Construction begins on a Cape Cod-style home being built in Marstons Mills, Massachusetts. Included: the lot is clear...

A recycled "ell" is added,and a first-floor deck is built. Also: tips on ordering lumber.

Bob visits Barbara Gooddale in her authentic antique Cape Cod house to get a feel for the style and practicality of t...

A staircase is built and the second floor is toured. Also: Bob Vila visits a shingle plant in Delaware.

Some demolition is done on the old ell to prepare it for renovation; ceiling joists and roof rafters go up in the new...

A bulkhead is installed; a soffet, facia and drip edge are added to the front of the house. Also: asphalt shingles an...

The old ell is joined to the new construction, with some demolition done to make room for a shed dormer and a slider ...

Bob and Ryley install the pre-hung front door and visit Shepley Wood Products to see how it was made. Dean Fraser sho...

Bob goes over the electrical wiring with John Hickey, cedar clapboards are put up, and Hand Cassidy explains insulati...

Bob discusses the kitchen layout with designer Amy O'Haire, then visits her showroom. Claude Daigle demonstrates his ...

Our contractor Ryley shows us how to put up the pine interior paneling in the living room; Bob checks out the furnace...

Artisan Terry Maiche shows us two inexpensive ways to dress up a floor with paint: spattering and stenciling. Ryley b...

Bob discusses landscaping with specialist Susan Hofer--sod, a gravel driveway, brickwork, fences, perennials. We tour...

Now in Chicago, Bob takes a driving tour with realtor Catherine Caravette of our new neighborhood, Wicker Park, and o...

Bob discusses plans with local architect Bill Bauhs, and takes a tour of downtown Chicago's striking modern buildings...

Bob and Ron discuss the removal and shoring up of bearing walls, to be replaced by special engineered beams. We visit...

The crew installs a Parallam beam in the living room and iron beams in the back masonry wall. Ron Gan and Bill Bauhs ...

Scott Smith's excavation crew digs out the basement to make room for a basement slab. Bob discusses heating systems f...

The concrete basement floor is poured, leveled, and screeded; our contractor Ron repairs a broken window pane the old...

Bob goes downtown to the Merchandise Mart to see a selection of bathroom fixtures. Back at our greystone, plumber Dan...

Drywall and plaster work is discussed. Also: a visit to a drywall plant in Delaware.

A review of the project's budget and progress. Also: a trip to an appliance showroom, and the bathroom floor is prepp...

Wooden floors are refinished and new windows are installed. Also: a visit to a light-fixtures store.

Kitchen cabinets are installed and the landscaping work begins.

Installed: a basement staircase. Also: a visit to a flooring plant.

Kitchen countertops are mounted. Also: a tour of the home with an interior decorator.

Bob and contractor Ron Gan look around our next projectan old deserted "coach house." Architectural historian Susan B...

Bob discusses plans for the coach house with our architect, Mike Morgan, and with contractor Ron Gan; demolition begi...

Bob tours architect Frank Lloyd Wright's studio and sees some houses Wright designed in Greater Chicago. Back at the ...

The Eagle roofing crew strips several ancient layers of old roofing, and a section of the roof is removed to make roo...

Bob tours the Hill Arboretum, an apartment project adapted for the physically challenged. Back at the coach house, a ...

Bob tours the completed living room and dining room of the coach house, then reviews work done on the heating system....

Bob installs the finishing touches in the coach house kitchen, including some galvanized steel features. We go outsid...

Bob takes the grand tour of the finished coach house exterior with Ron, our contractor. We go inside to see the decor...