1 00:00:00,666 --> 00:00:03,033 Kevin: You may know somebody with mobility issues 2 00:00:03,100 --> 00:00:05,833 or somebody aging who wants to stay in their house. 3 00:00:05,900 --> 00:00:08,066 Well, we have got a brand-new project 4 00:00:08,133 --> 00:00:10,100 here in Lexington, Massachusetts, 5 00:00:10,166 --> 00:00:12,500 where we're working with an active family of five 6 00:00:12,566 --> 00:00:14,700 who needs to make their house more accessible 7 00:00:14,766 --> 00:00:16,300 for their young son. 8 00:00:16,366 --> 00:00:25,833 ♪♪ 9 00:00:25,900 --> 00:00:28,466 Man: Ahh. That's it. 10 00:00:28,533 --> 00:00:36,100 ♪♪ 11 00:00:36,166 --> 00:00:43,700 ♪♪ 12 00:00:46,900 --> 00:00:48,666 Kevin: Hi there. I'm Kevin O'Connor. 13 00:00:48,733 --> 00:00:50,766 And welcome back to a brand-new season 14 00:00:50,833 --> 00:00:52,300 of "This Old House." 15 00:00:52,366 --> 00:00:55,033 Today, I'm in historic Lexington, Massachusetts, 16 00:00:55,100 --> 00:00:57,433 a town that is known for the first battle 17 00:00:57,500 --> 00:00:59,566 of the American Revolution. 18 00:00:59,633 --> 00:01:02,233 It's also a town that we've worked in before. 19 00:01:02,300 --> 00:01:04,633 It has got a great collection of old homes, 20 00:01:04,700 --> 00:01:06,333 and we've renovated a few of them, 21 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,366 some colonials, some colonial revivals. 22 00:01:09,433 --> 00:01:11,800 Now, people come to this town all of the time 23 00:01:11,866 --> 00:01:13,633 to learn more about Lexington's involvement 24 00:01:13,700 --> 00:01:15,766 in the Revolutionary War and to learn how that 25 00:01:15,833 --> 00:01:18,100 is celebrated and honored every day. 26 00:01:18,166 --> 00:01:21,233 In fact, there are historic guides touring this town 27 00:01:21,300 --> 00:01:23,166 almost every day of the week. 28 00:01:23,233 --> 00:01:25,400 Tom: When the soldiers arrived at the Lexington Common, 29 00:01:25,466 --> 00:01:28,000 they met up with the Lexington militia. 30 00:01:28,066 --> 00:01:30,666 Among them was my great-great-grandfather, 31 00:01:30,733 --> 00:01:33,333 who was one of the 12 men that were killed in that battle. 32 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,333 And he's actually buried right around here. 33 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:36,633 Kevin: Tommy? 34 00:01:36,700 --> 00:01:40,566 Tom: Sonny, the tour for the British is over there. 35 00:01:40,633 --> 00:01:42,066 Kevin: Uh, hi. 36 00:01:42,133 --> 00:01:45,000 Hey, news flash, Pops. You know, you've got a job. 37 00:01:45,066 --> 00:01:46,833 You don't need to do this. 38 00:01:46,900 --> 00:01:49,366 Tom: He wouldn't understand. He didn't grow up here. 39 00:01:49,433 --> 00:01:52,400 So, as I was saying, growing up here in Lexington, 40 00:01:52,466 --> 00:01:54,600 we appreciate the significance of the shot 41 00:01:54,666 --> 00:01:59,433 of the battles of Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775. 42 00:01:59,500 --> 00:02:01,300 Kevin: Must have been exciting, Pops, to be there. 43 00:02:01,366 --> 00:02:02,633 What was it like to hear that first shot? 44 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:04,833 Tom: Sonny, have some respect for Lexington history. 45 00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:06,600 I'm working here. Can't you see that? 46 00:02:06,666 --> 00:02:08,366 Kevin: Nice knickers. 47 00:02:08,433 --> 00:02:10,400 I have no idea what's going on. 48 00:02:10,466 --> 00:02:12,000 Tom: [ Sighs ] Not easy. 49 00:02:12,066 --> 00:02:14,033 Kevin: I thought this was going to be a regular introduction. 50 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:17,200 I guess not. Anyway, unlike our tour guide back there, 51 00:02:17,266 --> 00:02:20,266 who is stuck in the past, this town is not. 52 00:02:20,333 --> 00:02:23,133 It welcomes people from all over with some modern-day amenities, 53 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:28,000 and it makes sure that this town is accessible for everyone. 54 00:02:28,066 --> 00:02:31,466 The town has taken measures to be ADA compliant. 55 00:02:31,533 --> 00:02:34,466 That's the American Disabilities Act of 1990, 56 00:02:34,533 --> 00:02:36,100 and it protects people with disabilities 57 00:02:36,166 --> 00:02:38,100 in all areas of public life. 58 00:02:38,166 --> 00:02:41,166 So you'll see things like wide sidewalks, 59 00:02:41,233 --> 00:02:43,533 ramps, buses with wheelchair lifts 60 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:49,033 and these -- curbless crosswalks with detectable warnings. 61 00:02:49,100 --> 00:02:52,066 A quarter of Americans have some form of disability, 62 00:02:52,133 --> 00:02:55,466 and half of them have mobility issues that, 63 00:02:55,533 --> 00:02:57,400 along with an aging population, 64 00:02:57,466 --> 00:02:59,833 means there is good reason to make our communities 65 00:02:59,900 --> 00:03:03,066 and our homes more accessible. 66 00:03:03,133 --> 00:03:05,866 Our project house is just a few blocks from here, 67 00:03:05,933 --> 00:03:09,900 and our mission is to renovate a mid-century-modern home. 68 00:03:09,966 --> 00:03:11,600 We are going to make it accessible 69 00:03:11,666 --> 00:03:13,900 for an active family of five 70 00:03:13,966 --> 00:03:17,866 that has a young son losing his mobility. 71 00:03:17,933 --> 00:03:21,366 Lexington's got some great public transportation. 72 00:03:21,433 --> 00:03:24,133 Charlie, are you moonlighting, too? 73 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:26,533 Charlie: Born and raised here. Kevin: Unbelievable. 74 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:28,400 Mark, you too? Mark: I'm a townie, too. 75 00:03:28,466 --> 00:03:30,800 Kevin: No kidding. 76 00:03:33,833 --> 00:03:36,766 Charlie: All right. Where to? Tom: To the house. 77 00:03:36,833 --> 00:03:38,700 Kevin: To the house, I guess. 78 00:03:38,766 --> 00:03:41,433 Tom: A little-known fact -- I grew up in this town. 79 00:03:41,500 --> 00:03:43,666 I lived in a house that was built in the 1700s 80 00:03:43,733 --> 00:03:45,400 that my mother was born in 81 00:03:45,466 --> 00:03:47,833 and all my brothers and sisters were raised in. 82 00:03:47,900 --> 00:03:52,600 And I learned my trade working in that house as a young kid. 83 00:03:52,666 --> 00:03:54,633 Kevin: Michelle, good to see you. Michelle: Hey. 84 00:03:54,700 --> 00:03:56,700 Kevin: Billy, pleasure. Billy: Hi, Kevin. How's it going? 