That first floor - well thought out, excellent plan! Well done. I'd be happy with that plan myself. Galley kitchen is so nice to use. I've lived in about 27 different homes and galley is best. You can always get (or make) a small roll-around island that scoots next to a counter for a bit more work space.
Honestly I wish I could figure out the trick! There's something he's doing that makes my brain go THAT... WATCH THAT IMMEDIATELY without much care for what the content even is. Luckily it's exactly the kind of content I'd watch regardless, but I'm trying to figure out what it is to apply it to what I do (fashion). It has an animation feel... but not. He's a thumbnail genius 😊
"Every problem is an opportunity" No one wants to hear it when they're hot and sweaty with termites in the walls, but its true! I'm sure you'll do something great with this house!
The juxtaposition between my technical knowledge but lack of actual implementation skills is comical. This whole wall may be removed in the future, so I just went with a quick fix (:
That house is a dump dude. Nothing is worth saving. You're going to kick yourself and waste way too much time being cute with everything. Rip that place down to bare studs everywhere. Correct all the damage. Its pointless to play around on your ipad until youve done so.@ChrisHytha
@@jimyt6665 Playing around on the Ipad is critical, because to fully guy I need to get my permits in order, and architectural plans are needed. I will be tearing this place apart, don't you worry.
@ChrisHytha youve got plenty of time to pull permits and make drawings. Your measurements now are going to change once you rip the walls apart. Especially for rooms like the kitchen or bath. Dont even waste time with the termite guy until its gutted
@@jimyt6665 I'd have the termite guy check the joists in the brick part of the house, and ask how to kill the critters during demolition of the addition - because they will go searching for other food when disturbed
But they can have a lot of hidden faults as they're easy to work on by DIY owners I have one of 4 identical (well, mirrored) houses built in 1923, after the Germans shelled most of the street in 1914 100 years on, all 4 are vastly different, modified and extended in varying ways by their owners Chris' house is even a fair bit older ...
When we are young, we think that there are much better opportunities ahead. Usually, there aren't. Time is short. Make yourself happy with what you have now. Even from this distance and looking through a screen, I think the house has a wonderful vibe of happiness, light, warmth, contentment and shelter. Go forward.
I used to be a developer on the island of Guam back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. When the Government ban the use of DDT, termites ran rampant on the island, they came into the house and nothing wooden is safe. We tried every spray products available and nothing works. It might kill off the termites temporarily, but they came back. Then Sentricon came on the market, and we were the first to tried it, it was a game changer, it is not a spray product but a bait system. You put the bait stations around your property and let the termites take the baits and go back to the nest. In a couple of months, the infestation were over, it killed the whole colony. I would seriously look for the rep in your local area and let them come to your property and take another look. Good Luck. Awesome project, can’t wait for your next update.
The typical termite treatment for such a rowhome in the Philadelphia area would be to drill holes around the perimeter of the house itself, where possible, inject termiticide into the holes, and patch the top. The house might even already have had such treatment, and close inspection of the concrete pavement around the perimeter of the house might show some of those previous treatment holes. At one property I was having treated, the tech actually detected some and reused them - they were easier to drill through.
Really nice to see that you're choosing to remove the old plaster and get down to the bones of the house. I love old homes but not the mouse poop, other smells, and bad wiring behind the walls. If I was doing this I'd be doing the same thing
Have you thought about putting the dining room at the front and living in back? I’d pull the powder room forward to be even with the front of the stairs and tuck a coat closet between the powder room and alley wall. That would give you enough room to have the fridge in the kitchen. The actual usable space for the living might even be larger once you account for the space needed to access the stairs and entry in the current design.
Good thoughts. I would see if the “half bath” AKA powder room could have a small shower, such as a neo-angle or circular, added (and still meet code) to turn that into a “full bath”. A tub is not needed to qualify for being called a full bath, and that small addition adds lots to the value of the house.
Please consider: Folding chairs that can hang on a wall. I use NY chairs, when not in use they fold and sit under our Murphy bed. In your situation I recommend more standard metal or wood folding chairs that could hang at what was the end of the entry hall. Also consider a rolling work table for the kitchen. Being able to site this near the front door to receive groceries or food gifts could make bringing those things to the Kitchen easier and safer. Indeed this rolling island could sit below the hanging folding chairs.
Bad news on the termites, but its better to find that stuff early and deal with it that find out halfway through remodeling that your contractor will need to stop for weeks for treatment to happen. Love the 1st floor space idea, super clean flow through the house, dining area will be stunning with all that light, high ceilings and contrasting textures from the plants. The 3d rendering with the lights really communicates it well. Something you can consider is a rolling work surface/island instead of a stationary one, so that it can be moved out of the way / under a countertop when not in use. You would lose almost no storage space, and it would provide an extra surface to prep food at and gather around.
