Restoring historic homes requires balancing modern techniques with the preservation of original character.

This episode of the long-running home improvement series explores the intersection of landscape design, structural repair, and local history. From managing hazardous trees to refinishing weathered cedar shingles, the team demonstrates the professional standards required to maintain historic properties while integrating contemporary aesthetic and safety improvements.

The episode highlights the complexities of historic renovation, featuring landscape designer Jenn Nawada’s strategy for creating evolving perennial beds and arborist Matt Foti’s removal of a hazardous Norway maple entangled with power lines. Inside, the team focuses on blending new plaster work with existing structures and stripping old paint from cedar shingles to highlight their natural texture using solid-body stain.

Beyond the construction site, the episode provides a look at Boston’s urban landscape through a tour of the Charles River. By documenting both the technical challenges of home improvement—such as the work of contractors Tom Silva and Mauro Henrique—and the broader context of the city, the show aims to demystify the renovation process for homeowners.

Source: This Old House | Landscape Decisions, Duck Tour (S32 E10) | FULL EPISODE