85 00:03:56,766 --> 00:03:58,266 Kevin: It's going all right. How's it going with you guys? 86 00:03:58,333 --> 00:04:00,433 Are you ready for this? Michelle: Yeah. Yeah, we're ready. 87 00:04:00,500 --> 00:04:02,100 Kevin: Are you excited? Michelle: Excited. 88 00:04:02,166 --> 00:04:04,066 A little nervous but also very excited. 89 00:04:04,133 --> 00:04:06,633 Kevin: Well, it's a big project with a good mission. 90 00:04:06,700 --> 00:04:09,333 So tell us the story. Give us a little background. 91 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:10,933 Billy: We just moved here recently. 92 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,200 A family of five, so three kids, one of whom has a rare disease. 93 00:04:14,266 --> 00:04:15,600 So we're looking to make some changes 94 00:04:15,666 --> 00:04:17,400 to adjust to our -- to that. 95 00:04:17,466 --> 00:04:20,300 Kevin: Right. So accessibility is a big item on your list. 96 00:04:20,366 --> 00:04:23,166 And the house is not as accessible as you'd like. 97 00:04:23,233 --> 00:04:25,000 Michelle: That's exactly right. That's the main idea. 98 00:04:25,066 --> 00:04:28,233 So of the three kids, it's our middle son 99 00:04:28,300 --> 00:04:31,066 that has what's called Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 100 00:04:31,133 --> 00:04:32,700 And what that is is a progressive 101 00:04:32,766 --> 00:04:34,233 muscle-wasting disease 102 00:04:34,300 --> 00:04:37,266 so that, over time, he's going to lose his ability to walk. 103 00:04:37,333 --> 00:04:39,266 He's already having a lot of challenges 104 00:04:39,333 --> 00:04:40,533 with stairs right now. 105 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:42,133 And so, everything that we're really doing 106 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:45,933 is to try to make sure that he has equal access to the house 107 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:47,500 as much as anybody else does. 108 00:04:47,566 --> 00:04:49,633 And we can all be much more connected as a family. 109 00:04:49,700 --> 00:04:52,433 Kevin: And in terms of the house as it exists now, 110 00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:54,200 how does it work for his mobility, 111 00:04:54,266 --> 00:04:56,100 and how far do you want to take it? 112 00:04:56,166 --> 00:04:59,000 Michelle: Yeah. One of the main reasons why we got this house is 113 00:04:59,066 --> 00:05:02,100 because we have quite a bit of living space all on one level, 114 00:05:02,166 --> 00:05:04,600 including some bedrooms, which is great. 115 00:05:04,666 --> 00:05:06,833 And so, that has been working so far 116 00:05:06,900 --> 00:05:08,800 for our son and for our family. 117 00:05:08,866 --> 00:05:11,800 But it's definitely not ideal. I mean, so for example, 118 00:05:11,866 --> 00:05:14,466 the primary bedroom is actually right up here above the garage. 119 00:05:14,533 --> 00:05:17,200 Caffrey's room is way on the other side of the house, 120 00:05:17,266 --> 00:05:19,100 and especially if he needs something in the middle 121 00:05:19,166 --> 00:05:21,533 of the night, it's impossible for him to come upstairs. 122 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:23,200 And so, we really want to be able to try to solve 123 00:05:23,266 --> 00:05:24,900 for that problem in particular. Kevin: Sure. 124 00:05:24,966 --> 00:05:26,733 Well, that's completely understandable. 125 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:29,200 I can imagine that is not an ideal situation. 126 00:05:29,266 --> 00:05:32,466 And as you say, Caffrey's condition is rare. 127 00:05:32,533 --> 00:05:35,733 It's certainly unfortunate, but that need for mobility 128 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:37,466 is actually not that rare. I mean, it's something 129 00:05:37,533 --> 00:05:38,966 that we're all going to be struggling with, 130 00:05:39,033 --> 00:05:40,966 whether it's caring for our parents or a loved one 131 00:05:41,033 --> 00:05:42,900 or our own situation, you know? 132 00:05:42,966 --> 00:05:44,566 It's going to be something that we have to address. 133 00:05:44,633 --> 00:05:47,966 So the challenge that you face, while very specific 134 00:05:48,033 --> 00:05:49,433 and, as I said, unfortunate, is a challenge 135 00:05:49,500 --> 00:05:52,600 that, I think, appeals and applies to many people. 136 00:05:52,666 --> 00:05:56,566 So tackling your personal situation, 137 00:05:56,633 --> 00:05:58,566 we're looking forward to helping you with that, 138 00:05:58,633 --> 00:06:01,933 but also just sharing those solutions 139 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,266 with a big audience, as well, so it's going to be good. 140 00:06:04,333 --> 00:06:05,600 Michelle: Sounds good. Kevin: All right. 141 00:06:05,666 --> 00:06:07,200 Well, Billy, I know Tommy's got his eyes on you, 142 00:06:07,266 --> 00:06:08,666 but maybe, Michelle, you can show me inside 143 00:06:08,733 --> 00:06:09,966 and give me a better lay of the land? Michelle: Yeah. 144 00:06:10,033 --> 00:06:13,200 Let me show you around. Kevin: All right. Thanks. 145 00:06:13,266 --> 00:06:15,100 Tom: Hey, Billy. Billy: Hi, Tommy. How are you? 146 00:06:15,166 --> 00:06:17,033 Tom: I'm good. You ready to get started? 147 00:06:17,100 --> 00:06:19,366 Billy: Yeah, as ready as I'll ever be. Tom: Oh, good for you. 148 00:06:19,433 --> 00:06:21,100 Well, this is going to be a great project. 