Photo: Nat Rea
The gifted builders and designers at This Old House have done it again! Their 2018 Idea House is an absolute stunner. Recently unveiled in Narragansett, Rhode Island, this 2,700-square-foot Craftsman-style cottage seamlessly incorporates modern elegance and ingenuity into homey traditional design.
So if you’re looking for transformative renovation ideas for a total overhaul or new build, touring this home is a great place to start. But even if you’re just looking for simple ways to update your interior or enhance your outdoor living space, the 2018 House features plenty of smaller projects that will inspire you too.
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Standalone Swing – The only thing better than an Adirondack chair for two is an Adirondack chair for two suspended on a swing. Put a modern twist on this classic summer seating project and suspend it on a chunky, cedar pergola. Nothing makes a statement quite like big bold beautiful cedar timbers. Photo: Nat Rea
Natural Railings – An easy way to add curb appeal is to switch out tired old synthetic railings on your front porch and replace with them warm inviting wood railings. The timeless beauty of a cedar railing system makes a great first impression on any style of home. Photo: Nat Rea
Wood Overhang – Top off your beautiful cedar deck with a beautiful cedar overhang. Boasting a rich tonal range, Western Red Cedar ceiling complements every material palette and will help pull your space together. Photo: Nat Rea
Textured Steps – Who says treads have to match the risers? In fact, two-tone stairs are a smart way to add visual interest to your deck. Pro tip: use a knotty grade of durable Western Red Cedar for your treads. Since the wood is pitch and resin free, it accepts and holds a wide range of finishes beautifully so you can stain your steps to contrast or complement the rest of your home’s exterior. Photo: Nat Rea
Knotty Pergola – Add value to your home and shape exterior spaces with a Western Red Cedar pergola. Durable and easy to work with, cedar is the perfect building material for this type of DIY project. Photo: Nat Rea
Outdoor Shower – An outdoor shower station is the new must-have for cabins and cottages. The perfect building material for this type of project is of course, Western Red Cedar because it’s naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects, so you’ll be washing off in the great outdoors for decades to come in this beautiful structure. Photo: Nat Rea
Sunroom Addition – Connect with nature in the comfort of your own home all year long with a cedar-panelled sunroom. True, Western Red Cedar is so renowned for its high performance; it’s synonymous with outdoor projects. But we’re seeing more and more interior applications these days. That’s because no other building material looks, feels… or smells quite like Western Red Cedar, so why not bring a little of that natural beauty inside? Photo: Nat Rea