Ep 9. Belmont Victorian - True Colors

Belmont Victorian - True Colors is the ninth episode of the thirty-seventh season of This Old House. The episode takes place in Belmont, Massachusetts and follows the renovation of a Victorian-era home. Hosts Kevin O'Connor, Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey, and Jenn Nawada work alongside builder Charlie Silva to transform the home into a modern living space while preserving its historical character.

In this episode, the focus is on the exterior of the home. Charlie Silva and his team work on stripping the old exterior paint to reveal the original colors of the house. Using infrared technology, they examine the layers of paint to uncover the authentic hues of yellow and blue. They also discover that the house was once painted in a shade of green, which was a popular color during the Victorian era.

After determining the original colors, Charlie and his team get to work repainting the exterior. They use a combination of traditional and modern techniques to achieve the perfect shade of yellow and blue. The team also cleans and repairs the intricate woodwork, including the porch, eaves, and decorative brackets.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Tom Silva works on restoring the original wainscoting in the living room. He carefully removes the damaged sections and replaces them with new wood that matches the existing material. He also installs new trim and baseboards to complete the look.

Richard Trethewey tackles the plumbing in the house, which needs to be updated to meet modern standards. He removes the old pipes and installs new ones to improve the water pressure and efficiency. He also installs a new energy-efficient hot water heater to save the homeowners money on their energy bills.

Jenn Nawada works on the landscaping around the house. She adds new plants and flowers to create a colorful and inviting front yard. She also installs a new walkway and porch stairs to tie the landscaping in with the rest of the exterior renovation.

As the episode comes to a close, the homeowners are thrilled with the transformation of their home. They marvel at the attention to detail and the preservation of the home's historical character. The new exterior paint, restored woodwork, and updated plumbing and landscaping create a beautiful and functional home that will last for years to come.

Overall, Belmont Victorian - True Colors is an inspiring episode of This Old House that showcases the skill and expertise of the show's hosts and builders. It demonstrates the importance of preserving historical homes while still making them livable for modern families.