Ep 4. Stanwick Hall

Restoration Home season 1 episode 4 titled Stanwick Hall follows the journey of a couple attempting to restore a dilapidated hall into a luxurious family home. Located in Northamptonshire, the historical site was originally built for the Duke of Montague in the 1690s. After suffering years of neglect, the property is a shadow of its former grandeur.

The episode begins with the couple, Colin and his wife Julie, visiting the property for the first time. The couple is immediately struck by the property's magnificent size and architecture but are also taken aback by the sheer amount of work needed to bring it back to its former glory. Colin is an experienced builder and sees the opportunity as a challenge, while Julie, an amateur historian, has a fascination with the hall's rich history.

The couple has already invested a considerable amount of their life savings into the property and plans to live in the hall with their three children. However, their budget is quickly getting stretched as they uncover more and more issues with the property. The team of restoration experts, including historian Dr. Kate Williams, architect Kieran Long, and builder Ptolemy Dean, advise the couple on the best course of action for each significant discovery and work with them to overcome each challenge, including a significant amount of water damage in the roof which has caused extensive damage to the structure.

As the restoration progresses, the couple faces several setbacks that threaten to derail the project, including more severe water damage than anticipated, unexpected asbestos, and a fire that devastates a newly restored part of the hall. At each turn, the couple is forced to reassess their budget and what they can realistically achieve to ensure the hall is fit for living. Throughout the process, Colin and Julie's bond is tested as the restoration takes over their lives and begins to put a strain on their relationship and their finances.

The experts enlisted for the project also face their own challenges, including determining an appropriate use for the extensive wealth of historic fittings discovered in the hall. They also face criticism from local residents about the restoration, who fear that the property may be transformed into a party house if sold off to a wealthy outsider.

As the restoration nears its end, the couple is under incredible pressure to ensure they can move their family in and afford to maintain the property going forward. Tensions mount as the team races against the clock to complete essential work, including fitting a new kitchen and plumbing in time for the family's move-in date.

Overall, the episode commentary is a testament to the challenges many face when attempting to bring a historical property back to life. It also showcases how the project can take over an individual's life and force them to confront personal and financial challenges. The combination of expert advice and the couple's hard work and determination ultimately leads to a beautiful new family home, rich in history and character.