Jane Powell at "Bathonista"

A whole blog dedicated to bathrooms? why yes, it's iBath.com's aptly named Bathonista, where this month author and reigning guild president Jane Powell answers five questions about early 20th century bath design.


"This is absolutely the best time for restoring or reproducing a bungalow-style bathroom, as both vintage pieces and great reproductions are available for all the various bathroom parts."
- Jane Powell

Everything you need to know about bungalow bathrooms can be found in Jane Powell's book, Bungalow Bathrooms, which is due to be released in paperback this August.

Who's going to bail out craftspeople? You are.

Jane Powell makes a case for hiring local in the latest article for the San Francisco Chronicle.

"there will be no bailout for the many craftspeople, designers and suppliers who depend on construction, remodeling and design for their living. They need your kitchen remodel, landscape project, paint job or room addition in order to stay in business and pay their employees. You can't save the autoworkers in Detroit, but you can keep people working locally. In addition, most of the money you spend recirculates in the local economy - to suppliers, to subcontractors, even to the local sandwich shop where the workers buy lunch."

Stow-icism: The Legacy of Arts & Crafts Built-Ins

"Built-in furniture reached new creative heights during the Arts & Crafts movement. A study of its myriad forms will help yours to soar once again."


Read the latest article by Guild President Jane Powell in this month's Old House Journal.



photo courtesy The Crafstman Home.

Never Do Plumbing on Sundays

"... #1 rule of fixing: Never Do Plumbing On Sundays. Even if you think you won’t need some specialty part, I guarantee that you will...
A corollary to this rule is that any plumbing repair will require at least TWO (if not more) trips to the hardware store. "

you can read the rest of Jane Powell's advice for lovers of hardware in her latest article for the Berkeley Daily Planet: "A Rude Survey of Local Hardware Resources"

Bruce Aidell's Ultimate Craftsman

Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle Magazine features an article by Jane Powell about Bruce Aidell's Craftsman-style wine country home, designed in the manner of a Greene and Greene "ultimate bungalow" by Emeryville architect Greg Klein of John Malick and Associates.

Leaded Glass door detail, via www.jmalick.com

This marvelous house displays some amazing leaded glass work by current guild President Ted Ellison.
Bravo Mr. Aidell for this splendid effort, and to everyone who worked on this incredible house.

Read the article by Jane Powell here.
More about Charles Greene and Henry Greene here.

Friend or Faux? Examining the Origin of House Materials

May, 2008

"I don’t necessarily have a problem with fakeness as a concept. Faux finishing has a long and splendid history, and I like a linoleum oriental rug as much as the next person. Okay, more than the next person. But I despair for a world that so willingly sends real old growth timber to the landfill by demolishing old buildings, while building new ones using materials that are often synthetic or composite because that is more “green.” "

Read more of Jane Powell's article for the Berkeley Daily Planet

Understanding the Virtual World of Home Price Fluctuations

April, 2008

"If your house disappears from zillow.com, does that mean it no longer exists?"

find out more in this article by Jane Powell for the Berkeley Daily Planet

Green Envy by Jane Powell

May, 2007

"Green building is an oxymoron..." our own Jane Powell debunks the myth of green building. Read her article in the San Francisco Chronicle