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Traditional Holiday Decorating Ideas

The editors at This Old House helped make Blair House, the presidential guest house in Washington, D.C., festive for Christmas. Check out the clever, low-cost ideas they used to create a holiday with a little history
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S31 E9: Radiant Heat, Two Ways

Tom Silva fabricates a decorative bracket. Richard Trethewey heats the new kitchen space. Interior designer Lisey Good demonstrates smart storage solutions. Norm Abram patches the exterior siding.
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S8 E9: Organic Lawn Care, Bath Fan Fix

Roger learn about Harvard’s new organic lawn-care program. Kevin makes "compost tea.", the guys ask: "What is it?" and Tom prevents attic mildew by re-routing an improperly vented bathroom fan.
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Common Holiday Hazards and How To Avoid Them

Our guide shows you how to avoid common holiday hazards to keep your celebrations safe and festivities enjoyable. Read on to learn more.
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Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree: 9 Species and Care Tips

Here are 9 different types of real Christmas trees and how to care for them, so you can pick the best type for your home.
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S31 E8: Father and Son Lend a Hand

Tom Silva replicates exterior trim using cellular PVC. Norm Abram installs an exterior door. Architect Paul Rovinelli takes Kevin O'Connor on a tour. Tom gets help removing bookshelves and a wall.
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S8 E8: Picnic Table, Utility Sink

Tom and Kevin build a basic picnic table using common framing lumber, the guys ask: "What is it?" and Richard helps a homeowner install a new utility sink in a basement laundry area.
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Lessons Learned in 30 Years of This Old House TV

Most folks may tackle two or three houses in a lifetime. This Old House TV's crew has taken on dozens. What they've discovered over the years is sure to help any home improver.
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S31 E7: Pruning Hemlocks and Checking in on TOH Austin

Roger Cook helps prune hemlock trees. The master electrician installs a bath fan. Kevin O'Connor revisits a green building project. Tom Silva shows Kevin how he's roofing the new addition.
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S7 E8: Shower Enclosure, Shrub Privacy Screen

Tom prepares a shower enclosure for tile using a new type of waterproofing system, the guys ask "What is it?" and Roger helps install a privacy screen using bushes and a decorative flower garden.
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S8 E7: Weatherstripping, Heating System Sizing

Tom helps a homeowner seal out drafts by installing weather-stripping. Kevin discusses ways to monitor and save electricity. Richard helps a homeowner determine a new heating system’s proper size.
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How to Winterize Shrubs

Heavy snow and other cold-weather hazards can wreak havoc on yard plantings. Here's how to protect your shrubs in winter so that they make it to spring damage-free
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All About Interior Paint: A Guide To Painting Your Home

The experts at This Old House help you navigate the paint aisle like a pro so that you can choose the perfect finish for your rooms.
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S31 E6: Making Room for New Windows

Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor reframe the kitchen walls. Tom installs a large new window in the library. Homeowner Gillian Pierce envisions her new kitchen. Kevin visits a former TOH architect.
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How to Replace a Kitchen Sink

Ask This Old House Plumbing and Heating Expert Richard Trethewey explains how to replace a kitchen sink and faucet from start to finish.
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How To Install a Stone-Veneer Fireplace Surround in Your Home

In this video, senior technical editor Mark Powers shows how easy it is to dress up your fireplace with lightweight cast stones.
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S8 E6: Container Garden, Flooring, TV Antenna

Roger joins plant expert Carrie Kelly to learn about container gardening. Tom and Kevin discuss different flooring. Kevin helps a homeowner install a new rooftop antenna for his digital TV.
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How to Propagate Fall Perennials into Spring Plants

Many popular plants that shrivel in winter can be propagated from cuttings, put in pots, and grown indoors till the weather warms. Here's how
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S31 E5: New Gambrel Addition Takes Shape

Tom Silva builds the gable-end wall. The master electrician sets up temporary power. Richard Trethewey shows Kevin the new lines to the old radiators. Tom walks Kevin through the roof framing.
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Refresh Your Rooms With Bold Color Combinations

New paint is the easiest—and thriftiest—makeover around. Find inspiring ideas for transforming your home with a bucket, brush, and roller.
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How to Make a Towel Rack With Vintage Taps

Get creative and mount an old set of porcelain taps on a board to use as hooks for towels and robes
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S8 E5: Sliding Glass Door Install

Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners install a new sliding glass door. Afterward, Tom, Kevin O'Connor, landscaper Roger Cook and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?"
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S31 E4: Origins of the Dutch Colonial Revival

Kevin O'Connor and Tom Silva reinforce and level the kitchen ceiling. Kevin visits Long Island, New York, to learn about the Dutch Colonial Revival style. Norm Abram frames the first floor platform.
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S8 E4: Gutter Install, Efficient Washer/Dryer

Tom installs new aluminum gutters and downspouts, the guys ask, "What is it?" and Richard helps a homeowner install a new energy-efficient clothes washer and dryer.
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Pro Secrets for Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Professional painter John Dee shows how to give dark cupboards the glossy, smooth look of factory-finish cabinets without having to order new doors