Ep 12. 1802 Farmhouse Overhaul

Stone House Revival is a show that follows the journey of Jeff Devlin as he takes on the challenge of renovating historical homes into functional living spaces while preserving their charm and history. In season 3 episode 12, titled "1802 Farmhouse Overhaul," Jeff takes on the task of giving a rundown 218-year-old farmhouse a new lease on life.

In this episode, Jeff meets with his clients, who have recently acquired the farmhouse with the goal of turning it into a vacation rental property. The couple is eager to bring some modern conveniences into the old house while keeping its original features intact. The house, which was built in 1802, has a rich history, having served as a residence, a general store, and a hotel at various times.

Jeff's first task is to address the house's structural issues. The foundation is weak, and the walls and floors are sagging, making the house unsafe. Jeff and his team first reinforce the foundation and then level out the floors, before moving on to the replacement of the roof and the installation of new gutters and downspouts.

One of the couple's most significant requests is to create a spacious, modern kitchen with all the modern amenities while keeping the farmhouse's charm intact. Jeff achieves this by giving the old kitchen space a complete overhaul, expanding it into what was once a small pantry, and adding new appliances, cabinets, and a large island. To maintain the farmhouse's rustic appeal, Jeff chooses a barn door to separate the kitchen from the living space.

The living room is another area that undergoes significant changes. Jeff discovers a hidden fireplace behind the living room wall and takes advantage of that by creating a fireplace feature with a new mantle. He also adds built-in cabinets on either side of the fireplace and a custom-made bookcase for their book collection. Jeff and his team work on the room's lighting, adding fixtures and new electrical outlets, which are essential for modern living.

Aside from the living space, the couple wants to convert the downstairs study area into a guest bedroom. Jeff takes advantage of the room's size and installs a Murphy bed to maximize the area, which can double as a workspace during the day.

Upstairs, Jeff tackles the bathroom, which is in dire need of a total overhaul. He first removes the old fixtures and the outdated tub and installs a new one. He also replaces the sink, the toilet, and installs a custom-built vanity that can accommodate all their storage needs.

One of the challenges that Jeff faces in this episode is maintaining the house's historical features while catering to his clients' modern-day needs. For instance, Jeff's clients want a TV room on the second floor, but the space has low, sloping ceilings that prohibit changing the room's structure. Jeff solves this problem by creating a box beam ceiling that provides the necessary support for the TV room while remaining in keeping the rest of the room's design.

Jeff also works on the exterior of the house, giving it a new lease of life with new windows, shingles, and siding. The entrance gets a new door, and he adds a mudroom to the front of the house, using materials that blend in with the farmhouse's current design.

Overall, the episode reveals how Jeff's skills and experience in renovating houses with historical significance comes into play. It also highlights how the process of restoring historical homes requires great attention to detail, from preserving original features to tackling structural issues. The couple's determination to maintain the farmhouse's historical charm, coupled with Jeff's expertise, turns the once rundown property into a beautiful, modern vacation home.