Licensed contractor and former HGTV host Amy Matthews set out to build more than a house on her verdant farmstead 20 minutes from downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. The result is a 3,700 square foot Scandinavian-style modern barnhouse that blends minimalist aesthetics with high-performance construction. Working with builder Chad Maack of Hartman Homes and architect Colin […]
When you own a home built in the late 1800s, every repair carries the weight of history. This is especially true for the brickwork, where the original materials often came from local brickyards that closed a century ago. In Episode 9 of the Ask This Old House Podcast, mason Mark McCullough tackles exactly this challenge:
If your home sits on a sloped lot, you already know the landscaping challenges it presents. Water runs downhill instead of soaking in, bare soil erodes after every rain, and mowing feels more like mountain climbing than yard work. But a hilly property is also an opportunity to create a layered, visually striking landscape that
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
Mistakes in home renovation projects are more common than most homeowners realize, and few problems prove as persistently frustrating as a bedroom door that refuses to hang, close, or latch correctly. Whether the door binds against the frame, swings open on its own, or leaves an uneven gap along the top or bottom, the root
Windows shape how a home feels, functions, and performs. From the earliest stages of architectural design, the selection and placement of windows influence natural lighting, ventilation, energy efficiency, and the visual character of both interior and exterior spaces. An architect’s perspective on windows goes far beyond picking a style from a catalogue. It involves understanding
Electrical wiring in older homes presents unique challenges that every homeowner should understand. In Ask This Old House Podcast Episode 6, Master Electrician Heath Eastman explores the common problems found in aging electrical systems, specifically why outlets in older homes fail to show proper grounding and why some exhibit reverse polarity. These issues are not
As the seasons change and temperatures begin their annual drop, gardeners face the critical task of preparing their plants for winter dormancy. The transition from autumn to winter is not simply about ceasing garden work but shifting focus toward protective measures that ensure perennials, shrubs, and trees survive the cold and return vigorous in spring.
The concept of private quarters has become a defining feature of modern home design. Homeowners increasingly seek spaces that offer retreat, relaxation, and personal renewal away from the shared areas of daily life. Whether it is a master suite with a sitting area, a home office that doubles as a yoga studio, or a basement
Why Whole-Home Indoor Air Quality Matters More Than Ever With Americans spending significantly more time indoors than previous generations, the quality of the air inside our homes has become a defining factor in overall health and comfort. The Cosmos Healthy Home System, featured at the 2020 Cottage on the Cape Idea House by This Old
