Brick + Beam Detroit

Chances are, you might be looking for something to keep you busy, and help you plan your next home repair projects. We’ve pulled together a list of our favorite online spots to find information and inspiration around all things home--repair, DIY, development, architecture, etc!

This Old House premiered in 1979, it launched not only a show, but a new television genre focused on home remodeling. Four decades later, the company has two tv shows, a magazine and the robust ThisOldHouse.com. We love this website for extensive how-to guides and videos, many of which deal with older homes. You can key into shorter clips about exactly what you’re working on, try their youtube channel, like this clip about adding a shower to a clawfoot tub (sometimes these aren’t as easy to find on the website as on youtube). Note, as is often true as-seen-on-tv, some things seem a little easier than they might be the first time you try them. 
thisoldhouse.com
 

Hunker helps first-timers improve their homes— with inspiring tours, practical solutions, and design advice for real people. We love hunker for their fresh design sense and simple how-tos, like this radiator cover DIY. They also have great answers to common questions about your house, like, "What is A/C Anyway?”   
hunker.com
 

The Spruce is just what it sounds like-- tips and inspiration to spruce up your home. They’ve got lots of lists both fun (16 Best Home Renovation Instagram Accounts) and practical (Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist), and like many of the other sites we’re highlighting, lots of how-to’s!
thespruce.com
 

Curbed Detroit sees “homes, streets, neighborhoods, and cities as inextricably related.” Curbed Detroit covers all things real estate and development-- for sale/for rent listings, it’s “What $100K buys in Detroit right now” series, and current housing developments, like this piece tracking impact of COVID-19 on housing and transit. We’re, of course, fans of the local rehab before-and-afters and pieces covering neighborhood history. 
detroit.curbed.com
 

Keep believes that “homeownership is for everyone”, and has resources to help you navigate looking for a home, the buying process, and owning a home. Much of the resources offered are about the paperwork of homeownership-- researching homes, understanding mortgages and credit, making smart investments and growing equity.
Keephome.com
 

Architectural Digest started in 1920 as a trade magazine, now celebrates international design talents, innovative homes and products, inspiring decorating ideas, and more. We look to AD for beautiful photos of inspiring homes and design concepts that can help us think about what a house or room could be. 
Architecturaldigest.com
 

Retro Renovation is great for mid-century homes, and advocates for period-inspired renovations including preserving existing materials and using salvage materials. We love their pieces on the history of different materials, like this one about an infamous linoleum tile pattern, and their various articles on how to find specific vintage-style materials, like medicine cabinets.   
retrorenovation.com

This list was compiled by Alissa Shelton for Brick + Beam Detroit. This version is from April 2020. Please feel free to suggest your favorite websites to add to the list, email us at [email protected]!