This Old House Season 26 Episode 8 The Carlisle House - 8

The Carlisle House - 8 is the eighth episode of the 26th season of the popular home renovation show This Old House. In this episode, the team visits the historic Carlisle House in Carlisle, Massachusetts with the goal of transforming the outdated and cramped kitchen into a spacious and functional space for the homeowners.

The episode begins with an introduction to the Carlisle House, a beautiful 1806 Federal-style home that is in need of some TLC. The owners have lived in the home for over 20 years and have been slowly renovating it themselves, but they now need some professional help to tackle the kitchen. The current kitchen is cramped, with no counter space and outdated appliances. The team of experts from This Old House arrive to help make the kitchen into a modern and functional space while still maintaining the home's historic charm.

The first step in the renovation process is to remove the old cabinets, flooring, and appliances. The team discovers that the original floorboards of the home are still intact beneath the layers of linoleum, so they decide to restore them rather than put down a new floor. They also discover a small window hidden behind the cabinets, which will provide some much-needed natural light.

Once the demolition is complete, the team begins to work on the layout of the new kitchen. They decide to open up the space by removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room, which will create a more spacious and airy feel. They also decide to expand the kitchen by pushing out a small bump-out on the back of the house.

Next, the team chooses new cabinets and appliances for the space. The homeowners want a classic, timeless look, so they choose white Shaker-style cabinets and a subway tile backsplash. They also choose high-end stainless steel appliances, including a gas range, double oven, and refrigerator.

One of the challenges of the renovation is the fact that the home is very old and has some quirks that must be worked around. For example, the team needs to build a custom floating shelf to fit around the curve of a wall. They also need to create a custom trim for the windows to match the original trim in the rest of the home.

Throughout the episode, the team runs into a few hiccups, but they work through them creatively and efficiently. They discover that the chimney needs some repairs, so they build a custom cabinet to hide the chimney and add some extra storage. They also work around the fact that the ceiling height in the kitchen is slightly lower than standard, by installing a unique coffered ceiling that makes the space feel larger.

Finally, the team puts the finishing touches on the kitchen, including installing a new countertop, sink, and faucet. They also add some decorative elements, such as a custom-built banquette and a beautiful pendant light over the kitchen island.

In the end, the transformation of the Carlisle House kitchen is stunning. The space is now open, bright, and functional, while still maintaining the home's historic charm. The homeowners are thrilled with the results, and the team from This Old House once again proves that they have what it takes to tackle even the toughest renovation challenges.