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Debra Judge Silber

Debra Judge Silber attributes her appreciation for building to her father, a one-time carpenter and handyman who didn’t think twice about engaging his only daughter in scraping paint, hauling sand, and other glamorous tasks. Now managing editor at Fine Homebuilding, Deb continues the family tradition by pressing her husband, son, and two daughters into work on their Connecticut home. Deb relaxes by working on an MFA in fiction.

Kitchen Countertop Chemistry

Mixing surfaces makes a kitchen dynamic and functional—but getting it right is more art than science.
Compact Kitchens

Smart design moves make these four small-house kitchens feel comfortable, not cramped.
Small Homes: The best products for the best projects

One benefit of small homes is that they encourage us to live deliberately—to clear away the clutter and focus on possessions that enhance our homes rather than just take up…
Vormax Toilet

Single jet flush toilet
Houses 2015: Fixtures and Materials

Great finds inspired by our best houses
Paul Scialla: Wellness Real-Estate Pioneer

Founded by this former Goldman Sachs partner, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has developed a standard for healthy buildings that could do for occupant health what LEED has done for sustainability.
Philips SlimSurface LED Downlight

Designed to look like a recessed can
Potty parity

American homes have more bathrooms than ever. Is it all about privacy, or something else?
How it Works: Nails

Considering how critical nails are to holding wood-frame houses together, it’s surprising that we don’t pay more attention to them.
How it Works: Grid-Tied PV Systems

Most photovoltaic (PV) systems are tied to the power grid, which means that any surplus is fed back into the grid, and any deficit is supplied by the grid.