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Q We have a pile of dirt and wood chips from grinding out an oak stump. Is there a way to turn it into good compost? —KEN HOLLY, HOUSTON A Yes, you can, with a little patience and the right mix of ingredients in your compost pile. Get a wheelbarrow and move all the chips to an out-of-the-way location on the ground.

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LOOKS SMALL, LIVES LARGE

How to expand a 1950s seaside cottage without sacrificing its charm? Raise the ceilings, add on in back, and crate more rooms outdorrs

This Old House presents

the great TOH giveaway

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Purchasing does not improve your chances of winning. The Great TOH Giveaway is open to residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 18 or older. Void outside the United States, in Puerto Rico, and wherever else prohibited by law.

weekend remodel

Build a garage pergola

Use milled brackets and pressure-treated lumber to create an elegant canopy over your garage door

By PAUL HOPE5 min

idea file

TIMELESS TREASURE

Salvaged materials, lavish plantings, vintage collectibles— and some sleight of hand—create a new garden with old-world character

By DEBRA PRINZING5 min

idea file

9 SECRETS OF COTTAGE STYLE

Known for her lively, low-key designs, Jane Coslick shares her trademark tips for adding oomph to plain interiors with salvaged finds and buckets of paint

By DEBORAH BALDWIN4 min

ASK THIS OLD HOUSE

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

RICHARD TRETHEWEY REPLIES: Sounds like you need a mini-split heat pump, which provides cooling and heating fairly unobtrusively without using ducts. It pushes refrigerant from an outdoor condenser directly to a wallmounted air handler that blows hot or cold air into the room.

before + after: bath

Designed to pamper

A master retreat gains comfort and function with sleek finishes and a streamlin ed layout

By DEBORAH BALDWIN3 min

home solutions

The mosquito, in close-up

Why can’t these evil buzzing buggers just leave us alone? Blame humans encroaching on mosquito turf-wetlands and salt marshes paved for second homes and suburban sprawl—and arrivistes like the Asian tiger mosquito, a “container breeder” that thrives in damp tires and yard toys. Mosquitoes are short on predators, not offering much of a meal, even for bats.

By DEBORAH BALDWIN3 min

before + after: front yard

Private and inviting

A revamped facade and lush border plantings deliver street-side charm

By ANNE STRATTON3 min

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August 2014

August 2014

Ask THIS OLD HOUSE

Q+A

idea file

LOOKS SMALL, LIVES LARGE

This Old House presents

the great TOH giveaway

This Old House | August 1 2014 Table of Contents

Ask THIS OLD HOUSE

Q+A

idea file

LOOKS SMALL, LIVES LARGE

How to expand a 1950s seaside cottage without sacrificing its charm? Raise the ceilings, add on in back, and crate more rooms outdorrs

This Old House presents

the great TOH giveaway

weekend remodel

Build a garage pergola

Use milled brackets and pressure-treated lumber to create an elegant canopy over your garage door

By PAUL HOPE5 min

idea file

TIMELESS TREASURE

Salvaged materials, lavish plantings, vintage collectibles— and some sleight of hand—create a new garden with old-world character

By DEBRA PRINZING5 min

idea file

9 SECRETS OF COTTAGE STYLE

Known for her lively, low-key designs, Jane Coslick shares her trademark tips for adding oomph to plain interiors with salvaged finds and buckets of paint

By DEBORAH BALDWIN4 min

ASK THIS OLD HOUSE

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

before + after: bath

Designed to pamper

A master retreat gains comfort and function with sleek finishes and a streamlin ed layout

By DEBORAH BALDWIN3 min

home solutions

The mosquito, in close-up

By DEBORAH BALDWIN3 min

before + after: front yard

Private and inviting

A revamped facade and lush border plantings deliver street-side charm

By ANNE STRATTON3 min

Every Issue. Ever.

This Old House | The Complete Archive

Members-Only Access to 30 Years of Pro Know-How TV Archives • Online Q&A Sessions with the crew • Savings on renovation products • More!

Every Issue. Ever.

Members-Only Access to 30 Years of Pro Know-How

TV Archives • Online Q&A Sessions with the crew • Savings on renovation products • More!

Start 30-Day Free Trial

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This Old House | August 1 2014
Table of Contents