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When Evan and Whitney Williamson’s house in Saratoga Springs, New York, was built, Abraham Lincoln was in the White House, and Ulysses S. Grant was slugging it out with Robert E. Lee in a struggle to shape the nation’s destiny. There were no telephones, automobiles, or refrigerators. Electric lighting was rare. Most homes in town lacked indoor plumbing. Over the century and a half since then, six generations of Evan’s family have lived in the house, making a series of changes to it along the way....

In this episode: Mason Mark McCullough shows Host Kevin O’Connor the difference between the traditional way of cutting stone and the modern way. Many tools can be used today to easily cut stone, but you risk losing the character of the stone. Mark and Kevin compare an array of traditional hand tools versus modern power saws and grinders that many masons use today. Mark prefers to cut using traditional tools; however, he understands that it takes years of experience to properly cut a stone, not to mention more time....

In this episode: Home technology expert Ross Trethewey tells us about how he became an engineer. While growing up under the wings of his grandfather and father, Ross learned what the plumbing trade entailed. But, he was always more interested in the future of plumbing and heating, leading him to a degree in mechanical engineering and a role on the This Old House team. Ross explains that after growing up immersed in the world of plumbing, heating, and air conditioning, he followed his love for how things work to a degree in mechanical engineering....

About This House This 3,000-square-foot house was built in 1894 by William Whaples, a prominent banker, and his wife, Ida, whose father, a local cabinetmaker, crafted the interior finish work. The couple raised four children there, while William ran the Whaples and Farmers State Bank, which bore the family name until 2004. The house, which has been continuously occupied, has changed hands just three times. Why Save It? Built on a half-acre lot, the house retains most of its original elements, many borrowed from the Queen Anne style....

About This House This handsome Victorian-era house was built for Frank Morse, a prominent banker, and his wife, Florence, circa 1885. Morse, a Union Army commander during the Civil War, later worked his way up from cashier to vice president at the First National Bank of Wabash. The Morses owned the house until 1919; about a year later it was converted into rental apartments. The house changed hands six times before Indiana Landmarks took ownership in 2020, as part of a neighborhood revitalization project, and restored its single-family layout....

Site of the 2021 TOH Idea House Our 2021 Modern Barnhouse Idea House is located in the St. Croix River Valley. Unlike most of Minnesota which is fairly flat, here the wooded slopes, bluffs, and elevation changes make this area feel more like Vermont and less like the surrounding farmland. Matthews purchased the property in 2017. Thanks to the evergreen-covered ridges that screen views of neighboring homes and the conservation land trust that it abuts, the 5-acre property feels more like 50....

Explore our top choices, comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to common questions below. Best Water Protection: Coleman Sundome Tent Best For Large Groups: Core Nine-Person Instant Cabin Tent Best Truck Tent: Rightline Gear Truck Tent Most Lightweight Tent: Wakeman Lightweight Two-Person Dome Tent Best Water Protection: Coleman Sundome Tent Pros and Cons ✔ Can withstand wind speeds up to 35 mph✔ Has a sturdy dome structure✔ Includes easy-to-follow instructions that are sewn into the carry bag ✘ Construction quality is not as high as more expensive alternatives✘ Difficult to move within when at capacity...

Top 4 Toasters Best Four-Slot Toaster: Cuisinart CPT-180P1 Metal Classic Toaster This four-slot toaster has two adjustable toasting dials on either side to help you toast up to four slices of bread, bagels, and pastries to your liking. Additionally, this counter toaster has a stainless steel exterior that will match other appliances in your kitchen. It’s also compact for a four-slot toaster, making it an excellent choice if you have limited counter space....

Top 5 Kitchen Faucets Best Pull-Down Faucet: Delta Faucet Essa Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet Best Commercial-Grade Faucet: Kraus 18-Inch Commercial Kitchen Faucet Best Touch Control: Delta Faucet Leland Single-Handle Touch Kitchen Sink Faucet Best Small-Footprint Faucet: Peerless Single-Handle Kitchen Sink Faucet Best Value: HOTIS HOME Two-Handle Kitchen Faucet Best Pull-Down Faucet: Delta Faucet Essa Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet Available in chrome, black, bronze, or stainless steel, this faucet features a magnetic pull-down sprayer that reaches up to 20 inches to help you wash dishes of any size....

