This Old House S29E21 · New Orleans | First Builder Falls Through

Overview

Host Kevin O'Connor and master carpenter Norm Abram open the show with a quick visit to the local's alternative to Bourbon Street, the neighborhood jazz clubs of Frenchmen Street, where the New Orleans music scene is still alive and well. At the project in Holy Cross, homeowner Rashida Ferdinand has some surprising news: Her old contractor couldn't complete the job, so she's hiring someone new, while filling in herself to bridge the gap between builders. On her brief watch, she's managed to obtain her rough inspections, so spray foam insulation gets underway in the new addition. For progress on the French doors, Norm visits carpenter Matt Thompson to see his renovated house and shop in Bywater, and also how he's milling our historically accurate doors out of Spanish cedar. At Musicians' Village, founder Branford Marsalis gives Norm a look at the plans for the music education and performance center that will be built in honor of his father, Ellis Marsalis.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Newton: Move or Improve2007-10-04The 30th anniversary season of This Old House opens with the crew beginning a small but sophisticated addition to a 1915 Dutch Colonial Revival that includes a new kitchen, home of
2. 2 2. Newton: Big Plans2007-10-11Master carpenter Norm Abram and general contractor Tom Silva remove the old vinyl siding from the exterior of the house, exposing not only the original wood clapboards underneath b
3. 3 3. Newton: Prepwork and Inspiration2007-10-18Host Kevin O'Connor finds general contractor Tom Silva in the backyard prepping the footings for the new porch columns. Landscape contractor Roger Cook brings in civil engineer Mik
4. 4 4. Newton: Framing, Wiring, and an Unfitted Kitchen2007-10-25General contractor Tom Silva removes the temporary support beam that has been holding up the back corner of the house. Meanwhile, engineered lumber specialist Craig Smith shows mas
5. 5 5. Newton: Retaining Wall, Historic Wallcovering2007-11-01Landscape contractor Roger Cook installs 200 running feet of pre-cast concrete to create a retaining wall that will define the perimeter of the new backyard. Inside the house, wall
6. 6 6. Newton: Exterior Paint Colors, Stained-Glass Window2007-11-08After a brief stop at Johnny's Luncheonette for breakfast, host Kevin O'Connor meets paint color specialist Ann Pfaff to learn what colors might be appropriate for the Shingle- sty
7. 7 7. Newton: Salvage, Progress, and Pink Granite2007-11-15Host Kevin O'Connor drives up to the house to find general contractor Tom Silva helping load up a truck for the "Building Materials Resource Center," a local non-profit that will b
8. 8 8. Newton: Fieldstone, Replacement Windows, and Teak2007-11-22Host Kevin O'Connor and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey stop to see Echo Bridge, a 500-foot long arched structure built in 1976 to carry water over the Charles River.
9. 9 9. Newton: Pests, Decking, and AC2007-11-29Host Kevin O’Connor sees how landscape contractor Roger Cook is building the fieldstone and mortar sitting wall. Meanwhile, master carpenter Norm Abram shows homeowner Paul Friedbe
10. 10 10. Newton: Bluestone and a Historic Billiards Room2007-12-06To replace the stairway he removed from the old kitchen, general contractor Tom Silva builds a brand new stairway to the basement. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethew
11. 11 11. Newton: Bringing Light Throughout2007-12-13Progress on the home’s exterior painting continues. General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor how he is wrapping the columns under the back porch in shingles. Preserva
12. 12 12. Newton: Garage Nightmare and Garbage Disposers2007-12-20A local nursery brings plants to the house. General contractor Tom Silva addresses some unforeseen rotting problems with the garage. Inside, the kitchen is plastered, the new white
13. 13 13. Newton: Getting the Details Right2007-12-27Host Kevin O’Connor talks with homeowner Paul Friedberg to learn more about Paul’s past as an Olympic fencer. Master carpenter Norm Abram checks on the installation of the new cust
14. 14 14. Newton: In Memory of Joe Ferrante2008-01-03Landscape contractor Roger Cook installs sod in the backyard, while host Kevin O’Connor meets engineered stone distributor Chelsie Arnold to learn more about the quartz and resin c
15. 15 15. Newton: Grout, Closets, and a Clawfoot Tub2008-01-10Host Kevin O’Connor checks out general contractor Tom Silva’s makeshift workshop on the front porch of the house. Inside, countertop fabricator Paul Grothouse arrives from Pennsylv
16. 16 16. Newton: Winter Wrap Party2008-01-17 · 26mIn the final episode of the Newton project, host Kevin O’Connor meets lighting designer Susan Arnold to see how she is using new light sources and more modern fixtures to update th
17. 17 17. New Orleans | Return to New Orleans, Post Katrina2008-01-24For the second project of the season, This Old House travels to New Orleans, Louisiana, to help a fourth-generation resident of the Lower 9th Ward return home, while following stor
18. 18 18. New Orleans | Camelbacks, Bargeboard, and Toxic Mold2008-01-31 · 30mBack in New Orleans, Kevin meets homeowner Rashida Ferdinand and her architect Rick Fifield for a look at the plans and model of the proposed work to her shotgun single. The plan c
19. 19 19. New Orleans | French Quarter, Shotgun Colors2008-02-07Host Kevin O'Connor visits the French Quarter with Vieux Carre Commission Director Lary Hesdorffer to see how one of the most important neighborhoods in America faired during the s
20. 20 20. New Orleans | Saints in the City2008-02-14Master carpenter Norm Abram takes host Kevin O'Connor across the Mississippi River by ferry to Algiers Point, home of the first This Old House New Orleans project back in 1990, to
21. 21 21. New Orleans | First Builder Falls Through2008-02-21Host Kevin O'Connor and master carpenter Norm Abram open the show with a quick visit to the local's alternative to Bourbon Street, the neighborhood jazz clubs of Frenchmen Street,
22. 22 22. New Orleans | Back on Track2008-02-28Host Kevin O'Connor and master carpenter Norm Abram take a ride through the city of New Orleans with streetcar driver Sue Daniel, who is known locally as "Streetcar Sue." At the pr
23. 23 23. New Orleans | Recovery Continues2008-03-06Host Kevin O'Connor visits the architectural marvel next door, the Dollut Steamboat house, with its owner, Don Gagnon. Back at our house, master carpenter Norm Abram meets homeowne
24. 24 24. New Orleans | Landscapes and NBA Legends2008-03-13 · 26mHost Kevin O'Connor and landscape contractor Roger Cook visit a 70-year old tradition on Poydras Street, Mother's Restaurant, to sample some of the local cuisine. In Holy Cross, Ro
25. 25 25. New Orleans | Only In New Orleans2008-03-20Host Kevin O'Connor meets District Fire Chief Tim McConnell to see how his own firemen are rebuilding 22 damaged firehouse on their own time, with the help of volunteers and the De
26. 26 26. New Orleans | One Small Corner Restored2008-03-27Host Kevin O'Connor opens the show as the Krewe of Zulu prepares for Mardi Gras. In Holy Cross, landscape contractor Roger Cook arrives to find metal worker Joe Strain finishing th