Features

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Idea Houses

Fine Hardwoods of the TOH 2020 Idea Houses

Get inspired by the beautiful doors, floors, and wood accents that elevated this year’s pair of TOH Idea Houses.

A Hardworking Cottage Roof | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Watch how GAF’s proprietary LayerLock™ technology and Dura-Grip™ Sealant give each shingle the heightened wind uplift performance it needs to withstand harsh coastal New England weather.

Simple Home Staging Tips for Any Homeowner

Prepare your place to attract the most prospective buyers—and land the best purchase price. Read our guide for professional tips on how to DIY your home’s staging.

Healthy Home System for Clean Indoor Air

With Americans spending 30% more time indoors, indoor air quality is more important than ever. Here’s how the Cosmos Healthy Home System is clearing the air at the 2020 Cottage on the Cape.

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Shop the Idea House

Shop products and resources featured in our 2020 Ideas Houses, the Cottage on the Cape and the Farmhouse in Fairfield County.

Tour the Exterior | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

2020 Idea House builder Matt Cole introduces you to some of the great new building products used to create our Cottage on the Cape.

Tour the Interior | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Join interior designer Denise Enright for a guided tour of our 2020 Cottage on the Cape.

Better Exterior Building Products | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Here is a closer look at just a few of the innovative products that went into the building of the This Old House 2020 Cottage on the Cape.

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Win an Annie Selke Rug Sweepstakes

Enter for a chance to win the Kenitra Indigo Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, as featured in the 2020 Idea House: The Cottage on the Cape! Note: This contest is no longer active.

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All About the ADU | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Here’s a peek inside the smartly-designed rental unit of our TOH 2020 Cottage on the Cape.

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Around the Grounds | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

With plenty of charm and defined spaces, our 2020 Cottage on the Cape is ready for relaxing and entertaining.

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Creative Spaces | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Here are some of the ways we incorporated usable living space into every nook and cranny of our 2020 Cottage on the Cape.

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Inviting Beds & Baths | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Here’s a closer look at the beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms of the TOH 2020 Idea House: Cottage on the Cape.

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First Floor Tour | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Take a tour of the open and inviting first floor of the TOH 2020 Cottage on the Cape.

Better Interior Building Products | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

We’ve packed a whole lot of innovation inside this small, but smartly designed footprint. Come on in.

Letting the (Natural) Light In | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Here’s how we flooded our coastal Idea House with an abundance of natural light and fresh air.

Redefining Exterior Wood Trim | 2020 Cottage on the Cape

Read on to find out what makes LIFESPAN® SOLID SELECT wood trim unique, and why we used it at the TOH 2020 Idea House on the Cape

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Pro Lighting Tips | 2020 Idea House: Cottage on the Cape

Interior designer Denise Enright tells us what inspired her lighting selections throughout The TOH 2020 Idea House on the Cape.

Adding Coastal Charm with Cedar Shingles | 2020 Idea House: Cottage on the Cape

We’ve put together a few of our favorite looks featuring this quintessential coastal building material. Get inspired, here!

Trend Meets Tradition | 2020 Idea House: The Cottage on the Cape

Here’s how a selection of historically inspired colors became the palette for our coastal-chic Idea House.

Furnishing a Colorful Basement Workspace

Annie Selke decked out the basement of our 2020 Idea House: the Cottage on the Cape. Watch the full staging in this time-lapse video!

Race to the Finish: Cottage on the Cape Idea House

We’re coming down to the wire! Here’s what’s happening at the Cottage on the Cape.

Download the 2020 Idea House Resource Guide: Cottage on the Cape

This classic Shingle-style home in Eastham, Massachusetts, was designed to meet the needs of younger families on the Cape, with plenty of spaces for working and playing, an income-generating apartment, and fresh, coastal- chic design.

Virtual Grand Opening: Cottage on the Cape Idea House

Watch this Virtual Open House Tour of our 2020 Idea House: the Cottage on the Cape! Get design inspiration and learn about new products directly from the house’s builder and designer.

A Reliable Roof at the Cottage on the Cape

A sturdy roof is crucial in regions prone to harsh weather, like our Idea House in Eastham, Massachusetts. Here’s how ZIP System’s roof assembly with integrated underlayment offers immediate protection during construction, and long-term protection for years to come.

Creating a Secure Enclosure for the Cottage on the Cape

Learn how ZIP System’s integrated panel and tape system for roof and wall assemblies kept the This Old House Idea House on Cape Cod construction moving swiftly and efficiently—and how it will continue to help the home achieve higher efficiency and protection for years to come.