Ep 6. 1913 Craftsman Bungalow

Restored is a television series that follows home designer and restoration expert Brett Waterman as he revamps old homes and brings them back to life. In season 1, episode 6, titled "1913 Craftsman Bungalow," Brett takes on a challenging project of restoring a vintage bungalow in Redlands, California.

The 1913 Craftsman Bungalow is a beautiful eight-room house with a charming front porch, steep gabled roof, and a large backyard. The house is over a century old and has been neglected for years. Brett meets the owner of the bungalow, a young couple who purchased the house a few years ago, with the intention of renovating it themselves. However, the restoration proved to be too difficult and overwhelming, and they called in the help of Brett Waterman.

Brett immediately sees the potential in the house, despite its dilapidated state. He recognizes the original Douglas fir woodwork and stained glass windows, and is excited to restore the home's stunning architectural details. The house has been through a lot of changes and additions over the years, and Brett's challenge is to restore the 1913 character while also meeting the needs of a modern family.

The restoration begins with structural work on the foundation, walls, and roof. Brett and his team replace old and damaged woodwork with reclaimed lumber and painstakingly restore original features like a fireplace mantle and pocket doors. They also install modern conveniences like air conditioning and heating while ensuring they blend seamlessly into the design.

One of the most impressive parts of the restoration is the kitchen, which undergoes a complete transformation while still staying true to the bungalow's original character. Brett removes the linoleum floors and a drop-down ceiling, exposes the original brick chimney, and installs a 1930s-style range to create a vintage feel. The cabinets are custom-made to match the bungalow's original style, with glass-fronted upper cabinets and lower cabinets with period-appropriate hardware.

The living room is another highlight of the restoration, with its stunning stained glass windows, original built-in bookcases, and fireplace. Brett and his team remove a large cabinet that had been added to the space, open up the walls, and repair the stunning windows to flood the room with natural light. They also reclaimed the original Fir wood on the ceiling and crafted a custom chandelier to match the room’s period design.

The bedrooms and bathrooms also receive their share of attention. Brett and his team ensure that the original charm of the house is maintained while still providing modern amenities. The bathrooms are updated with vintage-style tile work and plumbing fixtures that preserve the vintage character of the bungalow. The guest bedroom is a particular challenge, as it was the result of an addition in the 1950s. Brett removes a protruding corner, reconstructs one of the bedroom’s original windows and doors to make it look like the rest, and even finds a way to incorporate the original door’s window into the new wall in which he is adding.

Throughout the restoration, Brett and the homeowners sift through various treasures, including scrapbooks, letters, and photographs, discovering the history of the house. And when it's finally complete, the 1913 Craftsman Bungalow is transformed into a breathtaking, fully-renovated Craftsman home. The final product honors the bungalow's original design and character, but with added modern updates that make it livable for a modern family while accentuating and staying true to its historic roots.

In conclusion, Restored's season 1 episode 6 – 1913 Craftsman Bungalow is an impressive restoration project that captures the essence of the original house while adding a modern-day twist that’s perfect for a modern family. Brett and his team's attention to detail and love of vintage craftsmanship truly shine in this episode. It is a fantastic example of how a neglected and outdated house can be transformed into a beautiful functional home while keeping the original character and style intact.