an american craftsman

THE MASTER OF liquid stone

Buddy Rhodes invented his own craft, turning unglamorous concrete into bathtubs, countertops, coffee tables, mantels, sinks and crown moldings. Now, no one can get enough of it.

By BRAD LEMLEY12 min

FEATURES

dream house steal these looks

Five exciting ways to apply the inspiring design of our Dream House to your house

PLUS

ASK NORM

“Roofing grit is used as a UV block to protect the underlying material in asphalt and other shingles. If the grit has come off, that means that portions of your roof are unprotected and deteriorating.”

LETTER FROM A COUNTRY HOUSE

winter

winter

By VERLYN KLINKENBORG8 min

FEATURES

sounding the alarm

Home security systems have never been more popular—but experts warn they may not be the crime stoppers their proponents claim they are.

By CURTIS RIST8 min

POWER TOOL

MERRILY, WE SCROLL ALONG

Scroll saws cut tight, smooth curves—and they’re fun too

By CURTIS RIST8 min

WATERTOWN/THE TV PROJECT

RAISE A BEAM, FIX A FLOOR PLAN

Can’t visualize your renovation when it’s just drawings? Try this smart strategy from Tom Silva. First he puts up a beam of engineered lumber to support the ceilings. Then he knocks down all the walls. When Norm Abram, Steve Thomas and the home owners come by, Tom asks them to test the layout by walking through the actual space

By BRAD LEMLEY8 min

MATERIALS WE LOVE

GORGEOUS GRANITE

Tough, trendy and getting more affordable all the time

By RICHARD STEPLER7 min

FEATURES

a designer's own kitchen

A serious and elegant work space emerges from the collaboration of an interioi designer, a cabinetmaker and the irrepressible Silva Brothers construction crew

By CYNTHIA SANZ7 min

OFF THE WALL

MAKING IT UP AS YOU GO ALONG

When home improvement becomes home improvisation

By JEANNE MARIE LASKAS5 min