Ep 9. First House On The Block

In season 4 episode 9 of the show Good Bones, titled "First House On The Block," mother-daughter duo Karen Laine and Mina Starsiak take on a new renovation project in the Bates-Hendricks neighborhood of Indianapolis, Indiana. The neighborhood is known for its historic homes, but the house the team is tackling is far from historic – it's actually the first new build on the block.

The house is a basic gray box with no character or charm, but Karen and Mina are determined to turn it into a stunning home that fits in with the aesthetic of the neighborhood. They plan to add classic features like a front porch, siding with horizontal lap and wood shingles, and a custom front door with sidelights. They also plan to expand the footprint of the house by adding a new master suite on the second floor.

Before they can start work on the exterior, however, Karen and Mina have to deal with some unexpected surprises. They discover that the land on which the house was built is very soft and unstable, and they'll have to reinforce the foundation with several feet of new gravel. This adds a substantial amount of time and cost to the project, but Karen and Mina are determined to make it work.

Once the foundation is sorted out, the team gets to work on the exterior. They start by adding the front porch, which will be the centerpiece of the house. They choose a classic design with square columns and a railing with curved details, and connect it to the house with a custom curved roof. The porch adds personality and depth to the house, and is the perfect spot for enjoying the neighborhood.

Next up is the siding. Karen and Mina choose a classic gray color, but add interest by mixing horizontal and shingle siding. The shingles are used on the upper level of the house, while the lower level features horizontal lap. They also add board and batten to the gable ends, which adds even more dimension to the exterior.

The final touch is the custom door, which is truly one of a kind. Mina designs the door herself, and it's made from solid wood with raised panels and a curved top. The sidelights are covered in beveled glass, which shines in the sunlight and adds even more curb appeal to the house.

With the exterior complete, Karen and Mina turn their attention to the inside of the house. They add a large master suite to the second floor, complete with a walk-in closet and luxurious bathroom. The suite has plenty of space for a king-size bed and sitting area, and the bathroom features a large soaking tub and walk-in shower. The team also updates the rest of the house with modern finishes and fixtures, like white oak floors and a spacious kitchen with dark wood cabinets and white quartz countertops.

Overall, "First House On The Block" is a great example of how Karen and Mina can turn even the most basic house into a stunning home. Their attention to detail and classic design choices make this house fit in perfectly with the rest of the historic Bates-Hendricks neighborhood, while still feeling fresh and modern.