At the modern Colonial's front entry, Bob takes a look at the columns that support the overhang at the front entry. An alternative to wooden columns, these columns, supplied by Chadsworth's Columns, are made of a proprietary material called PolyStone, a mix of reinforced polyester resin, fiberglass and marble dust. Strong and long lasting, the columns are expected to perform well in the often-harsh New England climate.

Bob tours the front vestibule, highlighting the beautiful stencil work done by Kim Sweet. The stencil work replaced moldings in many homes of this nineteenth century era. The stencil work is not just on the wall but extends to the ceiling. This small vestibule will take the artist four days to complete using oil based paint. Greg Rochlin meets with Bob to discuss a few architectural pieces that borrow modern technology, combine stock pieces to antiques to create an authentic paneled wall and inlayed flooring. Bob meets with Susanne Csongor and Christine Lane of CLC Interiors to discuss some of the choices made in decorating the dining room and front hall. They used dense busy patterned wallpaper in the small dining room to give it an intimate feel. Combining it with red cotton chintz drapes with goblet pleats to accent the berries in the wallpaper. A Russian rug on the floor in the hallway was the color palette inspiration for this room as well as a blue Greek turnkey pattern for the runner up the stairs.

Bob returns to Winterthur, industrialist Henry Francis du Pont's country estate, which is now a museum, in Delaware's Brandywine Valley. The museum's Port Royal Parlor display was originally part of a country home in Philadelphia slated for demolition in the 1920's. A collector of American antiques and architecture, du Pont bought the entire home and moved it to Winterthur. Pauline Eversmann, Winterthur's program director, joins Bob for a tour and recounts the parlor's history. The entryway opens onto the gardens, and in Colonial times, the doors would remain open to provide a view of the garden before guests proceeded to the parlor. As an area of the home intended for formal entertaining, du Pont wanted this room to be functional, so he expanded the parlor from its original size. Among the period antiques on display is an antique high chest that du Pont purchased for $44,000 in 1929, setting a long-standing price record for early American furniture.

Back on site, Bob joins Ray Price for a look at the ISBU's on their foundations. The total footprint of the house is 58 feet from front to back, or 1,800 square feet in total, with 2 ISBU's on each side. Between them, 7 3/4 inch-wide steel floor joists will run 16 inches on center and be welded on each end to the ISBU's, creating a total steel structure that will then get a plywood subfloor. Price shows Bob the floorplans for this Highland model. It has a front entry that leads to a living room, dining room, and kitchen combination that functions like a great room and family space. A central hallway leads to the back of the house and passes between two bedrooms on the right with a bath between them and two bedrooms on the left, including a master bedroom with its own bath, walk-in closet, and utility room. The single-car garage is built of cement block. The exterior will be finished in stucco like a traditional Florida home, and will match its identical, but smaller, prototype down the block.

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Getting a Dremel® Multi-Max Oscillating Power Tool is almost like getting 5 tools in one. With it you can cut, grind, remove grout, scrape and sand. Powerful and heavy-duty, the Multi-Max is just the tool to help you tackle a wide variety of do-it-yourself projects.

Sustainable materials, non-wasteful practices and energy efficiency are hallmarks of eco-friendly housing efforts. Now, one organization and a federal program are looking more directly at how these efforts can make homes healthier for their occupants.

you and your family stay comfortable the entire season while protecting your investment. The good news is that it doesn t have to be expensive. There are a surprising number of easy things you can do at minimal cost that can maximize energy savings this winter. BobVila.

BEFORE. This washed-out fireplace has no pizazz. Faux painting and a refinished mantle subtly enhances the bricks, offering more depth and character. Photo courtesy of Brick Transformers.

Oklahoma City-based kitchen designer Karen Black-Sigler appreciates the texture that stone and brick veneer can bring to a room. She s incorporated both into her own kitchen. Photo courtesy of A Karen Black Company.