This Old House Season 32 Episode 25 Arlington Italianate Project 2014; Decorative Details

In season 32, episode 25 of This Old House, viewers are taken on a journey through the Arlington Italianate Project of 2014. As the title suggests, the focus of this episode is on the decorative details found within the house.

The host, Kevin O'Connor, meets with the architect, David Whitney, to discuss the various decorative details that can be found throughout the home. They start with the exterior, which features ornate brackets under the roofline, decorative balusters on the porch, and a striking pattern of red and white paint on the clapboard siding. Whitney explains that these details would have been popular during the Victorian era, when the house was built, and would have been used to showcase the homeowner's wealth and taste.

Moving inside, the focus turns to the intricate woodwork found throughout the home. The crew meets with the millworker, Brian Courtmanche, who is responsible for creating many of the decorative elements. He shows off a fireplace mantel that features intricately carved corbels and a rosette in the center. The crew also discusses the large ceiling medallion in the living room, which was likely used to hang a chandelier in the past. Courtmanche explains that the medallion was made using flexible molding, which made it much easier to install on the ceiling.

In the dining room, Kevin meets with the painter, Jim Clark, to discuss the decorative painting techniques used on the walls. Clark shows off a technique called "strié," which involves dragging a brush through wet paint to create a subtle stripe pattern. He also demonstrates a technique called "sponging," which creates a more textured pattern using a natural sea sponge.

The crew then heads upstairs to explore the bedrooms, where they find more intricate woodwork and decorative painting. In one of the bedrooms, they find a decorative ceiling panel that is painted with a motif of rosettes and acanthus leaves. Whitney explains that this was a popular design motif during the Italianate period, and was often used in grander homes to showcase the owner's wealth and sophistication.

One of the most impressive features of the upstairs is the stained glass window that sits above the staircase. The crew meets with the artist, Tim Carey, who explains how the window was created. He shows off the intricate leadwork and the many different colors of glass used to create the stunning design. Carey explains that creating a stained glass window is a time-consuming process, but the end result can be breathtaking.

Throughout the episode, the crew also touches on various other decorative details found throughout the home, including the decorative brackets on the staircase, the intricate tile work in the bathrooms, and the many different door styles found throughout the home. They discuss the history behind many of these details and how they would have been used during the time period the home was built.

Overall, This Old House season 32 episode 25 is a celebration of the decorative details found within the Arlington Italianate Project of 2014. Through interviews with experts and demonstrations of various techniques, viewers are given a glimpse into the creative processes behind many of the stunning features found within the home.