For several weeks, I’ve been eavesdropping on the Russians. Thanks to a smart phone, a cool app, and recorded books I’ve been completely captivated by Anna Karenina.

The word remodel does not accurately describe the event going on in my home. Remodel sounds like the comeback career of a cover girl; sort of glamorous. An actual remodel is not glamorous.

Eventually it happens to us all if we are lucky. We get old and hopefully wise. But with the wisdom comes worsening vision, hearing and less mobility. I had the opportunity to change the interior features of a one-level home for an elderly gentleman to make it safer, more comfortable and even more welcoming to guests. Fortunately for me he was my father and a good client.

Tastes change. An ornate floral flatware I once thought pretty soon looked fussy. The simple charm of a Dhurrie area rug later felt as appealing as a horse-hair shirt. A “timeless” black sofa with red stripes almost immediately appeared full of all kinds of time, most of it best forgotten in the ‘80s.

I have hung old doors throughout my house. Old doors require old knobs, so I have invested in quite a few. And of course, once they’re sitting around the house, in plain view, other ideas come up.

When I see stumps for sale at furniture chain stores, I feel more than a little disdain. Now, I love a stump table. I love stumps, period. But a stump from a chain store? That’s just wrong.

We were supposed to take a humble ferry across the channel. At the last minute, due to a technical glitch, the ferry company bumped all its passengers onto a fancy cruise ship for the few hour ride to Ireland to visit my cousin.  My daughter first noticed the boat’s name: Ulysses. Perfect. It was that particular James Joyce novel that made my daughter want to see Dublin.

People remodel for many reasons. There is the lure of the new, or the lure of restoration. There is the necessity of maintenance. There is the more subjective desire to beautify your space and have it welcome you home. So why doesn’t everyone remodel?

Sometimes you just need to hear it direct from the experts. Oregon Home asked those in the field to share their knowledge with readers.  Cost is an intimidating factor in most remodeling jobs. Thomas R. Payne, certified master builder with Craftsman Homes Group, offers  homeowners advice on cost planning.