The series explores the idea of "sweat equity" as its driving force. The first project of the season involves transforming an attic into a luxurious master bedroom and bathroom. The host connects with homeowners Rob and Jennifer to begin pl…

As the plans for the new bedroom and bathroom reach their final stages, the homeowner and our host are attending to essential details: wiring, plumbing, and telephone connections. Following a visit to the Lynn Ladder & Scaffold Company in L…

Construction has begun on the exterior of the new bedroom and bathroom, with framing and sheathing now in progress. Our host and the master carpenter are currently discussing plans for the deck, exterior trim, sliding glass door, and a new …

Construction progresses on the new bedroom and bathroom. Rob and Jennifer are currently focused on the task of shingling, a process that includes the careful installation of flashing. At the same time, the initial plumbing work is underway.

The bathroom is beginning to resemble its final form, with Jennifer and Rob installing a new fiberglass shower under the guidance of our host. Together, our host and Rob also address the electrical components of the renovation.

Rob and Jennifer, accompanied by Richard Trethewey, made a visit to a store specializing in plumbing fixtures. Afterward, the bathroom floor was tiled, and construction commenced on the new outdoor deck.

The final details are being added to the master bedroom and bathroom. The host bids farewell to the homeowners, who depart with a sense of quiet contentment after their space has been transformed. Anticipation builds for the next undertakin…

The next participants in our series are Debbie and Dick, homeowners eager to transform their gloomy basement into a family entertainment center and comfortable den. Having sought inspiration from previously completed basements, they begin b…

Dick and Debbie, homeowners eager to expand their living space, commenced construction on a basement family room. Their initial work involved framing the interior walls, followed by insulation and sheathing. As they progressed, they exchang…

Progress is evident in the basement family room, where the essential framework of electrical wiring, wall paneling, and suspended ceiling are now being fitted.

Our skilled carpenter can assist with building shelves and storage cabinets for the basement entertainment room. Afterward, durable vinyl flooring will be installed.

The homeowners engaged a mason for work, then installed new lighting fixtures. They also welcomed Joseph Ruggiero, an interior decorator from Ethan Allen, the company known for its traditional furniture.

The next participants are introduced: Meade and Bob, residents of Reading, Massachusetts, embarking on the construction of a single-story greenhouse for their Cape Cod home. They intend to assemble the structure from a kit, seeking professi…

The greenhouse frame is erected, and the process of installing the window glazing is shown. Subsequently, insulated shades are fitted over the windows to offer protection from the cold during the night.

The residents gained practical skills, learning the necessary plumbing to install the greenhouse's heating system and the electrical wiring required for the new addition.

As redwood benches and shelving for the greenhouse took shape, the homeowners found themselves learning the practical skill of carpentry.

The season's next undertaking is revealed: a kitchen remodel. The host and the homeowners then discuss how to modernize the kitchen's functionality and design, all while preserving the house’s traditional late-Victorian character.

The kitchen renovation commenced with the arrival of a rented dumpster. As the first loads were staged, Richard Trethewey shared some disconcerting news with the homeowners regarding the complex network of pipes concealed within the basemen…

The host begins the day with a tour of the Brosco window manufacturing plant in North Andover, Massachusetts, before turning to the task of installing a bay window in the kitchen. Upstairs, the kitchen walls have been insulated, and the new…

With guidance from a skilled kitchen designer, the homeowners received their new appliances. Subsequently, bespoke oak cabinetry was fitted throughout the kitchen.

The renovated kitchen now features a sink and a garbage disposal unit; furthermore, the methods of applying tiles have been examined.

The remodeled kitchen receives its final details. The beechwood flooring is now complete, a wood-burning stove is in place, and the space is equipped with all necessary cooking implements.

The season culminates with the unveiling of their final project: a truly daunting apartment in need of complete refurbishment. Partnering with Ben Lloyd of Mertopolitan Home magazine, tenants Margie and Eric now embark on the essential cons…

At the New England Design Center, specialists guide our host and the apartment's residents through selections of fabric, furnishings, and carpeting. Later, back in the apartment, Ben Lloyd unveils the completed plans for its redesign and ov…

Lighting specialist Richard Mecher offers insights into portable fixtures suitable for apartment living. Meanwhile, our host observes advancements in the kitchen renovation and directs the restoration of the cork flooring in the guest room …

With final touches complete, the apartment now boasts cutting-edge technology: a state-of-the-art telephone system and a personal computer. Designer Ben Lloyd, along with the building's new tenants, Margie and Eric, and their host, conduct …