Ep 1. Pilot - This Old House

9 by Design is an American reality TV show that focuses on the lives of a family of nine, Robert and Cortney Novogratz and their seven children, as they run their interior design and renovation business in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The first episode of the show, titled Pilot - This Old House, introduces us to the family and their business.

The pilot episode opens with a glimpse into the chaotic life of the Novogratz family. We see Robert and Courtney trying to keep up with their seven kids, ranging in age from under one to 13, as they get ready for school in the morning. From there, we are introduced to their interior design and renovation business, which is a family affair. The Novogratz children are often seen helping out with various projects, from holding the tools to choosing materials, and their unique perspectives make for interesting design choices.

The main focus of the episode is the renovation of a historic, six-story townhouse in Manhattan. The Novogratz family has been hired by a couple to transform their home into a modern yet classical masterpiece. Robert and Courtney take on the challenge, but not without some concerns. The house is over 100 years old and has never been renovated before, and the family only has four months to complete the project. They begin by doing a walkthrough of the house to get a sense of what needs to be done.

The couple has some specific requests, such as a modern kitchen and a gym in the basement. The Novogratz family suggests that they keep some of the original features of the house, such as the stained-glass windows, to maintain its character. They also come up with some creative design ideas, such as turning an old dumbwaiter into a functioning elevator, and installing an indoor pool in the basement.

As the renovation progresses, we see the Novogratz family facing a number of challenges. At one point, they discover that the entire house needs to be re-wired, which adds to the cost and timeline of the project. They also struggle with finding the right materials and dealing with unexpected design complications. But through it all, they maintain their focus on delivering a high-quality, unique design that will make the couple happy.

In addition to the renovation, the episode also shows us a bit of the Novogratz family's personal life. We meet their seven children and learn about their individual interests and personalities. The kids are heavily involved in the family business, and we see them helping out on site, going to meetings, and providing their own design opinions. It's clear that the family is a close-knit unit, and they work together to make the business and their home life successful.

The pilot episode of 9 by Design is an engaging introduction to the Novogratz family and their interior design and renovation business. We get a glimpse into the family's dynamic, as well as their design process, and we see how they handle challenges along the way. The renovation of the historic townhouse is a fascinating project to watch, and it gives us an idea of what to expect from the rest of the series. It's clear that the Novogratz family is a talented, passionate, and resourceful group, and we look forward to seeing more of their work in future episodes of the show.