In these challenging times with so many people at home seeking ways to pass the time productively, “This Old House: Live” features daily programing and opportunities to connect with our experts. And we want to hear from you. Got a question for our experts? Have a project you’d like to share? Send us a message on Instagram or Facebook. We’re here to help and we look forward to hearing from you....
1979 BIRTH OF A NOTION After surviving more than one reno himself, TV producer Russ Morash persuades Boston’s WGBH to underwrite a show demystifying the process. Meet carpenter Norm Abram, host Bob Vila, and plumber Ron Trethewey! “I thought I’d be in the background of a couple scenes carrying around ladders,” Norm recalls. The real star: a run-down 1860 house in Dorchester, MA, that cost $17,000 to buy and $30,000 to renovate....
Suite Flexibility A first-floor master bedroom with bath offers homeowners the option of moving into it now—or later. It would be just as welcoming as a guest or in-law suite. The bedroom looks sharp with a bold black, white, and green color scheme. Simply trimmed clerestory windows below the curved cove crown molding usher in light while blocking views of the neighbors; tall tri-muntin casement windows look out over the deep backyard....
Top 5 Bar Stools Best Backless Stool: Angel Line Cambridge Bar Stools Most Customizable: Walker Edison Furniture Counter Stools Best Adjustability: Leopard Outdoor Products Adjustable Bar Stools Best Stability: Ball & Cast Bar Height Swivel Stools Best Entry-Level: Mecor Metal Bar Stools Best Backless Stool: Angel Line Cambridge Bar Stools Pros and Cons ✔ Has a cushioned seat✔ Has a button trim around the cushion✔ Comes in multiple heights Compare the Best Bar Stools Angel Line Cambridge Bar Stools...
Hardwood floors must be cleaned regularly and require a quality vacuum to eliminate dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris. To help you select the vacuum that’s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched and tested six of the top vacuums available for hardwood floors to find the product that best fits your needs. Our Testing Experience Our team has been reviewing products, conducting testing, and creating resources for homeowners for over six years....
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains several reasons why a trap may be losing water. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How a plumbing trap can lose water If a washing machine drains a toilet, it could be because the system is not vented properly and air is being pulled in through the toilet. One possible solution would be to install an air admittance vent to let air in, but not let sewer gas out....
To say that a bunk bed has a lot riding on it is an understatement. However, they can be made safe and to accommodate growing children while still remaining temporary parts of the bedroom as family needs change. Plus, they’re a fun DIY project to have. Here’s a step-by-step guide to planning and building a built-in wooden bunk bed with a desk underneath the bed platform for your teen. DIY Bunk Bed Planning Bunk bed design is kind of like pergola design in a sense: There are no real rules....
Steps: Start by sanding down the area around the burn mark in the direction of the grain using 150-grit sandpaper until bare wood is visible again and the burn mark disappears. Sand a decent area around the burn mark to ensure that the floor doesn’t end up being too deep in the one area just around the mark. Switch to 180-grit sandpaper and repeat the process. Grab the sanding block and fine tune the area sanded with a piece of 220-grit sandpaper....
Steps: First, remove any plants that have died with the shovel. To fill any big holes left behind by dead plants, look around the yard to find good transplanting candidates. Plants that appear to be in the shade of trees are good choices, since the shade of the tree might have grown over time and stunted the growth of those plants anyway. When moving larger plants, tie branches together using twine and mark where the face of the plant is....
Steps for testing smart automatic water shutoff valves: Kevin and Richard recap that any smart automatic water shutoff valve can both help prevent catastrophic bursts and minimize flood damage. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Right now, these devices generally fall under two schools of design: a. Point Sensor Activated: Sensors are placed in “high risk areas,” like around a washing machine, under a water tank, etc. Sensors then connect remotely to a valve that’s installed near the main shutoff....
