Ep 3. The Elms

In season 2 episode 3 of Restoration Home, titled The Elms, viewers are taken on a journey into the renovation of a historic building that has been left abandoned and derelict for decades. The building in question is an 18th-century Gothic mansion situated on the outskirts of the town of Streatham, South London.

The episode begins with the show's presenter, Caroline Quentin, introducing viewers to the property and its owners – a young couple named Steve and Nicki who have taken on the mammoth task of restoring the mansion to its former glory. The couple bought the property in a state of disrepair, with parts of the roof caved in, floors rotting, and walls covered in damp and mold. The Elms had stood vacant for over 50 years and Steve and Nicki were determined to bring it back to life.

The couple had a vision for the mansion – to convert it into a family home while preserving its historical features. Quentin takes viewers through the various stages of the renovation, beginning with the removal of decades of debris and rubbish from the property. The couple was faced with a significant task, as the mansion had been used for various purposes over the years, including as a stable, squatter’s house, and even as a cannabis farm at one point.

Once the mansion was cleared, the couple began the task of repairing the damage left from years of neglect. Steve and Nicki employed a team of skilled craftsmen to help with this part of the renovation, including a carpenter, plasterer, and a stone mason.

One of the most significant obstacles the couple faced during the renovation was the roof, as a large part of it had caved in and been destroyed by the elements over the years. To fix the issue, the couple enlisted the help of traditional craftsman Dan Stonard, who specializes in restoring historic roofs. Stonard employed traditional methods to fix the roof, using materials and techniques that would have been used when the mansion was first built over 200 years ago.

As well as tackling the structural damage, the couple was keen to preserve as many of the original features of the mansion as possible. This included restoring the 18th-century sash windows, which had been boarded up for years, and repointing the original brickwork, which had been partially hidden by layers of cement.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given an insight into the history of The Elms and the people who have lived in the mansion over the years. Steve and Nicki had researched the history of the property and discovered that the mansion had been the childhood home of a famous 18th-century poet, Henry Kirke White. The couple decided to honor this history by creating a plaque in Kirke White's memory and incorporating some of his poetry into the design of the property.

The episode culminates with the couple finally being able to move into their newly restored mansion. The transformation is astounding, with the mansion now a shining example of the beauty of historic buildings when they are given the care and attention they deserve. The mansion has been transformed from a derelict and forgotten building into a stunning family home that has been given a new lease of life.

Overall, season 2 episode 3 of Restoration Home provides a fascinating look into the restoration of a historic property and the challenges and rewards that come with such an ambitious project. The episode highlights the importance of preserving our history and the beauty that can come from giving new life to forgotten and derelict buildings.