After relocating the original kitchen from the dark northeastern side of the house to the sunny southwestern side, the team invited Julia Child and Marian Morash to create a kitchen that serves the needs of both the resident chef and the family. They offered advice on everything from what kind of materials and appliances to buy, to placement and heights of kitchen work surfaces and storage space. Putting that information to work, the team members built an acoustically optimal space whose furnishings and whizzbang electronics made it their favorite spot in the house. After conducting an analysis of the original colors, a paint expert suggested an appropriate historical paint scheme for the newly restored facade. In a broad sweep, a new macadam driveway was laid down, making for an elegant and dramatic approach that made the most of the property's views.
Every renovation requires more sweaty equity than anyone expects.
Residents of Alliance House in Stoneham, Massachusetts, a nonprofit community organization that provides training in the trades to at-risk youth, helped out the TOH team on many of the most dirty but necessary jobsite tasks. In search of tips for opening our own show house, the show visited New York City for a private tour of one of the country's premier interior designer and decorator show houses. A wine cellar designer worked with the team to create this affordable luxury, and the editors of Quarterly Review of Wines magazine outfitted it with a great selection of wines. It is This Old House, but the team borrowed some ideas from The New Yankee Workshop to show viewers how they can create and outfit their own for the same amount of money that it costs to pursue other popular hobbies such as skiing or sailing. The workshop was put to good use as a place to create and restore much of the architectural detailing in the Milton house.