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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The grandfather of invention

Reader mail

Easy ways to improve your home right now

Snow people sans snow

Wood-block luminaries

Fast furniture fixes from a pro

Holiday-lighting know-how • For a spectacular display that's merry and bright—and doesn't blow a fuse—follow these five tips from lighting pros.

Tabletop Tannenbaum

Need-to-know numbers: the dining room • Chances are your dining room sees more action this season than any other time of the year. With family and friends gathered round the table, you'll want to make sure your space measures up. Here, expert advice from Richmond, Virginia–based interior designer Susan Jamieson. Just don't call us if you need to loosen your belt.

Bath-cleaning shortcuts • Holidays often mean a full house—and more foot traffic in your bathrooms. Give your lavatories luster with these clever uses for household staples.

A hideaway crafts station for $212 • A spare closet gets a fun and functional makeover with the addition of a sliding door and a clever fold-down table

One big, happy cook space • Annexing the dining room gives this mom of two teenagers an open kitchen where the whole gang can gather

Vintage revival • Original details in a Victorian-era bath inspire a retro refresher

Smartened up • An energetic paint scheme and streamlined wire management make for a high-functioning home office

Warm winter entry • Add a festive, seasonal touch with soft paint hues, real greenery, and a perch with patina

Stencil an accent wall • A bold pattern on just one wall can anchor focal-point furniture

The case for moody neutrals • Deep, rich, mercurial colors flatter whatever is set in front of them, as interior designer Barbara Westbrook details in her new book

Updating a bland ranch • One relic of the postwar building boom gets a handsome new cottage look, thanks to an eye-catching gable, an arched portico, and stone accents

How to build a kids' bookcase • Use oak stair treads and pine boards to create right-size shelves that keep books and toys within easy reach of small hands

Craftsman-Style Charmer • Our first built-from-the-ground-up Idea House puts a fresh spin on a classic American house style. A storybook cottage with a steeply pitched roof, it combines historical architectural details with modern amenities. An open floor plan, a flexible layout, and a wraparound porch maximize space indoors and out for a home that's functional, adaptable, and full of appeal. To take a tour, turn the page.

true to form • A 1920s farmhouse gets a much-needed makeover without losing its evolved-over-time charm

This old House Top 100 BEST NEW HOME PRODUCTS 2015 • You want your home to be just right. But where to start when it comes to finding ways to feather the perfect nest? Here would be a good place. Whether you're plunging into a remodel (see Building Products, page 84) or working out the last of the decorative details (see Finishing Touches, page 86), we've done the legwork for you—vetting countless new offerings for every aspect of the house in seven categories. Turn the page to see the result, a...