Blog & Social

This year marks the 45^th season for the iconic PBS show This Old House. We are delighted that the show’s host (of 21 years) Kevin O’Connor, will be our headliner for the Feb 23-25, 2024 Capital Remodel & Garden Show at the Dulles Expo Center in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC.

Kevin is one of our favorites and it comes as no surprise, with his infectious personality and depth of knowledge, that he is so very popular with our attendees.

We put some questions to him and here’s what he had to say about outdoor curb appeal , his favorite TV show and a few DIY tips:

QUESTION: Kevin, what’s the best home purchase for under $100?

ANSWER: The Hori Hori – look it up. It’s like a multi-tool for gardening and was a gift from our landscape expert Jenn Nawada. It digs, cuts, measures and is an all-around essential tool that you can wear on your belt. When working in the yard I reach for it all the time – now that I have my own. Thanks Jenn!

QUESTION: What is one project you tell people to NOT do as DIY?

ANSWER: Don’t work in the electrical panel. This is for the pros. Feel free to turn breakers on and off but pretty much avoid everything else, the downside is pretty bad!

QUESTION: What’s one outdoor tip for big impact in landscaping or curb appeal?

ANSWER: It’s about the edges. I don’t care what you have in the beds just so long as they are edged with crisp, clean lines. And keep the walkways and driveway edged as well. A crisp edge line looks great and says that you’re on top of your yard.

QUESTION:  Other than the 45^th season of This Old House, what are you currently watching?

ANSWER: Yellowstone; I’m hooked. And am about to sign up for the two prequels; can’t get enough. Who doesn’t love a good western with beautiful scenery and modern-day cowboys.

QUESTION: What’s your favorite room in your home?

ANSWER: My office. Hardest working room for sure but also very comfortable. We added some library lights, grass cloth wallpaper, new leather chair and a few other things that kick up the form and function. Given the amount of time we spend in the room it was worth it.

QUESTION: With that in mind, what are your tips for designing an office at home.

ANSWER: These days it’s often the most important room in the home so treat it that way. Make it functional and comfortable. A few things we added to ours that really helped were tons of electrical outlets for all the charging that’s needed. We even added an in-floor outlet under the big worktable so computers can be plugged in while working without cords strung all over the place. A cabinet with glass doors for the printer helps with the noise, you can print a big document without disturbing an important phone call. High speed internet and repeaters are also critical so think about where you’ll hide all the wires.

QUESTION: What’s your next home project?

ANSWER: Bistro lights for the patio. We have some up temporarily, we’re testing out to see if we like them and where they should go, but now it’s time to make them permanent. The patio is my on-going project with little improvements made every year since we spend so much time out there.  Right now, I’m building a custom planter for the corner of the patio that will also hold the corner post for the light pole to dress it up and make it feel nice and permanent.