Ep 8. Move In Day | Cape Ann

This Old House season 42 episode 8, titled "Move In Day | Cape Ann," follows the final stages of the renovation of an old house in Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The episode begins with an overview of the exterior finishing touches, including landscaping, the construction of an outdoor shower, and the installation of a graceful wrought iron fence. The contractors explain their process for masonry work on the chimney, and how they installed an insert and flue liner to improve safety and efficiency.

Inside, the team tackles the final finishes of the house. They add custom-built floating shelves and a rustic wooden mantel to the living room's fireplace. The kitchen is tackled next, with a stovetop being installed and the countertops being set. The team also installs a custom range hood, continuing with the theme of the other custom carpentry jobs throughout the house.

One hallway project that captured the attention of the viewers saw Kevin heading to Falmouth, Massachusetts, to establish a whole-house generator with the return of homeowner Dan and Thyra's family. This was a challenging task due to the location of the equipment room in the northeast basement corner, which was a tight space. As they worked together, the team meticulously installed all the required elements to power any part of the house.

The team also tackles the staircase that is the anchor of the central foyer in the house. They added handmade rails, spindles, and a hand-carved newel post to complete the old-world look they were trying to achieve. Limited space for a washer and dryer presented a challenge, and the team converts an existing bathroom closet into a laundry nook.

In the final leg of the project, the team installed the new stained glass panels into the original sidelights of the front door's glass. For this sensitive job, they brought in master glass artisan, Mark, who demonstrated his craftsmanship as he performed intricate glass cutting and fitting techniques. The result of the glass restoration was exquisite and visibly stunning.

As the show concludes, the team walks through the finished project's house and appreciates the transformation of the old house into a beautiful new home. The challenge of this renovation was compounded by being in uncharted times, having coordinated through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Overall, This Old House season 42 episode 8 "Move In Day | Cape Ann" showcases the reward of hard work, creativity, and attention to detail in bringing back to life a once dilapidated beach house. It's a must-watch as it is both informative and inspiring to anyone who is passionate about home renovation and restoration.