Walking through a showcase home like the This Old House Idea House is an inspiring experience. Every surface, fixture, and finish is carefully curated to work together in a cohesive design. But when it comes time to shop for your own renovation, the transition from inspiration to purchasing decisions can feel overwhelming. The Idea House […]
In the debut episode of the Ask This Old House podcast, host Chris Ermides sits down with This Old House Master Electrician Heath Eastman to tackle two common but often intimidating electrical projects: installing a ceiling fan in a loft space and fitting a chandelier in a bathroom. Both projects require a solid understanding of
The 2020 Farmhouse in Fairfield County Idea House, a collaboration between This Old House, Jamieson Architects, and The Greyrock Companies, stands as a showcase of premium building materials assembled with thoughtful design. Among the many partners contributing to this 3,700-square-foot modern farmhouse overlooking Long Island Sound, Marvin Windows played a defining role in shaping both
Americans now spend roughly 90 percent of their time indoors, and recent studies show that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This reality has pushed indoor air quality from a nice-to-have consideration into a core requirement for modern home building and renovation. The challenge is that most homeowners
For homeowners planning a renovation or new build, few resources offer more practical inspiration than a well-executed showcase home. The Passive House Concept has influenced many modern showcase projects, but the broader tradition of the Idea House takes that inspiration one step further: it builds a fully furnished, move-in-ready home where every material, fixture, and
The coastal environment of Cape Cod presents unique challenges for home construction, from salt-laden air and high winds to freezing winter temperatures. The This Old House 2020 Cottage on the Cape Idea House, located in Falmouth, Massachusetts, was designed and built with these conditions in mind. Builder Matt Cole selected a range of innovative exterior
Essential Exterior Building Products for the Cape Cod Cottage: A Builder’s Tour Building a home that stands up to coastal weather while maintaining timeless charm requires selecting the right exterior products. The 2020 Cottage on the Cape, a project house from This Old House, demonstrates how thoughtful material choices come together to create a durable,
Stepping inside the 2020 Cottage on the Cape reveals a masterclass in coastal interior design. Located in Eastham, Massachusetts, this classic shingle-style home was brought to life through a collaboration between Union Studio Architecture & Community Design, builder Cape Associates, and interior designer Denise Enright. Every room balances casual comfort with refined detailing, creating a
Transforming a basement into a functional and inviting workspace is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects you can undertake. Too often, basements are relegated to storage duty or left as dark, unfinished afterthoughts. Yet with the right design approach, these lower-level spaces can become the most vibrant rooms in the house. Before diving
When working with wood, few tools prove as indispensable as a well-chosen table saw. Whether you are framing a deck, building cabinets, or crafting furniture, the right table saw transforms rough lumber into precision parts with speed and accuracy. Before purchasing, consider how your workshop layout and typical projects align with the saw’s capabilities. For
