool, dark place for three to six weeks (giving it a shake once a day). 

After 3-6 weeks, strain the liquid out into a jar using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. Add honey if needed, and refrigerate! Should be used within a year.

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How To Buy A Good Composter

NOTE: I’m testing backyard composting bin! Would love to hear your favorites and ones you think I should try. I’ll add my findings and the best composters to this post.

If you’re the kind of person concerned about helping the Earth, you’re probably already recycling. Recycling is a great way to be kind to the environment without changing up your routine. You just separate your trash, and you’re done. You can take it one step further than that though.

Composting is becoming popular as more people begin to garden. Fertilizer can get expensive, so composting allows you to make your own at home. It’s nature’s way of making sure that organic materials return to the soil to create nutrients for plants. It’s all part of the cycle of life. No matter where you live, there’s a way for you to participate too.

Before people begin composting, the top concern is always if they can even do it. It’s common to hear the words like “compost” and “fertilizer” without thinking about the word “manure.” Don’t worry — you don’t need to hoard manure to help your plants perk up. Composting can be done in a couple of different forms.

Backyard Composting

Think about all those times you’ve thrown away bad leftovers or dinner scraps. That food could have fed your plants too! Backyard composting is named for the mixture of grass, leaves, hay and table scraps that people throw together for composting. This version helps you minimize the number of garbage bags you go through and reduces the amount of landfill waste in your local area.

This kind of composting is done by leaving yard waste in a hole in the backyard and adding table scraps to it at the end of each day. As the pile in the ground decays, nutrients are automatically leaked into the soil around it.

This composting method is an excellent way to go if you’re thinking about planting any trees or bushes. Plant the tree or shrub in your compost hole, and it’ll grow just as happily as with store-bought fertilizer.

As with everything, backyard composting does come with its drawbacks. It will smell, of course, and you’ll need lots of table and yard scraps to fertilize the ground you want to cover. Depending on how many plants you want to help with composting, it may be cheaper to go with fertilizer and compost in the future. It all depends on your gardening plans.

Worm Composting or Vermicomposting

If you live in an apartment-type housing situation, composting might be a little too smelly if you don’t have a backyard. Worm composting is great option to consider! All it requires is a composting barrel with a lid or even a giant plastic container. As long as you have a lid, you’ll be set.

Deciding on a container can be difficult, which is why composting bins come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For someone just starting out, or anyone living in a small space, the best composting bin is easily the Compost Bin by Geobin. It’s small, made out of recyclable materials and easy on the wallet.

Once you have your bin, throw in some bedding, moisture and red wigglers and set the box in a shady spot on your porch. Over time you’ll add more worms and table scraps to get a box of composting material that’s always ready.

Like ground composting, it’ll smell no matter what lid you put on it, so be aware that your neighbors might complain if they spend a lot of time on their porch. The box will also attract gnats because of the moisture.

Grasscycling

Even if you don’t throw away a lot of food, you can still compost. Instead of throwing the grass clippings from mowing in a trash can, use a wheelbarrow to dump the clippings and create a pile in a spot where it won’t be an eyesore. The grass will decompose and leave the soil under it as a resource to distribute to plants that need fresh nutrients.

This version of composting will eventually look bad, as a browning pile of grass isn’t exactly a stellar yard decoration. One way around this is to ditch the mower bag and let the grass clippings settle in your yard as you mow. They’ll naturally decompose and help new grass grow.

No matter what kind of composting you decide to go with, you’ll be helping the Earth by keeping local landfills small and nurturing healthy plants that contribute to the ecosystem. It’ll also save you a good chunk of change, which never hurts either.

Source homeyimprovements.com

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Guide for Easy Gutter Installation

Gutter installation — as a cost-effective do-it-yourself project — can be completed within a day or two.

Properly installed gutters protect your property investment. Without an applied drainage system, rain has the power to wear down a home’s surrounding soil, damage its foundation, flood the basement or crawl space and seep into siding.

Once water is introduced into any of these locations, the consequential mold is costly to remove and may be dangerous. With roof supply or big box store materials and a few basic tools, you can add gutters to your home using this step-by-step guide.