149 00:06:21,166 --> 00:06:22,533 You know, I grew up in this town. 150 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:24,000 I did a lot of work in this town. 151 00:06:24,066 --> 00:06:26,200 I actually worked on that house right up there 152 00:06:26,266 --> 00:06:28,066 many, many years ago. 153 00:06:28,133 --> 00:06:30,333 And I know about these mid-century-modern houses 154 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,200 because I worked on a lot of them. 155 00:06:32,266 --> 00:06:34,866 The mid-century modern has a low pitch, 156 00:06:34,933 --> 00:06:36,733 a lot of glass on the South side, 157 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:38,733 and they're usually on a slab, 158 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:40,800 but your lot really pitches down, 159 00:06:40,866 --> 00:06:43,533 so you have two stories on the back side. 160 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:45,866 Billy Yeah, we -- the first edition 161 00:06:45,933 --> 00:06:49,133 we think was a two-level piece done on the back. 162 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:51,400 Tom: Yeah. To the original mid-century modern right here. 163 00:06:51,466 --> 00:06:53,766 Billy: Exactly. And then the garage at some point 164 00:06:53,833 --> 00:06:55,133 was a detached garage, 165 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:56,833 and then they did this piece in the middle. 166 00:06:56,900 --> 00:07:01,000 But it's very disjointed and kind of draws your attention 167 00:07:01,066 --> 00:07:02,500 incorrectly from the street. 168 00:07:02,566 --> 00:07:04,600 Tom: Yeah, you definitely don't want the garage 169 00:07:04,666 --> 00:07:05,766 to be the focal point. 170 00:07:05,833 --> 00:07:09,000 You want the main house to draw people in. 171 00:07:09,066 --> 00:07:12,500 And it just, you know -- The garage is too overpowering. 172 00:07:12,566 --> 00:07:14,400 I don't know what's going on with that -- 173 00:07:14,466 --> 00:07:16,466 Is that the chimney or a fireplace in there? 174 00:07:16,533 --> 00:07:17,966 Billy: It's a faux fireplace. 175 00:07:18,033 --> 00:07:19,766 There's no flue or anything there. 176 00:07:19,833 --> 00:07:22,600 So we use it as more display. It's a bit of an alcove. 177 00:07:22,666 --> 00:07:25,100 But, as you can see from the brickwork on the outside, 178 00:07:25,166 --> 00:07:26,733 it's got a few water issues. 179 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:28,433 So we're going to look to take that out. 180 00:07:28,500 --> 00:07:30,766 Tom: Right. Billy: The priority here is the accessibility. 181 00:07:30,833 --> 00:07:33,066 So we're going to use that space -- the new space 182 00:07:33,133 --> 00:07:35,633 to run a ramp from the driveway over to the right, 183 00:07:35,700 --> 00:07:37,833 a nice gentle slope to a new front door. 184 00:07:37,900 --> 00:07:40,200 Tom: Right. Billy: And then that'll give us a new focal point 185 00:07:40,266 --> 00:07:41,733 for the front of the house, as well. 186 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:43,766 Tom: Oh, absolutely. It will change it all around nicely. 187 00:07:43,833 --> 00:07:45,566 And you get your accessibility in there, too. 188 00:07:45,633 --> 00:07:47,133 Billy: Yeah. Tom: Yeah, because you do. 189 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,133 If you look at the height of the front door 190 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:51,633 in relationship to the grade right now, 191 00:07:51,700 --> 00:07:53,833 I mean, there's two good steps right there. 192 00:07:53,900 --> 00:07:56,100 Billy: Yeah, we've already done some work 193 00:07:56,166 --> 00:07:58,600 to try to make it accessible, even in the short-term. 194 00:07:58,666 --> 00:08:01,933 I've put my woodworking skills to the test 195 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:03,466 and put a ramp together myself. Tom: Wow. 196 00:08:03,533 --> 00:08:05,266 I'd like to see how talented you are. 197 00:08:05,333 --> 00:08:07,233 Billy: It's here in the garage. Tom: All right. 198 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:10,700 I got to say, a three-car garage is exactly what I'm looking for. 199 00:08:10,766 --> 00:08:12,466 Unfortunately, I have a one-car garage, 200 00:08:12,533 --> 00:08:14,066 and I have a hard time getting my car in it. 201 00:08:14,133 --> 00:08:15,833 Billy: Yeah. This is what I was talking about. 202 00:08:15,900 --> 00:08:18,633 I did a little short- to medium-term solution 203 00:08:18,700 --> 00:08:20,600 for us in a ramp. Tom: Yeah. Great. 204 00:08:20,666 --> 00:08:23,933 Yeah, Yeah. Oh, yeah. Some 2x3's. 205 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:27,500 Looks of birch plywood. Nice job there. I like it. 206 00:08:27,566 --> 00:08:30,733 It's all screwed together. That's pretty cool. 207 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:32,133 Now, if you were building one of these 208 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:33,866 and you want to comply to the code, 209 00:08:33,933 --> 00:08:35,700 it has to be 1 and 12. 210 00:08:35,766 --> 00:08:37,766 So every 12 inches you go in, 211 00:08:37,833 --> 00:08:39,233 it's one inches up. 212 00:08:39,300 --> 00:08:41,233 Two feet in, two inches up. 213 00:08:41,300 --> 00:08:43,133 But for this right here, this is perfect. 214 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:45,233 Billy: Yeah, it works for now. And I think that the ramping 215 00:08:45,300 --> 00:08:46,866 that we'll do for the other parts 216 00:08:46,933 --> 00:08:48,900 here in the garage, as well out front, will be 217 00:08:48,966 --> 00:08:51,266 a much, much more easy slope. Tom: Yeah. 218 00:08:51,333 --> 00:08:53,033 We'll follow the code on that one, that's for sure. 219 00:08:53,100 --> 00:08:55,966 And it's better if it's even a little less. 220 00:08:56,033 --> 00:08:57,566 But we'll see what we have for room. 221 00:08:57,633 --> 00:08:59,433 Billy: Yeah. Tom: Oh, this is great. 222 00:08:59,500 --> 00:09:01,933 You got a ping-pong table here. Hmm. 223 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,000 Where's the paddles? 224 00:09:04,066 --> 00:09:05,666 Michelle: So here we are in the foyer. 225 00:09:05,733 --> 00:09:07,000 Kevin: Oh, yeah, big foyer. Michelle: Yeah. 226 00:09:07,066 --> 00:09:08,833 It is a big foyer, but it's a bit of a weird 227 00:09:08,900 --> 00:09:10,266 and awkward space. 228 00:09:10,333 --> 00:09:13,266 And we've put a sofa here because we had one, 229 00:09:13,333 --> 00:09:16,433 but it does -- Kevin: In case you want to nap in the foyer. 