Bob Vila's first project of the season is introduced: an addition to a small cottage in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Bob meets with the contractor and architect and clears trees for the new addition, while demonstrating chain-saw safety. Also: a tour of a Newport, R.I., mansion.
A cinder-block foundation is laid and the framing begins on a turret of the existing cottage. Also: a tour of Victorian homes in Cape May, N.J., one of America's oldest resort towns.
Truss joints are installed in the bedroom wing, and, as the walls are raised, Bob describes the advantages of western balloon framing. Also: a tour of Lyndhurst mansion in the Hudson River valley of New York.
A chimney is built and the connections between the old and new structures are installed. Also: a visit to a wood-stove factory in Vermont.
A designer specializing in Victorian work adds elements to the exterior, and a verge board is installed on a gable end. Also: a walk through Lucy the Elephant, a tourist exhibit on the New Jersey shore, and a look at how to build PVC wastes and vents.
Work begins on the front-entry porch. Also: tips on installing windows and applying cedar roof shingles.
Installing blown-in and high-density insulation; adding railing detail to the porch. Also: tips on basic wiring and installing a septic tank.
Included: installing the kitchen pantry, wallpapering the den, and examining the wallpaper manufacturing process. Also: how Victorian doors are made.
Shingling is applied and a stamped-tin ceiling gets installed in the kitchen. Also: selecting color schemes for the house during a tour of Martha's Vineyard.
Inside a Victorian mansion with an Arabian decorating scheme. Also: adding Victorian touches to the master bath.
A plate rail is installed in the kitchen, and a designer offers ideas on Victorian interiors. Also: landscapers begin planting in the courtyard.
A tour of the completed Victorian house includes a look at the new turret and courtyard, as well as the larger addition.
Work begins on a house in Malibu, California. Also: a tour of Los Angeles by helicopter.
Bob Vila tours the Malibu, California house, talks with the architects, and observes California-Spanish architecture.
The foundation is inspected and a beam is installed in the garage.
California's building codes regarding earthquake safety are discussed and a winding staircase is constructed. Also: a visit to the home of actor Max Gail.
Included: the roof and walls are framed, and cellulose insulation is added.
Installed: a custom-made window and a sprinkler system. Also, Bob Vila takes visits Wisconsin to see how custom windows are made.
The project's environmentally sound features are discussed. Also: Bob Vila takes a trip to the home of actor Tim Allen ("Home Improvement").
Mexican tile is used for the roof. Also: Bob Vila helps comedian Tim Allen pour concrete for a garage floor.
The front door is hung. Also: adding a distressed finish to wood and building a storage wall.
Hand-painted tiles are installed in the master bath and on the staircase. Also: a trip to the Mexican workshop where the tiles are made.
A terracotta tile floor is laid. Also: security cameras, temperature controls and kitchen appliances are installed, and the courtyard is landscaped in California-Spanish villa style.