Prepare for Purchase

Before heading to the store consider whether you want to use vinyl or aluminum gutter. Vinyl is less expensive and easier to install. Pieces snap and click together into place. Aluminum is more durable long-term and pieces are joined together with crimping seamers.

Next, it’s helpful to draw the perimeter of your roof line and include measurements. This “map” allows you to approximate gutter length and the number of brackets, elbows and downspouts. You can also indicate elbow direction and downspout location.

Consider buying more material than necessary. Unused items can always be returned once installation is complete. You know how disruptive a supplemental mid-project trip to the store can be.

You will need:

Gutter length

Downspout

Elbows

End pieces — Specify right or left.

Brackets

1/8” rivets

Hex head screws — 1 1/4” for gutter and downspout, 1/4” zippers for elbows.

Sealant — Silicone adhesive is fine. Specialized gutter sealant may be pricey.

Why zipper screws? They make it easier to pop elbows out for seasonal cleaning.

Gather Your Tools

This job requires an extension ladder, drill and rivet gun. The drill can either be electric or hand. If you are hanging aluminum gutters, you’ll also need tin snips and a crimper.

Mark Gutter Placement

Determine height along your roofline.  It’s important that the gutter hang low enough to catch rainwater. If your gutter is placed too high, rainwater will spill over it.

A good rule of practice is to place a level along the slope of your roof, extending over the edge. Position gutter in the space below.

Allow for pitch, which is the downward slope rainwater runs through the system. Approximately 1/16th of an inch decline per foot is standard. Mark pitch with beginning and end nails connected by string on the soffit.

Pitch measurement can vary. As long as water runs down a regular slope, drainage will be successful.

Construct Gutter Line

This step is easier to do on the ground. Connect pieces, if necessary, for entire length of area to be covered. Place adhesive sealing on ends and connections. Aluminum gutters will require crimping along each seam. Measure and cut holes for each downspout location.

Hang and Connect

Drill brackets in regular intervals along roofline, matching your pitch alignment. Hang the gutter, snapping securely into brackets. Connect your elbows and downspouts.

This step is much like putting together a puzzle. Don’t be afraid to alter your original plan if you see ways for improving water flow and drainage once the system is in place.

Determine Catch System

Water collected by your drainage system should safely clear the house and immediate soil base. Ways of accomplishing this include:

Placement of stones under the downspout to encourage slow ground seepage.

Use of a barrel or other collection vessel to hold water for re-use.

Catch basin “kits” available from garden and landscape outlets.

Consider Flashing

Flashing is a metal sheet which fits under the shingles on the edge of a roofline. Depending on the size and shape of your soffit, flashing installation may be a warranted additional step. Flashing further assures that water falls seamlessly into your drainage system without pausing long enough to seep into structure walls.

Keep Your Eye on Maintenance

Whatever drainage system you install, be sure to check and clear regularly. You’ve worked hard on this project, and regular maintenance should go a long way towards keeping it working perfectly!

Source homeyimprovements.com

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Try This Simple Trick Anytime You're Laying Out Cuts or Marks on Your Woodworking Projects

Over the weekend, I was working in the garage when I found myself in a familiar position. I needed to transfer a pencil line from one face of a piece of stock to the one around its corner. Sounds simple enough to do with a square, but I've had this problem before. Sighting the line isn't accurate enough, and a traditional try or combination square isn't of much help here. Here's why:    

Layout and measuring squares all have two faces that are set 90° to the blade. This is great because it allows you to flip the tool and butt it up against any edge, and it allows you to use the inside corner of the tool to check for square. But it means that the square doesn't have a single, straight line that can turn a corner. The fence of the square obscures the mark you need to transfer the line.

The solution? 

Check your combination square case. In it, you'll find the center finder attachment, which I'll admit to having used exactly 0 times since I bought this square seven years ago. (I have a special Robert Larson center finder plate I use all the time. It is amazing and only costs $7.00.) But, unattached to the rule, the center finder attachment is the perfect tool for transferring marks from face to face. A perfectly square inside edge, and two co-planer outside edges to register your mark. 

So, scribe your line, place the center finder against it, and boom - a fence to guide your pencil exactly 90° around the corner. Done and done. 

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