230 00:09:16,500 --> 00:09:18,200 Michelle: Well, why not? Why wouldn't you, right? Kevin: Sure. 231 00:09:18,266 --> 00:09:19,700 Michelle: But it is a bit of a weird place 232 00:09:19,766 --> 00:09:21,366 because you can see all the windows, 233 00:09:21,433 --> 00:09:23,066 which is nice to have the light, 234 00:09:23,133 --> 00:09:25,233 but it is a bit of a fishbowl. Kevin: Yeah. 235 00:09:25,300 --> 00:09:27,600 So a lot of space. Maybe some wasted space. 236 00:09:27,666 --> 00:09:29,333 Michelle: Absolutely. Right? Kevin: Yeah. 237 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,433 Michelle: And then these stairs, they head up to the primary bedroom. 238 00:09:32,500 --> 00:09:34,200 Right? So again, one side of the house, 239 00:09:34,266 --> 00:09:35,633 that's where we are. Kevin: Above the garage. 240 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:37,266 Michelle: Everybody else is over there. 241 00:09:37,333 --> 00:09:38,700 Kevin: In transit, getting ready to move. 242 00:09:38,766 --> 00:09:40,266 Or is this the workout space? 243 00:09:40,333 --> 00:09:43,033 Michelle: Yeah. You know, I always love to work out in the foyer, 244 00:09:43,100 --> 00:09:45,066 but, no, it's actually the only place in the house 245 00:09:45,133 --> 00:09:48,266 where we can put this because Billy is 6'5", 246 00:09:48,333 --> 00:09:50,266 and we'd love to have it in the basement, 247 00:09:50,333 --> 00:09:52,166 but the ceilings are way too low. 248 00:09:52,233 --> 00:09:53,900 Kevin: Okay, so plenty of space 249 00:09:53,966 --> 00:09:56,133 but maybe not used most efficiently. 250 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:58,200 Michelle: Exactly. Kevin: As we come around the corner... 251 00:09:58,266 --> 00:10:00,366 Michelle: Right, so this is the main living space in the house, 252 00:10:00,433 --> 00:10:03,233 the kitchen and the living areas. 253 00:10:03,300 --> 00:10:05,400 Kevin: Oh, yeah. Opens right up, huh? 254 00:10:05,466 --> 00:10:08,533 Michelle: Yeah. Kevin: So what room is this? How do you use it? 255 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:10,366 Michelle: So we call it a living room, 256 00:10:10,433 --> 00:10:11,933 but it's really an in-between room, 257 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:14,133 and we don't really spend a lot of time here. 258 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:15,600 Kevin: You know, we see a lot of living rooms 259 00:10:15,666 --> 00:10:16,900 that people do not use. 260 00:10:16,966 --> 00:10:19,000 A bit of formality that we don't enjoy anymore. 261 00:10:19,066 --> 00:10:21,600 Michelle: Yeah. Kevin: Although they do enjoy fireplaces, 262 00:10:21,666 --> 00:10:23,466 and you've got one very prominently displayed. 263 00:10:23,533 --> 00:10:24,933 Does it work? Michelle: We do. 264 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,900 But it's -- No, it's totally decorative. 265 00:10:26,966 --> 00:10:28,733 And not only does it not work, 266 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:30,533 it actually is a bit of a problem. 267 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:32,500 So all of this brick actually leaks. 268 00:10:32,566 --> 00:10:35,200 And so, the very first rainstorm that we had, 269 00:10:35,266 --> 00:10:37,566 we had a bit of a lake happening here in the fireplace. 270 00:10:37,633 --> 00:10:39,466 And then, actually, even when we had a cold snap 271 00:10:39,533 --> 00:10:40,733 a couple of days ago, 272 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:43,066 this turned into an entire frosty fireplace. 273 00:10:43,133 --> 00:10:44,766 Kevin: Not a fireplace. A water feature. 274 00:10:44,833 --> 00:10:46,366 Michelle: Yes, exactly. That's right. 275 00:10:46,433 --> 00:10:47,566 Kevin: All right. Well, I like the ceiling height. 276 00:10:47,633 --> 00:10:49,066 It sort of connects all the rooms 277 00:10:49,133 --> 00:10:51,366 as you come between here. Really nice. 278 00:10:51,433 --> 00:10:54,000 Michelle: That's right. So this is what we would call our family room. 279 00:10:54,066 --> 00:10:55,233 And this is actually 280 00:10:55,300 --> 00:10:57,066 where we spend most of the time in the house. 281 00:10:57,133 --> 00:10:59,466 Kevin: Not surprising to me at all. It's a gorgeous room. 282 00:10:59,533 --> 00:11:01,466 Michelle: Yeah, it's actually my favorite room in the house. 283 00:11:01,533 --> 00:11:04,366 And, you know, here is where I think that you can actually pick up 284 00:11:04,433 --> 00:11:07,433 a lot of these mid-century-modern characteristics. 285 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:10,066 You see these brick walls over here. 286 00:11:10,133 --> 00:11:12,633 Very quintessential of this mid-century modern design. 287 00:11:12,700 --> 00:11:15,066 We have it on three different sides of this room. 288 00:11:15,133 --> 00:11:19,233 And you can actually see this unique Chevron-shaped wall here 289 00:11:19,300 --> 00:11:21,933 and its mirror image on the other side of the room. 290 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,000 And I think it gives it just a lot of character 291 00:11:24,066 --> 00:11:26,066 from that era, which is really special. 292 00:11:26,133 --> 00:11:28,066 Kevin: And this is the original structure. 293 00:11:28,133 --> 00:11:30,233 Michelle: This is. Kevin: So this is original surface material, as well, 294 00:11:30,300 --> 00:11:31,666 probably. Michelle: That's right. 295 00:11:31,733 --> 00:11:34,633 Kevin: Yeah, that's really nice. And then just walls of glass, 296 00:11:34,700 --> 00:11:37,000 which means lots of light flowing in. 297 00:11:37,066 --> 00:11:38,800 Michelle: Yeah, I think this is another thing 298 00:11:38,866 --> 00:11:41,066 that makes this room just so lovely to be in. 299 00:11:41,133 --> 00:11:43,400 And this is actually my favorite seat in the house. 300 00:11:43,466 --> 00:11:45,633 A lot of it is because you have this great character around 301 00:11:45,700 --> 00:11:46,966 but also a ton of light. 302 00:11:47,033 --> 00:11:48,966 So this is where I love to be able to spend my time, 303 00:11:49,033 --> 00:11:50,200 especially when the family's here. 304 00:11:50,266 --> 00:11:51,766 Kevin: You picked a good one. Michelle: Yeah. 305 00:11:51,833 --> 00:11:53,233 Kevin: As I walk through here, though, Michelle, 306 00:11:53,300 --> 00:11:54,800 this is not what I'm used to walking through 307 00:11:54,866 --> 00:11:56,633 when we're going to renovate a house. 