Autumn—our favorite season—has finally arrived across much of the country. With cooler temperatures on the horizon and the quiet anticipation of winter, the landscape transforms: leaves shift into vivid yellows, oranges, and reds, then settle into piles of brown. Those leaf piles look picturesque, but they need prompt attention to protect the lawn beneath them. … Read more

A whole-house remodel is one of the largest investments you can make in your home. In Florida, selecting the wrong contractor can quickly turn a dream renovation into a costly, drawn-out ordeal. Florida presents unique challenges: high humidity, strict hurricane-resistant building codes, regional architectural styles, and permitting hurdles. Homeowners need contractors who understand these local … Read more

Owning a home means there is always something to repair, upgrade, or improve. As a homeowner who enjoys tackling projects, I’ve learned that well-chosen upgrades do more than improve appearance: they make daily life easier, increase long-term durability, and help prevent more costly problems down the road. Some projects are simple weekend tasks; others require … Read more

Many homebuyers purchase properties expecting to make improvements over the years. Those who choose fixer-uppers often plan larger projects than simply swapping laminate for hardwood or repairing a roof. No matter the scale of the remodel, knowing common construction terms helps homeowners communicate clearly with contractors and enables do-it-yourselfers (DIY) to complete projects that meet … Read more

…anything we want it to be! It’s just after midnight, and I’ve been reflecting on how remarkable 2011 was for my family and me. I have so much to be grateful for. I want to extend my thanks to long-time editor and contributor Katy Ryan, who spent nearly five years with Charles & Hudson. Katy … Read more

Purple Mattress is a leading bed-in-a-box company known for mattresses engineered to deliver pressure-relieving comfort and supportive sleep. Their products are built around the patented Smart Comfort Grid, which provides unique pressure relief and a cool, comfortable sleeping surface. Every Purple Mattress features the Smart Comfort Grid, but models differ in construction. The Original Purple … Read more

Last December I finally took the plunge and drove to Tucson, Arizona to inspect a clean 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62. The truck was in solid condition, and the next day I was driving it back to Los Angeles. Bronco Memories I’ve been tempted by another classic 4×4 ever since I sold my 1970 Bronco … Read more

Starting a DIY project is often the hardest part. Inspiration can make all the difference—sparking ideas, giving direction, and making the first step feel manageable. Where do you turn for that spark? Magazines — glossy spreads and step-by-step features can be great for trends and curated projects. Books — in-depth guides and reference materials are … Read more

We have an old wall-mounted Delta kitchen faucet that began to drip last month. The faucet is likely original to the house, built in the 1950s. Fortunately, our local hardware store stocks replacement seats and springs for pre-1976 Delta faucets, so a simple parts swap restored the faucet without replacing the entire fixture. Replacing the … Read more

Joe and Lulu with their daughters, Dani and Maya, on their front porch in Richmond, VA, Photo by Tania del Carmen as part of the #OnHoldAtHome series My friend Joe Kutchera generously shared the story of renovating his historic Richmond home. We met while working at This Old House, and I’m honored to tell his … Read more