Ep 20. Charleston: good wood

This Old House Season 39 Episode 20, titled "Charleston: Good Wood," takes viewers on a journey through the restoration of a historic Charleston home. The team focuses on the renovation and addition of a kitchen to the home, while staying faithful to the original structure and design of the property.

The episode begins with a tour of the home before renovations begin, highlighting the need for a modern kitchen space that doesn't compromise the home's historic charm. The team approaches the project with care, taking into account the history of the property and the need for blending new and old elements seamlessly.

The episode then moves on to a discussion of materials, with the team settling on a mix of oak and poplar wood for the kitchen cabinets and island, respectively. The team also points out how they carefully select wood to match the original patterns found on surrounding trim work, in order to create a cohesive look. Attention is also paid to the choice of hardware, with a mix of handmade and period-appropriate pieces used throughout the space.

The show also delves into the process of creating custom cabinets, with the team working on the kitchen island in particular. Viewers are able to see how the island is designed to comfortably accommodate seating for six while also providing ample storage for kitchen essentials.

Throughout the process, the team focuses on finishing touches as well, such as the installation of a leaded glass window. They also touch on ways to smartly reuse old materials, with the original kitchen cabinets being repurposed as storage in other areas of the home.

The episode concludes with a tour of the completed kitchen space, as well as a look back at the challenges that were overcome during the renovation process. Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive, insightful look at how to tastefully blend old and new elements in a historically significant home renovation project.