308 00:11:56,700 --> 00:11:59,233 This looks immaculate, and it is beautiful. 309 00:11:59,300 --> 00:12:01,500 I'm not expecting a renovation to go on. 310 00:12:01,566 --> 00:12:02,900 Michelle: And we want to keep it that way, right? 311 00:12:02,966 --> 00:12:05,366 So our plan is really to keep this room 312 00:12:05,433 --> 00:12:06,733 almost exactly as it is, 313 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:08,833 really just some windows, new floors. 314 00:12:08,900 --> 00:12:11,000 But we really want to keep the character as it is, 315 00:12:11,066 --> 00:12:12,433 and just, it's the rest of the house 316 00:12:12,500 --> 00:12:13,833 that we really want to try to resolve. 317 00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:15,300 Kevin: All right. Well, let's have a look at that. 318 00:12:15,366 --> 00:12:16,466 Michelle: Yeah. 319 00:12:16,533 --> 00:12:18,033 All right, so let me show you the dining room. 320 00:12:18,100 --> 00:12:19,166 All right? Kevin: Mm-hmm. 321 00:12:19,233 --> 00:12:20,666 Michelle: So not a bad space. Kevin: No. 322 00:12:20,733 --> 00:12:22,800 Michelle: But, again, it's a little bit tight over here, 323 00:12:22,866 --> 00:12:26,033 and thinking ahead to when our son is in a powered wheelchair, 324 00:12:26,100 --> 00:12:28,766 this is going to be really -- a real difficult problem 325 00:12:28,833 --> 00:12:30,266 for him to navigate. Kevin: Well, yeah. 326 00:12:30,333 --> 00:12:32,966 I mean, I guess the prospects of a motorized wheelchair 327 00:12:33,033 --> 00:12:34,866 changes your perspective on everything. 328 00:12:34,933 --> 00:12:38,100 Michelle: It does, right? So when we get to a place of, like, really thinking 329 00:12:38,166 --> 00:12:40,100 about how to make this a much more accessible home, 330 00:12:40,166 --> 00:12:42,066 that's certainly one of the things that we're thinking about. 331 00:12:42,133 --> 00:12:43,633 We'd really love to open this up a lot more. 332 00:12:43,700 --> 00:12:45,066 Kevin: Okay, lovely is great, 333 00:12:45,133 --> 00:12:46,700 but functional needs to be top of the list. Michelle: Right. 334 00:12:46,766 --> 00:12:48,800 So here we are in the kitchen, 335 00:12:48,866 --> 00:12:51,200 and this, actually, is the main thoroughfare for Caffrey 336 00:12:51,266 --> 00:12:53,266 right now because this is the living space, 337 00:12:53,333 --> 00:12:55,366 his bedroom is actually right over here. 338 00:12:55,433 --> 00:12:57,633 And so, this is actually a narrow space. 339 00:12:57,700 --> 00:12:58,866 Kevin: It's a galley kitchen. Michelle: It's a galley kitchen. 340 00:12:58,933 --> 00:13:00,500 Kevin: Looks beautiful, but by design, 341 00:13:00,566 --> 00:13:01,900 galley kitchens are narrow. 342 00:13:01,966 --> 00:13:03,466 Michelle: That's right. And, you know, you can imagine, 343 00:13:03,533 --> 00:13:05,300 this dishwasher is frequently open, 344 00:13:05,366 --> 00:13:06,700 drawers are frequently open. 345 00:13:06,766 --> 00:13:08,933 We have these warming drawers which don't actually work. 346 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,400 But it makes it really, really tight, especially, again, 347 00:13:11,466 --> 00:13:13,100 thinking about that wheelchair in the future. 348 00:13:13,166 --> 00:13:15,400 Kevin: And all else being equal, would the family cook together 349 00:13:15,466 --> 00:13:17,266 and hang out in the kitchen together if they could? 350 00:13:17,333 --> 00:13:18,733 Michelle: Yeah, ideally we would. 351 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:20,833 But we don't really think that this is a conducive space 352 00:13:20,900 --> 00:13:22,366 for us all to be in here together. 353 00:13:22,433 --> 00:13:25,166 So we really want to be able to open up this big room 354 00:13:25,233 --> 00:13:27,333 so we can get all five of us in here 355 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:29,466 and have as much accessibility as we possibly can. Kevin: Sure. 356 00:13:29,533 --> 00:13:30,833 Okay. 357 00:13:30,900 --> 00:13:32,766 Michelle: Let's go this way next. 358 00:13:32,833 --> 00:13:36,733 So this is actually one of the primary junctures of the house. 359 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:38,666 Kevin: Right. Michelle: So just to orient you, 360 00:13:38,733 --> 00:13:40,266 we have the lower level down here. 361 00:13:40,333 --> 00:13:41,866 We have a living space there. 362 00:13:41,933 --> 00:13:43,433 And back over there is the entrance 363 00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:45,200 and the primary bedroom way above the garage. 364 00:13:45,266 --> 00:13:46,566 Kevin: Way back there. 365 00:13:46,633 --> 00:13:48,433 Michelle: Yeah. Now we've got kids' rooms, right? 366 00:13:48,500 --> 00:13:51,333 Marlowe's room is here, Caffrey's room is down there. 367 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:53,533 Right? So you could see, actually, the quite distance 368 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:55,466 that we have between Caffrey's room and our room. 369 00:13:55,533 --> 00:13:57,200 And that's something that we want to address. 370 00:13:57,266 --> 00:13:58,800 Kevin: So that's two kids. There's a third. 371 00:13:58,866 --> 00:14:00,533 Is lower level another bedroom? Michelle: Yep. 372 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:02,433 The lower level is where our oldest son is. 373 00:14:02,500 --> 00:14:03,933 And we also have a rec room down there. 374 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:05,666 But you see the stairs, right? 375 00:14:05,733 --> 00:14:08,066 This is one of the major impediments for Caffrey 376 00:14:08,133 --> 00:14:11,600 being kind of as connected and, you know, integrated 377 00:14:11,666 --> 00:14:13,700 with the rest of the house and the family as he could be. 378 00:14:13,766 --> 00:14:15,200 Kevin: If he can't beat up his brother in his bedroom 379 00:14:15,266 --> 00:14:16,933 or get to the rec room, it's just not fair. 380 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:19,700 Michelle: That's right. Kevin: I totally get it. Okay, that makes sense. 