This Old House Hour — Season 24
## Rewritten Overview: Step inside worlds of extraordinary ambition and unexpected secrets this season. First, we delve into the enigmatic legacy of Sarah Winchester and her sprawling, perpetually-under-construction mansion in San Jose, California. More than just a home, the Winchester House is a labyrinthine monument to grief, superstition, and an obsessive quest for architectural innovation – or perhaps something far more complex. Then, journey across the country to Lake Forest, Illinois, where we uncover the story behind a dream kitchen: a meticulously crafted space reflecting the aspirations and anxieties of its owners. Beyond gleaming countertops and state-of-the-art appliances lies a tale of family dynamics, shifting priorities, and the surprising emotional weight attached to even the most seemingly ordinary design choices. Prepare to explore the intricate details and compelling human stories behind these remarkable places – where ambition meets obsession, and beauty often conceals deeper truths.
Steve Thomas evokes a journey back to the 1920s, retracing a commute by train to Winchester, Massachusetts – a town that has carefully preserved much of its early 20th-century charm. Awaiting him at the station is master carpenter Norm Abra…
On the site, host Steve Thomas consults with general contractor Tom Silva and painting contractor Jim Clark, as they explore methods for removing nearly thirty layers of lead-based paint from the house's exterior. Meanwhile, in the backyard…
Norm Abram, the master carpenter, arrived on the construction site to find the demolition crew working high above, dismantling the crown of the abandoned kitchen chimney. Architect David Stirling and homeowner Kim Whittemore reviewed the ne…
Carpenter Charlie Silva receives assistance from host Steve Thomas as they carefully raise the second floor with jacks. Meanwhile, general contractor Tom Silva applies adhesive and bolts to reinforce the damaged floor joists using laminated…
The work begins today on the foundation for the new kitchen. Excavator Jeff Dervin arrives with a backhoe to dismantle the rear entry porch. In the basement, master carpenter Norm Abram and general contractor Tom Silva use jackhammers to br…
Contractor Mark Dimeo employs a 30-inch diamond blade to carve a doorway into the basement foundation. Meanwhile, host Steve Thomas speaks with painting contractor Jim Clark about a novel, non-toxic chemical paint stripper as he works to re…
Master carpenter Norm Abram guides host Steve Thomas through the installation of the new kitchen addition's foundation, demonstrating the correct method for anchoring it to the existing structure. Meanwhile, general contractor Tom Silva and…
In the Winchester living room, chimney specialist Mark Schaub demonstrates to host Steve Thomas the cause of a smoking chimney, utilizing a diagnostic "fluecam" for insight. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, general contractor Tom Silva explains t…
On the Winchester house, host Steve Thomas observes homeowner Kim Whittemore testing out Colonial Revival paint palettes on the facade. Seeking inspiration, they journey with building conservation specialist Andrea Gilmore to a distinguishe…
Steve Thomas arrives at the Winchester property to discover a change in the landscape: the house behind it is now fully visible, thanks to the recent removal of more hemlock trees by the neighbors. Meanwhile, a few miles away, master carpen…
The expansion to the Winchester kitchen nears completion, as general contractor Tom Silva installs the final historically accurate double-hung windows on the sun porch. Inside, the walls are being insulated with mineral wool – a time-tested…
In a nearby town, landscape contractor Roger Cook and arborist Matt Foti carefully remove a thriving, though awkwardly situated, blue spruce from a front yard. Using a 70-inch tree spade mounted on a front-end loader, they transport the tre…
As the weather shifted to cooler temperatures, painting contractor Jim Clark felt the mounting pressure to complete the exterior work. On the third floor, Norm learned that Tom was temporarily sidelined with emergency knee surgery following…
Steve arrived to find Roger at the front, removing the final remnants of the dismantled driveway. Inside, Tom Silva, recently recovered from surgery and now walking with a cane, was back at work. He showed Steve an extruded polystyrene crow…
Steve made a visit to Middlesex Fells Reservation, a sprawling three-by-three mile park enjoyed by five towns north of Boston. There, he climbed Wright's Tower to survey the cityscape and absorb the rich colors of autumn. Returning to Winch…
While Steve was out of town on assignment, Norm found Roger unpacking and examining the final delivery from the garden center. On the sun porch floor, tiling contractor Joe Ferrante demonstrated to Norm the proper application of grout aroun…
In the penultimate episode, Steve and homeowner Kim Whittemore take a test drive of the new stainless steel appliances. Norm visits fencing contractor Mark Bushway to examine the complete custom landscape: a driveway gate crafted to resembl…
For the final program, Steve explores the newly organized garage, examining diamond-plated cabinets, toolboxes, and versatile "gear walls." Window treatment specialist Kevin Murphy presents the custom shades and drapes he's sourced, deliver…
In an unprecedented move, *This Old House* invited viewers to select the next renovation project. A nationwide search for a dream kitchen concluded with an online vote, awarding the Smith family of Lake Forest, Illinois, the highest number …
Dawn breaks over Lake Forest's historic Market Square. Constructed in 1916 by Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, the square holds the distinction of being America’s first drive-in shopping center. At the project house, the memory of d…
Construction on the Lake Forest project progresses steadily as Norm crafts the bracketed posts for the breakfast room's exterior in his temporary garage workshop. Steve consults with project manager Jim Eimerman for a progress report: a sun…
In Lake Forest, Steve and Norm encountered local carpenters working diligently despite the cold, meticulously crafting custom cedar siding for the kitchen addition's exterior. Richard guided Steve through the former greenhouse, explaining h…
The air hung near freezing as Steve brought Tom Silva to Lake Forest for the first time. Before visiting the main project, they stopped by to see project manager Jim Eimerman at another site he was overseeing. Architect John Krasnodebski th…
