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Shingle Style - Cambridge, MA

Season 7 -

Shingle Style

Cambridge, MA
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This 26 episode project centers around the remodel of Bob's own gracious Shingle Style home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It's a house with a lot of history and beautiful architectural details, many of which were obliterated in remodels of the 50's and the 70's. Now, on the centennial of the house's construction, Bob gets together the best talents in the business to recreate and renew it to its former glory, making some important modifications along the way that will transform this into a 1990's dream house.

Bob demonstrates how to approach a project like this one, where there's really a hodgepodge of original details mixed with the results of various attempts at modernization over the years: outdated cove lighting, worn out wall-to-wall carpeting, mirrored walls, and commercial-style detailing. With some experts to help him do the architectural sleuthing, Bob discovers surprises like a pocket door that's been hidden in a wall for decades and finds out which wallpaper might have been used in the dining room in the 1890's. He shows how to get the layers of paint off the stairway banisters and other wood trim, and where to admit it's more cost effective to make new copies.

In the kitchen Bob illustrates how to get back to the original 1890's look without sacrificing modern conveniences. From tearing out the 1950's laminate cabinets to recreating the original beadboard walls, furniture-built cabinets and stone countertops to adding a butler's pantry and home office, there are plenty of great ideas for today's kitchen remodelers with an eye for both historic charm and modern efficiency.

Carpentry projects abound. Details from the built-in hutch in the dining room are used to create a wall of elegant mahogany bookshelves in the library. The foyer gets dressed up with a new arch, supported by two pairs of Doric columns that echo the ones just outside the front door. To enlarge the kids' third floor entertainment room, a "piggy back" dormer is added to match the existing one and outside the house's asphalt roof is replaced with real cedar shingles.

The basement is finished to include the perfect workshop for weekend projects, accessible and user-friendly. As he builds out his own workshop, Bob spells out the elements that he considers essential for every home workshop: basics like a portable table saw, hand tools, craft tools, a good workbench and vises, sufficient lighting, and ample storage.

Offsite field trips include visits to elegantly restored historical homes, shopping trips to showrooms, and factory tours to learn more about the materials and details used on the project.

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	Show Information:	View all videos from this project

