Ep 1. Heights Cottage

As a renowned home rehabber, Nicole Curtis made her way back to HGTV for another season of her hit show "Rehab Addict." In this season's first episode titled "Heights Cottage," Nicole aims to transform a historic cottage home into a modern living space while still preserving its traditional features.

Located in a prominent neighborhood in the Heights area of Houston, this small, old cottage home has been neglected for quite some time. The exterior of the home is covered with overgrown bushes and vines, and the bright yellow paint doesn't do it any justice. Inside, the home is charming but in dire need of some love and care. The floors are uneven, and there are signs of damage in both the kitchen and the bathroom. But despite its flaws, Nicole sees the potential and accepted the challenge to restore this home to its former beauty.

With a tight budget of $105,000 to work with, Nicole dives right in to start the extensive renovation process. As she strips the home down to its original frame, she discovers that this house has a unique history with significant architectural elements that date back to the early 1900s. With the help of her experienced team of contractors, she focuses on preserving the vintage appeal of the home while adding a contemporary feel.

Nicole has a particular attachment and love for this location as she spent her childhood in Houston, and her family still resides here. She is excited to be back in her home state and is looking forward to restoring this home and paying homage to the neighborhood's historic charm.

In the living room, she plans to add a white shiplap wall that will brighten up the space and give it that modern feel. The team removes the old wallpaper from the room and discovers the walls have never been painted. Nicole decides to keep the look of the original plaster as it adds more character to the home's traditional style.

In the kitchen, Curtis salvages the old countertops and builds new cabinets around them. She places an emphasis on using local materials in her design plans and incorporates quartz countertops, which are a popular trend in the Houston area. The kitchen space is small, so she decided to add some functional lighting with a row of pendant lights above the countertop.

To save money, Nicole and her team decide not to add an overhead hood. Instead, they opt for a downdraft vent that disappears into the countertop when not in use. The sleek design is a testament to the team's resourcefulness while making sure that the home remains practical and functional.

On the second floor, Nicole finds extensive damage to the bathroom's shower floor. Instead of replacing the entire shower, she decides to keep the original hexagon tile and focus on repairing the shower floor and adding a new surround. She also adds new fixtures and finishes to give it a cohesive and contemporary look.

Throughout the home, Nicole repurposes original pieces like the laundry sink and adds new features like a walk-in closet in the master bedroom and a new light-filled bedroom in place of an outdated utility room.

Overall, the renovations made to the Heights Cottage home are truly impressive, with Nicole and her team preserving the historic features of this charming house while still adding modern touches to meet contemporary living standards. This season's first episode showcases her keen eye for design, attention to detail, and her unwavering passion for saving old homes that are often forgotten and transforming them into stunning works of art.