Ep 25. Rain Garden, Cabinet Hardware

Ask This Old House season 15 episode 25 features two interesting projects for homeowners to tackle on their own. The first segment focuses on creating a rain garden, which is a garden specifically designed to collect and filter rainwater runoff. This is an eco-friendly way to reduce the amount of stormwater that can carry pollutants and sediment into local waterways. In the second segment, the show's experts will walk a homeowner through the process of selecting and installing new cabinet hardware, a relatively simple and affordable way to refresh the look and feel of kitchen or bathroom cabinets.

The segment on rain gardens begins with host Kevin O'Connor meeting up with a local landscaper to discuss the benefits of creating a rain garden in your yard. The two discuss the different types of plants that are ideal for this type of garden, as well as the materials needed to build out the garden's berms and create a shallow depression in the ground that will collect the runoff. Kevin then moves on to the homeowners' property to begin breaking ground for the garden. He digs out the necessary space and shapes the berms, highlighting the importance of creating a slow infiltration of stormwater into the garden, rather than allowing it to accumulate or drain off too quickly. The landscaper joins him to begin selecting and installing the plants, which will thrive in this type of environment.

The segment on cabinet hardware focuses on a homeowner who wants to refresh the look of their kitchen cabinets without a full renovation. Host Tom Silva meets with the homeowner to evaluate the existing cabinets and discuss different options for hardware that will complement the style and color scheme of the kitchen. The two discuss options ranging from traditional brass knobs and drawer pulls to more contemporary stainless steel or ceramic options. Tom demonstrates how to measure for new hardware and properly drill holes to install it, emphasizing how even small changes like these can make a big difference in the appearance of your kitchen.

Throughout both segments, the hosts and experts offer detailed explanations of each step of the process, as well as tips and tricks for how to achieve professional-grade results on your own. From selecting the right plants for a rain garden to measuring and mounting cabinet hardware, the advice given in this episode of Ask This Old House will empower any homeowner to tackle these projects on their own and achieve great results.