Ken Hoyt's blog
Hot New Design Project!
By Ken Hoyt
I just finished working with a terrific group, Angie Golleher, Kathleen McVicker and Christian Scott on their just opened the Madrona Condominiums in the hot-Adidas-adjacent-neighborhood with the same name…
The partners are committed to green design. We were able to incorporate many upscale, environmentally friendly details while keeping the price very buyer-friendly… The spaces feel very European: with an elegant sleekness balanced by a sexy » READ MORE
Ken's Baked Tomato Sauce: Sooo good, sooo easy
By Ken HoytThe abundance of tomatoes is just beginning to abate from my garden. I’m not much of a canner, but I hate to waste good food. So few years ago I came upon the idea of making tomato sauce and freezing it.
General laziness prompted me to figure out a way to get great flavor with the most modest amount of physical labor. This is a common recipe. My version is cobbled together from a dozen others (too much salt here, too little garlic there)… I th » READ MORE
House Tunes: DIY Your Own Party Soundtrack
By Ken Hoyt
Ever notice that the best parties and clubs have the greatest music? Whenever I put together a party I like to create a soundtrack. On bigger events I’ll hire a DJ to build an entire evening… starting with hot and flirty music for cocktail hour… moving on to environment sweetening* tracks for dinner. I like to finish the evening with music that is quiet and sleepy (cue the parking valets). Sounding like you’re cutting edge is important for » READ MORE
A check list for getting your house ready for Fall!
By Ken Hoyt 
I recently visited Helen Raptis and Dave Anderson on AMNW on KATU to talk about getting some fall chores completed. Follow this link to see the video. Below you'll find the list we talked about with links to recipes.
Start Outside
* Wash down the windows from the outside
* Wash down or sweep the outside walls and decks as needed.
* Finish any maintenance that’s weather related (like painting raw wood)
* Check the gutters » READ MORE
Window Washing 101
By Ken Hoyt 
Few things can make a house seem brighter than sparkling clean windows. Clean glass seems to invite the sunlight inside. There are dozens of products for cleaning glass available at the supermarket, but I always wondered why the professional window cleaners never use them. It turns out that they have something that works better. You're likely already in possession of the most important ingredient: dishwashing soap. The liquid kind used for wash » READ MORE
Protect Your Leather Furnishings
By Ken Hoyt
Hides, like skin, benefit from moisturizing. But even light conditioners can change the look of leather. Always test in an
inconspicuous place to decide if the change will suit you.
Linseed oil, from flax seeds, is an old favorite for preserving leather. But the hardware store variety is boiled, causing fumes. It’s also likely to include petroleum products, which are added to decrease drying time.
Leather Lotion
1/4 cup food grade linseed or » READ MORE
DIY: Home Staging
By Ken Hoyt
According to S&P/Case-Schiller quarterly index the housing market has not declined this quickly for the past twenty years. Across the nation home prices fell, on average 3.2%. The LA Times report had good news for one region… “By comparison, the Pacific Northwest was strong, with prices rising 7.9% in Seattle and 4.5% in Portland.” Here in Oregon, where I live, houses are still selling… just more slowly. We’re in a Buyer’s Market (meaning t » READ MORE
Touchup Paint Kit
By Ken Hoyt
Fresh paint is transforming. Spotless walls make the whole house look cleaner. But then life happens. Walls are smudged. Baseboards attract scuffs. Doorjambs get nicked. Suddenly your walls have developed a vaguely antiqued look. The secret to the everlasting fresh paint job is to do a little fast and frequent maintenance. I find that any task made easy and convenient will get a lot more of my attention.
#1 chore: get rid of the gallon-sized buck » READ MORE
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