This Old House Season 29 Episode 25 New Orleans Project 09

In season 29, episode 25 of This Old House, titled New Orleans Project 09, the renovation team continues their work on a beautiful historic home located in the heart of New Orleans.

The episode begins with host Kevin O'Connor and carpenter Nathan Gilbert working on restoring a unique ceiling found in one of the bedrooms. The ceiling was originally installed by the home's previous owners, but it was damaged during Hurricane Katrina. The team carefully removes the damaged plaster and lath and replaces it with new materials. Then, they work on replicating the intricate design of the original ceiling by carving out custom pieces of wood and installing them one by one.

Meanwhile, general contractor Tom Silva and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey head outside to work on the home's air conditioning and heating system. Due to the history and style of the home, traditional HVAC systems won't work, so they decide to install mini-split systems instead. They run refrigerant lines and connect the outdoor condenser units to the indoor air handlers, all while keeping the exterior of the home looking as original as possible.

The team also continues to work on restoring the home's original windows, which were all damaged during the hurricane. They carefully remove the lead paint and rotten wood, install new glass panes, and apply fresh paint to bring the windows back to their original beauty.

Later in the episode, Kevin meets with chef Nina Compton to explore the vibrant food scene in New Orleans. They visit her restaurant, Compère Lapin, to sample some of her popular dishes and discuss the culture and history behind Louisiana cuisine.

Finally, the This Old House team heads to the French Quarter to experience some of the city's rich architectural history. They explore the beautiful ornamental ironwork found on many of the historic buildings and learn about the intricate designs and techniques used by the skilled craftsmen who created them.

Overall, this episode of This Old House is a captivating look at the renovation process of a historic home in one of the most vibrant and unique cities in the country. From restoring intricate ceilings to installing modern HVAC systems, the team showcases their expertise and commitment to preserving the character and history of the home.