Bob Vila

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob Vila

You probably know me from TV, where for nearly 30 years I hosted a variety of educational shows—This Old House, Bob Vila’s Home Again, Bob Vila, and Restore America with Bob Vila. I’ve also written 12 books about remodeling your home, buying your dream home, and visiting historic homes across America. It’s fair to say my life’s work has been helping people upgrade their homes and improve their lives.

Before my life in broadcasting, I launched my own residential remodeling and design business. Earlier still, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer, building houses and communities in Panama. I learned first-hand about home building from my father, who hand-built our family home.

Over the years I've also supported many causes dealing with housing and architectural preservation. I've been actively involved with Habitat for Humanity and helped them blitz build a house in Yonkers, NY, which we put on TV. I worked for years with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, supporting the work of many organizations throughout the country. In the last several years I've been helping out with the restoration of Ernest Hemingway’s home and collections at Finca Vigía near Havana, Cuba. This place was his home from 1939 until his death and he left it to the Cuban people to be run as a museum. This project has allowed me to visit my parents' homeland several times.

Now it's this website that I am passionate about and the chance to share my projects, discoveries, tips, advice, and experiences with all of you. I’ve always believed that a little sweat equity goes a long way toward making a house a home, and that's exactly what BobVila.com helps homeowners do.

Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Instagram. I look forward to the conversation and to getting to know you.

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JULY 9, 2013 | TUESDAY
Quick Tip: Boost Child Safety at Home

Childproofing: What Do You Need?Most new parents know they need to take steps to protect their child from household dangers, but it seems like there’s a new childproofing gadget invented ...

JULY 9, 2013 | TUESDAY
When Remodeling an Old House, Which Features Should You Keep?

Owners of old houses have a lot to navigate when they embark on an old house remodel. Some homeowners may be tempted to make a clean sweep, stripping everything down to the studs and star...

JULY 1, 2013 | MONDAY
Stucco 101

Animal hooves and horns. Wheat paste. Urine. Beeswax. Rye whiskey.  No, these aren't the makings of a potent witches' brew. Rather, at one time or another in history, each was used in stu...

JUNE 28, 2013 | FRIDAY
Pea Gravel Brings Beauty to Any Patio

Outdoor spaces add value, not only for resale, but in lifestyle terms as well. If you're in the process of designing a patio, the breadth of possibilities may strike you as overwhelming. ...

JUNE 25, 2013 | TUESDAY
How to Fix a Running Toilet

Nowadays, we don’t give much thought to our toilets, but there was a time when answering nature's call involved such things as porcelain pots and crude outhouses. The modern flushing toil...

JUNE 18, 2013 | TUESDAY
How To: Replace a Tub Spout

A tub spout does two things: It provides a decorative cover for the pipe stub delivering water to the bathtub, and it directs the water away from the wall where it could cause damage. Our...

JUNE 17, 2013 | MONDAY
Composite Decking 101

For what is meant to be a relaxing outdoor refuge, a deck can sure be a lot of work. Sanding, power-washing, refinishing: The demands are enough to make some homeowners wonder whether hav...

JUNE 13, 2013 | THURSDAY
Planning Guide: Attic Conversion

Want more livable space in your home? Don't want to spend a king's ransom? Attic conversion has fit the bill for countless homeowners over the years. Unlike many basements, attics are dry...

JUNE 3, 2013 | MONDAY
Vinyl Siding 101

Sometimes you’ve got to hand it to prehistoric man. Not because he discovered fire, and not because he invented the wheel. But rather because, so early in history, he struck upon one impo...

MAY 31, 2013 | FRIDAY
Backyard Decks Go Green with Redwood Construction

Contrary to popular belief, redwood can be a very environmentally-friendly building material especially when compared to many types of composite decking. The key to maintaining a “green” ...