Seasons & episodes

Our host and our master carpenter tear down the old wood panelling in the basement wreck room. Upstairs, it's time to install the new kitchen countertops and decorate the master bath.

Our host throws a little light on the subject of wiring the new breezeway. Then he warms up the garage-turned-family room with new insulation.

Our master carpenter shows us the right way to dry wall a new room - including important tips on taping and sanding. Then he and our host discuss tools: which ones are right for the job?

This old house is beginning to take on a new look. Our host shows us how to trim the windows and doors. He also gives us time-saving tips on preparing and painting interior walls.

Things are really cooking at the house. Our host is in the kitchen installing the new appliances. Our master carpenter is hard at work building a new rear deck. Back inside, our host shares some professional secrets for mistake-proof wallpapering. It's easy when you know how.

The house's transformation is nearly complete. Our host gives us some pointers on laying a no-wax floor. Then the guys discuss the finishing touches of the renovation. Outside, our host checks the progress of the landscaping.

The tract house from the 1950s is now a bright new, energy-efficient home for the 1980's. The guys lead a grand tour of the newly renovated house.

Our host takes you on a tour of the newest project - a three-story Greek Revival farmhouse in Arlington, Massachusetts. Over the next 26 weeks, he and his crew of building craftsmen will transform this old house from the 1850s into an idea house for the 1980s that gives viewers and homeowners a new sense of what a home can be.

Our host considers the many remodeling possibilities for the old house with architect Jock Gifford and landscape atchitect Tom Wirth. Where to begin!

Our host brings in the crane and demolition of a portion of the old farmhouse begins. Later, our hosts talks with a slate contractor about the old slate roof and discusses the merits of sandblasting.

Our host and his crew jack up the garage, relocate it, and consider turning it into a workshop/garden shed. The crew also conducts a window and door energy audit.

Our host and master carpenter undertake the task of framing in the new 1982 wing of the 1850s Greek Revival farmhouse.

Our host and crew tackle the insulation of the old farmhouse's new wing.

Our host and crew assess the old farmhouse's electrical need and update wiring for today's lifestyle.

Our host and crew shingle the new wing and plaster ceilings in the old portion of the 1850's farmhouse.

Our host and crew waterproof an exterior deck. Later, he discusses electrical wiring in new and existing walls and talks with restoratian specialist Dr. Judy Selwyn about the original paint used in the old farmhouse.

Our host conducts a room-by-room analysis of lighting needs for the old house and visits a lighting showroom to look at options. Back at the old farmhouse, our master carpenter installs one of the new replacement window sashes.

Our host pays a visit to a prototype exercise room room to get ideas for the old house's new spa and weight room. In the process, our host discovers the virtues of a steam shower, sauna and hot tub. Later, he discusses the final landscape plane, including the outdoor lighting.

Our host and his crew install the whirlpool tub in the bathroom of the master bedroom suite. Next, he tackles the problem of insulating the attic.

Our host visits a prototype wine cellar for discussion of storage techniques, lighting and climate control. Later, he travels to Walpole Woodworkers to see how a fence is made.

Our host visits Weston Nurseries to select planting materials for the Arlington site. He chooses shrubbery, trees and plants to enhance the landscape and complement the farmhouse.

Our host travels to to Sturbridge, Massachusetts, for a visit with master cabinetmaker Jack Cronin. Cronin takes us through the process of building kitchen cabinets for the farmhouse kitchen.

Our host travels to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a look at El Dorado, a community built around the sun. He explains how the subdivision utilizes passive and active solar heating and cooling techniques, as well as photovoltaics to generate electricity directly from the sun.

Our host discusses the site preparation for and assembly of a redwood hot tub. Later, the crew carries out the tub installation.