CATEGORIES

Past meets present

An 1880 Cape gets a 21st-century update, providing the perfect balance of antique charm and contemporary style for a growing family

Building with a sense of place

Work is underway on our newest Idea House, a contemporary, energy-efficient home that reflects its Rocky Mountain setting

A new outlook

With a wraparound porch and oversize windows that frame the views, an updated rear addition embraces its pastoral setting and readies a well-loved, almost 220-year-old farmhouse for another century of family life

Creative groundcover combos

Why settle for a one-note planting when there's so much variety to try? Here's how to weave a tapestry of low-growing perennials that will beautify your yard

Standing stronger

A young couple rebuild their longtime family home, a circa 1864 Dutch Colonial, with future generations in mind

Best face forward

With an upgraded entry, revised rooflines, and a sophisticated tone-on-tone color scheme, architect Jeff Troyer smooths out the awkward angles on a Colonial Revival cottage

Kitchen garden from scratch

A handy, productive home vegetable patch is more popular than ever. Planned and built right, it can even enhance the look of your home. Here's how one pro delivers on all counts—and you can, too

Putting in a Pergola

This versatile open-air structure can define an outdoor room, provide light shade, and add privacy while enhancing the look of your home. Here's what to consider when adding one

Planning ahead

A thoughtful remodel creates a safe, stylish space that will allow a designer's parents to age in place comfortably

Zoned for relaxation

Designated activity areas and low-maintenance finishes turn a neglected backyard into an inviting destination

WARMING UP BLACK AND WHITE

We love that the classic color combo is still cool-and how today's organic materials and burnished finishes can keep it from looking cold and clinical. Ahead: three ways to get it right

“While we're at it...

Homeowners' plans for an exterior fix-up lead to a full-scale renovation at the West Roxbury project house. The goal: Upgrade the 19th-century house to suit their modern family

Upgrades big and small

Want to get a jump on the remodel of your worn-out kitchen or dated bath? Check out our picks for the best of what's new, all designed to enhance how we want to live now

Tough to beat

With their ornamental beauty and adaptable natures, many perennial garden favorites are worth a second look for their resiliency in an era of weather extremes

Giving old windows new life

In an expansive workshop on the North Shore of Massachusetts, Alison Hardy-a.k.a. the Window Woman of New England—and her small team of skilled workers are meticulously restoring dozens of weathered, century-old sashes. This Old House stops by for a visit

Renewed and improved

A welcoming kitchen was at the top of the wish list for the owners of this 1920s Colonial Revival. The resulting renovation delivered everything they hoped for, while respecting the house’s heritage

BEYOND THE COOK SPACE

With the kitchen devoted solely to cooking having gone the way of the butter churn, it's no wonder that today's kitchen remodels are multifunctional, too. More and more they include adjacent spaces-mudrooms, laundry areas, storage-packed seating nooks-that workjust as hard. "With people spending more time than everat home, they're rethinking how their homes function and seeing new possibilities," says Airy Kitchens designer Sean Lewis. The resulting "kitchen-plus" renovations yield spaces that boost efficiency, sure, but are also more enjoyable to live with. Witness the projects on the following pages.

Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, cabinets take a big chunk of the budget. An alternative to traditional factory-built boxes, RTA cabinets promise big savings in exchange for some sweat equity

Op-art cutting board

Using hardwoods of strikingly different colors, TOH contractor Tom Silva and TOH host Kevin O'Connor team up to create a cutting board with an eye-catching 3D effect

A Better Tile Job Starts Here

A veteran tile setter shares his best practices for achieving top-notch tiled surfaces

New meets old

A bold modern addition shakes up a traditional Cape in a historic Massachusetts town

Landscaping-End-of-summer cleanup

Give your lawn and garden the care they need by removing debris, dividing crowded perennials, and adding mulch—so plants can come back stronger

Home Finances - Living under one roof

What it takes to make room in your home for mom and dad—or members of the younger generation

Fall favorites

Cool home upgrades and problem-solving product picks

Cooler bench

TOH general contractor Tom Silva and TOH host Kevin O’Connor create an insulated ice chest that will keep cold beverages on tap and serve as an extra seat on a deck or patio

Curb Appeal-Balancing act

With a full-width front porch, a new two-story garage, and a fresh color palette, architect Jeff Troyer gives a 1953 Cape the upgraded look and function it deserves

Before & After: Kitchen - Farmhouse refresh

Living in his grandparents’ old house, across the road from the family farm, a lifestyle blogger is making it his own. His latest project: an updated, more functional kitchen that’s still true to the vintage home’s rural roots

Animal House - Ins and outs of dog doors

Entries right-sized for pets are easy for them to use—and convenient for their humans, too. Here’s how to install one that’s safe and secure

Before & After: Garage - Teen retreat

Big kids want to be on their own—and parents like to know where they are. For one family, bonus garage space just steps from the house offers the perfect hangout solution

all in it together

The TOH team gives a fire-damaged triple-decker in Dorchester, MA, some long-overdue updates —and its owner the safer, more comfortable home she and her family deserve