381 00:14:19,766 --> 00:14:22,966 Oh, here comes one. Ah, Marlowe, how are you? 382 00:14:23,033 --> 00:14:24,966 Marlowe: Hi. I'm good. Kevin: Nice to see you. 383 00:14:25,033 --> 00:14:26,933 Marlowe: Nice to meet you. Kevin: Is this where I get handed off? 384 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,866 Michelle: Yeah. You want to show Kevin your room? 385 00:14:28,933 --> 00:14:30,466 Maybe Caffrey's room? Marlowe: Sure. 386 00:14:30,533 --> 00:14:32,066 Michelle: Go for it. Kevin: Lead on, please. 387 00:14:32,133 --> 00:14:34,133 Oh, yes. Look at this. 388 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:36,000 Cozy. Marlowe: So... 389 00:14:36,066 --> 00:14:38,000 this is my room. 390 00:14:38,066 --> 00:14:42,000 I like it cozy, and I like enclosed spaces. 391 00:14:42,066 --> 00:14:45,366 And my bed, it's up high, and I like my desk area. 392 00:14:45,433 --> 00:14:46,900 Kevin: Yep. Lots to like. 393 00:14:46,966 --> 00:14:49,200 And I know someone -- my daughter -- 394 00:14:49,266 --> 00:14:51,000 who's going to be jealous about the hanging chair. 395 00:14:51,066 --> 00:14:54,333 That's on my to-do list. So that's a nice feature, too. 396 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:57,433 Ah, this is terrific. All right. And where's your brother's room? 397 00:14:57,500 --> 00:14:58,700 Marlowe: It's just down here. 398 00:14:58,766 --> 00:15:01,866 Kevin: So will you lead on? Show me where he is. 399 00:15:01,933 --> 00:15:03,466 So you guys aren't too far away. 400 00:15:03,533 --> 00:15:05,100 Just down the hallway from each other? 401 00:15:05,166 --> 00:15:10,233 Marlowe: Yeah. And one of the problem is how narrow this hallway is. 402 00:15:10,300 --> 00:15:12,633 It's hard for -- It's going to be inaccessible 403 00:15:12,700 --> 00:15:14,633 for him to get through when he's in a wheelchair. 404 00:15:14,700 --> 00:15:16,933 Kevin: Okay, well, then this one's on the list. 405 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:19,433 Marlowe: Yeah. 406 00:15:19,500 --> 00:15:21,600 Kevin: Let's see what we got back here. 407 00:15:21,666 --> 00:15:24,233 Oh, bright and sunny. Very nice. 408 00:15:24,300 --> 00:15:26,266 Marlowe: This is Cathy's room. Kevin: Caffrey, 409 00:15:26,333 --> 00:15:28,333 very nice to meet you. Caffrey: Yeah. 410 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:30,500 Kevin: Gaming central back here, huh? 411 00:15:30,566 --> 00:15:31,933 Caffrey: Mm-hmm. 412 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,133 Kevin: You got windows to the -- Doors to the outside. 413 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,433 Marlowe, are you jealous? Marlowe: A little bit, yeah. 414 00:15:36,500 --> 00:15:37,900 Kevin: I bet. This is a nice room. 415 00:15:37,966 --> 00:15:39,733 Richard: We got a little party going on back here? 416 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:41,866 Kevin: Richard, say hello to Caffrey. Richard: Hi, Caffrey. 417 00:15:41,933 --> 00:15:43,333 I'm Richard. Caffrey: Nice to meet you. 418 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:45,066 Richard: Nice to meet you. Now, I hear we got to 419 00:15:45,133 --> 00:15:46,900 think about getting you a new bathroom. 420 00:15:46,966 --> 00:15:49,900 Caffrey: Yeah. Richard: Why don't you show me what you got now? 421 00:15:49,966 --> 00:15:52,133 All right, so here's your bathroom. Let's see. 422 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:53,966 What can we do to this bathroom to make it better? 423 00:15:54,033 --> 00:15:56,233 What do you think? Caffrey: First of all, 424 00:15:56,300 --> 00:15:58,333 the step to go into the shower is very annoying, too. 425 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:00,500 Richard: Stepping up and over it. Right. Yeah. 426 00:16:00,566 --> 00:16:02,666 And then the width, too, right? 427 00:16:02,733 --> 00:16:04,900 Caffrey: Yeah. [ Door squeaks ] 428 00:16:04,966 --> 00:16:07,700 Richard: Oh, we'll get rid of that squeak, too. 429 00:16:07,766 --> 00:16:09,866 Caffrey: Okay. Definitely. 430 00:16:09,933 --> 00:16:11,733 Richard: Shower -- We could probably make this a little bit bigger. 431 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:13,566 You got grab bars here, but we got to think about 432 00:16:13,633 --> 00:16:15,800 making sure the grab bars not only work 433 00:16:15,866 --> 00:16:17,833 but look good, too, right? Caffrey: Yeah. 434 00:16:17,900 --> 00:16:20,200 Richard: How about the faucets? Anything you want to do there? 435 00:16:20,266 --> 00:16:22,000 Caffrey: Make it bigger. Richard: Okay. 436 00:16:22,066 --> 00:16:25,466 We're on your team. Okay, good. 437 00:16:25,533 --> 00:16:27,366 Kevin: So, Wix, you're the oldest? 438 00:16:27,433 --> 00:16:28,666 Wix: Yep, I'm 15 years old. 439 00:16:28,733 --> 00:16:30,566 Kevin: Is that how you got the bedroom downstairs? 440 00:16:30,633 --> 00:16:33,333 Wix: Yep, definitely. 441 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:35,566 It's definitely a challenge for my brother, Caffrey, 442 00:16:35,633 --> 00:16:37,066 to get down all these steps. 443 00:16:37,133 --> 00:16:39,100 So we're thinking about putting maybe an elevator 444 00:16:39,166 --> 00:16:42,966 or something to help him, like, get access to this rec room. 445 00:16:43,033 --> 00:16:44,633 Kevin: Oh, is that what you got back here? 446 00:16:44,700 --> 00:16:46,466 Wix: Yep. Kevin: The basement rec room. 447 00:16:46,533 --> 00:16:49,100 Very nice. Got to have one of these. 448 00:16:49,166 --> 00:16:52,800 Wix: We get friends down here, watch TV. 449 00:16:52,866 --> 00:16:54,833 Kevin: Yep. Wix: Play my guitar. 450 00:16:54,900 --> 00:16:56,400 Kevin: Yeah. So I would imagine 451 00:16:56,466 --> 00:16:59,200 you would not want to be cut out of the activities down here. 452 00:16:59,266 --> 00:17:01,700 So it's nice that you get your brother down here, as well, right? 453 00:17:01,766 --> 00:17:03,266 Wix: My dad would also like a treadmill, 454 00:17:03,333 --> 00:17:05,200 but it's a little short, I guess. 455 00:17:05,266 --> 00:17:07,833 Kevin: Right. So he's like 6'5" on a treadmill. 456 00:17:07,900 --> 00:17:09,833 That'd be a couple headaches for him. 457 00:17:09,900 --> 00:17:11,533 Not even possible there. 458 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:13,966 Access to the outside, which is nice. Yeah, this is great. 