This Old House Season 9 Episode 8 The Westwood House - 8
- March 15, 1987
The Westwood House - 8 is the eighth episode of the ninth season of the iconic show This Old House. The episode sees the This Old House team of contractors and craftsmen tackling the renovation of a beautiful Victorian-era home in the Westwood neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. This is a classic renovation project for the team, with a variety of issues that need to be addressed in order to bring the home back to its former glory.
The episode begins with a look at the home's exterior, which has suffered greatly over the years. The team notes that the facade of the home is in need of significant repair, with peeling paint and rotting wood in many places. They decide to start by stripping all of the paint off of the home's exterior and then repairing or replacing any damaged wood that they find.
Once the exterior work is underway, the team moves inside the home to begin work on the first floor. Here, they find that the home's original features have been covered up or removed over the years. However, the team is excited to discover that there are still some original details that they can work with, like a beautiful fireplace that has been covered up by paneling.
The team decides to uncover the fireplace and restore it to its original condition. They carefully remove the paneling that covers the fireplace and begin to assess the damage. They find that the fireplace itself is in relatively good condition, but the chimney needs significant repair. They decide to hire a specialist to come in and repair the chimney.
While the chimney work is underway, the team begins work on the home's kitchen. They find that the kitchen is outdated and in need of significant renovation in order to bring it up to modern standards. The team decides to gut the entire kitchen and start from scratch, installing new cabinets, countertops, and appliances.
In addition to the kitchen, the team also begins work on the home's bathrooms. They find that the bathrooms are in poor condition and in need of serious repair. The team decides to gut both bathrooms and start over, installing new fixtures and features that are more modern and functional.
One of the biggest challenges that the team faces during the renovation is working within the constraints of the home's existing layout. They find that the home's rooms are small and cramped, and they have to be creative in order to maximize the home's space and functionality. They decide to create an open-concept living space on the first floor, combining the living room, dining room, and kitchen into one large area.
As the renovation nears completion, the team begins to focus on the finishing touches. They install new light fixtures throughout the home, refinish the home's original hardwood floors, and paint the interior walls in a fresh, modern color palette. And, of course, they give the home's exterior a fresh coat of paint in a classic, Victorian-era color scheme.
All in all, The Westwood House - 8 is a fascinating look at what it takes to restore a classic, historic home to its former glory. The This Old House team shows off their incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail as they tackle each and every aspect of this challenging renovation project. The episode is a must-watch for anyone who loves home renovation, woodworking, or just appreciates the beauty of classic architecture.