Someone recently asked about sanding floors in an old house. He was worried about losing the patina and damaging the wood. I asked historic architect, Doug Harnsberger (with John Milner & Assoc.), who's worked on many important restoration projects. Doug says: "I imagine that the owner has had experience with large, professional floor sanding equipment that can remove the age and patina of an historic floor far too readily. With 200 year old historic floors I'd go easy on the sanding - probably approach it by hand sanding if feasible - it would depend on the circumstances. For Greek Revival era floors I'd recommend using an "open" tung oil finish rather than a "closed" polyurethane."

Think the real estate market is uncertain?

"Here is what is certain: our past. For 300 years we built houses and neighborhoods that served our needs, not our fantasies. Cities works. Close-in suburbs worked. Sidewalks connected us as did public squares, small town post offices, neighborhood schools and our work places nearby.

These places stand now, durable, organically efficient, and proud. They stand in places where people want to be. They bring us together and represent certainty in uncertain times. These places need ongoing restoratio and renovation and new, contextual infill. This presents opportunities for traditional building professionals."

I couldn't agree more with these observations of Peter Miller, President of RestoreMedia, after attending a recent International Builder's Show is Las Vegas.