Top 5 Raised Garden Beds Best Tiers: Outland Living Raised Garden Bed Best Metal Bed: FOYUEE Raised Planter Box Best Compartments: Keter Urban Bloomer Raised Garden Bed Best Standard Bed: Best Choice Products Raised Garden Bed Best Mobility: Best Choice Products Raised Garden Bed Best Tiers: Outland Living Raised Garden Bed Pros and Cons ✔ Has numerous color and quantity options ✔ Is made from 100% BPA-free plastic ✔ Has a curved design that ensures that all of the layers have equal access to sunlight ✘ May be difficult for shorter individuals to tend to the plants on the top tier ✘ Has a heavy body, making it difficult to move What Customers Are Saying From living rooms to gardens, customers claimed that the design of this planter from Outland Living matched any aesthetic....

Here are our top recommendations. Top 5 Shower Tents Most Portable: GigaTent Portable Outdoor Shower Tent Best For Hose Showers: WolfWise Portable Outdoor Shower Tent Best Accessories: Green Elephant Portable Shower Tent Best Two-Room Tent: Ozark Trail Outdoor Shower Shelter Best Tall Shower: Texsport Portable Outdoor Shower Shelter Most Portable: GigaTent Portable Outdoor Shower Tent Pros and Cons ✔ Comes with sewn-in pockets in case you want to add sandbags to weigh it down✔ Includes optional guy lines for added stability✔ Weighs only 3 pounds ✘ Lacks adequate ventilation✘ Doesn’t work well for tall individuals because it’s only 6 feet high...

Top 5 Telescoping Ladders Best Handling: WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Extension Multipurpose Ladder Best For Medium Tasks: ARCHOM Telescopic Ladder Most Customizable: Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder Best For Indoor Tasks: Ohuhu Aluminum Telescoping Ladder Best Multipurpose Ladder: Bowoshen Aluminum Telescoping Extension Ladder Best Handling: WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Extension Multipurpose Ladder This telescoping ladder is easy to lengthen and shorten with its one-button adjustment system and five-to-eight-second retraction time. It’s also lightweight at 23 pounds and easy to carry because of its closed size of three feet....

Top 5 Walkie Talkies Best Basic Walkie Talkie: Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio Best For Kids: Retevis RT628 Walkie Talkies for Kids Best For Hiking: Midland 50-Channel Waterproof GMRS Two-Way Radio Best Battery Life: Topsung M880 FRS Walkie Talkie Best On-the-Job Walkie Talkie: Retevis H-777 Two-Way Radios Best Basic Walkie Talkie: Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio This device has a simple-to-use interface and convenient features, such as specialized call, keypad, and talk tones, that make communicating a breeze....

Top 5 Yard Games Best Classic Game: GoSports Cornhole Set Best High-Energy Game: Spikeball Spikeball Pro Kit Best For Kids: Giggle N Go Limbo Best Combination Game: Franklin Sports Outdoor Game Combo Set Best Suspenseful Game: Yard Games Giant Tumbling Timbers Best Classic Game: GoSports Cornhole Set Pros and Cons ✔ Comes with weatherproof bean bags✔ Takes seconds to set up✔ Has American flag boards and red and blue bags ✘ Can’t get the boards wet✘ Not as portable as other yard games...

VELUX has revolutionized skylights with a product line that not only brightens and lightens any home but also can—quite literally—bring in a breath of fresh air, another essential benefit to good health and well-being. How Energy-Efficient Are Skylights? Skylights save homeowners money, too; Augmenting existing lighting systems with natural light from skylights can reduce overall energy costs, and solar-operated skylights are eligible for a 26% federal tax credit for both product and installation....

In addition to their beauty, living walls may bring mental and even physical benefits to the people exposed to them. Initially appearing in public spaces, they’ve caught on as a residential design element; apartment dwellers with limited access to a traditional garden or houseplants may be especially intrigued by these amazing murals. Ahead, some specifics on creating a living wall, including the right light, framework, and plants, so you can get in on this growing trend....

Top 5 Sprinklers Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler Gilmour Spot Sprinkler Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator This oscillating sprinkler from Melnor uses 20 nozzles to spray water in two directions and cover up to 4,500 square feet of your yard. The sprinkler has an adjustable width and range to adapt to the size of your garden, lawn, or flower bed. Additionally, Melnor gives homeowners peace of mind through its limited lifetime warranty, which protects the sprinkler from defects in material and workmanship....

Atlanta experiences a variety of conditions that lead to foundation problems. For example, the city experiences hot and humid summers with wet winters, which causes red clay soil to expand and contract, causing foundation settlement and cracking in your home’s walls. The local fauna and flora may also find their way into your home’s foundation in search of water, leading to leaks, mold, and mildew growth. If you notice common signs of foundation problems, such as cracking or mold, then you want to find a foundation repair company as soon as possible....