When You Need to Paint the House (Sponsored)

Everything you need to know about painting your house: stripping, powerwashing, fixing damaged wood and choosing paint colors. Sponsored by Home Depot.

  It’s that time of year again and you’re outside, enjoying your yard. Then you start nosing around—maybe you’re inspecting your plants, or reviewing the condition of your lawn or setting up your sprinklers—and before you know it, reality hits. You need to paint the house.   A daunting task. An expensive task. A necessary task—because it's not just about how your house looks, it's about your home's value. Neglect is not an option. Take heart, however. Information and resources have never been more easily available to help you through this project. Know Your Options Your options are to either hire a contractor or paint it yourself. Hiring a contractor is an expensive option, but if it's in your budget and you do the necessary research to …

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Lots of Love Cat Rescue's Pet of the Week

Will You Befriend Merlot the Cat?

Merlot needs a home. Will it be yours?

[Editor's note: The following column was submitted by Lots of Love Cat Rescue.] Just look at this gorgeous face. Merlot is our movie star cat, with her attention-seeking ways, even in the midst of another cat's photo shoot, here comes Merlot to block the camera’s view. At about one year old, sweet Merlot is on the small side, all black with a dab of white on her chest, her thick sable-like coat can be addictive to the touch. Whenever the opportunity arises, Merlot seeks out a lap, just wanting to be near. Her story: She entered into a cat trap meant for another, was not spayed and nobody claimed her. Merlot is comfortable with being picked up and will approach even strangers for attention. We get a sense she wasn’t handled a lot because …

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Louise Needs a Caring Home

Will you adopt Louise?

[Editor's note: The following column was submitted by Lots of Love Cat Rescue.] As the temperature drops and winter takes its frigid hold, cat rescue people don’t sleep well. We hear the wind whipping and worry about the homeless kittens and cats outside. We find comfort in cats like Louise, ones we are able to rescue due to a kind soul who spotted a mom and kittens and never gave up finding help. The owner never spayed their cat, instead moved and left her behind. So Louise and her siblings were born in a condo complex environment, behind a tall fence in a tangled patch of forest, seeking shelter in the crevices of a cliff.   Rescued at three months old, Louise’s foster mom has done a wonderful job of showing her that people represent …

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Gardening 101

Take a Trip into the Garden

Gardeners, forgo the beach and get those hands dirty.

Memorial Day may unofficially mark the beginning of summer, but for many gardeners who have been closely checking the evening temperatures throughout the month, it is typically recognized as the launch of the growing season. New England is relatively well known for its erratic weather, and while it is unlikely to face a frost between now and June, it is New England. For those gardeners who simply cannot wait any longer, here are a few tips for protecting plants from late spring frosts. Preparing the Garden Beds Even if vegetables or flowers are not planted this weekend, this is the perfect time to add manure or compost to the garden beds, especially for vegetables. Vegetables pull a great deal of nutrients from the soil, and by not adding …

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Home of the Week

Winchester Home of the Week: 6 Black Horse Terrace

A historic masterpiece inside and out.

  This magnificent Victorian at 6 Black Horse Terrace is one of those homes you drive by and imagine living there. Its exterior architecture whispers Winchester history where no detail was considered too small with its stone foundation, interesting dormers, unique windows, bow designs and an inviting farmer's porch that spreads the entire width of the house. Inside, the home lives up to expectations with elegance and tradition with five fireplaces, and three levels of living space within its impressive 4,610 square feet of living space. In addition to its period appeal, potential homeowners will also be impressed with the renovations and maintenance this property has received from its considerate previous owners who accented each room with…

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House Hunt

Open Houses in Winchester This Weekend

Photos and information in this article are uploaded by local realtors and Winchester Patch.

  Realtors, this is your space. Upload photos of the houses you're showing this weekend and enter the property's details in the caption. Selling your Winchester place without a realtor? Consider yourself invited to add your photos and details into the mix. Please upload one photo per open house listing and include the following information in the captions of all photos: Click on the big green "Upload Photos & Videos" button to get started. If you have any trouble getting the message out, send an email to winchester@patch.com. About this column: "House Hunt" is a weekly column featuring real estate open houses in the city of Winchester.

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Home of the Week

Winchester Home of the Week: 161 Cambridge St.

Quintessential classic Winchester with touches of luxury.

  This circa 1854 farmhouse is an incredibly unique piece of property with its rich historical features yet decorated with a sophistication that seamlessly blends the centuries of its construction to present preferences. Given each age, it is evident that each owner through the years took meticulous consideration to the home's valuable heritage bestowing the honor and responsibility of future owners to preserve the legacy of its era. The charming farmhouse architecture represents a classic New England elegance that is displayed throughout the town of Winchester. Inside, it boasts elevated ceilings and many constructive details such as built-ins, window seats and oversized, and often elaborate windows treatments. Potential homeowners, …

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Gardening 101

Your Love for Mom Can't be Contained

Garden containers are easy and make a great gift.

  It is still a bit too early to plant many vegetable crops, but this weekend is a good time to start your own decorative or edible container garden. Plus, this project can easily be arranged in a day and for last minute Mother's Day shoppers, a plant container would be a gift any mother or grandmother could enjoy all summer long. Start with the Container Containers come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find rustic wood whiskey barrels, glazed pots, terra cotta, even fiberglass and metal. The best way to choose your container is to find one that will fit the personality of your home and apartment and fit the space where you’d like it to rest. Preparing the Container Once you have selected your container, it’s time to choose the medium for …

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House Hunt

Open Houses in Winchester

Check out this weekend's open houses.

Click through the image gallery to see what homes in the Winchester area are holding open houses this weekend. Times and prices are listed below each photograph. Be sure to take a look at the homes that sold this week as well.

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