Ep 6. Big House

Restoration Home season 1 episode 6, titled "Big House," follows the journey of a Grade II listed early Georgian mansion, situated in the village of Mellor in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. With a history spanning over three centuries, the property had fallen into a state of severe disrepair and was in danger of being lost forever.

Presenting an enormous challenge to the owners and the restoration team, the house required not only extensive structural repairs and restoration but also modern updates to make it livable in the present day. The team was led by restoration architect George Clarke, who worked in collaboration with the owners to breathe fresh life into the historic property while retaining its original features and character.

The episode takes the viewers on a guided tour of the sprawling mansion, which boasted twenty-three bedrooms, numerous living rooms, and a myriad of hidden nooks and crannies. The restoration team was tasked with reviving the grandeur of the house, which had been hidden beneath layers of dust, paint, and poor-quality renovations from numerous previous owners.

Among the biggest challenges faced by the team was structural damage caused by the lack of insulation. This had led to an infestation of rot in the walls and roof, which endangered the stability of the entire structure. The team had to replace the damaged timber and all the new woodwork had to match the original wood to maintain the authenticity of the house. Another challenge was the garden, which was a tangled jungle. The team had to cut down large trees, free the walled garden, and replant fruit and vegetables to restore the garden to its 18th century glory.

The restoration team had to strip back the layers of neglect to expose the original materials and craftsmanship of the house, while simultaneously adding modern amenities. They added a new kitchen, living room, and a seamless glass extension, which matches the exterior brickwork and blends in with the original style of the house. They also installed a state-of-the-art heating system and rewired the entire property to bring it up to modern standards while still keeping all the original features intact.

The episode highlights the hardships, frustrations, and triumphs the restoration team encountered along the way, including a period of intense cold weather that delayed the work and caused some of the new paintwork on the exterior to crack. The owners had to often reconsider their budget as hidden expenses kept cropping up. One such recurring issue was the stonework, which required extensive repairs and stonemasons to work on them. But despite these setbacks, the team was determined to stick to their vision of restoring the house to its former glory.

The episode concludes with the grand reveal of the completed house, which looks and feels like a 21st-century home while retaining all of its 18th-century charm. With the help of George Clarke's vision and expertise and the dedication and hard work of the entire restoration team, the historically significant property has been lovingly restored and is now a treasured family home that will stand the test of time.

Restoration Home season 1 episode 6 is a must-watch for anyone with an interest in historic homes and the process of revitalizing them for the modern age. It offers a fascinating insight into the challenges, triumphs and rewards of restoring a grand property like Big House.