Cover Story · Paid For It Already — i — Aug 12, 2026

I Spent $3,200 on the Wrong Flooring So You Don't Have To

Ryan Mitchell recounts his $3,200 mistake of installing laminate flooring over original oak floors in his 1923 Craftsman, only to spend $4,400 to remove it and refinish the original floors. He shares lessons on flooring choices and subfloor preparation.

I. Features Selected Reading

— Family in the Fix —

How We Lived in One Room for Six Weeks Without Losing Our Minds

Ryan Mitchell shares his family's six-week experience living without a kitchen during a renovation—setup, routines, mist...

Aug 11, 2026

— Under the Hard Hat —

Foundation Cracks: The Three Kinds That Mean Trouble (and the Five That Don't)

Ryan Mitchell explains which foundation cracks are cosmetic and which are serious structural issues. Covers five types o...

Aug 11, 2026