Season 1 (1990)

Cape-style Home: Clearing the Lot
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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

Cape-style Home: Ell and Deck
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September 10, 1990

A recycled "ell" is added,and a first-floor deck is built. Also: tips on ordering lumber.

Cape-style Home: Wall Construction
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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

Cape-style Home: Staircase and Roof
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September 24, 1990

A staircase is built and the second floor is toured. Also: Bob Vila visits a shingle plant in Delaware.

Cape-style Home: Ceiling, Roof and Plumbing
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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

Cape-style Home: Bulkhead, Trim and Roofing
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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.

Cape-style Home: Joining the Old Ell
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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

Cape-style Home: Front Door, Shingles and Plumbing
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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

Cape-style Home: Wiring, Clapboards and Window Trim
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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

Cape-style Home: Kitchen Design and Septic System
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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

Cape-style Home: Paneling, Furnace and Tile
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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

Cape-style Home: Floor Painting and Bathroom Vanity
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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

Cape-style Home: Landscaping and House Tour
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November 26, 1990

Bob discusses landscaping with specialist Susan Hofer--sod, a gravel driveway, brickwork, fences, perennials. We tour the smart fi...Read more

Two-family Greystone: House and Neighborhood Tour
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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

Two-family Greystone: Plans Discussed and Demolition Begins
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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

Two-family Greystone: Engineered Beams and Plumbing
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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

Two-family Greystone: Parallam and Iron Beam
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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

Two-family Greystone: Basement Excavation Begins
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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

Two-family Greystone: Electrical Work Begins
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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

Two-family Greystone: Plumbing Continues
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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

Two-family Greystone: Plaster and Drywall Work
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January 21, 1991

Drywall and plaster work is discussed. Also: a visit to a drywall plant in Delaware.

Two-family Greystone: Budgeting and Tiling
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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.

Two-family Greystone: Lighting and Flooring
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February 3, 1991

Wooden floors are refinished and new windows are installed. Also: a visit to a light-fixtures store.

Two-family Greystone: Landscaping Begins
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February 10, 1991

Kitchen cabinets are installed and the landscaping work begins.

Two-family Greystone: Flooring and Stairs
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February 17, 1991

Installed: a basement staircase. Also: a visit to a flooring plant.

Two-family Greystone: House Tour
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February 24, 1991

Kitchen countertops are mounted. Also: a tour of the home with an interior decorator.

Coach House: Coach House Tour
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March 4, 1991

Bob and contractor Ron Gan look around our next projectan old deserted "coach house." Architectural historian Susan Benjamin gives...Read more

Coach House: Plans Discussed and Demolition Begins
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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

Coach House: Excavation Begins
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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

Coach House: Roof Demolition
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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

Coach House: Fireplace and Staircase
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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

Coach House: Project Status, Cabinets and Whirlpool Tub Installed
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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

Coach House: Finishing Touches and Landscaping
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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

Coach House: House Tour
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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