I understand after watching you design why so many Philadelphia row houses have the hated galley kitchens! It seems the most practical! But as someone who doesn't like to move too much while cooking, I love L shaped kitchens and galley kitchens are the bane of my existence. But I now understand why these types of houses have galley kitchens.
The Way he's laid it out indicates not much moving around, not that there's much room to move in😢! Galley design is also my least favorite but you have to work with what you have❤! I do love the arch by the foot of the stairs 🌟!
Perfect timing! I was looking for something to watch, loving this journey so far man! Cant wait to see where it leads. Hope you show more projects on this channel once you've tackled this one.
Floor plan looks great, like the beams in kitchen, dining area off the back with skylights and wall of windows will be nice. I yelled (explicative) so loud when you found more termites, my hubby came running in to see what happened. LOL - guess I'm fully involved in your renovation. Had a galley kitchen once found it very efficient, stove, sink, refrigerator tringle worked well. Powder room on first floor big thumbs up. Thanks for the update.
This really has grown to become one of my favorite series to follow on YT When I first discovered this video series, it was the video about the Rowhomes project before he bought the rowhome. At that point, I thought he was just another douche hipster who was profiting off slightly photoshopping pictures of interesting houses. But then, he went and bought a rowhome in the city he photographed all the others in. And now he's putting his own blood sweat tears and money into restoring it. I can't think of a more profound expression of his genuine passion for the rowhomes. Thank you for proving me wrong, sir. Hats off to you
You have a terrific project here, and you lay it out for us really well. If I can offer one suggestion; with galley kitchens, any more than 4.5 feet between counters is just wasted space and additional steps. In my similar kitchen, I made the counters extra deep (36”). This is free and incredibly useful space to set all those small appliances on, coffee makers, toasters, blenders, whatever, and still have real counter space in front of them you can use. On one of mine, I use the rear 1’ of counter for an electric appliance lift where all my machines live permanently plugged in and ready to use.
I loved how you showed us the plan for how the space will look using your computer. That was so fascinating... so helpful to envision your vision. I was raised in a family that bought and renovated old buildings that had already been converted to flats, so I absorbed a knack for noticing structural warning signs (like dipping floors, damp spots, worn roofs, cracked bricks and plaster, etc.) as well as the ability very quickly to see what can be done with an existing structure to improve it. But while I have very clear ideas in my head, I've found that other people often simply have no vision at all - can't re-imagine a space or can't grasp what I'm talking about when I explain changes. The computer graphics are fantastic for making it clear to other people. I wish I could draw designs like that!
What a project!! Really nice documentation. Thumbnail kinda set me off. Wasn't expecting this. But hey, turned up better then expected. Keep it up man!
<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="394">6:34</a> never underestimate the importance of having a Dad around when doing a home project - they live for this stuff 😂
Love, love, LOVE that you’re switching up the layout. I have the same rowhome layout - front door, LR, DR, kitchen, back door. I, too, am really into biophilic design and have a beautiful, albeit small, back yard. My plan is to move the kitchen to the middle of the house and do away with the formal DR. My current LR will be the entry/office and I plan to locate a powder room in that space as well. I’m also planning big windows in the space adjacent to the back yard to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. I see you have little to no insulation. Same here. I’ve been researching and am considering hemp insulation with a plaster finish. My home is brick and I know I know the structure needs to breathe. I’m also looking at radiant floor heating. I think you plan to keep your radiators but I’m so done with mine. They take up a lot of space and restrict furniture placement, etc. Keep posting! I’m rooting for you!
I do this type of work all the time, I just subscribed to your channel because I love watching restorations such as this!!! I love these old homes and I really like the new floor plans you have picked out! Just do yourself a favor and don't get stressed out, just pick away at it and it will take shape. It will be an awesome home for you when it is completed and you can be proud that you did it!!
Thank you for your video! I fully understand that feeling of being overwhelmed. I bought a house in Baltimore that was built in 1932. The window (which is a new addition so it's not the original) in my kitchen started to leak from the top of the window frame. It's in the worst possible place as the leak drop water onto the window ledge just above an electrical outlet and the refrigerator is next to the outlet. I called a few providers and found one who will replace the two kitchen windows with one big window. Instantly felt better although my eallet will be lighter. The real problem is the gutter which dumps water but fixing windows first. So we'll see what they find when they remove the window. I also have a skylight from 1932 as well which also leaks. Fortunately it hits the toilet and sink perfectly. Contemplating replacing the skylight with a more recent but similar model or possibly upgrading to modern skylight which operates by remote control. And the modern skylight would automatically close if it sensed rain. That's impressive. Good luck with the termites. Hope you don't find anymore.
