September 3, 1990
Construction begins on a Cape Cod-style home being built in Marstons Mills, Massachusetts. Included: the lot is cleared and cement...Read more
September 10, 1990
A recycled "ell" is added,and a first-floor deck is built. Also: tips on ordering lumber.
September 17, 1990
Bob visits Barbara Gooddale in her authentic antique Cape Cod house to get a feel for the style and practicality of this design; b...Read more
September 24, 1990
A staircase is built and the second floor is toured. Also: Bob Vila visits a shingle plant in Delaware.
October 1, 1990
Some demolition is done on the old ell to prepare it for renovation; ceiling joists and roof rafters go up in the new section of t...Read more
October 8, 1990
A bulkhead is installed; a soffet, facia and drip edge are added to the front of the house. Also: asphalt shingles and a ridge vent.
October 15, 1990
The old ell is joined to the new construction, with some demolition done to make room for a shed dormer and a slider door. Bob vis...Read more
October 22, 1990
Bob and Ryley install the pre-hung front door and visit Shepley Wood Products to see how it was made. Dean Fraser shows us how to ...Read more
October 29, 1990
Bob goes over the electrical wiring with John Hickey, cedar clapboards are put up, and Hand Cassidy explains insulation ratings. O...Read more
November 5, 1990
Bob discusses the kitchen layout with designer Amy O'Haire, then visits her showroom. Claude Daigle demonstrates his drywall techn...Read more
November 13, 1990
Our contractor Ryley shows us how to put up the pine interior paneling in the living room; Bob checks out the furnace and ducting ...Read more
November 19, 1990
Artisan Terry Maiche shows us two inexpensive ways to dress up a floor with paint: spattering and stenciling. Ryley builds a bathr...Read more
November 26, 1990
Bob discusses landscaping with specialist Susan Hofer--sod, a gravel driveway, brickwork, fences, perennials. We tour the smart fi...Read more
December 3, 1990
Now in Chicago, Bob takes a driving tour with realtor Catherine Caravette of our new neighborhood, Wicker Park, and of nearby upsc...Read more
December 10, 1990
Bob discusses plans with local architect Bill Bauhs, and takes a tour of downtown Chicago's striking modern buildings with archite...Read more
December 17, 1990
Bob and Ron discuss the removal and shoring up of bearing walls, to be replaced by special engineered beams. We visit Macmillan-Bl...Read more
December 24, 1990
The crew installs a Parallam beam in the living room and iron beams in the back masonry wall. Ron Gan and Bill Bauhs talk budget a...Read more
December 31, 1990
Scott Smith's excavation crew digs out the basement to make room for a basement slab. Bob discusses heating systems for the rental...Read more
January 7, 1991
The concrete basement floor is poured, leveled, and screeded; our contractor Ron repairs a broken window pane the old-fashioned wa...Read more
January 14, 1991
Bob goes downtown to the Merchandise Mart to see a selection of bathroom fixtures. Back at our greystone, plumber Dan Macias repla...Read more
January 21, 1991
Drywall and plaster work is discussed. Also: a visit to a drywall plant in Delaware.
January 28, 1991
A review of the project's budget and progress. Also: a trip to an appliance showroom, and the bathroom floor is prepped and tiled.
February 3, 1991
Wooden floors are refinished and new windows are installed. Also: a visit to a light-fixtures store.
February 10, 1991
Kitchen cabinets are installed and the landscaping work begins.
February 17, 1991
Installed: a basement staircase. Also: a visit to a flooring plant.
February 24, 1991
Kitchen countertops are mounted. Also: a tour of the home with an interior decorator.
March 4, 1991
Bob and contractor Ron Gan look around our next projectan old deserted "coach house." Architectural historian Susan Benjamin gives...Read more
March 11, 1991
Bob discusses plans for the coach house with our architect, Mike Morgan, and with contractor Ron Gan; demolition begins. Brick wor...Read more
March 18, 1991
Bob tours architect Frank Lloyd Wright's studio and sees some houses Wright designed in Greater Chicago. Back at the coach house, ...Read more
April 1, 1991
The Eagle roofing crew strips several ancient layers of old roofing, and a section of the roof is removed to make room for a new d...Read more
April 15, 1991
Bob tours the Hill Arboretum, an apartment project adapted for the physically challenged. Back at the coach house, a fireplace dea...Read more
May 13, 1991
Bob tours the completed living room and dining room of the coach house, then reviews work done on the heating system. We see the b...Read more
May 20, 1991
Bob installs the finishing touches in the coach house kitchen, including some galvanized steel features. We go outside to plant a ...Read more
May 27, 1991
Bob takes the grand tour of the finished coach house exterior with Ron, our contractor. We go inside to see the decorating job tha...Read more