This Old House

When it comes to our kitchens, we expect a lot—much more, in fact, than ever before. We crave a cozy, comfortable refuge where we can not only cook and enjoy meals, but also hang out, host a Zoom call, or visit with friends. While the latest applianc

What’s happening in the world of This Old House After homeowners across the land put in requests for on-the-ground advice, AskTOH gears up to hit the road. On board at the outset: landscape contractor Roger Cook, plumbing and heating expert Richard T

TOH Reader: Tammy San Felippo, Oberlin, OH My love of gardening prompted me to build this greenhouse with my husband, Steve. The walls are the original single-pane windows from our 1847 farmhouse, and the roof is made from polycarbonate sheets. Last

Small changes made a big impact: The kitchen was bumped out on two sides and absorbed a butler’s pantry. A rear mudroom was added, and the laundry moved upstairs, where a bedroom and bath became a closet and bath for the main suite. A deck went in wh

THE HOMEOWNERS: Emily and Brent Beller (above) with their children (from left): Colette, age 6; Harper, 11; Adeline, 12; and Bennett, 8. THE HOUSE: An existing brick Colonial Revival in Omaha, built in the early 1920s. Highlights included solid bones

From an Italian company that made its name with stylish pro-style ranges: Get one as part of a four-piece Energy Star–rated suite—a 30-inch range, vent hood, fridge, and dishwasher—all at a tasty price. From $7,245; veronaappliances.com Go for the go

Opening up the footprint allowed for a large 149-square-foot kitchen connected to the dining room and a 52-square-foot lounge that holds a table and built-in banquette. 1. Created a new sink and range layout by demoing a wall that enclosed an existin

Finishing a huge attic space included building this 88-square-foot shared bath. Following the pitch of the roof, walls were framed to tap the usable ceiling height, which ranges from 5½ to 8 feet high. 1. Built a 21/2-by-4-foot shower from stock fram

GROUT MAKES a tiled surface stronger and helps keep out dirt and water, but “there’s nothing pretty about it,” says Mark. “The tighter the grout joints, the better the tile job looks,” he says. He likes to go as small as 1/32 of an inch, but that req

SEALING protects against wear and tear and makes it less likely that spills will work their way into the tiled surface. A sealer can’t completely prevent stains, however. “It just gives you a little more time to clean up Aunt Mary’s spilled wine,” sa

It all started with a call to the painter,” says Derek Rubinoff, of his initial plan to simply scrape and repaint the worn, peeling siding on his family’s 1894 house in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. But the contractor took one look and saw

IN THE 1890s, when Derek and Robyn’s house was built, stately American elm trees were a common sight along urban streets in the Northeast, their branches spreading wide to shade the avenues below. But by the 1940s, the elm population was decimated by

GENERATIONS OF students attended the Centre School in Dracut, MA—some of their names are inscribed in the slate roof tiles, no doubt etched during flagpole duty—but the 1898 building has stood largely empty since the 1980s. Now a local nonprofit, Coa

To say that a drill/driver is an indispensable home-improvement tool is no exaggeration. It accomplishes basic tasks like drilling holes in wood, metal, and masonry, and when fitted with the right bit, lets us drive screws and other fasteners into th

Last summer, my husband and I renovated our outdoor space and really brought our backyard to life—literally, as we added many more plants. This year, we’re excited to enjoy the big flower heads on the new hydrangeas and the privacy provided by the ta

MUDDY FOOTPRINTS, salt stains, grime from who knows where: That’s winter’s legacy to your front entry. To clean this area, remove the furniture and mats, then sweep away cobwebs and dirt. Dip a soft-bristled brush into a solution of oxygen bleach—1⁄2

I want to install some recessed lights in my living room, where there are no ceiling fixtures. The only electrical source is a wall receptacle. How do I run the wires from the receptacle up to the ceiling and then to the lights?—YIN CHOI, ARLINGTON,