I'm so sorry to see that the termites are still there, BUT glad you found them now so they can be taken care of! Things will work out and start falling into place, it's a process and you're doing great!
Love the videos Keep them coming! I do kinda feel bad though every week I think your making great progress but then some horrible update happens. Keep ya head up!
Quickly becoming my fav channel. Keep up this phenomenal detail and thoughtful storytelling. The algorithm is going to soon push you in front of every home remodeling lover’s feed
Possibly, depending on the amount of glass that is installed in the renovation. The light from the adjacent spaces will filter in. The skylights he shows will help, but I think long term any upper level additions will eliminate them; there will be trade offs. Some Philadelphia rowhomes are now putting kitchens at the front of the first level, where there will be windows. Maybe he considered that, maybe not and he might get an idea to try such a layout.
Just stumbled on this series and thank god! Content is great and your explanation of the process is crystal clear. Can’t wait to see the progress throughout the renovation
I am so excited to see this progress, I have always loved these old row homes in Philly but have always felt such sadness when they fall apart and into disrepair!!! Thank you for fixing up these beautiful pieces of history
This kind of house is very familiar to me. I lived for eight years in Philadelphia and for three of them, in a tiny row house in the Washington Square West neighbourhood. Built in the 1830s, it had a very similar death defying staircase, and a slightly sloping third floor. But man, it had tons of charm. Years later, I returned to the city for a visit and went by the old house and someone has put some money into it and it looks great. It’s my understanding that Philadelphia experienced a massive housing boom in the 1890s with huge numbers of row houses being built in this style all over the city - so your house was probably built then
Very impressive, though there seems to be more “surprises” than one would want, I’m confident you’ll find solutions. It’s great to see someone fix up a little historic row home in the city. Wishing you good luck and accurate measurements from here on out!
Loving that "splashing", "plashing"? It is very interesting to see how much your home is similar to many terrace houses in England. Makes sense, Philly has been around for a very long time. You are a brave fellow. It's good to see you are saving this house.
I love what you're doing. I can only imagine how overwhelming the whole project may feel, but you've got this! Thanks for documenting the process and being transparent with your thoughts.
I don’t know if this helps, but you are not alone. My house was built in 1958, every time I turn around I find something failing or some shoddy work from the flipper we bought from. I think you are on the path. Get all the way to the root and solve it for the next century. Your building a legacy by fixing one problem at a time. Keep up the hard work.
Fun to see your plans! Something to consider is if you would like to build a small work area for your garden and houseplants. Something with a workbench, sink, storage for pots, and perhaps a sun/rail cover. It's nice to have a place where you don't have to worry about getting soil, prunings and water everywhere. I was inspired by a video from Wood Brain by Lindsay Zuelich where she built this kind of space attached to her greenhouse.
Did you actually?! Pause this isn't just _your_ dream home, it's THE Dream Home. The thumbnail looks like a house straight out of some macabre stop motion. It's literally perfect and I'm gonna be so sad if that was just a render or something. Even the location around it is perfect: it's literally a storybook house. I'm so excited and happy for you congratulations absolute stranger that's so perfect! Edit: I am so sad 😂 It was a render
you are an incredible story teller, i love how you edit and compose your videos, and as other comments say, if you are consistent you will be everyones favourite channel, so lucky to have found your channel!
Loving this project. Great idea for the flow on the ground floor all the way through to the back. Seen this used to very good effect before. I would consider bifold doors for the back. I used to work in construction and the level of waste was staggering. If you you have contacts in the trade consider approaching them for discarded materials. I remember one project where we threw away ten of thousands of £'s worth of windows due to a mistake at the fabricators (a very well known European high end brand). Whole kitchens, lighting etc
Wow, this video is super impressive! Great editing, very ambitious and well described plans, and a lot of spirit. I hope your plan comes to fruition as you hope. P.S. invest in a hand truck or dolly! Even little tasks like carrying those trash bags, it would save your back.
I have to say, becoming an architect was my dream as a teenager, though I'm terrible at math I had to drop out of that dream, sadly, during college. finding this channel and this series has itched that itch I've had all these years. thank you for letting me live a dream through your work. cheers!
Cool, I have an old house not a rowhouse, but similar layout. I like your idea for the new layout, my kitchen is still at the back, but I do have a small sun porch off the kitchen. I think turning that into a sunny dinning room is a great idea. Although may get hot.
Don't be discouraged , you have a plan and a vision stick with it . We have owned our home for almost thirty years and still doing small jobs that we want completed to our liking. Enjoying the content.
Glad you are enjoying it! Having fun making these, and telling the story. It will be incredible to have these as a record of all the work, and I cant wait to look back on it!
