Building the Cottage on the Cape: Construction Lessons from the 2020 Idea House Building a coastal home in New England presents unique challenges that require careful planning, durable materials, and innovative construction techniques. The 2020 This Old House Idea House, Cottage on the Cape in Eastham, Massachusetts, showcases how these challenges can be turned into […]
Transforming a cramped, outdated bathroom into a spacious and stylish retreat is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake. When designer Cillesa Ullman tackled the tiny guest-room bath in her 1960s post-and-beam home in Oakland, California, she proved that dramatic results are possible even with challenging constraints. By annexing adjacent
Older homes often come with smaller bathrooms, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice style or function. The key is working with the existing footprint while introducing period-appropriate elements that respect the home’s history. Whether you own an 1890s Dutch Colonial, a 1940s twin home, or a 1950s ranch house, there are creative
Turning a one-story ranch house into a two-story Dutch Colonial with an open floor plan requires careful structural planning, smart material choices, and a clear vision for the finished space. The transformation of a 1940s ranch in Westerly, Rhode Island, into a family-friendly home shows exactly how such a renovation can be done well. By
Creating living and entertaining spaces that feel both welcoming and functional is one of the most rewarding challenges in residential design. Whether you are designing a new home or reimagining an existing layout, the goal is the same: to craft environments where family and friends naturally gather, linger, and connect. The 2019 This Old House
In the world of residential design, the rooms that work the hardest often receive the least design attention. Mudrooms become drop zones for clutter, laundry rooms turn into afterthought corridors, and garages devolve into cavernous storage pits. But there is a growing movement toward treating these utilitarian spaces with the same care as living rooms
The Adams family of Westerly, Rhode Island, proved that a dated one-story ranch house could become something far greater than its humble beginnings suggested. By purchasing a run-down 1949 ranch and embarking on a thoughtful nine-month renovation, they transformed the property into a spacious two-story Dutch Colonial that balances historic New England charm with contemporary
Historic home preservation offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of architectural heritage while contributing to neighborhood revitalization. The Felix Gans House, an oversize Craftsman bungalow located in Little Rock, Arkansas, exemplifies both the challenges and rewards of taking on a historic preservation project. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a
Selecting the right exterior cladding means balancing visual appeal, long-term durability, and ongoing upkeep. For the 2020 Farmhouse in Fairfield County, builder Jerry Effren pursued a design that echoed a traditional New England barn updated through successive generations, alongside clean contemporary farmhouse lines. The solution came through engineered wood board and batten siding, which delivers
Easier long-term retention through repeated exposure to related concepts within a themed period, reinforcing connections between different aspects of the same subject. Direct application to ongoing projects as each weekly theme aligns with real work happening on the jobsite, creating immediate relevance that motivates further study. Measurable progress that you can track over months and
