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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Reader mail • BECAUSE IT IS PERSONAL With each issue, readers respond with more than just likes and dislikes. We also hear about your personal experiences and lessons learned, and those provide engaging insights into how This Old House fits into your lives.

READER PROJECT OF THE MONTH

A letter from Roger Cook

home solutıons • INSIDE CLEANING TIPS STRIPPED SCREW TRICK BASEMENT RENO ADVICE MORE

A clean sweep for ceiling fans • From specialized tools to unnecessarily complex setups, tricks for cleaning ceiling fans abound. But how much do you really need to do—and how often? Cleaning expert Melissa Maker, host of Clean My Space on YouTube, helps us break it down.

More ways to work with wallpaper

Free up cabinet space

Not-so-basic black accents • Ready to try out the growing trend of black finishes on plumbing fixtures, lighting, hardware, and the like? Kitchens and baths are good places to start. Here, we hunted up some old-house-friendly options.

Easy way to extract a stripped screw

Keep basements mold-free • Planning to create or redo a below-grade living space? Finished basements are vulnerable to damage from storm-water intrusions, leaking pipes and hot-water tanks, or simply high humidity. Lower the risk of mold or mildew taking hold by remodeling with materials made to shake off damp conditions.

Destination antiquing • Planning a late-summer getaway? These markets and fairs are worth a visit

Keeping the charm • Original details inspire a kitchen remodel with improved function, flow, and finishes that blend seamlessly with the 1920s woodwork

One to grow on • With custom storage solutions and an upbeat but classic look, this kid’s personal space won’t get old for ages

Rolling grill cart • This wheeled cooking companion will stand ready to assist the master of the backyard barbecue

Supersize it • A large Scandi-inspired stencil pattern and a soft two-tone paint palette offer a fresh take on the wallpaper look

Should you pay off your mortgage? • Even in the current tax climate, homeowners may be better served by refinancing at a lower rate and investing the savings

Mudroom area for $388 • A handsome DIY bench seat flanked by storage cabinets creates a stylish drop spot for a busy family

English country sitting room • Re-create the relaxed vibe of a British weekend house—and an ideal spot for sharing a cuppa—with delightfully mix-matched textiles

Reimagining a rustic retreat • A Tudor-influenced hodgepodge from the 1970s gets a much-needed makeover

finishing touches • Classic accents and rustic details help give this house in the woods a cozy, cottage feel

ask This Old House

DIY SMARTS

Norm’s tricks of the trade

L.A. STORY • An eclectic 1930s house wasn’t what these homeowners were looking for—but it ended up being just what they wanted

Phoenix Rising • Civic-minded homeowners help resurrect a 1903 house in the heart of downtown, enlivening it with color and pattern to spare

What’s your paint personality? • Sunny yellows, soothing blues, revved-up reds…every color has an...