This Old House Season 7 Episode 1 The Newton Cottage - 1
- October 10, 1985
The Newton Cottage - 1 is the premiere episode of the seventh season of the popular renovation and restoration show, This Old House. In this episode, the team takes on the challenging task of restoring a dilapidated 100-year-old cottage located in the rural town of Newton, Massachusetts.
The episode begins with the team's arrival at the site, where they are greeted by a rundown structure that seems to have been abandoned for years. The cottage is in a state of disrepair, with worn-out walls, a dilapidated roof, and shoddy foundation work. The team's first task is to assess the scope of the renovation work and create a plan of action.
The team begins by examining the foundation and structural integrity of the cottage. They discover that the cottage has undergone numerous renovations over the years, and the workmanship is subpar, resulting in numerous structural problems. After a thorough examination, the team determines that they will have to excavate the foundation and rebuild it from scratch.
The team then moves on to the exterior of the cottage, which requires extensive restoration work. The walls are worn, the old leaded glass windows are in disrepair and need replacing, and the porch is sagging and in danger of collapse. To restore the exterior of the cottage, the team will need to strip away the previous additions and repairs and start from scratch.
Next, the team moves inside the cottage, where they find that the entire structure requires a complete overhaul. The walls are infested with mold and rot, and the wiring and plumbing systems require modernization. Additionally, they discover that the cottage was originally built without insulation, which will be a significant challenge when it comes to modernizing the interior.
Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the team's challenges and successes as they work to transform the rundown cottage into a beautiful and functional home. They painstakingly restore the original woodwork on the interior and exterior of the property, add modern amenities like a new heating system and a state-of-the-art kitchen, and rebuild the foundation and roof from scratch.
One of the highlights of the episode is watching the team restore the leaded glass windows, which had been damaged and painted over by previous owners. The team uses a unique technique to remove the paint and restore the intricate leaded glasswork to its original beauty.
As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left with a sense of awe at the transformation that has taken place in just a few short weeks. The dilapidated and abandoned cottage has been transformed into a stunning and functional home that is ready for its new occupants.
Overall, The Newton Cottage - 1 is an inspiring episode that showcases the hard work, dedication, and expertise of the This Old House team. It's a testament to the power of renovation and restoration, and a reminder that with the right team, anything is possible.