Some older homes possess showier charms than others: decorative ornament in the form of plaster, composition molding, or wood paneling.

A common sense guide to displaying your collectibles.

Clever space planning and long-coveted design details make for an elegantly simple kitchen.

With a bit of decorative millwork, you can transform a cookie-cutter kitchen into something spicy.

Whether folk or classical, stenciling transforms a room.

A bland and damaged surround is remade with a period tile installation—and the fireplace becomes a stylish focal point.

A fresh look at interior window shutters, with tips on how to get that historical look today.

Have you ever thought you’d solved a paint scheme dilemma with one of those chips from the paint store that has four or five gradations of the same hue? You put one on the walls, another on the trim, perhaps—daringly—a third for accent. Then, before the paint’s even dry, you find yourself dissatisfied?

Real milk paint is back on the radar: It’s non-toxic and offers unique finish effects for walls, cabinets, and furniture. And modern formulations have extended its applications.

The pleasures of the hearth are both ancient and varied. Yet in colonial America, the fireplace was valued more for function than aesthetics—a fact reflected in its utilitarian appearance.