Charleston Home Debuts on This Old House in March

By Robin Gibson

A lovely French Quarter home will make its television debut when the newest owners reveal a year-long renovation on This Old House March 29th. The stunning effort is worth tuning into or setting your DVRs to record. To protect the integrity of the show, I won't reveal their names or the address of the property, but I will share some tidbits about it here.

What's old is new

Incredible attention to detail shows great care went into preserving the home's past while escorting it into the future. For example, wide-plank wood recovered from the attic breathes new life as interior flooring. Whenever possible, historical elements were retained and used to balance its modern amenities. Updated lighting, heating, and cooling options are typical conveniences, but other choices leaned more towards luxurious--a treat for viewers to finally see once the project is revealed. Lovingly restored, the home's aesthetic yields clean lines, exposed brick, chic style, and antique elegance. Tune in to form your own opinion!

A matter of inconvenience

Now that the project is complete, the couple can go about enjoying life in their city abode. Living downtown comes with quirks including noise and limited parking but the positives and possibilities of having what Charleston has to offer at your fingertips outweighed any inconveniences to these homeowners. What may not be readily apparent, however, are the particulars that challenge any home renovation on a zero-lot-line property. Permission and patience are doled out in abundance as everyone including neighbors must agree to additional vehicles, extra people, the sounds of construction, and nuisances such as ladders and scaffolding. The city is no stranger to this given the number of ongoing commercial projects right now, but a residential setting can be different. Well-situated off the tourist path, this neighborhood is home to more year-round, full-time residents with a slightly higher expectation of peace and quiet than, perhaps, some other parts of the city. The long, arduous road to completion makes moving in that much sweeter, not just for the owners but their neighbors, as well.

Details

A prominent local architect well-versed in historical properties served as the general contractor for the project ensuring adherence to special rules and restrictions. A bevy of local artisans and contractors rounded out the team, including a talented senior at the American College of Building Arts who worked on the home as part of his senior project. Everyone involved in the production of This Old House is thrilled with the outcome and eager to share the Charleston episode with viewers. Exactly what will be captured one their cameras inside and outside of this Holy City remodel? Find out on March 29th when the program airs on PBS. Check your local cable or satellite provider for time and channel.