Blog Posts by This Old House Magazine

It's that time of year again, when This Old House's readers get out the Dremels, chisels, and X-Acto knives and show off their squash-carving skills. This year, we got 99 amazing entries, and users voted for their favorites. Today we've posted the top 25 pumpkins, including the $500 Grand Prize Winner (hint: it's not the spectacular but professionally carved exploding head above).

Check out some of the finalists below, or see all the winning pumpkins from This Old House.

Modern kitchens are no strangers to sleek metal details and accessories. Take your techy look a step further with smart stuff like the Rectangular Recycler from Simplehuman. It takes trash collection from gross to gorgeous with a fingerprint-proof finish, two color-coded removable inner buckets (which work great for me beacuse I carry them both out and empty them directly into my Waste Management containers), a wider all-steel pedal than past designs have had, and Odorsorb charcoal filters integrated into the lid to neutralize the yucks. Bonus feature: The internal hinge design allows the can to fit flush against walls, without lid hitting said walls in the opened position. 10-year warranty included. About $199*.

*Don't yell at me yet! 'Tis true that you can get a run-of-the-mill kitchen trash can for much less, but you'll replace it often. And, it won't be nearly as awesome. I promise. Besides, if you shop around and clip a few coupons (say for Bed, Bath, & Beyond, where I got mine)

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know that using a paint low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is both better for your health and the environment than using regular paint. But in case you need stronger persuasion to finally make the switch, a recent study claims that painting your children's bedrooms with VOC-laden paints could cause them to develop chronic health conditions.

The study of 400 young children in Sweden found that those exposed to higher rates of propylene glycol and glycol ethers (particular classes of VOCs in paint) in their bedrooms had higher rates of asthma, sinus conditions, and eczema. The researchers also hypothesize that higher levels of VOCs in homes (due to paint and other sources of the compounds) could be behind the sharp increase in "allergic airway diseases" since the 1970s. So, next time you stroll through the home center, go for the greener paint option and breathe a little easier that you're making the right choice for you and

Check out what we did with a drill, some pumpkins, and a couple of strings of Christmas lights. Studded with tiny bulbs in swirling or geometric designs, the gourds shown here make brilliant use of white and orange outdoor bulbs (for the most bang for your buck, use energy-efficient LED bulbs)-plus they look far more sophisticated than the average toothy jack-o'-lantern. Come trick-or-treat time, simply plug this crop into your nearest power outlet to illuminate even the blackest night. Here's how to do it in just 4 steps.

1. Hollow out your pumpkin
(For detailed step, and access to shopping and tools lists, click the image)





2. Draft and transfer your pattern
(For detailed step, and access to shopping and tools lists, click the image)





3. Drill holes
(For detailed step, and access to shopping and tools lists, click the image)





4. Pop in the lights
(For detailed step, and access to shopping and tools lists, click the image)






More from thisoldhouse.com
5 Steps to Pumpkin Carving

To see the rest of the Top 13 American Murder Houses got to thisoldhouse.com

Q: I'd like to put in a new programmable thermostat to better control my energy costs. Can I install it myself?
-Sam Aleksy, Chicago

Lance Marques, HVAC contractor, Swezey Fuel Co., replies: Sure you can. Upgrading to a thermostat that automatically changes the indoor temperature setting is fairly easy, and it can trim about $180 off your annual heating and cooling costs, according to the EPA.

Simple models that only control heat are sold at home centers for around $25. More expensive products, such as the Honeywell Prestige that I installed here, handle many more functions, including cooling and humidifying. Typically they're purchased through and installed by HVAC contractors, but you can also buy them online.

Before you buy a replacement thermostat, however, take a peek at your existing wiring. If there are only two wires, the simplest solution is to get a replacement with a battery-powered display. Full-featured devices like the Prestige need power from a third wire, something

See more tips, including draft-proofing doors, sealing leaky ductwork, and much more at thisoldhouse.com

To see 5 more ways to shrink your energy bills this winter, see the full article at thisoldhouse.com