Ep 2. Little Naish

Restoration Home season 3 episode 2, titled Little Naish, follows the restoration journey of a family who stumbled upon an 18th-century maisonette on the coast of Somerset, but had no idea what they were getting into. The episode takes the viewer through the history of the property, the extensive renovation process, and the eventual transformation of the property into a family home.

The property in question was originally built in the late 1700s as a summer retreat for wealthy Victorian families. The property's name comes from the Naish family, who were one of the first to reside in the house. Over the years, the property had fallen into a state of disrepair and had been split into two separate maisonettes. The current owners, Mike and Jane, bought the property without knowing much about its history. They were attracted to the house because of its great location on the beach, but were soon overwhelmed by the amount of work that was required to make the property livable.

The renovation process involves stripping the house back to its bare bones and carrying out a full-scale restoration. They needed to bring in specialist workers to restore the property's original fireplace and cornice work, as well as rewiring and re-plumbing the entire building. Throughout the renovation process, the couple faces a variety of challenges, from uncovering a structural issue in the kitchen to dealing with a leaky roof, but ultimately they persevere and manage to salvage the property.

One of the most interesting parts of the episode is the research the couple undertakes into the property's history. They discover fascinating details about the property's original occupants and how they used the space. For example, they find out that the property was once used as a tea room, a popular pastime for Victorian ladies on holiday. They also learn that the property was once part of a larger estate owned by a wealthy merchant, who sold the house and surrounding land to fund his daughter's dowry.

Once the large-scale renovation work is complete, the couple focuses on adding their own personal touches to the property. They choose a neutral color scheme throughout the house and opt for simple, elegant furniture that complements the building's original features. The couple also adds a large conservatory at the back of the property, which provides a great space for their family to relax and take in the coastal views.

Overall, Restoration Home season 3 episode 2, Little Naish, is a fascinating look at the restoration of a historic property. The episode highlights the importance of preserving our architectural heritage and the challenges that can arise when trying to restore a property to its former glory. Through the couple's journey, the viewer learns about the history of the property, the renovation process, and the potential pitfalls that come with undertaking such a significant project.