This article appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine. To learn how to subscribe, click here. Set on a tree-lined street in the historic district of Newburyport, Massachusetts, close to downtown and a bustling waterfront where the Merrimack River meets the Atlantic Ocean, the 1902 house was in a perfect location, … Read more
This warm and welcoming bayfront house was designed by Geoff Chick & Associates, located in Botany Bayou, a community in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Overlooking a tranquil bayfront location, this beautiful dwelling provides a perfect view from large covered porches and patios. All exterior windows and doors are by Weather Shield. The first floor has … Read more
Patrick Murphy Builders in collaboration with Amy Storm & Company were commissioned to create this gorgeous transitional-style house located in Chicago, Illinois. The homeowners are creative and easy-going, wanting a home that is comfortable yet stylish for entertaining. Inside you will find beautifully detailed living spaces that are bright and airy yet with an abundance of privacy. Earth … Read more
Wood paneling used only to be seen in decades-old TV reruns, forgotten basement hangouts, and rustic cabins. But the wall feature is making a resurgence these days, popping up in many savvy designers’ on-trend renovations. This renewed appreciation for a retro building material may leave many homeowners wondering if wood paneling is right for their … Read more
What is that smell coming from your dryer? Usually, your dryer smells very pleasant after you use it. However, lately, you have been smelling strange odors that make your dryer and your clothing reek after each use. What is this peculiar odor coming from your dryer, and how do you remove a terrible smell from … Read more
A wrap-around deck not only looks great and provides tons of extra usable space for entertaining, relaxing, grilling, and more, but it can also improve the value of your house. It also allows you to provide additional entryways or stairways to the house and/or yard. But constructing a deck or adding on to an existing … Read more
If you’ve been trying to root avocado seeds by suspending them over a glass of water with toothpicks, there is an easier way. I’ll show you a no-fuss way to root avocado pits to create new houseplants. I recommend this method because it takes little effort and shows you exactly which seeds will germinate before … Read more
This cozy beach house was designed as a family retreat by Hutker Architects along with Holmes Hole Builders perched high on a bluff overlooking Edgartown Harbor, Massachusetts. Used for family gatherings during the summer months, this dwelling is reminiscent of a European hilltop village, with the main house connecting to outbuildings, a pool, and a … Read more
This spectacular cedar shingle coastal house was designed by Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, located at the end of a secluded point in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Overlooking a protected cove, this new multigenerational family home incorporates an old boathouse that has resided on the property for over a hundred years. The house keeps a low … Read more
This homemade peanut butter suet recipe feeds wild birds in the winter when food is scarce. It’s a simple way to make suet without lard and well-loved by various birds including woodpeckers and nuthatches. Also see Tips For Choosing The Right Bird Feeders and How to Choose the Right Birdseed to do what’s best for the birds … Read more