Charming Cottage Price: $69,500 Location: Moreauville, LA Contact: Brian Davis, Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation; 318-267-5220 The History: In 1856, newlyweds Dr. Eugene Albert Amet and Palmire Lucie Boyer departed their native France and settled in the Avoyelles Parish of Moreauville, where her family built them a modest home. Over time, the house expanded along with their family. Eventually, one of the Amets’ three children, Marie, inherited the house and raised seven children there with her husband, Dr....
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and a pretty popular location for movers all over the country. Still, it’s also one of the most affordable major cities to live in the state of Texas. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Dallas, you’ll want to work with the best real estate agent to facilitate the process. If you’re buying a home, you’ll need a knowledgeable agent who can get you the best value for your budget....
If the kitchen were a menu item, we’d call it comfort food, as familiar as mac ’n’ cheese. Might have something to do with memories of hanging out after school as Mom made dinner, and trying to score some milk and cookies. Today, even as kitchens get bigger and fancier, they remain the No. 1 destination for the whole family, pets included. Where else can you find cold drinks, lively conversation, and maybe even your keys and cell phone?...
1. Leatherman’s Custom Shop Want to give a truly unique gift? Make your own with the Leatherman Custom Shop. Customize your Leatherman with designs, pictures, messages and more to create a true original piece. It’s an easy process—just upload your design and let Leatherman do the rest of the work. Your customized Leatherman will be delivered to your door within one to two weeks. There are 10+ best-selling products to choose from, including the iconic WAVE® Plus....
It’s hard to imagine a house being cozy without the warmth of wood flooring. The quickest way to get new wood underfoot is to install a floating floor. Unlike traditional solid-wood strips, a floating floor isn’t nailed down. Instead, the planks are either glued or snapped together. The planks go down fast, over virtually any material—concrete, plywood, sheet vinyl, even ceramic tile. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time There are several floating floor materials available, but if you want real wood, the best choice is engineered flooring....
The popularity of ceiling fans continues to grow as more and more homeowners discover dramatic, year-round energy savings. In summer, ceiling fans create cooling breezes, which reduce the strain on air conditioners. In winter, they circulate heated air to keep the room warm. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Installing a ceiling fan is relatively simple, especially if the space above is accessible from an attic. However, even when it isn’t, the job is still quite doable....
What to look for Examine the back of the firebox. A properly operating fireplace should have a hot white spot in the bottom center of the firebox. 2. If there are scattered white spots of soot on the lintel in front of the fireplace, there’s a draft issue that could be caused either by a chimney that’s too short, or by a chimney whose draft is being obstructed somehow. a. If the chimney is too short, a mason can extend the chimney, though that is a more expensive fix....
Top 5 Rocking Chairs Best For Outdoor Use: GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker Best For Nurseries: Angel Line Windsor Glider and Ottoman Best Decorative Rocker: HouseInBox Velvet Upholstered Modern Rocking Chair Best Weight Capacity: BELLEZE Modern Rocking Chair Best Wooden Rocker: Shine Company Vermont Porch Rocker Best For Outdoor Use: GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker Built for road trips, camping, and other adventures, this rocker from GCI contains outdoor seating necessities, such as a breathable mesh seat and a beverage holder....
Finding room outside for a table and chairs is at the top of most homeowners' wish list—whether as a place for open-air family dinners, casual get-togethers with friends, or just kicking back with the paper. It was all three for best-selling author Doris Kearns Goodwin and her writer-husband, Richard Goodwin, whose home is shown throughout this story. Their vision: a plant-filled stone patio incorporating a stream and a koi pond....
Top 5 Shower Heads Best Combination Head: AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo Best Two-in-One Shower Head: Delta Faucet H2OKinetic Handheld Shower Head Best Water-Saving Head: Hopopro Six-Function Handheld Shower Head Best For Small Showers: AquaDance High-Pressure Handheld Shower Head Best Filter Head: PureAction Luxury Filtered Shower Head Best Combination Head: AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo Both shower heads boast a shiny metallic finish and rub-clean jets to prevent the buildup of lime....
