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S45 E26: Next-Generation Victorian

Eleven months ago, construction began on an 1887 Victorian in Glen Ridge, NJ, to turn it into a home suitable for multigenerational living. The renovation is complete, and the crew is back for a tour.

by This Old House TV
| Next episode: S46 E1 posting on Sep 30, 8am ET

Eleven months ago, construction started on a tired 1887 Victorian in Glen Ridge, NJ to restore its original Victorian charm and transform it into a home suitable for multigenerational living. Homeowners Sunita and Shankar have lived in the home for over 25 years and have raised their children there. Now, they will share the home with their daughter Asha and her husband Jason and their future family.

The crew is back to check out the transformation. Sunita gives Kevin O’Connor a tour of the main floor, highlighting the newly opened up entry and staircase, and the old double parlor which has been turned into two living spaces with the option of converting one of the spaces into a bedroom, if needed, now that a full bath has been added on the floor.

Asha gives Tom Silva a tour of the newly renovated second floor, which features their suite, an office, and a new second-floor laundry. The third floor, once an unfinished attic with a chimney running through it, has been transformed into a light-filled suite with lots of storage, a full bath, and living space for Sunita and Shankar.

Outside, the old concrete walkway has been replaced with a new brick herringbone walkway—sweat equity by Jason and his parents with the help of Jennifer Nawada. Old holly bushes that blocked the view of the front of the house have been removed to make room for a future multi-season garden.

Down in the basement, changes to the original framing plan resulted in higher headroom, and the original steam boiler has been replaced with a new heat system with forced air distribution. Richard Trethewey and builder Zack Dettmore discuss and demystify the new system.

Back on the main floor, in the new open floor kitchen and dining room suitable for a large family, Shankar presents a new bottle of Bourdeax that signifies the new character of the home, like the bottle of 1887 Bordeaux found in the walls during demolition.

Original Air Date: May 30, 2024, Season 45; Ep. 26 23:12

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Next Up In Season 45 - Glen Ridge Generational