Ep 5. Old Charm, New Home

In season 11 episode 5 of House Hunters Renovation, titled "Old Charm, New Home," viewers are introduced to Emily and Jed, a young couple on the hunt for their dream home in Portland, Oregon. Emily and Jed have a fairly specific set of requirements for the new house: they want something with "old charm," but remodeled to include modern amenities, and with plenty of space for their growing family.

The episode begins with Emily and Jed visiting one potential home, a charming cottage in the desirable neighborhood of Sellwood. The exterior of the home is quaint, with a white picket fence and a brick pathway leading up to the front door. Inside, the couple is delighted to find original details like built-in bookcases and a cozy fireplace. However, the home is quite small, with only two bedrooms and a cramped kitchen, which gives Emily pause.

Next, Emily and Jed tour another potential home, this one a spacious craftsman in the nearby neighborhood of Eastmoreland. The home has plenty of room and charm, featuring classic craftsman details like dark hardwood floors, built-in cabinetry, and leaded-glass windows. However, the kitchen is outdated and lacks modern conveniences, which gives Jed pause.

After touring several more homes that don't quite meet their needs, Emily and Jed start to consider the possibility of buying a fixer-upper and renovating it to fit their specific requirements. They settle on a charming bungalow in the desirable neighborhood of Laurelhurst, which has plenty of space but is in need of some serious updates.

The renovation process proves to be quite the undertaking, as the couple works with a team of contractors and designers to completely transform the home. They knock down walls to create an open-concept living space, gut the kitchen and bathrooms, and install new plumbing and electrical throughout the house. Along the way, they encounter a few unexpected setbacks, including a rotted-out subfloor that needs to be completely replaced.

Throughout the renovation process, Emily and Jed struggle to balance their desire for modern amenities with their love for the home's original charm. They debate over whether or not to keep the home's original leaded-glass windows, for example, or whether to install sleek, modern fixtures in the bathrooms. Viewers watch as the couple works with their designers to find a happy medium, incorporating new elements that complement the home's original bones.

As the renovation nears its end, Emily and Jed are thrilled with the finished product. The home now boasts a stunning open-concept kitchen and living area, complete with a large island and plenty of storage. The bathrooms are updated with sleek, modern fixtures, while still retaining the home's original tile and charm. The backyard is now a tranquil oasis, featuring a new deck and lush landscaping.

Overall, "Old Charm, New Home" is an inspiring episode of House Hunters Renovation that showcases the potential of a fixer-upper. Emily and Jed are able to take a charming but outdated home and transform it into a stunning space that meets their specific needs and exudes character and style. Throughout the episode, viewers will find themselves rooting for the young couple as they navigate the ups and downs of the remodeling process, and ultimately arrive at a beautiful new home.