THE SHINGLE LIFE

An update of a classic seaside architectural style, our 2017 Idea House is built for easy living, with a flexible layout that can welcome multiple generations

By Jill Connors13 min

ALL ABOUT Fire pits

From lightweight metal bowls that set up anywhere to fixed masonry wells that are a gather-round feature on a patio or a patch of grass, fire pits extend the outdoor-living season in style. Here’s how to choose one for your own space

By SAL VAGLICA10 min

ask This Old House

Southern Gothic

A writer puts his creative energies—and practical building skills—to work, turning a weathered 100-year-old house in Savannah into a unique and magical retreat

By Amy Paige Condon9 min

The Newton Generation NEXT House

YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN

After more than 15 years away, homeowner Liz McQuillan Delfino is teaming up with This Old House to get the house she grew up in ready for her own family, complete with an in-law suite to welcome extended visits from the grandparents

By JEFFERSON KOLLE8 min

build it

Build a message center

Taking a cue from classic window trim, Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor dress up a chalkboard with molding from the home center

By THOMAS BAKER7 min

weekend remodel

Add a bluestone walkway

Replace a crumbling, uneven concrete walkway with handsome bluestone built on a rock-solid base

By SAL VAGLICA6 min

smart home

There’s an app for that

Two great new ways to manage your home, its appliances, and its systems—from your pocket

By NATHANIEL WICE4 min

before + after | kitchen

New spot, new style

Switching locations with the family room, a rebuilt kitchen gets the free-flowing space and updated finishes its owners crave

By JILL CONNORS4 min

shopping

Lightbulb-moment pendants

Hanging solo, arranged in a row, or grouped to create a one-of-a-kind chandelier, these fixtures clearly put the focus on their light source

By KATE WOOD3 min