This Old House

On The Right Path

Landscape contractor Roger Cook uses old-style bricks made in Massachusetts to create a winding path to the new entry door. He uses half-bricks strategically placed to cheat the joints just enough to make the turns. Inside, wallboard and plaster are up, and the cabinets are going in. Kitchen designer Kathy Marshall shows host Kevin O'Connor the challenges of fitting a modern kitchen into an ell from the 1700s, and the solutions she came up with, along with general contractor Tom Silva, to hide some of the imperfections. Then, in the family room, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey unpacks the zero-clearance gas fireplace to show Kevin how it works before it is installed. Next, master carpenter Norm Abram helps Tom make and install wainscoting for the powder room out of old sheathing boards. Then, outside, Tom gives Kevin the news that the red farmhouse will no longer be red - the homeowners liked the gray primer so much that the finish color has been switched to a similar gray-blue. Painting contractor Mauro Henrique uses an airless sprayer to begin the transformation. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the eleven-inch-wide white oak floor boards go down with staples, glue to prevent cupping and cut nails for historic effect.