Butch and Sundance. Bonnie and Clyde. Starsky and Hutch. Like any memorable duo, an armchair is lost without a tag-along table as a sidekick. Fulfilling both form and function, a side table makes for a nice pairing and serves as a great place to set your drink. And a table like the one at right, which cloaks Arts and Crafts bones in an unexpected color, bucks tradition in favor of a fresh look that fits right in with any setting....
The microwave is one of the most magical kitchen appliances; within seconds, you can have yourself a complete meal. Too bad microwaves can’t magically clean themselves, though. It’s super easy to clean this gadget, no matter the level the filth. All you need are some basic household items, such as baking soda, lemons, or vinegar, and your microwave will be as good as new in no time. We’ll explain how to clean your microwave below....
In this video, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows an efficient, low-maintenance way to humidify the air. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Installing a Humidifier for the Whole House Disconnect the flexible supply ducts from the sides of the heat pump. Remove the existing main trunk from the top of the heat pump. Build a new sheet metal trunk. Cut three 4-inch-diameter holes into the top of the new main trunk....
A power miter saw is one of the handiest tools around. Nothing beats it for making totally accurate 90-degree crosscuts, the most common cut. But it can also pivot to make perfectly angled miter cuts, and some models even tilt to make compound angle cuts. Precision is what makes miter saws so indispensable. Because the blade is fixed to a sturdy arm on a heavy body, cuts can be fine-tuned to the width of the blade....
Add a touch of elegance, texture and color to your home’s interior staircase by installing a carpet runner. The narrow strip of carpeting is set on a pad and then attached to tackless strips nailed to each tread. The thin, dense pad helps to quiet and cushion footsteps, but it also prevents the runner from wearing out prematurely. Don’t use standard foam padding; it’s too soft to provide the necessary support....
Best Multitool: Stanley SharpShooter Plus Staple/Nail Gun Key Features Made from aluminum Works with five types of staples and two types of nails Includes a lifetime warranty What Customers Are Saying Those who left positive reviews for this staple gun said that it was lightweight, which made it easy to handle. Happy customers also mentioned its durability. However, some customers said that it had less power than they anticipated. Others said that it occasionally pinched their hands when they activated its trigger....
Rafter Square For guiding circular saws when making crosscuts. Swanson Speed Square Ear Plugs To protect against hearing loss on noisy job sites. Combination Square For marking the reveals on door and window casings, among other things. Swanson 12-in combo square Trim Hammer Tom drilled holes in his Hart Trimmer to improve his grip. Hart Tool Company trim hammer 16oz, WorthPoint Nailset Saves wood from errant hammer tracks when nailing trim....
Mixed Materials Taking cues from the Craftsman stylebook, our Idea House mixes natural materials freely: smooth clapboard siding, rough-hewn cedar shingles, multi-colored stone veneer, knotty western red cedar, and plenty of distinctive handcrafted trim. Our challenge in choosing a color palette was to bring these varied elements and textures into a cohesive whole while allowing each to shine. We knew we wanted to use a solid stain that would hold up well in our coastal community, but we also didn’t want to cover up the gorgeous grain of the western red cedar railings, floors, porch ceiling and decorative brackets....
Fresh off the factory floor, with ornate cast-iron fins ready to take their first hit of steam, the radiator was the darling of American plumbing. But that was a long time ago, and 90 winters and 10 paint coats haven’t treated the old girl well. Even if you could clean up the cobwebs and grind off the flaky lead-based layers, a cast-iron hunk crouching over a warped floor still doesn’t look pretty....
Steps for using a paint sprayer Using a paint sprayer can help give a smooth finish in a short amount of time, but it can be messier than a regular paint job. Start by covering the entire work area with plastic drop cloths and painter’s tape. Before spraying with paint, prime the sprayer. a. Turn the valve to “prime” on the side of the sprayer. b. Set the painting tube into the can of paint....
Previous episode: S19 E4 | Next episode: S19 E6 In this episode: In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor explain everything you need to know about using, installing, maintaining and repairing a window. First, Kevin explains the anatomy of a window: The sash, stool, sill, jamb, head and side casings, apron, trim and stiles. Kevin takes a deep dive into the history and manufacture of glass, the most important part of any window: Single pane, double pane, triple pane, coated, safety etc....
