Nov/Dec 2012 IDEA FILE
A new layout and period touches bring efficiency and style to a once clunky cook space
• Find 22 of our editors' favorite kitchens
Festive farmhouse dining room
Custom cosmetic touches make a plain bath special
A front porch and old-house touches boost a Neocolonial's curb appeal
An innovative redo transforms a dark 1830s farmhouse into a modern family's perfect place
built-ins that make entertaining easier
Twelve home-enhancing ideas designed to work hard so that you don't have to
read this before you insulate your attic
Get the know-how you need to stay comfy and save dough
• On fixing air leaks using the old smoke trick
• Fix leaks and save on cooling costs
• Pinpoint the R-value zone you live in
• Do you need a vapor barrier? And which way should it face? Check the map
Nov/Dec 2012 TOH TV
TOH tv: upgrades that slash energy costs
Cash savings and comfort are the goals in the latest project house's efficiency makeover
Nov/Dec 2012 UPGRADES
All the coolest new products to make your home smarter and more stylish
Nov/Dec 2012 HOME SOLUTIONS
home solutions
Make a Christmas tree from salvaged molding; 10 uses for wine bottles; give a plain table a style boost with nailheads; protect outdoor decorations; keep surfaces safe from holiday spills; and more
• Find more smart uses for leftovers
• Learn to make tea lights from wine bottles
Nov/Dec HOW-TO PROJECTS
Six ways a colorful ceiling can transform your rooms
Dress up your entry with a coat rack you can make from a reclaimed wood column
• Watch a video of this DIY coat-tree project
A pro shows how to turn prefinished planks into a classic herringbone parquet floor
• Watch a video of this project
Nov/Dec 2012 ASK THIS OLD HOUSE
Q + A
Get the right recip-saw blade for the job; to prevent rafters from cracking, don't keep layering new roofing over old; make sure fireplace smoke goes up the chimney, not into your house; and more
Patch plaster
Norm's tricks of the trade
By joining two cabinets, you can hang them safely as one
Nov/Dec 2012 IN EVERY ISSUE
letter from This Old House
A homeowner's work is never done
• Email the Editor
digital
Easy upgrades for a handsome holiday home
• Spruce up your fireplace
• Paint before guests arrive
• Pick the perfect Christmas tree
• Featured video: How to Install a Dishwasher
reader mail
• Email This Old House
checklist
Easy ways to improve your home right now
An Italianate cottage in Wilson, N.C., for a buck
• Got a house to save? Tell us about it