This Old House Hour Season 12 Episode 15 The Arlington Italianate | Arlington Heights

In this episode of This Old House Hour season 12, the team visits Arlington Heights to take on a classic Italianate style home renovation. Built in the late 1800s, the home's stunning architectural details and intricate craftsmanship require meticulous attention and care.

The team, led by general contractor Tom Silva, starts by assessing the home's exterior and determining the best approach to restoring its brickwork and trim. With the help of mason Mark McCullough, they patch up damaged areas, replace missing bricks, and restore the home's original facade.

Inside, the team discovers several standout features, including a unique coffered ceiling in the living room and intricate pocket doors separating the dining and living areas. They carefully remove the doors for restoration and work to repair any damage inflicted during previous renovation attempts.

Meanwhile, host Kevin O'Connor visits a local artist's studio to explore the world of stained glass window restoration. Together, they examine the intricate details and craftsmanship involved in creating a beautiful stained-glass window and discuss the painstaking process of restoring these masterpieces.

Back at the Arlington Italianate, Tom and his team work to restore the home's original hardwood floors, remove and replace outdated plumbing fixtures, and update the electrical wiring to meet modern-day safety standards. With careful attention to detail and a deep respect for the home's historic features, the team makes significant progress toward transforming the home into a modern-day masterpiece.

Throughout the renovation process, the team faces several challenges, including working around tight spaces and navigating the home's complex layout. But they persevere, relying on their years of experience and careful attention to detail to deliver a top-quality renovation that honors the home's history while preparing it for the future.

As the renovation comes to a close, the team reflects on the hard work and dedication that went into the project and the joy of seeing a historic home restored to its full glory. From the outside brickwork to the intricate details inside, the Arlington Italianate is once again a shining example of the expert craftsmanship and beautiful design that make historic homes such a treasure.