Ep 6. Augustus Peck House

Restoration Road with Clint Harp is an inspiring show that features Clint Harp, a carpenter and furniture designer who sets out to restore old structures into new ones in a way that preserves the spirit and history of the buildings. In season 1 episode 6, titled "Augustus Peck House", Clint takes viewers to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he tackles the restoration of a historic home that has been weathering the changes of time for more than 150 years.

The Augustus Peck House was built in 1860 by a prominent businessman who made his fortune in the textile industry. The house is a stunning example of Italianate architecture with its tall windows, elaborate cornices, and intricate molding. However, the house has been vacant for over 15 years and is in dire need of repair. Clint describes the house as a "gem in the rough", a property with a lot of potential that just needs some hard work and creativity to bring it back to life.

The episode begins with Clint meeting the owners of the property, a young couple who bought the house a few months ago with the vision of restoring it and turning it into a bed and breakfast. The couple is excited about the project, but daunted by the amount of work that needs to be done. Clint brings in his team, including his assistant, designer Laura, and carpenter Jeremy, to assess the job and come up with a plan.

The team starts the restoration process by stripping the walls and ceilings of their old plaster and lath, revealing the original woodwork underneath. Clint is amazed by the quality of the wood and decides to use it as a feature in the new design. He decides to create a built-in cabinet in the dining room using the original wood, which will give the room a unique and authentic character.

As they continue to work on the house, the team discovers some challenges that require their creativity and expertise. One such challenge is an old chimney that is no longer safe to use and needs to be removed. The team decides to turn the chimney into a decorative feature by creating a shelving unit around it, which will provide the guests with a cozy reading nook in the upstairs bedroom.

The team also works on the exterior of the house, giving it a facelift by removing the old, worn siding and replacing it with fresh, new clapboard. Clint is particularly excited about this part of the restoration because the new siding will allow the house to breathe and prevent further damage to its structure.

Throughout the episode, Clint provides fascinating insights into the history of the house and the town of Lowell, adding another layer of depth and meaning to the restoration. He talks about the role of the textile industry in the development of Lowell and how many of the workers who toiled in the mills lived in grand houses like Augustus Peck House.

As the episode comes to a close, the team puts the finishing touches on the house, transforming it into a stunning blend of old and new. The couple is thrilled with the results, and Clint is proud of the teamwork that went into restoring this important piece of history. The episode is a testament to the power of restoration and the importance of preserving our past for future generations.