	Starting the Project (HA0701) Dates Aired: September 2-8, 1996 \| March 3-9, 1997 Bob gets started on the Cambridge project with architect Greg Rochlin and carpenter Bob Ryley and explores Harvard Square with architectural historian Brian Pfeiffer. View show summary
	Demolition Begins (HA0702) Dates Aired: September 9-15, 1996 \| March 10-16, 1997 Work gets started as Greg Rochlin presents architectural plans and demolition begins, revealing an old pocket door. Bob and Ryley take apart the staircase banister. Bob joins Brian Pfeiffer to ... View show summary
	Adding a New Load-Bearing Beam (HA0703) Dates Aired: September 16-22, 1996 \| March 17-23, 1997 With demolition completed, other surprises are revealed. Structural engineer Rene Mugnier explains how to fix the kitchen ceiling and two floors above, which are found to be dangerously unsupported, with ... View show summary
	Working on the Roof (HA0704) Dates Aired: September 23-29, 1996 \| March 24-30, 1997 Shingle contractor Chris Clark shows how to assess shingle condition, remove damaged shingles and apply new ones. Bob visits Vancouver, British Columbia, to see how high quality red cedar shingles ... View show summary
	Finishing the Basement (HA0705) Dates Aired: September 30-October 6, 1996 \| March 31-April 6, 1997 In the basement, groundwork is being laid for a useful finished space. To save headroom, plumbing waste pipes have been laid in trenches in the existing floor and a new ... View show summary
	Framing and Additions (HA0706) Dates Aired: October 7-13, 1996 \| April 7-13, 1997 Interior framing and structural additions are well along, and Bob takes a look at the different uses of wooden and metal studs and how they're constructed. Bob tours historic Longfellow ... View show summary
	Roof Work and Wiring (HA0707) Dates Aired: October 14-20, 1996 \| April 14-20, 1997 Bob visits the roof where Fred Mitchell is installing a state-of-the-art copper lining in the rebuilt wooden gutter system. Shinglers replace the asphalt roof with the red cedar shingles that ... View show summary
	Deck Framing and Window Installation (HA0708) Dates Aired: October 21-27, 1996 \| April 21-27, 1997 Framing has begun on the new backyard deck, and brickmasons repair the chimney on the third floor. The custom Palladian window from Marvin is installed in the third floor family ... View show summary
	Working on the Deck (HA0709) Dates Aired: October 28-November 3, 1996 \| April 28-May 4, 1997 An insulation expert explains the different uses for Owens Corning insulation products. Ryley shows how the redwood decking is added to the backyard deck for optimal drainage and paint deleading ... View show summary
	Heating and Cooling Systems (HA0710) Dates Aired: November 4-10, 1996 \| May 5-11, 1997 An elaborate and highly efficient HVAC system is installed in the basement and Bob checks out his new system 2000 unit and air handler. Radiant heat is installed in the ... View show summary
	Blue Board and Plastering (HA0711) Dates Aired: November 11-17, 1996 \| May 12-18, 1997 Blue board and plastering are underway, and Bob gets quick tips from the pros on how to make the job go more smoothly. Ryley and Danny install a huge double ... View show summary
	Trimming the Interior (HA0712) Dates Aired: November 18-24, 1996 \| May 19-25, 1997 Bob returns to the Stockbridge, MA landmark home Naumkeag for a tour of the elaborate gardens. On the third floor, we're ready for some interior trim with Ryley. Outside, a ... View show summary
	Landscaping and Painting (HA0713) Dates Aired: November 25-December 1, 1996 \| May 26-June 1, 1997 Work begins on the landscape around the house; Bob assesses the limited space with a landscape architect. An arborist is on site to start trimming the hemlocks away from the ... View show summary
	Installing a Staircase and Chair Rail (HA0714) Dates Aired: December 2-8, 1996 \| June 2-8, 1997 An elaborate staircase gets installed in the kitchen, and plaster repair and ceramic tile installation get underway. Ryley installs a chair rail and replaces the glass in the doors of ... View show summary
	Trim and Paneling (HA0715) Dates Aired: December 9-15, 1996 \| June 9-15, 1997 Trim and paneling get underway in the entryway, living room, and front hall to return some of the house's original formality and grandeur. Bob takes us on a visit to ... View show summary
	Installing a Hardwood Floor (HA0716) Dates Aired: December 16-22, 1996 \| June 16-22, 1997 A herringbone hardwood floor gets installed in the library, and the California Closet people explain how the dressing rooms are coming together in the master suite. A water purification system ... View show summary
	Prepping for Paint (HA0717) Dates Aired: December 23-29, 1996 \| June 23-29, 1997 With the decision made on what color to paint the house, Bob takes a look at the prep involved on the exterior. Danny's restoring some old windows using springloaded balances. ... View show summary
	Toilet and Vanity Installation (HA0718) Dates Aired: December 30-January 5, 1997 \| June 30-July 6, 1997 The plumber installs a new toilet and vanity in the powder room, and we take a tour of the Kohler factory in Wisconsin where these fixtures are made. Elaborate, custom ... View show summary
	Installing Tile (HA0719) Dates Aired: January 6-12, 1997 \| July 7-13, 1997 The landscape architects are on site to present their plans for the yard, and we take a look at what's been done to prepare for the work. Bob takes us ... View show summary
	Landscaping (HA0720) Dates Aired: January 13-19, 1997 \| July 14-20, 1997 The landscape hardscape is underway: a special retaining wall product provides an elevated terrace, and the lower back yard terrace gets paved with bluestone. We visit the home of Frederick ... View show summary
	Kitchen Work and Landscaping (HA0721) Dates Aired: January 20-27, 1997 \| July 21-27, 1997 In the kitchen, soapstone countertops, the kitchen sink, and a new Moen faucet get installed. Outside, planting is underway, as the landscapers plant a tree in the bluestone terrace. Bob ... View show summary
	Installing Built-in Bookshelves (HA0722) Dates Aired: January 28-February 2, 1997 \| July 28-August 3, 1997 The library's getting a new set of built-in bookshelves, and the alarm and phone systems are installed. The electrician refurbishes a period light fixture for use in the kitchen and ... View show summary
	Windows and Landscaping (HA0723) Dates Aired: February 3-9, 1997 \| August 4-10, 1997 New storm windows are being installed on the outside of the house, and planting is finishing up in the newly designed front yard. The landscape architects are on site to ... View show summary
	Interior Decorating (HA0724) Dates Aired: February 10-16, 1997 \| August 11-17, 1997 Bob meets with the interior designers for a look at their color and fabric schemes as they're starting to come together. We get a peek at Bob's new basement workshop, ... View show summary
	House Tour, Part One (HA0725) Dates Aired: February 17-23, 1997 \| August 18-24, 1997 Good fences make good neighbors, and we'll see what to do when there's a tree in the way. Bob tours the finished state-of-the-art kitchen, complete with appliances from 5-Star, Sub-Zero, ... View show summary
	House Tour, Part Two (HA0726) Dates Aired: February 24-March 2, 1997 \| August 25-31, 1997 This is it! The house is finished, and Bob and the interior designers take a look at how all the fabrics, colors, and furnishings have come together. Kim Sweet puts ... View show summary