Ed McPartland is a retired carpenter living in Wellfleet who bemoans the fact that traditional Cape homes — and new houses that replicate their style — are not well adapted […]
Dovetail Joint
DOVETAIL JOINT
Step Inside Alex Brewer’s Magical ‘Dunegrass Tavern’
A timeless space for music and friends, built from generations of salvaged wood
The musician and carpenter Alex Brewer has deep family roots in Wellfleet. His great-great-grandmother was Ada Freeman, daughter of Capt. Richard Rich Freeman, the first president of Wellfleet’s Mercantile Wharf. […]
THRIFT
Finding Charm in Things That Have Lived Past Lives
A new couch is nice, but secondhand finds still catch the eye
I recently bought my first-ever brand-new piece of furniture. It is a chartreuse sectional couch and I love it an unreasonable amount. I sit on it, I lie on it, […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Wood-look Plank Tile Flooring
A durable option for homes where humidity and sand are factors
If you are considering renovating your worn wood floor, upgrading from vinyl, or installing flooring in a new home, you might have seen something new since the last time you […]
HOT & COLD
New Technology for Dog Days and Three Dog Nights
Is mildew your houseguest that just won’t leave?
So many memories get made in a summer on Cape Cod. But if one of them is of that musty cottage smell, maybe it’s time to tackle the humidity problem […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Patios for Outdoor Living
Choose your site and materials wisely, and enjoy dining al fresco in no time
The question: I’d love to create a patio in my yard. Can I do it myself? While you can do some of the work toward putting in a patio, you’re […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Designing a Driveway to Enhance Curb Appeal
Clamshells to cobblestones, choose materials that won’t clash with your setting
The question: We’ve been living with a dirt driveway for a while now. We like the natural look of it, but it requires a lot of maintenance. It’s time to […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Precision Woodworking
Recreating wood trim in an antique house
The question: I’m thinking of buying an old house. It will need a lot of work, and I want to do much of it myself. I’m especially interested in whether […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
A Fresh Look at Your Project List
Small jobs that make a big difference
The Question: Now that we’re inside these four walls all day, I’m noticing so many things we ought to fix up. Our list is long and we can’t decide where […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Remodeling for the Best Return
How to spend wisely in uncertain economic times
The Question: We’ve been saving to make some home improvements and want to go forward. But we’re concerned about the economy and want to make sure we do this intelligently. […]
GALLERY
Thinking Inside the Box
Peter McMahon’s designs turn simple materials into useful geometry
A few principles guided the planning for the Independent’s new office on the first floor of Provincetown’s Whaler’s Wharf: simplicity, versatility, and cost. The challenge was to create quiet work […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Custom Shingle Design Lends Quiet Flair
The Question: I’m renovating my cottage and considering going from clapboard to shingles on the exterior. I know it will mean we won’t have to paint anymore. But is there […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Not Those ’70s Skylights
New technology adds energy efficiency and ease
The Question: I want to bring more light into my house without losing wall space. I’m thinking of installing skylights, but I have heard they can create more problems than they […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Built-ins Make the Most of Every Corner
Storage solutions should reflect the way you live
The Question: I need additional storage in my home. I’m tired of the bins and baskets I’ve been piling things into. But the truth is I don’t have a lot […]
DOVETAIL JOINT
Build a Better Chicken Coop
How to keep your chickens from becoming takeout
The Question: I’d love to build a chicken coop in my yard so we can have fresh eggs, but I’m afraid of rats — not to mention foxes, coyotes, and […]
