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 […]
For generations, wood decks have been a defining feature of American homes, offering outdoor spaces that combine natural beauty with everyday functionality. Unlike many home improvement trends that come and go, the appeal of a well-built wood deck endures season after season. Homeowners continue to choose wood for its warmth, character, and the way it
Transforming a cramped, outdated bathroom into a spacious and stylish retreat is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake.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
An attached garage that clashes with the rest of your home can undermine years of careful maintenance and design work. When the first thing visitors notice is a garage that looks disconnected or outdated, the entire property suffers. The good news is that even a severely mismatched garage can be brought into harmony with targeted
Few home renovations deliver as much daily satisfaction as a primary bathroom makeover. When a dark, dated bath from the 1970s finally gets the attention it deserves, the result can completely change how you start and end each day. One Englewood, New Jersey couple discovered this firsthand when they hired designer Jennifer Vreeland to transform
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
A fire pit can transform an ordinary backyard into a warm gathering area, extending the hours you can spend outdoors well into the evening. With a wide range of sizes, fuel types, and design options available, selecting the right model requires careful thought. Understanding the key features and fire protection engineering principles that apply to
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
Restoring a historic farmhouse kitchen requires balancing authentic period character with the conveniences of modern living. When Taylor Mimnaugh of Cushing, Wisconsin, set out to revive her 1929 farmhouse kitchen, she knew the space needed to feel true to the home’s origins while supporting a busy family of six. With the help of her father,
When Heather and Malcolm Faulds bought their 2,100-square-foot 1870s Italianate house in Arlington, Massachusetts, they were captivated by its decorative roof brackets, quartersawn oak floors, and original interior trim. But as a family with two young children, they quickly realized the charming historic home needed significant reworking to accommodate their daily lives. The couple’s to-do
