This Old House

This Old House gives you the inspiration, information and instruction you need to take on home improvement projects of all sizes and succeed. In every issue, find fresh design ideas for every room, creative DIY solutions, step-by-step projects, and tips from the pros.

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TOH’s Team of Trusted Experts

This Old House

A season for fresh starts

The Japanese sickle • This light, one-handed tool makes quick work of cutting down the dead stalks of spring and tall weeds of summer.

Ornamental grass tune-up • They’re low maintenance, sure, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need any attention.

A floor that’s hard to beat

Trash your trash wisely • Sprucing up this spring? Waste-disposal rules and recycling options vary in every community, so check first with your local transfer station to see what types of debris, and how much, it accepts per household. You might also consider these alternatives:

For old-house lovers

Avoid energy supplier scams

Making the gradient • Who doesn’t love a blue bedroom? The choice is inherently soothing, bringing open skies indoors. This three-tone treatment turns up the drama just a bit. Picking colors from the same paint-chip strip simplifies the process—but avoid the very darkest shade to keep the mood light. A paint-and-primer-in-one helps ensure even coverage. Just divide the wall into thirds, apply the colors lightest to deepest, then blend, using the tips at right.

A look at basement cracks

Second-chance bulbs • Green with envy at your neighbor’s daffodils and tulips? Try summer-blooming bulbs for bold results.

Take stock of your stuff

A semi-open cook space • Annexing a utility area and adding cased openings creates airiness without sacrificing vintage charm

Up-and-comers • Add some serious flower power to your yard and garden with these robust new bloomers

High-energy drop spot • Relocating a too-steep stairway opens the door to an everyday entry into the house

Secrets of the deep clean • ’Tis the season to go beyond the weekly dust-swipe-and-sweep and gear up for what pros call a “deep cleaning.” Here’s how

Paradise Rising • More than a year after the town was nearly leveled by the most devastating wildfire in California’s history, a special TOH TV series takes a look at how the residents of Paradise are rebuilding their homes—and community. Here are some of their stories

Their roots run deep

The long road back

Looking forward

Rebuilding to fight fire

ask This Old House • Tips, tricks, and answers to your home-improvement questions

Norm’s TRICKS OF THE TRADE

THE DELIGHT IS IN THE DETAILS • A tiny 1937 cottage grows into a unique family home, thanks to a couple’s passion for preserving and building upon its homespun appeal

RENOVATION RECAP

your best yard yet

Striking Outdoor Accents (that anyone can build!) • Forget the birdhouses and birch boxes of woodshop class. We’ve assembled three projects from Jennifer Largesse, editor of TOH’s House One, that show that even the greenest of do-it-yourselfers can create something stunning using entry-level tools, basic cuts, and inexpensive home-center supplies.

Rustic Garden Bench • Inspired by a French antique, this colorful bench has a modern simplicity—and easily seats two. Solid stain gives the stock pine lumber an added layer of protection from the elements....