Ep 13. Indoor Garden; Fireplace Hearth

Ask This Old House season 18 episode 13 features exciting home improvement projects that viewers can easily follow and replicate. In this episode titled "Indoor Garden; Fireplace Hearth," the show's experts tackle two different projects, namely creating an indoor garden and revamping a fireplace hearth.

The first part of the episode features landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, who helps a homeowner create an indoor garden that will thrive in low light conditions. Jenn first assesses the homeowner's space and then discusses the plan for the indoor garden, taking into account the homeowner's preferences and the light and water requirements of the chosen plants.

Viewers will learn about the different types of plants that can thrive in various light conditions, including spider plants, philodendrons, and peace lilies. Jenn also shares some tips on how to care for indoor plants, such as not overwatering and avoiding over-fertilization.

Once the plan is finalized, the team gets to work, installing shelves and setting up the plants. Jenn then demonstrates how to repot a plant and how to propagate spider plants to create multiple plants from one. By the end of the segment, viewers will have all the information they need to create their own indoor garden.

The second part of the episode features contractor Tom Silva, who helps a homeowner update a dated fireplace hearth. The homeowner has a brick hearth with a brass trim that she wants to replace with something more modern. Tom walks viewers through the steps of removing the old hearth and installing a new one.

Viewers will learn about the different types of materials they can use for a hearth, including slate, granite, and marble. Tom also shares some tips on how to measure and cut the new hearth to the right size and shape.

Once the new hearth is installed, Tom helps the homeowner add a finishing touch with a new mantel. He demonstrates how to build a simple mantel from scratch, including the measurement and cutting of the wood. By the end of the segment, viewers will have all the information they need to update their own fireplace hearth.

Throughout the episode, the experts also answer viewer questions and offer helpful tips on various home improvement topics. For example, plumber Richard Trethewey demonstrates how to repair a leaking toilet and offers advice on how to avoid common plumbing problems.

In summary, season 18 episode 13 of Ask This Old House features two exciting projects that will inspire homeowners to update their indoor space with an indoor garden and fireplace hearth. The expert advice and step-by-step instructions make it easy for viewers to follow along and replicate the projects in their homes. Viewers will also learn helpful tips on other home improvement topics, making this episode a must-watch for anyone interested in DIY home improvement.