459 00:17:14,033 --> 00:17:15,866 And then your bedroom? Wix: Nice little patio out there. 460 00:17:15,933 --> 00:17:17,900 Oh, yeah. Very nice place. I would really like 461 00:17:17,966 --> 00:17:21,066 my own, like, space away from everyone else. 462 00:17:21,133 --> 00:17:22,866 Get my own, like, privacy kind of. 463 00:17:22,933 --> 00:17:24,833 Kevin: I know the request. Wix: Yeah. 464 00:17:24,900 --> 00:17:27,033 Kevin: Tuck your away as far as possible. 465 00:17:27,100 --> 00:17:31,566 Okay. Well, It's pretty nice, though. Love it. 466 00:17:31,633 --> 00:17:33,533 Richard: Down here at the lowest level of the building 467 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:36,400 is the existing mechanical room, and, you know, when you get on 468 00:17:36,466 --> 00:17:38,333 a project like this, you start looking, and you say, 469 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:40,833 "All right, what can we tie onto? What can we reuse?" 470 00:17:40,900 --> 00:17:43,500 And there's a 75-gallon water heater here, 471 00:17:43,566 --> 00:17:46,000 gas fired, and there's a furnace. 472 00:17:46,066 --> 00:17:48,066 Here's a furnace that's been changed once. 473 00:17:48,133 --> 00:17:49,600 You got the old duct work. 474 00:17:49,666 --> 00:17:51,766 That duct work's been around, original. 475 00:17:51,833 --> 00:17:55,033 So 60 years probably. It's gas fired. 476 00:17:55,100 --> 00:17:57,700 And you tend to say, "Let's sort of build off of it." 477 00:17:57,766 --> 00:18:00,000 But this is the moment in this building's history 478 00:18:00,066 --> 00:18:02,666 where it really invites us to say, "You know what? 479 00:18:02,733 --> 00:18:04,033 We're gutting out the entire building. 480 00:18:04,100 --> 00:18:06,333 We're changing almost every place in it. 481 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,933 This is the time to think about a next heating system." 482 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,233 And that means, as dramatic as it sounds, 483 00:18:11,300 --> 00:18:13,366 maybe getting rid of all this duct work. 484 00:18:13,433 --> 00:18:14,866 Now, actually, some of this duct work 485 00:18:14,933 --> 00:18:18,433 is still in the concrete-poured slab 486 00:18:18,500 --> 00:18:20,733 in that living room/kitchen area. 487 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:23,766 And that's been in there for 60 years down in the concrete. 488 00:18:23,833 --> 00:18:25,666 So for us, we're going to look at this building, 489 00:18:25,733 --> 00:18:28,033 take the set of plans, analyze it to figure out 490 00:18:28,100 --> 00:18:30,466 just how much we need for heating and cooling 491 00:18:30,533 --> 00:18:31,600 in every single space, 492 00:18:31,666 --> 00:18:33,600 because there's a lot of different boxes. 493 00:18:33,666 --> 00:18:36,366 And then we might attack it with different kind of heat pumps, 494 00:18:36,433 --> 00:18:38,833 where we can move heat from side to side 495 00:18:38,900 --> 00:18:40,333 and really make this thing efficient 496 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:43,366 for the next hundred years. 497 00:18:43,433 --> 00:18:45,066 Billy: Hey, Jenn. Jenn: Hey, Billy. How are you? 498 00:18:45,133 --> 00:18:47,866 Billy: I'm well, thanks. Jenn: I'm just checking out your garden space. 499 00:18:47,933 --> 00:18:50,000 You have a lot of nice plants here. Billy: Yeah, a lot 500 00:18:50,066 --> 00:18:51,400 of the work being done here in the front 501 00:18:51,466 --> 00:18:53,300 is going to displace a number of these plants, 502 00:18:53,366 --> 00:18:55,833 but they're very nice, and we'd like to keep them. 503 00:18:55,900 --> 00:18:58,533 Jenn: So these look like knockout roses to me, 504 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:00,233 and they're definitely worth saving 505 00:19:00,300 --> 00:19:02,066 because they bloom all season long, 506 00:19:02,133 --> 00:19:03,666 right from the beginning, all the way to the fall. 507 00:19:03,733 --> 00:19:05,666 Gives you constant color. Billy: It's been beautiful. 508 00:19:05,733 --> 00:19:07,066 Jenn: I think we need to protect them, 509 00:19:07,133 --> 00:19:09,633 and we'll dig them up, heal them in somewhere. 510 00:19:09,700 --> 00:19:13,333 So that means to set them aside for transplanting later. 511 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:16,800 What I'm going to do is tag them with this tagging ribbon, 512 00:19:16,866 --> 00:19:18,833 and that's going to indicate to Charlie, 513 00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:21,600 "Do not hurt my plants." 514 00:19:21,666 --> 00:19:22,866 Billy: Great. Thank you. Jenn: Yeah. 515 00:19:22,933 --> 00:19:26,633 Let's check out the backyard. Billy: Excellent. 516 00:19:26,700 --> 00:19:29,000 We would really like to improve and extend 517 00:19:29,066 --> 00:19:31,366 this living space out back, as well. 518 00:19:31,433 --> 00:19:34,300 Jenn: I mean, this is a huge space, so it's a lot to play with. 519 00:19:34,366 --> 00:19:36,166 Billy: Yeah. We do have a couple issues, 520 00:19:36,233 --> 00:19:38,833 starting with this door right here. Jenn: Okay. 521 00:19:38,900 --> 00:19:40,000 [ Door squeaks ] 522 00:19:40,066 --> 00:19:42,266 All right, so I understand that, you know, 523 00:19:42,333 --> 00:19:45,400 it needs to be accessible for everybody in the family. 524 00:19:45,466 --> 00:19:49,333 And then one of your goals is to have a zero threshold. 525 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:52,400 So, basically, you want the floor from inside 526 00:19:52,466 --> 00:19:54,833 to be the same level as the floor outside, correct? 527 00:19:54,900 --> 00:19:56,466 Billy: Correct. Flush. Jenn: Flush. 528 00:19:56,533 --> 00:19:58,733 So what we want to do, since you have 529 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:02,000 one, two, three different entry points, 530 00:20:02,066 --> 00:20:04,433 the biggest concern here is drainage. 531 00:20:04,500 --> 00:20:07,233 We want to figure out how to pitch all these points 532 00:20:07,300 --> 00:20:09,300 out somewhere away from the house. 