Previous episode: S42 E17 | Next episode: S42 E19 In this episode: A house as old as our project is bound to have two bad things, lead and asbestos. Earlier demo took care of the lead paint but today is asbestos removal day. Kevin O’Connor finds Ron Peik and his team starting the removal. Plumbing issues will be the first to consider as the project unfolds. Richard Trethewey meets Ronnette Taylor, the plumber on our project, to assess the waste water system after 120 years of service and one year lying dormant....
What does “best value” mean when it comes to buying a new mattress? For starters, what it doesn’t mean is the cheapest option. After all, the least expensive mattress won’t necessarily lend your bedroom the best value if its longevity is limited. Instead, in seeking out the best value mattresses, our This Old House Reviews Team — with help from the enviable expertise of Mattress Advisor testers — sought high-quality beds that boast bang for the buck....
Top 5 Blue Light Glasses Best For Kids: DYLB Kids’ Blue Light Blocking Glasses Best Case: BENICCI Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Women or Men Most Stylish: REECKEY Blue Light Glasses for Women Best For Gaming: GUNNAR Gaming and Computer Glasses Best Thin Frame: SOJOS Cat-Eye Blue Light Blocking Glasses Best For Kids: DYLB Kids’ Blue Light Blocking Glasses In virtual learning environments and a tech-centered society, children are often exposed to blue light....
Top 5 Desks Most Customizable: CubiCubi Computer Desk Best For Gaming: Mr IRONSTONE Computer Corner Desk Best Basic Desk: ZINUS Jennifer Desk Best Standing Desk: SHW Standing Desk Best Storage: Ameriwood Home Dakota L-Shaped Desk Most Customizable: CubiCubi Computer Desk The minimalist design of this desk doesn’t take away from any decor in your office. The desk has a built-in metal hook for hanging purses and headphones and a fabric side bag for holding books and papers....
Top 5 Wet Vacs Best For Large Tasks: Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac Best For Medium Tasks: Craftsman Portable Wet/Dry Vac Best For Small Tasks: Armor All Wet/Dry Utility Shop Vacuum Most Portable: DEWALT Cordless Vacuum Best Filtration: Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Vac Best For Large Tasks: Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac Pros and Cons ✔ Has a large 20-gallon tank✔ Has wheels for easy portability✔ Comes with 10 different accessories Compare Top Wet Vacs Craftsman Heavy-Duty Wet/Dry Vac...
Living Room Balanced Say you’re a successful entrepreneur with a beautiful fiancée and a newly acquired house in a great neighborhood where you look forward to raising your kids. The place needs a little work. You kill yourself doing the obvious stuff like ripping out carpet. Then, one night at 2 A.M., with a gaggle of houseguests on hand, an ancient drainpipe springs a leak, spewing wastewater inside walls and down through ceilings, and when you finally get someone in there to open things up, you find missing joists—important ones, meant to hold up the house....
Purchasing a home insurance policy for your Washington, D.C., home can give you peace of mind. In exchange for a monthly premium, your policy will help safeguard you from expensive, unexpected costs when damage occurs. The best homeowners insurance companies in Washington, D.C., provide affordable premiums and extensive coverage with a variety of customizable add-ons. Read on for our top picks for Washington, D.C., home insurance. To get home insurance quotes in your area, call 855-948-5219 or enter your zip code in our free quote tool:...
This article appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. As sultry August gives way to the cooler months of September and October, fall’s lower temperatures and shorter days signal it’s time to get busy in the yard and garden. “Fall’s cool weather makes it a great time to work outside,” says TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada. “Giving plants some attention then sets you up for a healthier landscape come spring....
Not all of us are lucky enough to have a spare bedroom that can be converted into an office. But if you can manage to free up a closet, you can transform it into an office nook that accommodates all work needs. The best part about this office hack? You can easily hide desk clutter or important documents behind closed doors. Remove the rod and add the items below. Shelves Mount shelves at least 1 foot apart using standards, which can hold up to 70 pounds per foot....
