This Old House Season 33, Episode 20: Barrington; A Newport Mansion

Bedford | Welcome to the Bedford Project

Work begins on a 300-year-old farmstead.

Bedford | And the Work Begins

The crew transplantis shrubs and plants to a safe place until the job is complete. They also clear small trees and overgrowth that are in the way of the new family room addition.

26 min

Bedford | Work on the Addition Begins

The crew removes old clapboards and opens up a hole in the old fieldstone foundation that will connect the old basement space to the new. They also patch a rotted sill.

26 min

Bedford | New Entrance, Old Bricks

Framing up the new roof that will overlay the existing roof; repairing the exterior chimney; weaving in bricks.

26 min

Bedford | Yard and New Gable Wall

Work begins on clearing the backyard. The crew assembles and raises the gable wall for the family room addition and repairs a historic windowsill.

Bedford | New Space Revealed

The family room addition is framed up and sheathed. The crew installs new post supports in the kitchen accommodate a new stove vent hood and repairs the window sash.

Bedford | Insulation, Roofing

The crew tops off cellulose insulation in walls, builds raised beds out of fieldstone, and waterproofs the roof.

Bedford | Kitchen Inspiration

General contractor Tom Silva replaces a rotted post. Window restoration specialist Alison Hardy reinstalls the restored historic window sashes. Host Kevin O'Connor finds electrician Allen Gallant upgrading the electrical service in the garage. Interior designers Dee Elms and Andrew Terrat show Kevin the house that inspired our kitchen. Tom and Kevin remove strip flooring to reveal historic boards.

Bedford | A New Driveway

General contractor Tom Silva installs new red cedar clapboards. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps remove some existing plumbing in the old kitchen. Landscape contractor Roger Cook installs a new asphalt driveway that will later be topped with a rustic finish. Richard shows host Kevin O'Connor how he's solving a rough plumbing problem by using a wet vent in the powder room.

Bedford | Interior Design Ideas

Tom and Norm rebuild the front door surround to eliminate rot. Roger oversees deep root injections to amend and aerate soil. Kevin tours the new space design and sees how it blends modern and rustic elements.

Bedford | Milestones In and Out

Roger Installs a 3,000-pound slab of reclaimed granite for the front step. The crew installs new windows in the addition and insulates old ductwork. Roger spreads a rye grass mix.

Bedford | A Major Milestone

The crew installs decorative timbers in the new family room along with an A/C condenser. Tom and Kevin fasten mahogany boards to the front entry deck and install a garden shed.

Bedford | On the Right Path

Roger uses old-style bricks for a winding entry path. The crew works to fit a modern kitchen into an ell from the 1700s and installs a zero-clearance gas fireplace. On the outside wainscoting goes in and painting of the farmhouse begins.

Bedford | Doors and Tabletops

The crew restores the panel front door with flexible epoxy and new paint. The new marble island top hides a secret feature, a hole in the top concealing a compost bin. Rich works on the upgrades to the ducted HVAC system. Norm uses two old doors to make sliding barn entry doors.

Bedford | Final Touches

The crew finishes the driveway and installs a new LED strip light at the old fireplace. The home gets a Colonial-inspired boot scraper and doorknocker as well as a new hot water heater.

Bedford | Final Reveal

Roger installs new and old plant material. The crew puts the finishing touches on the kitchen by installing ceramic backsplash tile and brightens up the parlor and dining room .

Barrington; An Introduction

As the next project starts, demolition begins on the 1950s porch addition and the first floor is gutted.

Barrington; Hurricane Irene

The crew prepares the house for Hurricane Irene and begins framing the second floor.

Barrington; Building a Clambake!

Installing windows using a custom copper pan for flashing; installing architectural shingles.

Barrington; Coastal Landscape

Installing a custom copper gutter and scupper as well as coastal tolerant and native plants.

Barrington; The Finishes Begin

The Brazilian hardwood garapa is installed on the new deck; red cedar shingles. Red oak flooring and decorative polyurethane brackets are installed.

26 min

Barrington; Cherry Kitchen

Replacing cracked asphalt with new concrete pavers in the driveway; using cherry veneers in the kitchen; wall cabinets; setting the new tub.

Barrington; Wall Dressing

Retractable awning; Saratoga soapstone; light fixtures; electric floor warming system.

26 min

Barrington; The Finish Line

Glass tile; installing a garage storage system; cable railing system; installing a gas stove; LED down light.

26 min

Barrington; Another Project Wraps

Advanced programmable thermostat; solar shades; dividing the master closet into his and hers spaces; girl's room includes timeless pieces and colors.

26 min