533 00:20:09,366 --> 00:20:11,066 Billy: Excellent. Jenn: Okay? 534 00:20:11,133 --> 00:20:13,500 Billy: We also have a big idea for this side over here. 535 00:20:13,566 --> 00:20:15,633 Jenn: Mm-hmm? Billy: With Caffrey's muscular dystrophy, 536 00:20:15,700 --> 00:20:17,000 getting exercise is very important 537 00:20:17,066 --> 00:20:19,733 without encouraging the progression of the disease. 538 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:23,766 So a therapy pool, a swim spa where we can produce a current 539 00:20:23,833 --> 00:20:25,833 and get him that exercise out here, 540 00:20:25,900 --> 00:20:28,066 as well as added enjoyment for all of us as a family 541 00:20:28,133 --> 00:20:29,400 and exercise. 542 00:20:29,466 --> 00:20:30,966 If we can get that out here and adding to this space 543 00:20:31,033 --> 00:20:32,266 would be spectacular. 544 00:20:32,333 --> 00:20:33,900 Jenn: Yeah, and that's something the whole family, 545 00:20:33,966 --> 00:20:35,366 you're right, can enjoy together. 546 00:20:35,433 --> 00:20:37,900 You could do your exercise. And I think the accessibility 547 00:20:37,966 --> 00:20:40,800 also to get into the pool will have to be addressed. 548 00:20:40,866 --> 00:20:43,166 And that's a no-brainer. 549 00:20:43,233 --> 00:20:45,766 Billy: Yeah. We'd also like to think about an outdoor kitchen. 550 00:20:45,833 --> 00:20:47,866 Jenn: Well, I've already been scoping that out, 551 00:20:47,933 --> 00:20:50,700 and I was thinking this space would be perfect. 552 00:20:50,766 --> 00:20:53,633 If we push back the wall, we gain a couple extra feet. 553 00:20:53,700 --> 00:20:55,033 And then have it plumbed in, 554 00:20:55,100 --> 00:20:57,133 meaning bring the gas line over to it. 555 00:20:57,200 --> 00:21:00,033 And I also heard you want a gas fire pit. 556 00:21:00,100 --> 00:21:01,700 So that could be addressed at the same time. 557 00:21:01,766 --> 00:21:02,966 We could add gas to that. 558 00:21:03,033 --> 00:21:04,866 And I really think it's going to be one unified 559 00:21:04,933 --> 00:21:07,200 outdoor living space for your entire family. 560 00:21:07,266 --> 00:21:09,466 Billy: It's gonna really be incredible. 561 00:21:09,533 --> 00:21:15,600 ♪♪ 562 00:21:15,666 --> 00:21:18,366 Kevin: Well, Charlie, I think there is an urgency 563 00:21:18,433 --> 00:21:21,400 to all of the projects that you do for us. 564 00:21:21,466 --> 00:21:22,866 But in this case, 565 00:21:22,933 --> 00:21:25,266 that urgency is more real, more acute than it's ever been. 566 00:21:25,333 --> 00:21:27,733 Getting this family back in here as quickly as possible 567 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:29,566 is going to make everybody comfortable. 568 00:21:29,633 --> 00:21:31,433 Charlie: It is. It's about a 14-month job, I figure. 569 00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:32,933 We're doing it in about ten. 570 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:34,200 But believe it or not, 571 00:21:34,266 --> 00:21:35,500 I think I've already saved us about a month. 572 00:21:35,566 --> 00:21:37,266 I don't even have plans to pull a building permit 573 00:21:37,333 --> 00:21:39,700 but already pulled the demo permit and starting right away. 574 00:21:39,766 --> 00:21:41,266 Kevin: Use all the tricks in your bag. 575 00:21:41,333 --> 00:21:43,433 Jenn: Yeah, and I have to get all my plantings out the way 576 00:21:43,500 --> 00:21:45,333 so somebody doesn't mess them up. Charlie: Oh, yeah, somebody. 577 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:47,966 Jenn: And I'll get on those landscape plans. 578 00:21:48,033 --> 00:21:50,366 Richard: And this is our chance to rethink the entire mechanical 579 00:21:50,433 --> 00:21:52,066 and to put in an accessible bathroom 580 00:21:52,133 --> 00:21:53,833 that's both functional and beautiful. 581 00:21:53,900 --> 00:21:55,600 Kevin: You're going to have your hands full. Richard: Absolutely. 582 00:21:55,666 --> 00:21:57,633 Tom: Accessibility is key right there, Richard. 583 00:21:57,700 --> 00:22:00,033 We have to think about that in the beginning stages, 584 00:22:00,100 --> 00:22:01,900 about making surfaces as flat, 585 00:22:01,966 --> 00:22:04,500 transitioning from room to room without thresholds, 586 00:22:04,566 --> 00:22:07,466 plenty of room for chairs and bathrooms to move around, 587 00:22:07,533 --> 00:22:10,500 and ramps wherever needed in place of stairs. 588 00:22:10,566 --> 00:22:12,600 Kevin: And rethinking the house, because it is a long, 589 00:22:12,666 --> 00:22:15,233 meandering home, as we just noticed. 590 00:22:15,300 --> 00:22:18,300 Tom: Absolutely. Kevin: So a lot of work ahead of us, 591 00:22:18,366 --> 00:22:21,100 but that work actually starts tomorrow. 592 00:22:21,166 --> 00:22:23,866 And so, next time we're back, we'll be well into demo. 593 00:22:23,933 --> 00:22:25,800 So until then, I'm Kevin O'Connor. 594 00:22:25,866 --> 00:22:27,633 Tom: I'm Tom Silva. Charlie: I'm Charlie Silva. 595 00:22:27,700 --> 00:22:29,200 Jenn: I'm Jenn Nawada. Richard: I'm Richard Trethewey. 596 00:22:29,266 --> 00:22:31,300 Kevin: For "This Old House" and a brand-new season 597 00:22:31,366 --> 00:22:33,833 here in Lexington, Massachusetts. 598 00:22:33,900 --> 00:22:36,333 We'll get to work. 599 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:39,166 ♪♪ 600 00:22:41,933 --> 00:22:43,800 Kevin: Next time on "This Old House", I'm touring 601 00:22:43,866 --> 00:22:45,300 an accessibility showroom 602 00:22:45,366 --> 00:22:47,633 to find out how to make each room more functional 603 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:50,333 for anybody facing mobility challenges. 604 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:51,666 Tom: When you're digging for a foundation, 605 00:22:51,733 --> 00:22:52,833 the frost line in New England 606 00:22:52,900 --> 00:22:55,500 has to be 48 inches from finished grade down. 607 00:22:55,566 --> 00:22:57,333 You look right here, there's not enough. 608 00:22:57,400 --> 00:22:59,833 Kevin: Multiple additions and an odd flow. 609 00:22:59,900 --> 00:23:02,666 We'll show you the architect's smart solutions. 610 00:23:02,733 --> 00:23:05,166 So you've got a clean slate to work with in here. 611 00:23:05,233 --> 00:23:06,466 Woman: We do. 612 00:23:06,533 --> 00:23:08,633 Kevin: So what's the plan as we put it back together? 613 00:23:08,700 --> 00:23:10,266 That's next time.