This Old House Season 4 Episode 9 The Arlington House - 9

The Arlington House - 9 episode of This Old House season 4 takes the viewers on an inspiring journey through the restoration work of an 1849 Greek Revival home situated in Arlington, Massachusetts. The episode offers a glimpse into the meticulous planning, attention to detail, and hard work that goes into restoring an old but quintessential American house.

The episode begins with a focus on the front-entry and touches upon some of the critical aspects of restoring the old building. The team addresses the tricky issue of entry-way steps that are rotting away, a common issue in many old homes. The team decides to replace the old timbers with new structural lumber, which they hope will offer greater stability.

The viewers then get a good look at the living area transformation. The central focus of the living room is a beautiful marble fireplace that requires restoration. The team uses a chemical solution that dissolves the old paint and grime without causing damage to the stone material. After carefully cleaning and rejuvenating the fireplace, the team adds a touch of elegance by installing a new marble mantle.

As the episode progresses, the viewers are treated to a glimpse of the kitchen area transformation. This Old House team has the challenge of creating a modern and spacious kitchen in a historic home with limited space. The team achieves this by removing the wall between the kitchen and the back parlor, thereby opening up a larger space for the kitchen. They also relocate the entrance from the dining room to the back of the house. This move improves the flow of movement between the kitchen and dining area while giving easy access to the outdoor spaces.

The focus is now on the exterior of the house, specifically the front porch. The team deals with the rotting support posts, a common issue in all old houses, by replacing them with new lumber. They also source an iconic feature of many antique homes, lattice-style wooden railings. After the installation is complete, the porch exudes a warm and inviting feel, as if welcoming guests into the home.

The team members add the finishing touches to the first floor of the home by repairing the central staircase, creating space for a full bath, and improving the heating and electrical systems. The result is an outstanding renovation that maintains the character of the original home while adding modern amenities for today's homeowners.

The episode also highlights some of the significant challenges faced by the This Old House team during the renovation. These include meeting the historical preservation guidelines, finding matching materials for the existing structure, dealing with structural issues caused by years of neglect, and working around the challenges of a small building site.

Despite all the challenges, the episode ends on a positive note, with the team successfully addressing all the issues and breathing new life into the historic home. The renovation has transformed the Arlington House into a modern and comfortable home, without compromising any of the architectural charm and historical significance. The episode The Arlington House - 9 serves as a valuable resource for those interested in restoring and renovating old homes, providing excellent insights into the process and solutions for common challenges.