I always read Oregon Home cover to cover, and then go through it again. "Design Matters" is one of my favorite sections, and I absolutely loved the one on backsplash tile in the May issue ("Design Matters: Backsplashes," edited by Margaret Foley and photographed by Bruce Wilson).

The tile photos were terrific. I had no idea how many different styles there are, and the section gave me lots of ideas. As always, I enjoyed Margaret Foley’s writing. Not only is it good and informative, but I like how she adds so much context to the section. Here, it’s not just about tile; it’s about how tile fits into design and into life. And I loved the bit on where to find inspiration in famous and historic kitchens.

—SUSAN OLSTEEN, VIA E-MAIL

I finally got around to catching up on some back issues of Oregon Home, and I want to let you know how much I enjoyed your March issue!

The "Home Front" essay about the tiara ("The Royal Treatment: Who needs an Oscar when a tiara will do?" by Margaret Foley) brought a tear to my eye, and I absolutely loved the story about the renovation of the Painted Lady house ("A Well Storied Victorian" by David Sharp). I’d love to live in a home like that!

On p. 65 of that story, I noticed some dog bookends on a table in the corner. Do you know where those are from? My older sister collects animal bookends, and I don’t think she has any dogs. I’d love to find her a pair.

—A. WALKER, VIA E-MAIL

Editor S.D. replies: "I remember asking homeowner, cover girl and devoted dog-lover Lee Montgomery—she just edited a sweet read called, Woof!: Writers on Dogs (Viking, 2008, $25)—about those doggie bookends on the day of the photo shoot. As I recall, she said they’d been in her New England family for decades. Now that they’re on your radar, though, I bet you’ll spot a pair in your favorite antiques mall—as soon as you stop looking for them, that is. Happy hunting!"

I’m an avid reader of Oregon Home who’s gotten a lot of ideas for our 1907 Tudor/Edwardian house from the magazine. We recently were accepted on the National Historic Registry and are, after 28 years, finally going to remodel the kitchen.

I’m a little nervous about making a “period” mistake and putting in high-gloss subway tile, for example, when matte-finish tile was actually used, so I’m contacting Karla Perlstein, who is a professional advisor. Would you have any pertinent advice for me?

—Joan Kruse, Portland

Editor S.D. replies: "Ask and ye shall receive, Joan! This issue includes a "Design Matters" all about the do's and dont's when it comes to kitchen backsplashes, which will be a focal point in your 1907 kitchen. (Actually, the story was already in the works when your letter came in, but you are just the reader we thought about as we pulled together this section!) Turn to p. 24, where period kitchen designer Patty Hartford talks about doing a great scullery-style kitchen in 'Manor House White.'"

I’ve just read and reread, cover to cover both Oregon Home and THE GET GUIDE. I loved every inch of every page. I often buy Oregon Home, but I think I will subscribe. My husband is a remodeling contractor in Vancouver and I scour all the decorating magazines and places for ideas for our home and for many of the homes he works on.

I’m writing about the large pot in the corner of the room on p. 64 in THE GET GUIDE. Where can I find something like that in the Portland area? Many thanks for the publications and for your attention to my question.

—Nancy Newlean, Vancouver

Homeowner Patrick Henry responds: “Darn it! Alex and I bought those pots at an estate sale before we moved into that house. I’d try O’Gallerie in Portland. It has great estate sale stuff.”

Your articles “Urban Lodge” and “Shop Talk: McMinnville ” in the March 2009 issue were great. I also enjoyed Hickory Mertsching’s still life, Summer (“Still Life With Nostalgic Edge ,” Portfolio). It definitely had a nostalgic edge for me. As always, I enjoyed your editor’s letter, which I usually read first.

—Mary E. Teem, Via E-Mail

We are new subscribers who found THE GET GUIDE very useful, but we were most smitten with the house pictured on p. 5 (Featured in THE GET GUIDE 2009 - Need a back copy? This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Are there any more pictures available that show other views of the house? Are there commercially available houseplans or drawings for it? Obviously, it’s not for sale—and it would be a whopper of a commute for us—but we’d like to know more about the house.

Can you direct us to the architects or help us? Thanks mucho.

—David Saalfrank and Shelley Zansky, New Jersey

Melody Emerick of Emerick Architects, who designed the house with her architect-husband Brian and who lives in the woods-hugging home with the couple’s two daughters (“Primal Lodge,” May-June 2008), replies: “Thank you, mucho! We love the word ‘smitten.’ Feel free to check out more views of the house on our website, emerick-architects.com. We don’t have plan sets for sale, but as I like to say, ‘Have license, will travel . . .’”

I’m looking for an article about a painter and her studio. I think it appeared in your Jan.-Feb. 2008 issue. The feature was part of a profile about home studios that included this landscape painter’s space.

Her studio was modern looking. It had a kayak or a canoe hanging in it, and it had a high, open-hinged window for ventilation. It might have even had a slanted roof. I’d very much appreciate your helping me find this article.
—CHERYL REED, PORTLAND

Editor S.D. replies: "You are remembering the studio of artist Pam Greene, which appears on page 84 and 85 of the Jan.-Feb. '08 issue ("The Landscape Painter’s Glass Box," House Calls). Greene posts a photo of the studio on her website, pamgreene.com. If you need another copy of that issue to read about how her studio came to be, e-mail me your address and I’m happy to put another one in the mail for you. Thanks for reading the magazine so closely!"

I just opened my new copies of Oregon Home and THE GET GUIDE 2009. Both are well-done publications. There is, however, one major flaw in THE GET GUIDE 2009: Hellenthal Construction Company is not listed in the magazine.

As a member of the Oregon Remodelers Association for several years and with a company history that goes back to the 1920’s, I’m surprised we weren’t given the opportunity to be included in the listings. It would’ve been a perfect venue for us. How do we insure we don’t get missed next year?
—RON HELLENTHAL, PORTLAND

Editor S.D. responds: "Thanks for the feedback. THE GET GUIDE is an annual directory that’s a selective guide to the contractors, craftspeople and shops that have helped my readers throughout their own custom-homebuilding or remodeling experience during the last 10 years.

"You’re not listed in the 2009 edition of THE GET GUIDE because I’ve never covered one of your projects. Do you have a website I can go to to see some of your recent projects? Or maybe you could send me a couple of digital shots of your last two Oregon Home-worthy projects. I’m looking for good 'before and afters' or a new custom home that is out of the ordinary.

"I’m especially open to introducing established pros such as you whose work has yet to appear in Oregon Home. Fill me in on a couple of your best projects and we can go from there."