Kathy's Remodeling Blog

A wheelchair-friendly remodel preserves a bungalow's 1920s character

They had identical twin boys and a baby girl on the way when Max and Tali Woodbury decided it was time to expand. Their 1½-story bungalow in the heart of Hawthorne, Ore., was fine for two adults -- including one who uses a wheelchair -- but it was far too cramped for their rapidly expanding family.

The couple's ensuing search for a one-story ranch proved fruitless -- mainly because they realized they didn't want to leave their friends, neighbors and lovely Southeast Portland home of 10 years. Hawthorne is also a dense, high-traffic neighborhood with plenty of sidewalks that are easy to negotiate for Max.

See the whole story at www.oregonlive.com

Deputy's home readied for paralyzed daughter

Photo caption: Sheriff Paul Pastor, left, and project leader Sgt. Jim Heishman, right, talk with consultant Marty Wittman on Saturday at the work site.

Less than two weeks after the daughter of a Pierce County sheriff’s deputy suffered a paralyzing car crash, friends and neighbors are building her a new place to call home.

Volunteers started construction Saturday on an addition to the home of John and Peggy Heacock, whose daughter Richelle drove off Highway 7 near Elbe on Jan. 4.

The accident left Richelle, a college athlete, paralyzed from the chest down.

See the whole story at www.thenewstribune.com