This article appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. It was the large kitchen and open floor plan that sold Meg Copley on her 1931 house in Norwalk, CT. But she’s not a fan of the blue vinyl siding or the awkward office bump out in front, saying, “It just seems like an afterthought.” Before Meg Reinhardt So we asked architect Jeff Troyer to help Meg envision her Colonial Revival’s true potential. “My primary goal was to better integrate the front addition and to extend the entry to really…

There’s nothing like a classic well-designed Parisian flat. This 7th arrondissement apartment renovated by interior architect and designer Olivia Massimi is thoroughly modern, but could have just as easily been designed 20 years ago—and we mean that in the best way. A timeless interior marked by elegant Italian lighting and midcentury furniture is proof that this design will endure for 20 years to come, and longer. Here we’ve detailed the key elements to recreate the look with exact and similar resources.Above: Neutral tones, Parisian oak flooring, and Haussmanian architectural details make up the living space. Photograph by Yann Deret, courtesy…

This article appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. When choosing a designer for a remodel, it’s a good idea to hire someone who will consider your future needs as well as your present wants. Even better when that person is your daughter and knows your taste to a tee. BEFORE: While the basic layout was a keeper, the bath’s mottled-brown floor tile, laminate vanity, and acrylic sink top and tub walls were dated and dreary. Catherine Williamson While Catherine Williamson’s parents wanted the 1950s Cape they bought near…

Ahead this weekend, new takes on classics: a 1970s perch re-released, a design show at a historic UK property, and more evidence that pressed flowers are back. Take a look:Above: Photograph from “Nothing Flashy”: The Well-Traveled Home of UK Interior Designer Lucy Currell.Don’t forget to enter our giveaway for a chance to win a copy of our new book, Remodelista in Maine, a two-night stay in Maine, and more. Enter here; and for all the details and offerings, head here.Margot is delving into, from afar, the design show Radical Acts at Harewood, a historic house museum in Yorkshire (it was…

Project details Skill 1 out of 5 Easy Digging holes and pouring concrete piers is hard work, but building the frame and laying the decking is straightforward. Cost $800 to $1,000 for a 10x16-foot pressure-treated deck Estimated Time 4 to 6 days for construction, plus one week for concrete to cure If you've always dreamed of building your own deck, but were hesitant to tackle such a large, complicated construction project, we've got some good news. We asked This Old House general contractor Tom Silva to demonstrate the proper techniques for building a small, simple on-grade deck. All you need…