Restoring Charleston: Viewing Options

DIY Network

Wed., Nov. 16th, 
8pm-midnight 

Thurs., Nov. 17th, 
Mid.-4am 

Thurs., Nov. 17th, 
4-8pm

Hi Folks!

We worked really hard this summer and had a lot of fun while we rehabbed.  I'm glad this is coming through in the shows.  As you may have noticed, the airing of this series has had some stiff competition for viewership.  In our first week, we were up against the final Presidential Debate.  Week 2 had us on at the same time as Game 2 of the World Series.  The third week we were on with the Country Music Awards and epic Game 7 when the Cubs beat the Indians in extra innings.  And last week we were on opposite many programs sorting out the results of the historic election.     

We have a couple more chances for everyone to see what we did in St. George this summer.  All the episodes of Restoring Charleston will air again on the DIY Network tomorrow and Thursday.  Back- to-back for eight hours (8pm to 4am) means we'll be on prime time coast-to-coast, which is awesome. In addition, some have asked me if they can catch Restoring Charleston on-line and I have a couple options linked below plus there are likely others if you do some searching; Youtube and iTunes.

Thanks again for watching and for telling others about the series.

Trent

American Rehab Charleston on Youtube and iTunes.

The Seven Hour Marathon

American Rehab Charleston
4-7pm EST

Restoring Charleston
7-11pm


Dear Friends,

Three years ago, my family & I started a wild ride that culminates with a seven hour marathon of fourteen episodes on the DIY network tonight.  Wow!  It's still hard to believe all that has happened.

In some ways this traces back to people asking me curious questions as I worked; "How do you do what you do?  How do you fix up a home that's been condemned? or Where do you start when a house is so bad ?" Those questions lead to this blog five years ago because as much as I love taking on these houses we call 'Pig's Ears', I have also grown to really love writing.  Now, after this three years and two shows on TV, people keep asking my family, friends, & I this one question more than any other, "How did this happen?"  It's an amazing, unbelievable story and I told my wife I should write a book titled, "Dude!  How'd YOU get on TV?"       

  

For those still wondering, here's a brief time-line:  I started writing this blog in October 2011, with a post titled, What is a Pig's Ear?  In the fall of 2013, I received an unexpected email from a producer in New York that lead to a couple rough videos with our family, a three minute test reel with a production crew from California in November, and then the two week filming of a pilot episode in the spring of 2014 that premiered as American Rehab Charleston in August of that year.  This did well enough for us to have a chance to complete the six episode season from Dec. '14 - March '15 which was televised that fall. ARC rated well and we bought three houses in 2016 to rehab with DIY.  We filmed and renovated two of these homes this past summer that make up the eight episode season of Restoring Charleston that concludes tonight.

I'm not a TV guy.  And by that I mean I had no experience, family, or contacts in the television world. I've made a lot of friends in the business in the last three years, but when I started, I knew no one.  For me, this experience has been like walking around in a boarded up, condemned house alone without a flashlight; missteps, falls, bumping into stuff, and stepping on nasty things.  More than once in the last three years I've wished I could turn back time to make a small, but impactful adjustment.  There were countless anxious moments for myself and on behalf of my family, long periods of self-doubt, and all consuming exhaustion that isn't quite over just yet.  However, it's been a blast.  So much fun, it's challenging to convey in brevity.  However, like renovating a property that no one else wants, it's been an adventure and who doesn't love a good adventure.

After three years, I want to take a moment to thank my wife Diann for her encouragement and support.  She's done an amazing job of juggling her own work, the needs of our children, both our families, and the frequently shifting demands of the productions.  We've canceled/postponed a couple of vacations, so I owe her and our kids a big one, once the dust settles.  

Finally, thanks for your notes, texts, emails, calls, and messages of support.  And thank you for watching and for telling others about the shows.  

With love and appreciation,

Trent               

The Queen Anne-Craftsman Master_Suite - Before

Restoring Charleston
DIY Network
Wed., Oct. 26, 2016
9-11pm EST

There's been a request for more before pictures of The Queen Anne-Craftsman that we're saving on Restoring Charleston.   (Links to before pics of the first two episodes are included below.)  Episode 3 (tonight @ 10pm) focuses on the Master Suite; the Master Bedroom, Master Bath, and Walk-In Closet.    

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Old Bathroom

Future Walk-In Closet

Looks like a barn.

The Queen Anne-Craftsman Kitchen/Dining - Before - Oct. 18, 2016

The Queen Anne-Craftsman Living_Room & Foyer Before - Oct. 19, 2016

The Queen Anne-Craftsman Living_Room & Foyer Before

Restoring Charleston

DIY Network

Wednesday
10 - 11pm EST

Foyer

Foyer

Wall Damage in Living Room.

Door to Foyer.

Window to Front Porch.

Living Room Fire Place

Living Room

Living Room Fire Place

The Queen Anne-Craftsman Kitchen/Dining Before

The only window in the future kitchen, on the left,

behind the mattress and box springs.

Restoring Charleston
DIY Network
Wed., 10pm EST

The fire place on the right, with door to foyer center left.

An electrical wire with a light socket for a single light bulb is okay,

but in 2016 we can do better.  And we did.

Dining Room

Dining Room - Looking into Future Kitchen

The only traditional kitchen this home has ever had was added on to the porch.

... just lovley.

The Queen Anne-Craftsman - Before

A big question with this house early on was, 'Is the home built in the Queen Anne style or is it more of a Craftsman?'  Well, in the midst of the restoration we decided that it was a wonderful combination of both.  It was built during the QA Era (1880-1910), has a steeped roof that's a characteristic of that style, there's obvious symmetry in the original part of the home, and it has the definitive bay window. 

However, there are some nods to the American Craftsman or Arts and Crafts style of house as well; late 1800's early 1900's  construction, natural materials, dominant fireplaces, a spacious front porch, and built-in furniture/cabinetry.  Without knowing what the original owners/builders were thinking, I'm speculating they were influenced by both styles, so naming this Pig's Ear The Queen Anne-Craftsman seems appropriate as well as respectful to those who were responsible for building it at the turn of the twentieth century.

The QA-C was condemned with a handful of other run-down buildings in town.  However, the local historical society voiced their concerns which lead to them taking ownership soon after, saving it from a demolition crew.  After years of contemplation, the historical preservationists decided they needed to find someone to take over in the rescue effort and I was referred to them by one of my neighbors.  I looked up the home on Google Maps, called my contact, and a couple hours later I was walking the property having a serious discussion about becoming the property's owner.  The windows were boarded up, there was obvious water damage and wood rot throughout, and cracked plaster walls suggested serious structural issues.  However, I was drawn to the QA-C because of all of the potential I could see; 14 foot (13' 6") ceilings, six fireplaces with original mantels, originals doors and wainscoting, lots of great bead board, and clear evidence of structural integrity in the midst of deficiencies.  

This is such a great house.  I'm thankful the historical society intervened and grateful I was able to add it to my list of Pig's Ears.  What a great project.  Stay tuned to see how it turns out.