This Old House Hour — Season 34
## Cambridge & Essex: A Season of Shadows and Secrets (2012-2013) The chilling atmosphere thickens as *Cambridge* and *Essex* intertwine in a season marked by escalating tension and unsettling discoveries. We delve back into the lives of detectives grappling with increasingly complex cases, each investigation pulling them deeper into a web of personal struggles and professional challenges. In Cambridge, a seemingly idyllic university town hides a dark undercurrent, as officers confront a series of disturbing incidents that expose vulnerabilities within the institution and its surrounding community. Simultaneously, across the county in Essex, detectives face their own relentless pursuit of justice, navigating a landscape riddled with secrets and unexpected connections. As the season progresses, the two investigations begin to subtly mirror one another, hinting at shared threads and echoing patterns that blur the lines between location and motive. The pressure mounts on both teams as they race against time to uncover the truth, confronting not only dangerous criminals but also their own inner demons along the way. This is a season of shadows, where appearances deceive and every revelation brings new questions to light.
The prospective owners envision transforming the two-family Victorian into a single-family residence.
The old chimney yielded its bricks slowly, each one extracted with care. Nearby, an eco-resale store offered a curated collection of pre-loved goods. And in the garden, a Norway maple, weakened by illness, was carefully removed.
Moving a wall that supports the structure of a building; selecting hues for the house's facade; interior design aesthetics.
First-floor ceiling treatments in a Swedish aesthetic; a skylight planned for the master suite.
Facilitating access throughout Cambridge involves several key modifications: the removal of steps leading to the roof deck, ensuring ductwork is concealed within the roof rafter bays, and strategically concealing the air handler unit.
The exterior will undergo several improvements. The aged brick foundation will be repointed, the front porch repaired, and the historic porch railing rebuilt. Additionally, spray foam insulation will be applied.
A blend of the familiar and the contemporary: the existing concrete walkway yields to a new design in bluestone. Complementary updates include replacement windows, a comprehensive shower waterproofing system, and thorough surface preparatio…
Having sampled the vibrant flavors of Japan Town, host Kevin O'Connor encounters Vito Bucco, a plastering craftsman with sixty years of experience. Alongside master carpenter Norm Abram and general contractor Tom Silva, they replicate an an…
Norm and Kevin arrived to find the painters applying a tinted primer with airless sprayers, transforming the house from a muted grey to a bright, almost Scandinavian yellow. Inside, Tom and Norm began the delicate work of trimming the doubl…
Norm arrived to find the paintwork and guttering finished, and the result was strikingly fresh, undeniably Scandinavian. The exterior, with its yellow, white, and black palette accented by copper, reflected the style perfectly. Inside the h…
In the side yard, Roger installed two new granite steps, providing access to the weathered deck. Tom guided Kevin through the construction of a window seat, carefully fitting it into the frame of an old bay window. Norm completed the instal…
In Porter Square, Kevin visits Jack Woker at his record store, seeking to understand the enduring appeal of vintage vinyl. Later, back at home, Roger demonstrates how he employs two lightweight plastic drywells to manage rainwater runoff fr…
Kevin found Roger working to plant before the weather shifted. He was employing a blend of time-honored plants and contemporary grasses, mirroring the project’s overall balance of old and new. Inside, the fireplace hearth awaited its instal…
The driveway is complete, and the house now boasts walk-in closets, sophisticated home automation, and carefully chosen wallpaper. A workbench is also under construction.
Granite pillars mark the entrance; a period doorbell graces the foyer wall.
Norm and Kevin’s second project of the season brings them back to Cape Ann, this time to the picturesque town of Essex, Massachusetts, nestled along the river. Just beyond the downtown antique shops and seafood restaurants sits a 1935 Engli…
Kevin traveled to Boston, seeking out the Institute for Human Centered Design to explore how thoughtful design can enhance life for individuals of all ages and abilities, not solely those with disabilities. Meanwhile, back in Essex, Tom and…
Having established the overall structure, Tom guides Kevin through the areas where water has penetrated the house, explaining his repair methods and preventative measures. Landscape architect Jade Cummings then presents the design for the s…
Roger connected with aquatic systems specialist Yorgos Gregory to discuss our existing, and somewhat neglected, water feature, seeking insight into restoring it to proper function. Meanwhile, Kevin met with Richard to understand the working…
Norm found the new windows on the property, mostly installed. Tom demonstrated how they faithfully replicated the original casement details and operational mechanisms. Exterior trim was also being applied to the building; Tom had previously…
On the Essex flats, Kevin and Roger immersed themselves in the clamming tradition, later indulging in the town's celebrated fried clams – a culinary legacy dating back a century to Woodman's. Meanwhile, Norm arrived at the project house to …
In the Essex cottage, the work proceeds apace: insulation is complete, and now drywall is being installed. Tom guides Kevin through the progress, introducing him to drywall installer Brian Jones and demonstrating his technique for covering …
Norm makes a visit to Essex, Massachusetts, to the final shipyard remaining in the town. There, they tour a cottage that has been restored with thoughtful accessibility modifications. The interior features shiplap walls and barnboard accent…
The sunroom gains exterior detailing, breathing fresh life into the original cottage's historic character with parged plaster, reclaimed tiles, and oak flooring. Norm pays a visit to rock icon Daryl Hall at his antique-filled home and studi…
The geothermal system is nearing completion, followed by the installation of reclaimed marble tile and decorative, hand-painted border tiles. Architect Emory Baldwin is currently developing a two-story design prioritizing accessibility for …
The season concludes with a tour of the cottage, now featuring newly installed interior screens and a charming Dutch door.
