Blog Posts by This Old House Magazine

Sometimes in the search for more living space there's no place to look but up. When Alan Koch bought this 1933 cottage in Portland, Oregon, he knew he'd be finishing the 600-square-foot attic sooner rather than later. And as a work-at-home educational and marketing consultant, Alan hankered for a light, bright office where he could spread out. By tapping the upstairs, he figured he could carve out just such a space, as well as a comfortable master suite, reserving downstairs bedrooms for guests and TV viewing.__Charlotte Barnard, This Old House magazine

MORE: 5 Steps to Finishing an Attic

The existing unfinished attic rose 7 feet to the collar ties. With the structure reworked, the bedroom gained a 9-foot ceiling with a large skylight to brighten the dressing area.

MORE Inspirational Built-In Storage Ideas*



By apply space saving design techniques in the attic, the homeowners were able to include a home office in the layout. The office opens up to the library in the stairway

NEW FROM THISOLDHOUSE.COM 08/26/11: Hurricane Safety and Preparedness Checklist

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What does it mean when they issue a hurricane watch? Or a hurricane warning? Thanks for the heads up, but what should I be doing to keep my home and everything in it as safe as possible? Many northeasterners are new to the whole hurricane situation, so whether the storm hits or not, the best way to keep your head in an emergency is to know what to do in advance.

Here's what you should be doing in the event of a watch, warning, evacuation, and during a hurricane, courtesy of our friends over at The Weather Channel. __Tabitha Sukhai, thisoldhouse.com

-Fill vehicles with gas.

-Get extra cash.

-Fill prescriptions.

-For mobile homes, secure tie-downs and prepare to evacuate when ordered.

-Bring in loose objects from outside.

-Prepare to secure all windows with shutters or plywood.

In the event of a hurricane warning:

-Secure all

Looks like Hurricane Irene is making her way toward the southeast United States. But, even if you don't live in an area usually affected by severe storms, the start of hurricane season offers a good reminder to give your emergency kit a once-over. To ensure you've got what you need, check with a relief organization like the American Red Cross for their approved must-haves. In the meantime, here are a few things to add to your shopping list.

See ALL of the essential items to keep in your emergency kit on thisoldhouse.com






1. Fishing Line

"You can tie almost anything with it-it's the Swiss Army knife of string," says Bill Begal, president of Begal Enterprises Inc., a disaster-restoration company in Rockville, Maryland. In a pinch, use this super-strong, waterproof filament to tie a flapping door closed or secure a tarp over a broken car window.

MORE: How to Prep Your House for a Disaster








2. Vinyl Tablecloths

Cheaper than tarps, these water-resistant spill-catchers can provide an

The worst of the worst...see theses 10 nightmarish, real-life finds uncovered by home inspectors, courtesy of our friends at the ASHI Reporter, and as seen in This Old House's Home Inspection Nightmares series.

See more of these nightmares at thisoldhouse.com!

1. Stripped of Common Sense

This service entrance cable has NO covering at all. The seller thought it was packaging material, so he took it off. All of it.

David Grudzinski
Advantage Home Inspections
Cranston, R.I.

See more from Home Inspection Nightmares XX





2. In Case You Run Out of Wood

This is a boiler radiator found in a working fireplace. One way or another the room will get heated.

Bennie Goble
BG Home Inspection, LLC
Corydon, Ind.

See more from Home Inspection Nightmares XIX





3. Ranger Rick

Found: Ranger Rick. Watch it out there, guys and gals. This one wasn't happy...

Dan Gartrell
Homestar Real Estate Services, Inc.
Gainesville, Va.

See more from Home Inspection Nightmares XXI





4. Coffee Can Lighting

I found

Lush-lawn

Things you should do now for a lush, green lawn next spring.

If the summer's brutal heat took a toll on your patch of green, there are a few things you can do this fall for gorgeous grass come spring. For starters, get ready to reseed: As the TOH How to Seed a Lawn Step-by-Step explains, fall's cooler temperatures prevents seed from drying out, but there's still enough sun and rain to help them germinate before going into hibernation for the winter, without the competition of crabgrass and other weeds that die off this time of year. Keep reading for more on what you can do this fall to repair your lawn for next spring, and learn about a new lawn seed for low-maintenance blades. (They grow slow so you can mow susbstantially LESS!)__Tabitha Sukhai, thisoldhouse.com

A big, and often overlooked, part of fall seeding is testing soil pH. Truth is, no soil is ready for seed without the right pH; all of your work will be for naught. You can pick up an easy DIY soil test to

A top-notch education starts at home, and creating a dedicated homework area could help your kids complete their assignments efficiently and successfully-with the least amount of kicking and screaming. Whatever your space or budget limitations may be, any devoted space for study is better than sprawling out on the floor in front of the television. Not convinced? Build it-whether it's a nook in the kitchen or a room all its own-and the good grades will come. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you get started, PLUS inspirational homework stations (like the one shown above), and 15 things you forgot to pick up while back-to-school shopping. By Tabitha Sukhai for thisoldhouse.com

Now, during end-of-summer back-to-school sales, is the best time to stock up on supplies for the entire school year. Check your school district's website for required supply lists and grade curriculums, then start shopping. You don't want to buy things your kid doesn't need, after all. But having a robust

A top-notch education starts at home, and a dedicated homework area could help your kids complete their assignments efficiently and successfully-with the least amount of kicking and screaming. Whatever your space or budget limitations may be, any devoted space for study is better than sprawling out on the floor in front of the television. Not convinced? Build it-whether it's a nook in the kitchen or a room all its own-and the good grades will come. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you get started.-Tabitha Sukhai, This Old House online

See all our tips on how to outfit a kid's homework station at thisoldhouse.com!





1. Lay Out a Power Desk

A spacious, flat surface (desk or table) and a comfortable chair that suits your child's height will encourage neat handwriting. For desks, opt for a lamp with a built-in holder for pencils, scissors, and other supplies. A small bookcase or wall-mounted shelves preloaded with an atlas, dictionary, and thesaurus wouldn't hurt, either. If you

We consulted with closet-design pros from across the country to learn the secrets to creating the ultimate storage unit, no power tools required.-Danielle Blundell, This Old House magazine

See all our pro-secrets for the best ways to maximize closet space at thisoldhouse.com!







1. Double Up

You need to dedicate only two-thirds of your closet to hanging rods. To maximize that space, mount two of them-one well above eye level for longer garments and one a little more than 3 feet off the ground for shorter (or foldable) ones. Position both at least 1 foot from the back wall.

MORE: How to Repair Sliding Wood Closet Doors




2. Put Small Items in Their Place

Designate a container (a bowl or bin on a shelf, or a pouch that hangs on the inside of the door) to serve as a catchall for loose change, receipts, or other items that accumulate in your pockets.

MORE: Smart Storage Solutions






3. Raise It Up

Only things that can be easily lifted or rolled away, such as suitcases, should be stored