This Old House Radio Hour

Color Therapy at Home + Tom Papa’s Jersey Shore Paradise + Fenway Park Lawn Secrets

This Old House Radio Hour

Show Notes

Can the color of your walls actually affect your mood? Therapist-turned-designer Anita Yokota explains the science behind color and how to use it to create calmer, more productive spaces. Comedian Tom Papa takes us inside the beloved Jersey Shore beach house that became the heart of his family's summers. Former Red Sox groundskeeper David Miller shares the secrets behind Fenway Park's iconic grass patterns and how to recreate them at home.

On this episode you’ll learn: * How to build a strong foundation for a decorative stone garden wall. * What might be causing certain rooms and walls to feel much hotter or colder than the rest of your house. * The best way to create and maintain a level bocce court. * How to replace a drain in a pedestal sink when access is tight and frustrating.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at (877) 864-7460.

More from This Old House Radio Hour

Oct 20, 2026

Is your smart home spying on you? Cybersecurity expert Patricia Egger reveals what your connected appliances know about you and how to protect your privacy. Then, Futurama voice actor Billy West takes us inside his haunted 1926 Hollywood bungalow, where mysterious ghosts and old Hollywood history collide. Plus, uncover the surprising history of the blender, from frozen daiquiris to groundbreaking DNA research. And in House Therapy, a couple battles over whether to turn their unfinished attic into a home office or a kids' playroom.

Oct 13, 2026

In the first of a series called Work In Progress, This Old House's Kevin O'Connor sits down with Business Roundtable President and COO Kristen Silverberg to explore America's skilled labor shortage and how workforce training could help.

Oct 6, 2026

Should you be talking to your houseplants? Plant stylist Hilton Carter explains why forming a relationship with your plants might actually help you become a better plant parent. Then, Barbara Kingsolver takes us inside her 120-year-old Appalachian farmhouse, where generations of stories are embedded in everything from the kitchen cabinets to the handmade stone porch. Plus, we uncover the surprising history of the burglar alarm, from ancient Roman guard geese to the Queen's nurse. And general contractor Zack Dettmore explains how to know when a DIY project is worth tackling yourself and when it’s time to call in a pro.

Sep 29, 2026

Why does your electric bill keep going up and what can you actually do about it? Consumer reporter Jeff Rossen shares simple ways to cut your energy costs. Comedian Ryan Hamilton returns to the tiny Idaho house where he grew up and reflects on how its simplicity and spectacular views shaped his idea of what makes a home feel comfortable. Plus, we dive into the strange rise and fall of the waterbed, then accessibility specialist Blake Watson explains how a new generation of residential elevators and stair lifts is making it easier to age in place.

Sep 22, 2026

Dorm rooms have come a long way from cinderblock walls and milk-crate storage. Designer Shelly Gates explains why some families are spending thousands to transform college dorms into picture-perfect spaces and shares the tricks that make tiny rooms work harder. “History of Concrete” filmmaker John Wilson takes us inside the century-old Queens house that became both his first real home and an unlikely inspiration for his work. We uncover the secret history of microwave and House Therapy returns to settle a marital dispute over a sinking toilet and whether this repair is really DIY-able.

See all episodes →