Steal Ideas From the TOH Remodel of the Year

Nicole and John Rader opened up and enlarged their 1920s Colonial Revival without sacrificing its soul-and won $5,000 and a GMC Sierra in TOH's annual Reader Remodel Contest!

Read the full story of their renovation on thisoldhouse.com


Old-World Charm, New-Age Problems: The front of the house before the renovation. It was originally built by their next-door neighbor's grandfather. After 70-some years in the Florida sun, it needed work.

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Belle of the Block: Finally, after three renovation phases and 10 years, the house is complete!

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Spacious Additions: During the third-phase of the renovation, the Raders added a 760 square foot addition, but kept as much of the original 1920s house as possible.

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How They Saved:

-Shopped smart. They purchased half-price floor models at appliance showrooms, asked local stores to match discounts they found online, and found second-hand wooden shutters to restore.

-Salvaged and Repurposed. They found items like their claw-foot tub in salvage yards.

-Leaned on Friends and Family. Neighbors offered them meals, temporary housing, and moral support. Their parents helped them clean and with babysitting their two kids.

MORE: Best DIY Family Space Before and Afters of the Year


DON'T MISS: See ALL of the entries from the 2011 Reader Remodel Contest!